How did you improve your interviewing skills?

[mrh125]

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I'm usually pretty confident in those sort of situations, but sometimes when there's a lot of pressure I just choke and get a bit nervous/high-strung, but I eventually just find a way to chill pretty quickly especially if a silly question is asked. The problem is first impressions are everything and if I obliterate everything going for me in the first few minutes that's not exactly a good thing. I also have trouble balancing not saying enough and talking way too much. Other bad habits include adding "and stuff" to what I'm saying or using really informal language. Advice? What helped you?

 

[kyamh]

Practice practice practice.

Get a camera, a list of common questions, and record yourself giving answers. I promise it helps even though it feels really weird to do it. Edit: then you watch yourself give the answers and critique your performance.

SDN has also had skype volunteer fake interviews later on in the year where medical students run a practice interview over skype for interested applicants.

 

[WhittyPsyche]

Practice practice practice.

Get a camera, a list of common questions, and record yourself giving answers. I promise it helps even though it feels really weird to do it. Edit: then you watch yourself give the answers and critique your performance.

SDN has also had skype volunteer fake interviews later on in the year where medical students run a practice interview over skype for interested applicants.

+1

I took a speech course my freshman year and we had to make videos pretending to be news reporters/anchor[wo]men etc and I would have to do them over 10-20 times in a row before I could submit them. That course helped a lot and since I've had many job interviews that I used the same skills I learned and they have gone amazingly well.

No need to buy a video camera if you have a laptop with a camera. I propped mine on a chair sat across from it and practiced. It's a great way to catch certain subconscious habits such as fiddling your hair, looking down or away etc that you can work on each time.

 

[persumas]

oooh, solid advice on recording yourself. In a lot of my coursework with presentations, our professors would do the same. Sometimes cringe worthy to watch yourself, but definitely helpful.

Any one have any med school or general interview books they've enjoyed?

 

[slz1900]

See if your school has something like a career services center where you can do a mock interview. Most schools do, and it's probably the best practice you can get.

 

[Cyberdyne 101]

Try to have mock sessions with your friends/peers that would resemble an MMI segment. You can probably find MMI sample questions online and make sure you time the mock sessions. I believe each MMI portion is 10 min.

 

[Ismet]

Mock interviews. Practice makes perfect.

 

[AlbinoHawk DO]

Visualization is also key. Do your interviews in your head while imagining yourself calm. Basket ball players use a similar technique to train for games when they are off the court.

 

[Cyberdyne 101]

It's in your best interest to practice for the MMI if you're applying to schools in California (and I'm assuming that you are 👍)

 

[ace12345]

oooh, solid advice on recording yourself. In a lot of my coursework with presentations, our professors would do the same. Sometimes cringe worthy to watch yourself, but definitely helpful.

Any one have any med school or general interview books they've enjoyed?

The Medical School Interview, Samir P. Desai. I liked this book a lot. Not sure I learned all that much I didn't already know, but it definitely made me feel more confident/calm. The common questions section/school admin comments are really nice.

 

[UlahSnackbar]

youtube medical school interview videos to get a better sense of how to answer questions

 

[Keladry]

Have someone intimidating interview you. Seriously - I asked a friend who's incredibly smart and not at all known to mince words, and I was terrified of him as an interviewer, but practicing with him was GREAT because none of my real interviews were that scary.

 

[Cyberdyne 101]

Have someone intimidating interview you. Seriously - I asked a friend who's incredibly smart and not at all known to mince words, and I was terrified of him as an interviewer, but practicing with him was GREAT because none of my real interviews were that scary.

Awesome strategy!

 

[Cyberdyne 101]

Have someone intimidating interview you. Seriously - I asked a friend who's incredibly smart and not at all known to mince words, and I was terrified of him as an interviewer, but practicing with him was GREAT because none of my real interviews were that scary.

I wish I could practice with the 1990 version of Ice Cube lol.

 

[mrh125]

I wish I could practice with the 1990 version of Ice Cube lol.
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hell yea, then you'd have to check yourself before you wreck yourself because lousy interview skills are bad for your health.

 

[Uafl112]

I just stay confident and remember that I have the resume and skills to do my talking. Keeps me calm and I feel like a boss

 

[lobo.solo]

For traditional:
1. Write up answers for general interview questions.
2. Read the SDN interview feedback on the school I'll interview at.
3. Research the school and read the secondary
3. Practice alone.
4. Mock interview.

For MMI:
1.youtube it, so you can learn format and best approach to scenario.
2. Do mock interview.