Interpretation of Residency Interviews

[Bombesin]

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Hey everyone, I have a quick question concerning residency interviews, which I guess is more directed towards the attendings that regularly read this forum. I have had quite a few interviews already but I have no idea how to interpret how they went. More often than not, I would walk in and be asked the typical "Why PM&R?", but that's more or less it. Sometimes, I wasn't even asked this typical question! My interviewers ask if I have any questions or proceed to talk about the program for the remaining 2/3 of the time. I can barely get a word in. I can't help but think that they've already made their decision before speaking to me. How are they getting to know me as a potential applicant if they only ask one or two questions? Is this a good sign or bad? Are other applicants having this experience? I'm fairly certain my response to "Why PM&R?" isn't tanking the interview because I've had more than one person say I hit the nail on the head for having genuine interest/reasons. There's never an awkward moment, but I feel as if I'm walking out of the interview having said very little, but it's not for a lack of trying. Any insight into what could possibly be going through their heads?

 

[DOctorJay]

Interviewing for residency is much different than interviewing for med school. For med school you were really out to sell yourself to try and gain an acceptance. For residency you have received interviews at places that are pretty much willing to accept you so long as you seem like a normal enough person that would "fit" with their program. Most programs will try to impress you with what they have to offer. Enjoy this time, you will get to meet a lot of really great people on the trail.

 

[Ludicolo]

You could drive yourself crazy with all the mind games.

Some of your interviewers probably have pre-judged you (for better or worse). Some may have really been impressed with your numbers and letters and your “why PM&R” answer, and automatically switched to “sell program” mode. Some attendings in all honesty aren’t very good at interviewing and monopolize the conversation. They just like hearing themselves talk. And talk.

Just keep in mind that you and the program are both acting as buyers and sellers. As much as interviewers are trying to ascertain how skilled and talented and personable you are, they are trying to show you how wonderful their program is. As much as you should be putting your best foot forward, you should be attempting to gain as much info and insight about the program as well, and figure out whether or not the program satisfies your wants and needs. If you get the sense that the interviewers just aren’t that interested in what you have to say - and that bothers you - rank them accordingly.

 

[rehab_sports_dr]

I'll give my perspectives both from when I was a med student applying, and as a faculty interviewer:

As a medical student:
- Many interviewers did not have much to ask me. I even pointedly asked one of the interviewers (who I now know as a very nice man) if wanted to know anything about me to help distinguish me from other candidates, and he honestly said "not really"
- Of the interviewers who don't ask you much, I think there are a few sub-types
a. Those who are not prepared, and don't really want to be there
b. Those who are just trying to make sure you are interested in PMR
c. Those who are picking up far more about you than you may realize

- I had other interviewers who clearly had read my application, and engaged me to learn more about the application.


My perspectives as a faculty interviewer:
1. Despite my best efforts, there are times that I have too many other things going, and I don't have time to prep for interviews. I would keep in mind that most of us are shutting down clinic for half a day to interview, which means in essence that we are paying in real money for privilege of interviewing of you. Keep that in mind if you feel neglected

2. I usually read through the application, and make an initial impression. For the interview, I am trying to test my initial impression- is the paper application, or are there things missing

3. I try to engage the applicant about something for which they have passion, and let them talk. There have been a few candidates who didn't have passion about anything, at least as best I can tell. It is usually pretty obvious to me when applicants did not do a good job in prepping for the interview

4. What I really care about are the great candidates. For those candidates, I have two goals- help them meet their long term goals, and get a sense of whether my institution is going to help them meet those goals. I think the most important thing we can do as faculty is identify future superstars, and make sure they are in an environment where they can thrive

Hope this helps.

 

[LTS6776]

Interview day has two purposes:
1. Allow the applicant to learn more about the program to determine if they would be a good fit there.
2. Allow the interviewers to look out for red flags and weed out people who will not do well in their program.

A lot of interviewers don't give any feedback during their interviews - a few out there strongly believe it is a violation of the match, so don't let that get to you. If you were invited to the interview, your application was looked at favorably by someone with authority, so now all you need to do is be polite and seem interested during your interview day, and you'll do just fine.

 

[rehab_sports_dr]

Just read an interesting article by Malcolm Gladwell about the difficulty of screening candidates for a position

http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2008/12/15/081215fa_fact_gladwell

The article is about NFL Quarterbacks and teachers, but I think it applies to residency interviews as well. Interviews are definitely challenging in trying to screen out who is going to be a good resident and physiatstrist