inappropriate interview questions

[ophthal3]

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I encountered some questions that took my by surprise at a recent interview. One interviewer asked about my ethnicity and country of origin, and also asked what other programs I was interviewing at. Has anyone encountered such questions on the interview trail? At the time I shook it off but these seem borderline inappropriate at best. Whats the best way to respond to such questions?

 

[Jokestr]

You will get asked where else you are interviewing at many times on the trail...It is a pretty standard question. As for the ethnicity question, and other questionable questions, just do what you can to answer them. Yes, they are inappropriate, and yes you will get more. But, if you get worked up about them, then it makes you look bad. So I would say answer them briefly and move on.
Good luck

 

[Patch]

I don't think those questions are inappropriate. The interviewer is just trying to get you know you. Why shouldn't you answer questions about your ethnicity or country of origin? You are assuming that it will be used against you -- in actually, the interviewer may just trying to know more about you.
Best of luck.

 

[historian]

I don't think they are at all. Programs can't ask where you'll rank them, but there's absolutely nothing wrong about asking where else you're visiting.

 

[ophthal3]

I was asked how I liked each program at the interview, so that's in essence ranking them. The interviewer also proceeded to slam the other programs. And you may think I'm overly sensitive to the ethnicity question, but I was born and raised here in the states (as were my folks) and I thought it strange the first question I was asked when I walked in the door was "where are you from, were you born here." All in all, these questions detracted from the interview and ate up precious time we could have spent discussing more pertinent issues, like my questions on the program I was interviewing at and if/how I would be a fit.

 

[historian]

"I was asked how I liked each program at the interview, so that's in essence ranking them. The interviewer also proceeded to slam the other programs. And you may think I'm overly sensitive to the ethnicity question, but I was born and raised here in the states (as were my folks)..."

With all due respect, I think you're far too sensitive on both issues -- potentially to your detriment: (1) Giving your opinion about other programs is nowhere near equivalent to ranking them. It might give interviewers insight about what you're looking for, and how their program could fit your needs. It might help them sell their program to you. Agree that it's not good for anybody to "slam" other programs, but then again what constitutes "slamming" is subjective. (2) The ethnicity question arguably reflects some underlying ignorance, but why is it inappropriate. Under any circumstance, it could certainly help the interviewer learn something about you.

 

[FutureOph123]

"I was asked how I liked each program at the interview, so that's in essence ranking them. The interviewer also proceeded to slam the other programs."

Last year when I interviewed, I had one interview where I was asked where I was interviewing at and then each program was derided... I thought it was tacky... I was not going to a guidance counselor; I was going on an interview. However, I don't think that just asking where you are interviewing is that bad, but it can be uncomfortable. Also, the ethnicity question probably should not be asked, but I doubt there was any malevolent intent; probably just a professor trying to find something to talk about.

 

[Kholdstare]

At an interview yesterday, I was flat out asked to give the interviewer a rank list of all the programs I have interviewed at to this date! I thought that was extremely inappropriate. I told him that I hadn't even thought about it yet and couldn't possibly tell him. Do you think this warrants reporting? Anyone else experienced this?

 

[snowbank]

I agree with most of the posts here, though I was never asked to rank my other interviews. I was definitely asked where else I had interviewed. And get this folks: echoing ophthal3, many, many programs where I was from, how long I had been in the States, and where I was born.

 

[MstaKing10]

maybe this was an interesting portion of your application, maybe they are just trying to talk "non-ophtho" to get things started and get to know who you are and not what you've done or your academic prowess (that's already on your application). Not sure how this is inappropriate in any way.

You need to use this as a jumping off point to sell yourself. If you "brush it off" and don't use the opportunity, you better believe the next applicant through the door will, and maybe they will take the residency spot with them.

 

[azzarah]

I had a really inappropriate question from one of the panel members during one of my residency interviews. I thanked the panel for offering me an interview, excused myself, and left the room. The guy came out and started apologizing and telling me that he was joking (he really wasn't). I was not amused at all. I wouldn't want to go to a program full of bigots.

