How to control nerves during interviews?

[deleted1012097]

Any tips? When I do mock interviews, I feel fine but during the real deal, it’s a little bit hard to stay confident.

People say “fake it till you make it” but how do you “fake it”?

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[Blueprint Med School]

Don't overthink anything. At the end of the day, interviews are just going to be a 20-30 minute conversation. Don't go into an interview thinking about how important it is or that they are going to judge every single thing you do. You got the interview- they're interested. Go into an interview as if you're just going to have a conversation with a random person.

 

[deleted1012097]

Don't overthink anything. At the end of the day, interviews are just going to be a 20-30 minute conversation. Don't go into an interview thinking about how important it is or that they are going to judge every single thing you do. You got the interview- they're interested. Go into an interview as if you're just going to have a conversation with a random person.

So basically pretend that it’s a friendly conversation with someone over a coffee?

 

[LizzyM]

Don't be too casual or think that you can use slang or try to be funny.
Imagine you are seated on a ship or at an awards dinner next to a person who happens to be a medical school faculty member or a med student. There is no wi-fi and your devices don't work. You have nothing but time for a conversation. They want to know more about you, they are curious and ask about your semester abroad, your research, your involvement with your favorite volunteer organization, what among your experience in clinical settings has left a lasting impression? How do you speak to them? That's all there is it it.

 

[Saturday’s Child]

Don't be too casual or think that you can use slang or try to be funny.

n = 1, but I made a couple movie references and a joke about celibacy in an interview with a faculty member at a T-5, and I got in. I’d like to think the joke and references were well timed and appropriate given the context and progress of the conversation. Definitely don’t try to be funny, but I’d say humor is definitely ok and probably welcomed if it occurs naturally and helps the interviewer see the real you!

 

[deleted1032897]

I go in with this mindset: your interviewer is not (or, at least, hopefully not) quizzing you in search of their perfect predetermined answer. They want to know how well you know yourself; how thoroughly have you researched and weighed this career? How thoughtfully have you considered what lessons life has offered you in general? Can you come to terms with the fact that you'll never know everything or be comfortable in every situation? You have (or should have) everything you need to ace this quiz already, and you got yourself through that door, so it is time to trust wholeheartedly in yourself. Yes, it helps to refresh on your application materials (wrote that puppy A MILLION YEARS before interview season) and practice trying to voice answers out loud instead of just telling yourself "oh yeah I know that one" in your head, but your genuine inner narrative should be your cornerstone. If you don't know the answer to an oddly specific or tricky question, no stress. Freely admit it and ask to learn more. Forget fretting over the uncertainty and each unexpected event during the interview. Interacting with other humans will always be nerve wracking and awkward; you only fail when you let that make you feel threatened or insecure. Just be yourself, and be respectful. And if you're worried about nerves getting the best of you, take a small pause before each answer and quickly survey- "Is this how I want to reflect myself?"

 

[Goro]

Any tips? When I do mock interviews, I feel fine but during the real deal, it’s a little bit hard to stay confident.

People say “fake it till you make it” but how do you “fake it”?

Pretend you're talking to your gramma.

 

[longhaul3]

This is all good advice, but you should also remember that it's ok to be nervous. Your future is on the line.

 

[Moko]

n = 1, but I made a couple movie references and a joke about celibacy in an interview with a faculty member at a T-5, and I got in. I’d like to think the joke and references were well timed and appropriate given the context and progress of the conversation. Definitely don’t try to be funny, but I’d say humor is definitely ok and probably welcomed if it occurs naturally and helps the interviewer see the real you!

I agree that applicants should show their personality and treat the interview as a conversation. Some interviewees are so rehearsed and emotionless that it makes the interview a complete drag. I personally enjoy when applicants use humor, but humor is also very subjective, and what might be okay for one interviewer may be seen as inappropriate or tone-deaf by another. So it's important to feel the situation out.

 

[deleted972488]

It's fine, and perhaps even beneficial, to be a little nervous.

