Interview Preparation Services

[arisunomori]

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Hey SDNers,
I wonder if anyone knows of an interview preparation service? I'm feeling like interviewing is going to be my weakness in this process, and really want to get some experience and feedback before doing it for real. My pre-health office seems to be pretty busy, and can't offer this service for everyone, although I will see if I can do it on a walk-in basis. I'm considering buying a 5-mock interview session package from a company.... very very expensive, and I feel like they're trying to sell me something that might not be as great as it sounds.
Thanks!
Any and all ideas much appreciated!

 

[calstudent]

Hey SDNers,
I wonder if anyone knows of an interview preparation service? I'm feeling like interviewing is going to be my weakness in this process, and really want to get some experience and feedback before doing it for real. My pre-health office seems to be pretty busy, and can't offer this service for everyone, although I will see if I can do it on a walk-in basis. I'm considering buying a 5-mock interview session package from a company.... very very expensive, and I feel like they're trying to sell me something that might not be as great as it sounds.
Thanks!
Any and all ideas much appreciated!

hmmmmm. i just did a mock-interview with a friend, and asked them to notice specific things and listen for answers.
definitely try your pre-health office, as well. they probably know what adcoms are looking for too.

i honestly wouldn't shell out the $$$ for the expensive package stuff. maybe schedule one of your "back-up" schools first for an interview?

 

[Cat's Meow]

Hey SDNers,
I wonder if anyone knows of an interview preparation service? I'm feeling like interviewing is going to be my weakness in this process, and really want to get some experience and feedback before doing it for real. My pre-health office seems to be pretty busy, and can't offer this service for everyone, although I will see if I can do it on a walk-in basis. I'm considering buying a 5-mock interview session package from a company.... very very expensive, and I feel like they're trying to sell me something that might not be as great as it sounds.
Thanks!
Any and all ideas much appreciated!

I agree with Cal Student.

Meet with some friends, advisors, etc...but I would not spend precious $$$ that you will be needing for applications and interviews.

Read up on the interview feedback and pull a bunch of questions so that your friends can mock with you. I believe that this is the best way.

God bless,

CM

🙂 🙂

 

[mr. sparkle]

you can also try your career office. they can probably refer you to someone.

 

[Pinkertinkle]

If you're a nice person with a reasonable ammount of social interaction and aren't slow or something, interviews should not be a problem. It's more of just a chit chat with a doctor to see if you're normal.

I think prepping too much and doing too many mock interviews will make your behavior and responses seem too practiced and fake, which can definitely be a bad thing.

 

[Pinkertinkle]

I'd also like to recommend that people read Dale Carnegie's How to Win Friends and Influence People before going on interviews. It's helped me a lot.

 

[mikedc813]

I'm going to strongly advise anyone against interview prep services. All you need is someone to take you through a mock interview and make suggestions. Med school interviews are usually just conversations between you and the interviewer. If you can have a conversation and if you're able to clearly explain your position on an issue or convey basic information about yourself then you'll be just fine. My suggestion is to have someone ask you common interview questions (e.g. Why do you want to be a doctor? What are some of your strengths/weaknesses) to simulate the interview. That will definitely be adequate. I never understand why people think they need to pay these interview prep services...

 

[arisunomori]

Thanks for your advice everybody...
I''ve got a fairly strong application, and maybe just freaking out about feeling like I have less control over the interview part of it than I would like... It would be nice to be able to really do something concrete and know that I'm ready, to somehow assure myself that I'll have a great interview experience before it actually happens.
I'll definately check out How to Win Friends and Influence People, and read up my 7 year old research project, and think about how my application fits together to present an accurate picture of who I am. Also have scheduled a career center mock interview... Thanks for your good ideas!
Best of luck to everyone in the process!!

 

[Luv Nietzsche]

Hey SDNers,
I wonder if anyone knows of an interview preparation service? I'm feeling like interviewing is going to be my weakness in this process, and really want to get some experience and feedback before doing it for real. My pre-health office seems to be pretty busy, and can't offer this service for everyone, although I will see if I can do it on a walk-in basis. I'm considering buying a 5-mock interview session package from a company.... very very expensive, and I feel like they're trying to sell me something that might not be as great as it sounds.
Thanks!
Any and all ideas much appreciated!

Here's one: http://www.judycolwell.com/