How can I learn good interviewing skills??

[geldrop]

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Anyone know a place or if medical schools or colleges offer assistance for students to prepare them for the medical school interview, like video taping myself with a sample interview and going over it with me. I have been out of college for a year and am many miles away from my college.

Anyone have any suggestions?? Or find something similiar?

 

[VienneseWaltz]

Is there a community job-training center nearby? That might be one place. If you have a college nearby (even if it's not yours), they MIGHT be willing to help you. (Duke was not willing to help me, even thought I was a graduate student there, but then again, that didn't really surprise me ...) Does your boss know you're applying? If so, he or she might be willing to give you feedback on your interview style. Failing that, I would ask a family members and friends to interview and tape you. Pick people who are observant and willing to critique you. Good luck!

 

[Jillianrae]

It might be of benefit to see if you can find a physician to help you. He/She might have a better idea of the kinds of questions that will be asked. Otherwise, successful business people who do lots of interviews, or anyone responsible for hiring staff (not like a fast food manager) would be able to give you valuable feedback on interviews in general.

 

[DoctorWannaBe]

My college career center does mock interviews with a video camera, so you might check out yours if you are still in college. Since it is a career center, they might not know how to interview for medical school though. But it will be good practice anyway.

 

[UCLAMAN]

Go into the bathroom and talk to yourself in the mirror...seriously.

And don't just think to yourself in the mirror...actually talk and speak as if you were carrying a conversation during an interview.

Try to answer various mock questions in the mirror. Its good practice in being able to articulate your thoughts on a subject. You can also hear what you sound like when you actually verbalize your thoughts.


It worked for me...or maybe i'm just a schizo.

 

[Doc Ivy]

I did the bathroom mirror thing...mainly because nobody bugs you when you are in the bathroom....it's protected teritory. Along with that you can see if you have any weird gestures or body language that might put people off.

Also use one one of those mini tape recorders and playback your answers to the standard questions. This is good for a couple of reasons:

1) you'll catch yourself saying "umm", or "ughhh", or "ya know", "it's like" etc. You would never catch these things without the ability to play back and critically listen to yourself

2) you'll be able to preserve on tape the really good stuff. Like maybe you really like the way you answered a particular question- the way it flowed, it's concision, whatever, --well you've got it on tape. I used to listen to the tape the morning of my interview and refresh myself...that way I had pretty good answers to all the expected question, not just in terms of content, but in terms of style too.

Good Luck

 

[Chronotropic]

Check the public speaking courses. Even if they are not geared toward interviews they will help with the "uhh and it's like" that sneek into your thoughts.