 

[Rachapkis]

I find that preparation helps with nerves. You do not want to be over-rehearsed with rote answers, but you should have a roadmap of what you want to say for predictable questions, such as why this school? why medicine? tell me about X EC?, etc. And remember, you are a much harsher critic of your performance than they will ever be. The interviewer just wants to get to know you to see if you would be a good fit for the school.

 

[Styrene]

Any tips? When I do mock interviews, I feel fine but during the real deal, it’s a little bit hard to stay confident.

People say “fake it till you make it” but how do you “fake it”?

Well, it all depends on how nervous one becomes.

 

[Jungkookie]

Proper preparation is going to help a lot! Know your application very well, know the school very well, know alllll the common and uncommon questions, do serious full out mock interviews, keep up to date with current events and healthcare news! I also found the advice on this page about acing "conversational" interviews very helpful in dealing with nervousness and preparation tips

You're always going to be a liiiittle bit nervous and that's normal! and good! Keeps you alert 😀 and humble 😀

 

[CherryRedDracul]

A little nervousness is OK.

I interviewed for radiology fellowships a few months ago. I approached each interview like a conversation I would have with a friend except I'd tone down the swear words. For me, it's easier to get through life in general when I don't have to worry about putting up a facade.

This is the frame of mind I had: I am who I am, and I know I'm qualified for this position. It's up to you to decide if we're a good fit. I'll be making a similar judgment about the program. When I interviewed at my top choice in the morning, I got a phone call from the fellowship director in the afternoon, asking me to accept their fellowship offer.

That might be easier said than done, but being uncompromising about who I am, as long as I'm not doing something bad, is something I've been cultivating since undergrad, and I think it's done wonders for my self-esteem and my inner peace.

Overall, I think people appreciate others for being genuine.

 

[premed20172017]

If you’re interviewing, they like you enough to accept you. Many schools will reiterate that on interview day. For traditional interviews, be confident - you’re the expert about who you are and what you’ve done! MMIs are a bit different, but the good thing is, each station is so short, it makes it hard to overthink things. Good luck!

 

[Sky138]

Any tips? When I do mock interviews, I feel fine but during the real deal, it’s a little bit hard to stay confident.

People say “fake it till you make it” but how do you “fake it”?

I think the idea of “faking it till you make it” is an absolutely horrible idea. During my interviews, my interviewers greatly appreciated the honesty I answered each question. If you answer each question exactly the way you would to your closest confidantes/friends/etc, chances are you will be able to do so more convincingly. I highly suggest doing a lot more mock interviews and introspection.

 

[LizzyM]

I think the idea of “faking it till you make it” is an absolutely horrible idea.

I think it means to act with confidence, even if you don't feel confident, until you are confident. Put up a brave front, don't let 'em see you sweat. Don't be afraid to be humble and admit you lack a specific skill or that you are not yet competent to do something you've not been trained to do, but in clinical settings, as in academic ones, and in interviews, you have to go in there and perform knowing that "you've got this", you've got it in you to succeed but you have to be brave enough to try.

 

[Andrew Baines Bernard]

Not sure if this is really what you're asking for, but I'm a fan of the "closed exhale" valsalva for nerves. I always feel a rush of anxiety when I walk into an interview. I would lose focus so much it basically felt like I was on autopilot. It used to take me about five mins to calm down naturally, and that's a solid five mins of me, in the interview, probably nervously rambling, making a poor initial impression. Now, I just do a quick valsalva for 3-4sec before I go in (it's basically unnoticable), my HR and BP drop instantly and I walk in significantly more calm. Just a quick tip.

*disclaimer, do not do this for a prolonged period or if you are baseline hypotensive. You'll likely pass out lol.

 

[DrWhom]

Any tips? When I do mock interviews, I feel fine but during the real deal, it’s a little bit hard to stay confident.

People say “fake it till you make it” but how do you “fake it”?

hmm are you doing mock interviews with friends/family? much easier to feel fine around people we know