Bringing Papers to Interviews?

[rasputinc]

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Looking for some opinions- I have a couple publications in peer reviewed journals that I listed on my application. I have an interview coming up and was wondering if I should bring copies of these. I am comfortable talking about them without having them with me, but I don't want to be unprepared in case someone asks for a copy or shows interest in seeing them.

Also, I have an MMI interview coming up as well. I assume the chances are even slimmer that I would need copies of them for this?

In general, what do you recommend bringing to an interview? I was planning on just bringing ID, phone, a pen, and some money (avoiding bringing a bag if possible).

Thanks in advance for any opinions!

 

[Catalystik]

1) Looking for some opinions- I have a couple publications in peer reviewed journals that I listed on my application. I have an interview coming up and was wondering if I should bring copies of these. I am comfortable talking about them without having them with me, but I don't want to be unprepared in case someone asks for a copy or shows interest in seeing them.

2) Also, I have an MMI interview coming up as well. I assume the chances are even slimmer that I would need copies of them for this?

3) In general, what do you recommend bringing to an interview? I was planning on just bringing ID, phone, a pen, and some money (avoiding bringing a bag if possible).

1) Trot them out ONLY IF ASKED.

2) I agree.

3) Turn off the phone on interview day. And I mean OFF, not on vibrate mode (unless your wife is in labor, a generally agreed upon exception to the rule here on SDN)). Only check it when you're in a closed bathroom cubicle.

 

[rasputinc]

1) Trot them out ONLY IF ASKED.

Ok, so you think I should bring a folder with them in it just in case? Trust me, I have no intention of boring my interviewers to death right off the bat by thrusting papers in their faces haha. Thanks!

 

[Catalystik]

Ok, so you think I should bring a folder with them in it just in case? Trust me, I have no intention of boring my interviewers to death right off the bat by thrusting papers in their faces haha. Thanks!

Anyone interested has probably already looked them up anyway (since you cited them on the Primary). It will be a rare situation that you'd be asked.

 

[Goro]

Looking for some opinions- I have a couple publications in peer reviewed journals that I listed on my application. I have an interview coming up and was wondering if I should bring copies of these. I am comfortable talking about them without having them with me, but I don't want to be unprepared in case someone asks for a copy or shows interest in seeing them.

Also, I have an MMI interview coming up as well. I assume the chances are even slimmer that I would need copies of them for this?

In general, what do you recommend bringing to an interview? I was planning on just bringing ID, phone, a pen, and some money (avoiding bringing a bag if possible).

Thanks in advance for any opinions!

Please do NOT do show and tell.

 

[gyngyn]

Whipping out your paper is a big turn-off.

 

[rasputinc]

Whipping out your paper is a big turn-off.

Ok yea I agree with that instinctively. Just didn't want to seem unprepared.

Sounds good all, will leave them at home. Thanks for all the advice!

 

[Med Ed]

Ok yea I agree with that instinctively. Just didn't want to seem unprepared.

Unprepared is when an interviewer asks you about your research and you sit there like a deer in headlights.

 

[Osteosaur]

People with PhDs, in the field, even groan when they have to read someone's paper. Mostly they're just chewtoys for journal clubs after a bad grant review. (And sometimes useful for literature reviews and replicating findings. Sometimes.) You can take a guess how a laymen might feel on the matter...

Think of it this way: Can you explain what you did and why its important in 30 to 60 seconds to a layperson? Do that.

 

[curbsideconsult]

I agree, having papers at all where then you will be tempted to pull them out is more likely to be a distraction and is meaningless.
1) No one is going to read them
2) they already know about them
3) pulling them out makes you look like you have to prove something, that you lack confidence, or even make you look desperate

4) my best remembered interviewee was a near “sheldon” level genius (which is almost all I knew about him) who had raised serious social/interpersonal skill issue with one of two interviewers (the other thought he was a genius). So I was added third interviewer. The guy could not comprehend that not only didnt I know about his academic record, that I wasnt interested. I wanted to know him personally but he kept talking about his research, his near perfect GPA (still bitter about some A-). And he was shocked I didnt know that he had be published and proceeded to whip out his papers, which I repeatedly kept ignoring despite his insistence. I essentially had to yell at him, got him talking a little bit, where essentially called everyone an idiot. He made Sheldon Cooper look like a social butterfly. I finally said “we’re done, any questions?” He asked me “how did I do?” So I blurted out “you’ll get into med school place I am sure,
but not here; I wouldnt trust you to walk my dog”

Thank you.