Preparing your midwifery job application

Creating applications that showcase your potential

Your job application is your opportunity to demonstrate why you're passionate about midwifery and how your degree has prepared you to support women through pregnancy, birth and beyond. A well-crafted application can help you stand out from other candidates and secure interviews for your preferred midwifery roles.

This guide will help you create compelling applications and personal statements that highlight your midwifery education, placement experiences, and commitment to woman-centred care.

Resources to help you succeed

How to create a CV: The King's Trust – Step-by-step guidance on creating professional CVs that get noticed by employers.

NHS Elect CV Guide – Specific advice for healthcare professionals on structuring CVs for NHS roles.

Royal College of Midwives – Professional support, career guidance, and resources specifically for midwives and student midwives.

Preparing for your future as a midwife – Comprehensive information about midwifery careers and development opportunities.

Writing your midwifery job application

Your CV can be the basis of your application should be clear, professional, and tailored to midwifery roles. It's important to note that NHS Jobs require you to fill in an application form, but your CV will help you complete this effectively. Here's what to include:

Personal details

• full name and contact information
• professional email address
• Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) PIN number (once qualified)
• location and willingness to relocate if relevant

Professional summary

Write a brief paragraph that captures your passion for midwifery and what you bring to the role aligned to the job description. For example: "Dedicated student midwife approaching qualification with extensive experience across hospital and community settings. Passionate about supporting women through pregnancy, birth and beyond with a strong commitment to woman-centred care and advocacy."

Education and qualifications

Your midwifery degree and expected qualification date

Include the full title of your degree, university, and expected completion date.

Previous qualifications

Include A-levels, BTECs, T-Levels or other relevant qualifications that demonstrate your academic ability.

Training

List any courses like newborn life support, breastfeeding support or mental health awareness training.

Clinical experience

Placement experiences across different maternity settings

Detail your clinical placements including:

• hospital labour wards and delivery suites
• community midwifery with case loading experience
• antenatal and postnatal care settings
• birth centres or midwife-led units
• specialist areas like high-risk pregnancy units

For each placement, briefly describe what you learned, and any specific achievements or feedback received.

Work experience

Healthcare work experience

Include any paid or voluntary work in healthcare settings, emphasising transferable skills.

Work with women and families

Highlight any experience supporting women, children, or families in various settings.

Other employment

Include other jobs that demonstrate reliability, teamwork, and communication skills.

Key skills and competencies

Clinical competencies

Highlight skills in pregnancy and birth care, including: 

• antenatal assessment and care planning
• labour and birth support
• postnatal care and breastfeeding support
• emergency procedures and resuscitation
• medicines management in maternity care

Communication and advocacy

Demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively with women, families, and healthcare teams.

Woman-centred care

Show your understanding of individualised care and supporting women's choices.

Professional development

Additional training in maternity care

List any extra courses, workshops, or conferences you've attended.

Continuing professional development

Show your commitment to lifelong learning and staying current with best practice.

Professional memberships

Include membership of the Royal College of Midwives or other relevant professional bodies.

Crafting your personal statement

Your personal statement is crucial for midwifery applications. It should be engaging, authentic, and demonstrate your suitability for the role.

Structure your personal statement

Opening paragraph

Responding to the job description, explain your motivation for choosing midwifery and what draws you to supporting women through pregnancy and birth.

Body paragraphs

Use specific examples to demonstrate: 

• how your placement experiences have prepared you for practice
• times when you've demonstrated midwifery values like woman-centred care, advocacy, and professional accountability
• your understanding of the challenges and rewards of midwifery
• any relevant personal experiences that have shaped your career choice

Closing paragraph

Connect your goals to the specific role and organisation, showing you've researched the position and understand what they offer.

Key themes to address

Your passion for midwifery

Explain what motivates you to support women through pregnancy, birth and beyond. Be specific about why midwifery appealed to you rather than other healthcare roles.

Clinical preparation

Describe how your placement experiences have prepared you for providing individualised, person centred and comprehensive maternity care. Include examples of different birth settings and situations you've encountered.

Midwifery values

Demonstrate your understanding of woman-centred care, informed choice, and the importance of building trusting relationships with women and families.

Professional development

Show your commitment to continuous learning and staying current with evidence-based practice in maternity care.

Career aspirations

Explain your interest in the specific role and how it fits with your career goals, whether that's community midwifery, hospital practice, or specialist areas.

Understanding job descriptions

Before applying, carefully analyse midwifery job descriptions to tailor your application effectively.

Key areas to focus on

Type of maternity service

Understand whether it's hospital-based, community midwifery, birth centre, or specialist unit, and highlight relevant experience.

Essential requirements

Ensure you meet all essential criteria and clearly demonstrate this in your application.

Desirable requirements

Highlight any desirable qualifications or experiences you have and explain how you plan to develop in areas where you have less experience.

Competencies sought

Look for specific skills they want in pregnancy care, labour and birth, and tailor your examples to match their priorities.

Team culture

Research the maternity unit's values and culture and demonstrate how you would fit with their approach to woman-centred care.

Tailoring your application

Use their language

Mirror terminology from the job description in your application to show you understand their requirements.

Provide specific examples

For each requirement, give concrete examples from your education or experience that demonstrate your ability.

Show cultural fit

Demonstrate understanding of their values and approach to maternity care and explain how you share these principles.

Address gaps honestly

If you lack experience in certain areas, acknowledge this and explain your enthusiasm for learning and development.

Final tips for strong applications

Proofread carefully 

Check for spelling, grammar, and formatting errors that could undermine your professionalism.

Get feedback

Ask qualified midwives, placement supervisors, or career advisors to review your application before submitting.

Keep it relevant

Focus on experiences and skills that relate directly to midwifery practice and the specific role.

Be authentic

Let your genuine passion for midwifery shine through while maintaining a professional tone.

Follow instructions

Ensure you complete all required sections and submit everything requested by the deadline.

Ready for the next step

Once you've created strong applications, it's time to prepare for the interview process and potential job offers.

Preparing for midwifery job interviews – Learn how to prepare for interviews, what to expect on the day, and how to handle offers or feedback from unsuccessful applications.

Remember that each application is an opportunity to showcase your passion for midwifery and your potential to make a positive difference to women's experiences of pregnancy and birth. Take time to craft thoughtful, tailored applications that reflect your commitment to woman-centred care.