 

[snowbank]

Hey azzarah, since this is an anonymous forum, would you please enlighten us as to what the question was?
And I'm curious how it played out in real life. I mean, he or she asks, you look back, no doubt think a bit or are caught off guard, and then instead of answering say thank y'all, now I'm outtie - and just walk out and leave the room?

And on a separate, but similar note, Dr. Doan mentioned (and I heard first hand from other applicants) that there is one staff at MEEI who almost always tries to fluster candidates, demean them, make them angry so they slip up or say something inappropriate. I dont have specific examples, as people generally didn't want to talk about it, but I wonder what strategy could be used there. Apparently he's only trying to see how candidates handle stress and how quickly they lose their cool....any tips azzarah?

 

[Visionary]

I had a really inappropriate question from one of the panel members during one of my residency interviews. I thanked the panel for offering me an interview, excused myself, and left the room. The guy came out and started apologizing and telling me that he was joking (he really wasn't). I was not amused at all. I wouldn't want to go to a program full of bigots.

Very well played. 👍

 

[azzarah]

Hey azzarah, since this is an anonymous forum, would you please enlighten us as to what the question was?
And I'm curious how it played out in real life. I mean, he or she asks, you look back, no doubt think a bit or are caught off guard, and then instead of answering say thank y'all, now I'm outtie - and just walk out and leave the room?

It was a panel interview. I had said on my application that I speak Arabic. It was also clear from some of my activities that I'm Jewish. He was arab and said that he wanted to speak to me in Arabic to see if I actually spoke it or if I had just written it on my application. I told him in Arabic that it would be fine with me. Then a couple of questions later, he asked me in English what I thought of the "holocaust" that my people were comitting against palestinians in the "occupied palestinian territories." At this point, i had had enough. I basically thanked them for offering me an interview at their institution and told them that I was there for a professional interview and not to discuss sensitive political topics. I also let them know that I felt under attack given my ethnic background and excused myself from the rest of the interview and took off. I have no interest in going to that program, EVER.

And on a separate, but similar note, Dr. Doan mentioned (and I heard first hand from other applicants) that there is one staff at MEEI who almost always tries to fluster candidates, demean them, make them angry so they slip up or say something inappropriate. I dont have specific examples, as people generally didn't want to talk about it, but I wonder what strategy could be used there. Apparently he's only trying to see how candidates handle stress and how quickly they lose their cool....any tips azzarah?

My experience at the MEEI interview was entirely different. The person at MEEI was clearly trying to spark interesting conversation to amuse himself. Nothing scary or insulting. He asked me what I thought was the difference between ethics and morality and we had an interesting discussion about it.

 

[BloodGutsPoop]

It was a panel interview. I had said on my application that I speak Arabic. It was also clear from some of my activities that I'm Jewish. He was arab and said that he wanted to speak to me in Arabic to see if I actually spoke it or if I had just written it on my application. I told him in Arabic that it would be fine with me. Then a couple of questions later, he asked me in English what I thought of the "holocaust" that my people were comitting against palestinians in the "occupied palestinian territories." At this point, i had had enough. I basically thanked them for offering me an interview at their institution and told them that I was there for a professional interview and not to discuss sensitive political topics. I also let them know that I felt under attack given my ethnic background and excused myself from the rest of the interview and took off. I have no interest in going to that program, EVER.
.

Sounds like you are a hot tempered med student 😱 that I would not want as a co-resident.

A simple "I am not responsible for the actions of my race" is sufficient. The fact that you cannot handle political questions is your weakness. You could also plead that your qualifications are that of physician and resident, not politician.

Either that or you could answer about the treatment of Palestinians, making a note that you are neither a spokesman for nor have any influence on the policies of the State of Israel.

If you are obviously Jewish, you better get ready for patients asking you about it. If you get angry and storm out of the room, you are unqualified to be a resident.

I knew a medical student who was asked if she had any kids. She sarcastically replied that she had none that she knew of and then protested the question. She did not match, possibly because of that militant attitude.

