General Interview Advice

[Cezanne]

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[rockymhs]

I feel like I've been blowing my interviews and not really connecting with my interviewers. At a couple of my interviews, there's a lot of silence and I'm not sure what to do. What are some of the techniques that you guys use to fill in the silence? (Mainly, though, this is when the interviewer is reading my app over. Is silence ok if the interviewer is taking that time to read over your app or should you just jump in and start talking?) How do you start talking about a particular activity without it seeming abrupt?

Silence is ok. I think it means that the interviewer is thinking and going over the answers you provided.

During the silence, just smile and be in good posture, ready to answer next set of questions.

 

[causalinference]

Silence is fine. One of the mistakes that people make at interviews is talking too much. Don't do it because it might annoy your interviewer.

 

[PinkIvy08]

Silence is fine. One of the mistakes that people make at interviews is talking too much. Don't do it because it might annoy your interviewer.

Agreed. I sit pretty while they read over my file and absorb whatever info they're looking for (or if they're writing notes on my interview assessment form). I let them do what they need to with the most mental clarity possible. This way, it's mutually beneficial. They can think clearly, collect their thoughts, decide what they want to ask me next. Conversely, I have time to composed myself, collect my thoughts, and breathe.

 

[7starmantis]

Silence is ok. I think it means that the interviewer is thinking and going over the answers you provided.

During the silence, just smile and be in good posture, ready to answer next set of questions.

lol Its funny when I see these things. Not that its wrong, but I sat slouched down in the chair with my jacket open, arms folded, one foot up on my knee, etc in nearly every interview I had. I think its about an honest connection with your interviewer. You make a real connection and your fine. They can usually see through the nerves and "dont fart" advice everyone has given the applicants. Just be yourself, if thats sitting up straight with you hands in your lap then do it, if thats relaxed with your hands behind your head, do it. Be yourself. (within reason of course) 🙂

 

[Bernoull]

I feel like I've been blowing my interviews and not really connecting with my interviewers. At a couple of my interviews, there's a lot of silence and I'm not sure what to do. What are some of the techniques that you guys use to fill in the silence? (Mainly, though, this is when the interviewer is reading my app over. Is silence ok if the interviewer is taking that time to read over your app or should you just jump in and start talking?) How do you start talking about a particular activity without it seeming abrupt?

If the interviewer asks you something n he/she gets silence.. = BAD
After you answer the question and there's short silence = NORMAL
If there's silence bcos both of you run of things to say/ask = he/she is uninterested/bored out of this world!! Here u can ask questions about his/her job/research or something thoughtful about the school etc etc then channel the discussion back to why you're a great fit for the school etc etc.. afterall you're interviewing to sell your candidacy, so never miss a beat..

 

[diosa428]

You should definitely use your interview to sway the conversation in the direction that you want it to go in. The majority of interviewers have some questions they can/will ask you if they don't have anything else to ask, but if you bring up something that is more interesting, they will often bite and ask you about it. So if there's something on your application that you want to draw attention to, mention it in one of your answers.

In terms of how long you should talk, take cues from your interviewer. If they are nodding and writing things down, or look engaged, keep going. If they are zoning out, stop. If they seem to be struggling to come up with questions to ask, try to make your answers a little bit longer. I'd say 1-2 mins is a normal time to answer most questions (talk for 2 mins - it's actually a long time if you're the only one speaking).

 

[45408]

Don't start answering a question with "uuuuuuuuuummmmmmmmm......." Don't say "um" at all. Pause for a second to gather your thoughts if you must, or use good filler.

Sit comfortably, don't fidget, and make nearly constant eye contact. Smile and look happy to be there. Don't get flustered with a difficult question, just remain poised.

Silence isn't bad, but when they ask you a vague question, you should take the opportunity to steer it in a direction that allows you to talk up your strengths and achievements. "Tell me about yourself" shouldn't end with your winning goal in junior high soccer.

Remember, people love to talk about themselves. Your interviewer won't mind it if they end up talking about their research/specialty.



When they ask "Do you have any questions?" the answer is YES.

 

[Medmon]

Agreed. Good interviews/interviewers allows you to talk about things you want to talk about.. if you cant bring up the fact that you did x research that really really sets you apart or whatever .. then either you are doing a bad job or they are. If its you, its easy to fix.. lead from one question to your research.. something like I volunteered here and it led me to x research..

Start talking about a subject by leading into it.. you should never be like.. I played soccer. *silence* I love cancer research.. then it sounds like you are just throwing things out there.

 

[brooklynblunder]

dont let the silence throw you off, thats a typical interview pitfall

 

[futureNCmed]

Whenever I feel like there's too much silence in an interview I just ask my interviewer about themselves... I've found that everyone likes to talk about themselves. "What made you decide to go into medicine/research/teaching" is always a good one. Only the dryest of dry interviewers won't respond to those sorts of questions and there's usually a way to transition it back to your interests/application... plus it just breaks the ice and make the interview a bit more conversational.

 

[nhoang]

I had some mock interviews with students and the best advice they gave me afterward was that the best way to make your self stand out to the interviewer was by answering interview questions with a memorable story.

Every student answers the same ethical, weaknesses, and strengths questions with similar answers but if you have a personable story to incorporate into your answer, your interviewer will more likely remember it when it comes to him doing his report.

This might seem rehearsed to the interviewer but I think interviewers expect their interviewees to come prepared.

 

[sgtbrushes]

Interviewing is a skill. Practice it. Also, not saying "um" is good, and pausing for a few seconds before you respond to a question is good.