Good/ bad answers to interview questions

[SphereGlobe]

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As the residency application cycle gets underway, I thought it would be helpful to reach out to the SDN community to compile a list of good and bad interview responses.

Interviewers, what are responses to interview questions that have turned you off to an applicant? Is there a right or wrong way to express why you chose a certain specialty? What are responses (or people) you have encountered that were particularly memorable in a good way, and why?

Are there questions that one should not ask during an interview?

I'll start - I heard that it is poor form to ask about call schedules, especially in specialties that are classically seen as lifestyle specialties. It gives off the impression that you are looking for the easy way out.

 

[operaman]

It's less about right or wrong answers and more about the overall impression. Wrong answers are ones that betray any underlying laziness, entitlement, selfishness, or anything else that would make someone a really terrible colleague. There aren't many wrong answers about choosing a field other than perhaps saying you want minimal work for maximum pay and this is the only field your parents will approve of you doing. The good answers are the genuine ones that also reflect a concerted effort by that person to expose them self to our field and be certain they are ready for its challenges.

Another bad answer scenario would be someone who hasn't adequately prepared for behavioral questions. They tend to go down the rabbit hole of long winded storytelling that never actually addresses the question.

Absolutely never ever ask about call schedules. The residents should make a point to tell you so you don't have to ask. Every interview I had included a talk which went over the call schedule.

Good questions are ones that you actually have. I typically used those moments to ask questions about life in that city, neighborhoods, where most residents tend to live, etc. My most pointed questions were always at residents, especially juniors, and intended to garner a sense of what the vibe of the program was. Things I would ask:
1) what cases are you completely comfortable doing with minimal or no assistance? Asked this of multiple levels.
2) questions about how much autonomy balanced with how much support and supervision
3) for juniors, how often do you call attendings directly at night? Are those lines of communication always open or do things get filtered up through the seniors? Some places are very hierarchical while others less so; questions like this can help you tease out the difference if that matters to you.
4) questions about their rotation schedules. This can help you place their operative exposure at various levels in context.
5) find out what the Chiefs are comfortable doing in a few months when they're out on their own as attendings. Know the cases in your field that are both more advanced yet doable outside of a big academic setting and ask directly if that's something they'll be offering if they are doing private practice.

 

[cbrons]

Got this one from my senior resident to ask

Instead of asking the residents "are you happy at this program?" -- another way to ask this is >

"When you graduate, what will you miss most about the program/this hospital?"

If they hesitate or have no answer, then theys prob ain't too happy know what I mean

 

[Goro]

Here's one I've heard from a PD: don't ask about taking vacation after week on the job.

As the residency application cycle gets underway, I thought it would be helpful to reach out to the SDN community to compile a list of good and bad interview responses.

Interviewers, what are responses to interview questions that have turned you off to an applicant? Is there a right or wrong way to express why you chose a certain specialty? What are responses (or people) you have encountered that were particularly memorable in a good way, and why?

Are there questions that one should not ask during an interview?

I'll start - I heard that it is poor form to ask about call schedules, especially in specialties that are classically seen as lifestyle specialties. It gives off the impression that you are looking for the easy way out.

 

[SurfingDoctor]

I interview mostly fellowship applicants, so these may not be able to be extrapolated to residency interviews, but I typically ask;

Where do you see yourself in 5 years? How about 10 years?

Then the follow up question,

What about our program will help you achieve those goals?

If someone answers these 2 questions in couple minutes or less, I usually don't have a positive reaction to the interview. It shows a general lack of foresight and interest in one's own career. On the other hand, if someone can talk for 15+ minutes to answer these two questions and has very clear goals of where they would like their career to go, what they think they need to get there (and why), and have done some homework on how our program can help, I'm sold.