During interviews, I would have gladly answered questions about the situation in Gaza, Dafur, Iraq, Timor Leste, etc. If the interviewer was foreign born and challenged me to defend American atrocities, I would welcome that question. For example, JFK approved the liberation of Cuba at the Bay of Pigs but got cold feet and sent the men to their deaths after he called off air support soon after the invasion started. Despite warnings, Reagan sent 248 Marines to martyrdom when he ordered them to carry unloaded weapons. When a truck with explosive ran past the checkpoint and later into the Marine barracks in Beirut, the guards could only yell "stop!". Reagan then got scared and withdrew troops from Lebanon. Bin Laden said that it was then that he learned Americans have no guts and then planned 9-11 (according to a private interview where the video was captured in an Afghan safe house).

 

[Meibomian SxN]

Sounds like you are a hot tempered med student 😱 that I would not want as a co-resident.

A simple "I am not responsible for the actions of my race" is sufficient. The fact that you cannot handle political questions is your weakness.

The way the questioner asked "my people were committing against" clearly was a violation and bigoted. I would have not only walked out but also filed a complaint against him.

For example, JFK approved the liberation of Cuba at the Bay of Pigs but got cold feet and sent the men to their deaths after he called off air support soon after the invasion started. Despite warnings, Reagan sent 248 Marines to martyrdom when he ordered them to carry unloaded weapons. When a truck with explosive ran past the checkpoint and later into the Marine barracks in Beirut, the guards could only yell "stop!". Reagan then got scared and withdrew troops from Lebanon. Bin Laden said that it was then that he learned Americans have no guts and then planned 9-11 (according to a private interview where the video was captured in an Afghan safe house).

Bin Laden? 9/11? I take it you're not familiar with construction implosions? Tragic but true case there...

 

[odieoh]

Bin Laden? 9/11? I take it you're not familiar with construction implosions? Tragic but true case there...

Are you saying you believe it wasn't the planes that blew up the towers?

 

[orbitsurgMD]

The way the questioner asked "my people were committing against" clearly was a violation and bigoted. I would have not only walked out but also filed a complaint against him.



Bin Laden? 9/11? I take it you're not familiar with construction implosions? Tragic but true case there...

The attackers drove a truck straight through the perimeter roadblock, and according to the witnesses outside the building, accelerated as they drove their explosives-laden truck into the building at which point, once entirely inside the building's lobby did they detonate the explosive load.

The Beiruit Marine Barracks attack was an out and out suicide truck bombing, against which the U.S. forces failed to anticipate and establish an adequate entry barrier to the building compound, both in physical barriers and weapons.

The event had exactly nothing to do with timed, engineered demolitions as is done by companies specializing in those techniques.

 

[azzarah]

Thank you for the reply. I am very proud of the actions of my race. I would have been happy to discuss my full support of the State of Israel with him, however a residency interview is not the appropriate time and place. I'm also glad we are not co-residents because I ended up at a really nice program where such discussions are reserved for the lunch table, not during a residency interview with A GUEST you have just met 5 seconds ago. There is no room for bigotry at an interivew or on an SDN forum.

Sounds like you are a hot tempered med student 😱 that I would not want as a co-resident.

A simple "I am not responsible for the actions of my race" is sufficient. The fact that you cannot handle political questions is your weakness. You could also plead that your qualifications are that of physician and resident, not politician.

Either that or you could answer about the treatment of Palestinians, making a note that you are neither a spokesman for nor have any influence on the policies of the State of Israel.

If you are obviously Jewish, you better get ready for patients asking you about it. If you get angry and storm out of the room, you are unqualified to be a resident.

I knew a medical student who was asked if she had any kids. She sarcastically replied that she had none that she knew of and then protested the question. She did not match, possibly because of that militant attitude.

