Got an interview. Any tips so I don't screw up?

[Radxical]

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Last year, I got two interviews but didn't practice too much. Or at least, I practiced a bunch in my head and then totally messed up the answers during the real deal. I'm a terrible speaker and mumble quite a bit. I was sheltered as a kid and only really started "talking" in high school but honestly it's a lifelong struggle to try and get out of my shell. Everyone I work with thinks I'm smart and have my **** together/figured out but I know that I get overly concerned with my flaws and give off a weak image for first impressions.

My delivery didn't come out as genuine, my answers lacked conviction. If I was interviewing myself, I would have given myself a hard pass.

But here I am reapplying and finally got my first II of the cycle.

Can anyone give me any good advice? Other than refine my answers, practice (with mock interviews with actual people)? I could really use some confidence boosters. Or some cold hard truth. I really want to succeed.

 

[spiffysteve]

Mock interviews are the way to go. They just make you get used to talking openly about yourself to a complete stranger and get in the correct mindset.

The other thing that I was told from a mock interview is that I wasn't answering completely. I was so nervous I was pretty much just saying "Yes, shadowing was great," instead of "yes, shadowing was wonderful, I learned so much, I had this great experience with a patient where blahblahblah..." Specific examples are your friend.

The last thing is that if you have gotten an interview, they are already interested in what you have on paper. The interview is mostly to see your personality, so if there are any questions about your hobbies, personal life, etc, answer those very freely. If you can get off topic and start chatting, it's a really good sign. I spent most of my interview talking about the book The Martian. I don't remember any school-relevant questions that they asked, just rambling about books for a while.

 

[Radxical]

True. If I couldn't even answer/describe my hobbies in detail, how could I be expected to do the same for "Why Doctor?" and "Describe your research", etc.

I'll look into finding some mock interview opportunities to practice. My last one was with my uncle who recorded the entire interview with a camera so I can review my body language. Thank you so much!

 

[nobaddays]

You should try looking for local toast masters meetups... I've heard they work wonders for people's communications skills, and I think they're free (?).

 

[sfgiants94]

I just had my first interview of the cycle and talking to the admission coordinator I learned a lot. Essentially, you were picked for a reason to get an II, this is just to see how you think through stuff, your personality, and how you handle some difficult situations.

The admission coordinator said there really isn't any wrong answers; pick your side of a dilemma, back it up (with ethical reasoning like autonomy, nonmaleficence, justice, etc. is best) but also take a look at the other side of the issue. Make sure you convey that you understand those who would disagree with you and their arguments as well. This shows complete thinking on your part and an ability to empathize with others even if you aren't totally in agreeance with them.

After talking to the admission coordinator I felt much more confident in my interviews and was able to discuss my reasoning and counter-reasoning during my interview. It felt lower stress for me and really seemed like more of a discussion than a forced interview even though there were on replies on the other end.

I was a nervous interviewer but this discussion really helped everything click for me, I hope it can help you as well!

 

[Radxical]

You should try looking for local toast masters meetups... I've heard they work wonders for people's communications skills, and I think they're free (?).

From what I'm seeing, $20 for new members, but sounds like a drop in the bucket for what they provide. I've never heard of them. I'll look into it! Thanks!

 

[nobaddays]

From what I'm seeing, $20 for new members, but sounds like a drop in the bucket for what they provide. I've never heard of them. I'll look into it! Thanks!

Yeah, I haven't used them personally, but have friends who have.. hope it helps!

 

[Goro]

Last year, I got two interviews but didn't practice too much. Or at least, I practiced a bunch in my head and then totally messed up the answers during the real deal. I'm a terrible speaker and mumble quite a bit. I was sheltered as a kid and only really started "talking" in high school but honestly it's a lifelong struggle to try and get out of my shell. Everyone I work with thinks I'm smart and have my **** together/figured out but I know that I get overly concerned with my flaws and give off a weak image for first impressions.

My delivery didn't come out as genuine, my answers lacked conviction. If I was interviewing myself, I would have given myself a hard pass.

But here I am reapplying and finally got my first II of the cycle.

Can anyone give me any good advice? Other than refine my answers, practice (with mock interviews with actual people)? I could really use some confidence boosters. Or some cold hard truth. I really want to succeed.

read this:
Goro's Guide to Interviews

 

[kraskadva]

The career services office at your undergrad should be able to help with the mock interviews, even if you're an alum.
At mine they would bring you in (wearing your interview outfit), run through the whole interview with some standard styles of questions, then give you feedback on your answers, your body language, and your clothes. IIRC they didn't tape mine, but I think there was an option for that too so you could see how you come across. Your school should have something similar.

 

[smurfin57]

Cold hard truth is just to practice with people. You want to be in a career that deals with talking to patients? Guess what... you're going to have to get used to talking to real people. Sit down by yourself and answer all of the practice questions you can find on paper. IE why do you want to be a doc, explain a negative on your application, etc and review them until you have an answer that A) answers the question and B) conveys that you are a person who is just trying to achieve their dream of becoming a doctor. Answer the questions with your heart. Don't be afraid of showing your passion for medicine (if it exists... if not, find another career). Practice your answers in the shower, while you're driving... record yourself and listen to it back. Note where you can use voice infliction to show your passion. Next, have someone you know ask you the questions, take it seriously and answer the questions face to face. Ask them for feedback. REPEAT until you can do it in your sleep.

 

[Doc_Ock]

Have a stump speech ready to go cold; a 2-3 minute schpiel that sums up all of your highlights and maybe 1-2 interesting facts for when they say "tell me about yourself." Know a good book you read recently and why you liked it, know your biggest strengths and how to mention your weaknesses but say how you're overcoming them. Know how you deal with stress. Can't say you'll be asked all of these but they're fairly common and having a well-delivered stump speech will separate you from 90% of the applicants since they tend to stutter through it with a lot of "umms."

 

[lalalaaaaaa]

I've found this website useful in prepping for residency interviews: Sample Behavioral Job Interview Questions and Tips for Answering

Practice with real people if you can. If you practice, it's helpful to try and make it as realistic as possible. Make sure the person gives you honest feedback from body language to the substance of the response to rambling.

Have an elevator pitch to explain who you are and why you want to be a doc in a concise 1 min speech that nails your strengths and interests.

Research the program.

 

[Blanky]

Work as a server or in some capacity that improves your capacity to communicate to humans.

 

[nobaddays]

Work as a server or in some capacity that improves your capacity to communicate to humans.

This is a good idea too, if you have the time. I worked in restaurants for a couple of years and it definitely teaches you to be a good conversationalist, and to keep your cool when somebody tries to push your buttons (which is supposedly a pretty common med school interview practice).

 

[AliBabaMD]

Getting an interview is great! It means they like you. Now prepare. Make flashcards with bullet points that support your answers for the top most frequently asked questions. Best wishes and good luck.

AB