Interview Preparation

[optogirl18]

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What is everyone doing to prepare for interviews? I have three coming up in the next two weeks and I'm not entirely sure what I should be doing. I'll probably spend some time reviewing my notes about each program, but other than that what else should I be doing?

 

[reesespieces]

Know why you want to do what you want to do. I am pretty sure every school will ask you why you want to go into optometry. And be honest with yourself. Think about your future- where you see yourself in 5, 10, 20 years. Know why you applied to the specific schools- did a certain aspect of their program appeal to you? Do you have any anecdotes from shadowing experience? Be enthusiastic and show how excited you are for optometry!

Practice interviewing. If you are still in college, see what your pre-professional program can offer you. I know many schools will offer interview help. Optometry just isn't about the eye, it's also about how you can interact with others. These schools want to see if you can talk to people, so your interview skills can go a long way- if you are short, hesitant, etc., it might not help your chances (there was a thread a while back where a girl with good stats got rejected because she came off in the interview as very awkward). Basically practice, practice, practice for your interview- it will go a long way.

 

[ChocolateRun]

I personally wrote down answers to lots of the questions I thought they were going to ask and have been rehearsing them. Sounding too rehearsed I think would come off as bad/unnatural, so I am trying to find a middle ground.

 

[dylennon]

Think of questions you want to ask your interviewers. Just about every interview since the dawn of time ends with "what questions do you have for us?"

When I interviewed a few weeks ago there was a group of about 12 of us and I think only 3 had questions prepared for their interviewers. Your questions will show a lot about who you are. For example, one of my questions was about outreach opportunities at the school. In all honesty, I had researched the school thoroughly and had a very good idea, but it was my way of sneaking in my passion for community outreach (which happened to be a core value of that particular school). Though your questions for them may not make or break your interview, the other 9 people talked afterward about how awkward they felt when they weren't prepared to ask their interviewers any questions.

 

[FreshVisionary]

"What questions do you have for us?" is by far the meanest question. Prior to that, be honest. I want to be an optometrist because "I am family oriented and service oriented." Dylennon couldn't be more right. I was with other people in a couple interviews and they sounded so incompetent with the questions they asked. DO NOT ask a question that can be answered from finding on their website. NO NOT ask a yes or no question. DO use the phrases "please explain (this) ..." NEVER ... and I mean EVER make things up on the spot. The interviewer can read lies, just like you can. It sucks when a school has a group meeting and asks you all a question at the same time. FOR THE LOVE OF GOD ... interrupt them when they are dragging their question on. They drag it on to find out who will speak first. Please note, this is when a group interview is in place and they make it clear they are diving into a "group questionnaire." If you are interviewing with a Dean shut your mouth until they are clearly done talking. Have fun ... because interviews are fun. As an optometrist you will be "interviewing" multiple times a day.

 

[singcaijia]

i want to say also: I had researched the school thoroughly and had a very good idea, but it was my way of sneaking in my passion for community outreach . Though your questions for them may not make or break your interview, the other 9 people talked afterward about how awkward they felt when they weren't prepared to ask their interviewers any questions.