Judges' tips

Here are some tips from the judges:

• Be in it to win it! These awards are a great way to raise your personal profile and your department's profile

• Time management! Make sure that you allow yourself plenty of time to both consider and develop your entry

• Preparation. Make sure you read the entry criteria, the questions you need to answer and the entry rules before you start to complete your entry. This way you will answer the questions being asked and not the questions you think are being asked!

• Think about your audience. Consider who will be reading your entry. The judging panel is made up of a cross section of midwifery experts and they may not have come across technical jargon specific to the area you operate in, so avoid it if it’s not needed 

• Include references to any research material if it helps put things into context. Imagine you are one of the judges and think through what you would want and need to read to be able to judge an entry

• Numbers. Use real figures that you can substantiate, so they provide an accurate representation of your achievements

• Shout loud and clear about your achievements. Don’t be a wallflower, make sure that your entry highlights the sense of pride you have in the things you have achieved

• Word count. Use the word count function

• Proof reading. Use spell-check and get someone else to proof-read your finished entry to check that it makes sense!