During interviews, I would have gladly answered questions about the situation in Gaza, Dafur, Iraq, Timor Leste, etc. If the interviewer was foreign born and challenged me to defend American atrocities, I would welcome that question. For example, JFK approved the liberation of Cuba at the Bay of Pigs but got cold feet and sent the men to their deaths after he called off air support soon after the invasion started. Despite warnings, Reagan sent 248 Marines to martyrdom when he ordered them to carry unloaded weapons. When a truck with explosive ran past the checkpoint and later into the Marine barracks in Beirut, the guards could only yell "stop!". Reagan then got scared and withdrew troops from Lebanon. Bin Laden said that it was then that he learned Americans have no guts and then planned 9-11 (according to a private interview where the video was captured in an Afghan safe house).

 

[azzarah]

The way the questioner asked "my people were committing against" clearly was a violation and bigoted. I would have not only walked out but also filed a complaint against him.

Yeah I thought about reporting him but then decided against it. It is no excuse, but sadly, I've become used to these comments being a Middle Eastern Jew.

 

[azzarah]

and fyi, I am not from Israel. wish I was, but I'm not

 

[BloodGutsPoop]

I am very proud of the actions of my race. I would have been happy to discuss my full support of the State of Israel with him, however a residency interview is not the appropriate time and place. I'm also glad we are not co-residents because I ended up at a really nice program where such discussions are reserved for the lunch table, not during a residency interview with A GUEST you have just met 5 seconds ago. There is no room for bigotry at an interivew or on an SDN forum.

So you have admitted that your program has bigotry at the lunch table, just not at the interview!

If I held your beliefs, the I could forsee the following 2 possibilities:

Q. What I thought (what do you think....) of the "holocaust" that my (your) people were comitting against palestinians in the "occupied palestinian territories."
A. I am very proud of the actions of my race. I would have been happy to discuss my full support of the State of Israel but this would take more time than is allotted for interviews.

Q. What I thought (what do you think....) of the "holocaust" that my (your) people were comitting against palestinians in the "occupied palestinian territories."
A. I support the actions of the Government of the State of Israel but would not characterize these actions as a "holocaust"

Get real. When Americans travel overseas, we are sometimes asked about the actions or policies of the U.S. government.

 

[Tiger Eye]

Sounds like you are a hot tempered med student 😱 that I would not want as a co-resident.

A simple "I am not responsible for the actions of my race" is sufficient. The fact that you cannot handle political questions is your weakness. You could also plead that your qualifications are that of physician and resident, not politician.

Either that or you could answer about the treatment of Palestinians, making a note that you are neither a spokesman for nor have any influence on the policies of the State of Israel.

If you are obviously Jewish, you better get ready for patients asking you about it. If you get angry and storm out of the room, you are unqualified to be a resident.

I knew a medical student who was asked if she had any kids. She sarcastically replied that she had none that she knew of and then protested the question. She did not match, possibly because of that militant attitude.

During interviews, I would have gladly answered questions about the situation in Gaza, Dafur, Iraq, Timor Leste, etc. If the interviewer was foreign born and challenged me to defend American atrocities, I would welcome that question. For example, JFK approved the liberation of Cuba at the Bay of Pigs but got cold feet and sent the men to their deaths after he called off air support soon after the invasion started. Despite warnings, Reagan sent 248 Marines to martyrdom when he ordered them to carry unloaded weapons. When a truck with explosive ran past the checkpoint and later into the Marine barracks in Beirut, the guards could only yell "stop!". Reagan then got scared and withdrew troops from Lebanon. Bin Laden said that it was then that he learned Americans have no guts and then planned 9-11 (according to a private interview where the video was captured in an Afghan safe house).

I met Azzarah on the interview trail. She was actually one of the classiest, nicest, and most polite applicants our year. Certainly not a "hot tempered med student" to say the least.

I actually remember when this whole episode happened during the interview trail a few years ago. A lot of applicants were so disgusted when they heard about it, that it certainly affected how they ranked that program, whereas I am sure Azzarah didn't lose a moment's sleep over it. I doubt I would have acted as calmly as she did.

Bottom line, they lost any chance at a top notch applicant, and she ended up at a much better program anyway.

 

[Tiger Eye]

So you have admitted that your program has bigotry at the lunch table, just not at the interview!

