How to interview/what to wear/what to being?

[isittoolate]

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I have been fortunate enough to get my first two interview invites in the past week to Tufts and my state school OHSU. I am yet to interview anywhere yet and am very anxious. I have a dark grey suit that I plan on wearing with a tie, does that seem appropriate? Other than bringing myself in a suit, do I need to bring anything else? I know it's a long day, can I being high protein snacks? I am someone who doesn't do well without snacks between meals and each one of these interviews goes from 9 to ~2-3 according the the email. Also, I have seen people mentioning that they brought a portfolio with a pen and pencil, is that really necessary?

Also, I was planning to go to my career center for a practice interview, should that be enough to prepare me? Should I give them some of the questions from the interview feedback on this site? I am torn between being over prepared for my interview and not wanting to be caught off guard by any questions...

 

[DentalHopeful28]

Congrats on your interviews! Dark grey suit and tie is pretty standard and always a good idea. You can bring a snack but they actually fed me a lot at the interviews I went to ( I dont know about Tufts and OHSU though). Some people do bring portfolios and a pen, but usually the school itself provides a welcome folder with pertinent info regarding the interview and a pen. The practice interview sounds great and I would definitely recommend using the interview feedback questions. Good luck!

 

[SES0112]

If you are confident in your answers and talking to people, I'd say a practice/mock interview would be enough. However I would def. still research some questions and answer out loud to yourself or have someone ask you them. Fortunately for girls they can bring a snack in their purse, however Idk how you could discreetly bring something. Like the other poster said, there was plenty of snacks before our meal was given at my interview. However if you can manage to bring something with you, bring it so you won't be anxious about it. Portfolio's help you look more professional in my opinion. But it's up to you! Good luck!!! and congrats!

 

[rootz02]

Best advice I can give is to not sound rehearsed. You undoubtedly want to prepare for the interview as best you can.. But stick to making talking points. Don't try to memorize a script. As much as they're interviewing you, be confident enough to realize that you're evaluating their program as well. Slow things down, listen to their question and answer what was asked.. Not what you think they want to hear.

And of course wear a tie. You're going to meet with health professionals for a "position".. Don't look like you just came from recess lol. Congrats bud. I'm sure you'll do great.

 

[Member902507]

Bring a snack, but most schools tend to feed you well! Only LECOM didn't have a good spread for food...and fed us like 4.5 hours after being there...the other schools I interviewed at made sure you got water/tea/coffee/juice and breakfast, or snacks, or just lunch.

I had taken a portfolio for the first interview I went to, but it was kind of pointless. The schools gave me a folder of their information, so that was more than enough. I'm not one who likes to take notes though when people are talking, especially if they're describing their program...I'm pretty sure I can just understand that as they say it.

Just keep a pen with you in case (one school didn't give a pen), but I don't think the folder is necessary to take with you.

Use the interview feedback section, and do some solid research on the school itself (how it distinguishes itself from other schools). This is key, because you need to have background information on the school, just as the interviewers will most likely have background information from you (where you're from, what you like to do, what you're good at, etc etc). Good luck!!!

 

[UCSFx2017]

You have to relax but be prepared. It's better to be slow and coherent than fast and incomprehensible. Look at the interview section on SDN and be sure you can answer the core questions. Don't rehearse a whole script. Instead, memorizing a few bullet points and being able to elaborate on those points are good ideas. Even though you want be accepted to as many schools as possible, it's best to be able to come off as someone who is a perfect match for each individual school by reflecting the school's mission and the aspects that it tries to sell itself with. Come up with good questions to ask. The interview should be conversational. Safe suit colors are dark grey, navy blue, and maybe brown.

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=966772

 

[isittoolate]

Bring a snack, but most schools tend to feed you well! Only LECOM didn't have a good spread for food...and fed us like 4.5 hours after being there...the other schools I interviewed at made sure you got water/tea/coffee/juice and breakfast, or snacks, or just lunch.

I had taken a portfolio for the first interview I went to, but it was kind of pointless. The schools gave me a folder of their information, so that was more than enough. I'm not one who likes to take notes though when people are talking, especially if they're describing their program...I'm pretty sure I can just understand that as they say it.

Just keep a pen with you in case (one school didn't give a pen), but I don't think the folder is necessary to take with you.

Use the interview feedback section, and do some solid research on the school itself (how it distinguishes itself from other schools). This is key, because you need to have background information on the school, just as the interviewers will most likely have background information from you (where you're from, what you like to do, what you're good at, etc etc). Good luck!!!

Thanks for the feedback. I called to schedule earlier this morning, they offered me four days for next week. I have done absolutely nothing to prep for interviews...could I be ready for my interview by Monday or Tuesday? I want to do it sooner than later as they review applications immediately after they do them to send out acceptances. At the same time this is my number one school, I won't have had time to do a mock interview with the career center beforehand...how stressful was your first interview? Do you think I can be successful with only a weekend to prep?

 

[SES0112]

Yes you can most def be successful with a weekend prep... You have the outift so go for it!

 

[Member902507]

Thanks for the feedback. I called to schedule earlier this morning, they offered me four days for next week. I have done absolutely nothing to prep for interviews...could I be ready for my interview by Monday or Tuesday? I want to do it sooner than later as they review applications immediately after they do them to send out acceptances. At the same time this is my number one school, I won't have had time to do a mock interview with the career center beforehand...how stressful was your first interview? Do you think I can be successful with only a weekend to prep?

PMed you.

 

[teethfordays]

One more thing you shouldn't forget to bring....Altoids! (especially if the interview portion is after lunch)

 

[Amberena]

OHSU feeds you a great lunch, but make sure to eat a big breakfast before hand. Your interviews there are before lunch.

 

[Bobby Fischer]

One more thing you shouldn't forget to bring....Altoids! (especially if the interview portion is after lunch)

also a small packet of tissues if you have the sniffles. I forgot the one time I had the sniffles but fortunately before the interview I ducked into the small bookstore and grabbed one.

 

[KittySquared]

I brought a bottle of water in my bag. Cause you can get pretty nervous the day of the interview. Sympathetic NS activated --> thirst --> need water. lol.

 

[teethlove]

if you are a female bring an extra pair of shoes- flats for your heels

Sent from my Nexus 7 using SDN Mobile

 

[Bis-GMA111]

bring your "A-game". and wear a nice suit. and smile.

 

[flipflopreverse]

bring a snack..usually the lunch is not enough and in case you have a morning interview I dont think they give you breakfast. It would be useful to bring a pen since they may have a writing sample..or you want to jot something down that is worth remembering.

 

[lizz1290]

I have an interview coming up and I still need a suit but what's the female's take on bringing a purse? have you brought one or did you just bring a nice binder/folder? I'd like to bring a purse to hold water, wallet, etc. but I'm not sure if itd be a pain or I don't want to be the only one!

 

[mid]

I have an interview coming up and I still need a suit but what's the female's take on bringing a purse? have you brought one or did you just bring a nice binder/folder? I'd like to bring a purse to hold water, wallet, etc. but I'm not sure if itd be a pain or I don't want to be the only one!

Pretty much every women at every interview I went on brought a purse.

 

[Sal427]

I have an interview coming up and I still need a suit but what's the female's take on bringing a purse? have you brought one or did you just bring a nice binder/folder? I'd like to bring a purse to hold water, wallet, etc. but I'm not sure if itd be a pain or I don't want to be the only one!

I brought one.