How to Prepare Your CV for a Pre-Employment Medical Assessment
Getting a job offer is exciting, but for some roles, there is one more step before you can officially start: a pre-employment medical assessment.
The process can sound intimidating, especially if you have never completed one before. In most cases, though, it is simply a way for the employer and medical provider to check whether you can perform the role safely.
Good preparation can make the appointment feel much more straightforward.
Understand What the Assessment Is For
A pre-employment medical is usually based on the demands and risks of the role you are applying for.
Someone applying for a physically demanding job may need different checks from someone applying for an office-based position. For example, a manual role may involve tests for movement, strength, hearing or vision. An office role may require fewer physical checks.
A thorough pre employment medical may be tailored to the role, industry and workplace. The employer or assessment provider should give the clinician enough information about the job to decide which checks are relevant.
Your CV is not usually the main document used to plan the assessment. However, the clinician may ask about previous roles, workplace exposures, injuries or duties if they are relevant to the position.
Review the Job Requirements
Before your appointment, read the job description again.
Pay attention to the parts of the role that involve physical activity, concentration, driving, machinery, repetitive movements, long periods of sitting or exposure to noise and other workplace risks.
This will help you understand why certain tests may be included.
You should also review any instructions sent by the employer or clinic. These instructions are more useful for the assessment than changing or polishing your CV.
Prepare Accurate Information
You may be asked to complete a questionnaire about your medical history. This could include questions about:
previous injuries or surgery
ongoing health conditions
current medications
allergies
past workplace injuries
symptoms that may affect your ability to perform the role safely
Answer the questions honestly and accurately.
You do not need to volunteer unrelated personal information that has not been requested. Disclosure rules can vary between countries and regions, so follow the instructions provided by the employer or clinician and seek local advice if you are unsure.
Having a health condition does not automatically mean you will be rejected. The purpose of the assessment is usually to understand whether you can perform the role safely and whether any reasonable workplace adjustments may be needed.
Bring the Right Documents
The clinic or employer should tell you what to bring. Common items may include:
photo identification
forms provided by the employer
a list of current medications and dosages
glasses or contact lenses
details of previous injuries, treatment or surgery
medical reports, if specifically requested
Bring your CV only if the employer or clinic asks for it.
It is also a good idea to arrive 10 to 20 minutes early. This gives you time to complete paperwork without feeling rushed.
Know What the Assessment May Include
The exact checks will depend on the job, but a pre-employment medical may include:
a medical history questionnaire
blood pressure and general health checks
vision or hearing tests
movement and mobility checks
strength or lifting assessments
drug and alcohol screening
lung function testing
tests related to specific workplace risks
Not every candidate will complete all of these tests.
For example, a person applying for a role involving heavy lifting may be assessed differently from someone applying for a desk-based role. The clinician should focus on the requirements of the position rather than testing areas that are not relevant.
Follow the Clinic’s Instructions
Avoid relying on general preparation advice from friends or online forums.
Some assessments may require you to avoid food, caffeine, exercise or certain activities beforehand. Others may not require any special preparation.
Follow the instructions from the clinic carefully. Do not stop taking medication unless a qualified medical professional tells you to do so.
Get a reasonable night’s sleep, wear comfortable clothing and bring water unless the provider gives different instructions.
Be Honest About Your Abilities
Do not exaggerate what you can physically or mentally handle.
Trying to appear more capable than you are could place you or other people at risk once you start the job. At the same time, you should not assume that an old injury or health condition will automatically prevent you from being hired.
Explain relevant information clearly and let the clinician assess it in relation to the role.
If you are asked about a previous injury, describe what happened, how you recovered and whether it still affects you. Avoid guessing or hiding details that are directly relevant to workplace safety.
Final Thoughts
Preparing for a pre-employment medical assessment does not require a complete rewrite of your CV.
Focus instead on understanding the job, reading the clinic’s instructions, organising the documents you have been asked to bring and answering relevant medical questions accurately.
The assessment is not usually designed to catch you out. Its purpose is to help determine whether you can perform the role safely.
With the right preparation, you can attend the appointment feeling informed, organised and ready for the next step in your new job.