If I held your beliefs, the I could forsee the following 2 possibilities:

Q. What I thought (what do you think....) of the "holocaust" that my (your) people were comitting against palestinians in the "occupied palestinian territories."
A. I am very proud of the actions of my race. I would have been happy to discuss my full support of the State of Israel but this would take more time than is allotted for interviews.

Q. What I thought (what do you think....) of the "holocaust" that my (your) people were comitting against palestinians in the "occupied palestinian territories."
A. I support the actions of the Government of the State of Israel but would not characterize these actions as a "holocaust"

Get real. When Americans travel overseas, we are sometimes asked about the actions or policies of the U.S. government.

You wrote: "So you have admitted that your program has bigotry at the lunch table, just not at the interview!"

See, you have a fundamental inconsistency here. Azzarah stated that at her program such discussions are reserved for the lunch table, and you stated that her program therefore has bigotry at the lunch table. Yet you also stated that the question at the interview was appropriate.

Since you argue that the topic (even amongst friends at a lunch table) is bigotted and yet you stated that it was appropriate at the interview, you clearly therefore feel that bigotry is appropriate at interviews.

I suspect that you don't actually feel that way, but are rather incredibly enamored with reading your own posts, in which you attempt to show your deep knowledge and understanding of historic political events.

Bottom line, she comes out of this sounding classy, and you come across as a jerk.

And before you reply to this, yes, I believe there is a place for hard-hitting questions at interviews. Your personal attacks on her in your posts are, however, inappropriate.

Ophthalmology is a very small field. Don't alienate all of your future colleagues so soon, BloodGutsPoop.

 

[azzarah]

I actually remember when this whole episode happened during the interview trail a few years ago. A lot of applicants were so disgusted when they heard about it, that it certainly affected how they ranked that program

Not to mention all the other horror stories from the other applicants who interviewed at that program....

Tiger Eye, so you are going into retina, eh? Time goes by so fast. I feel like it was yesterday we were interviewing for residency.

 

[Hook17]

Not to mention all the other horror stories from the other applicants who interviewed at that program....

Tiger Eye, so you are going into retina, eh? Time goes by so fast. I feel like it was yesterday we were interviewing for residency.

Azzarah, can you spill the beans and let us know what program it happened at?

 

[azzarah]

No. It was not in da south 😀 and it was not a top tier program.

 

[mdphoenix]

This goes off of the topic as it was started, but I was wondering if it is inappropriate for program directors to ask you where else you are interviewing? For a detailed list? I know that is illegal for them to ask where you are ranking them and other programs, but what borders from inappropriate to illegal?

 

[Hook17]

I've been asked that too. Also how many places have I applied too as well as what was top on my list. I feel like programs were trying to feel out if they did a good job inviting me or if their program will be high on my list.

 

[DrEyeBall]

Just like there are applicants that need lessons on how to interview, there are certainly interviewers that need to learn how to interview as well. Some of the questions discussed early in the thread were probably not malicious in intent but the product of a poor interviewer. There is no training to do these at most programs and most of the faculty have had no training on what they should be doing. These were probably questions that were meant to generate a discussion but were inappropriate.

The last interview was clearly inappropriate. The best way to handle a well meaning but inappropriate question is to send a note to the chairman or program director, with or without your name, and mention it. Most of the time it will generate some discussion with the faculty in question and they can learn from it. In cases where the content is especially vile, a letter to the AUPO may be warranted as well. These behaviors, while they may occur in "real life" should not be excused and they should be reported to help the next person who might have to face it. I am certain no program wants their faculty to give their department a bad name.

 

[azzarah]

The last interview was clearly inappropriate. The best way to handle a well meaning but inappropriate question is to send a note to the chairman or program director, with or without your name, and mention it. Most of the time it will generate some discussion with the faculty in question and they can learn from it. In cases where the content is especially vile, a letter to the AUPO may be warranted as well. These behaviors, while they may occur in "real life" should not be excused and they should be reported to help the next person who might have to face it. I am certain no program wants their faculty to give their department a bad name.

Good point.