Anyone Sincere and Smart But You JUST Don't Interview Well?

[dan0909]

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I felt a little like this when i was interviewing...I'm a good enough student to do well in medical school, I am sincere about going into medicine for the "right" reasons, and I am able to communicate well, but for some reason I just don't promote myself well! Anyone else like this?

 

[lola]

i feel sort of the same way. i don't think i interview poorly, but i have a hard time talking about my accomplishments and selling myself. as long as they can see that you are a sincere person but are modest, it will probably be ok.
have you tried practicing interviewing? i found that i became better at it and more comfortable talking about my personal qualities and accomplishments the more that i did it.

 

[dan0909]

actually im already in...who knows how, since i feel lik ei bombed my interview...oh well ill take it

 

[CJLaw]

dan0909,

Though you are already in you WILL have to interview in the future (residency, fellowship, job interview, promotions, etc). It would behoove you to take an interview techniques course and practice privatley. A good interviewer can make up for shortcomings in other aspects of their resume/application. Its an invaluable tool.

 

[Adapt]

Yes in the beginning of the interview process I was terrified to interview. I would get so nervous and would talk really fast because of it. Even though my stats were good I really thought it was going to be the interview that kept me out of medical school.

However, by my 8th interview, I believe I mastered the skill of interviewing. I no longer get nervous and have the utmost confidence when going in. That is the key, confidence. In fact confidence bordering on arrogance. Interviewers like to see that. After all, if you're going to be a doctor, act like one. With that, you can do anything.

 

[bigbaubdi]

Originally posted by dan0909
I felt a little like this when i was interviewing...I'm a good enough student to do well in medical school, I am sincere about going into medicine for the "right" reasons, and I am able to communicate well, but for some reason I just don't promote myself well! Anyone else like this?

IMHO, interviews are not about promoting yourself, rather they are about conveying the things that you are passionate about. Talk about stuff that is really meaningful to you and how those things have made an impact on your desires to become a doctor. If those things really are meaningful to you, then you should have no problem conveying those things to your interviewer in a natural fashion.

To thine own self be true - there is no need to act like something you are not. I would say that acting like a sleazy car salesman who is trying to sell someone an '84 Gremlin is probably not the best way to get admitted into med school.

 

[Bones2008]

Originally posted by Slickness
That is the key, confidence. In fact confidence bordering on arrogance. Interviewers like to see that.

A senior admissions officer from Harvard Medical School came to my school a month ago to give an interview workshop to all current applicants. One of the things she stressed was that she cuts anyone who comes across as full of themselves or arrogant. Doctors aren't supposed to act arrogant, and interviewers will pick up on it if someone acts that way. Be confident, that's good. Also though be very careful that you don't think you're so great. It's a kiss of death.

 

[persia]

well thank goodness! 🙂

I like to let the facts speak for themselves, and to be quiet and soft spoken. I find being quiet is more effective in alot of situations and can carry more weight. I'm glad to learn that the adcoms are tuned into this too.

 

[cguidr4]

Based on my experiences when I was a reapplicant I think being quiet and soft-spoken is not a way to approach med school interviews. To many schools, the interview is key to acceptances since most students have comparable stats; therefore, it is important to try and sell yourself (w/o being arrogant). Stats do speak for themselves but it will definitly not guarantee an acceptance. (trust me I know). For me it was a little uncomfortable talking about my achievements but I realized that this was crucial to having a good interview. By the way it worked and I am now a first year med student. I only wish I had this approach the first time I applied instead of being so soft-spoken. My philosophy is that YOU have to sell yourself. Nobody is going to do it for you.

 

[SunnyS81]

I had a class last month (or two ago) called, "The patient interview."


Remember, doctors allocate 15 minutes to talking with patients. You'll be doing it someday, so may as well develop the ability to have an honest, quick, and meaningful conversation.

In any part of life though, you'll have to show that you're better than others. When you apply for research grants, you show that your project is better than others, when you apply for a job and so on.

Just my $.02.