Interview Question-Tell me about yourself...how to approach

[johnaddams]

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Interview Question-Tell me about yourself

If this a good approach:
-->Influences to bring me to medicine (mom was a nurse, struggles growing up when she got depression)
-->Things I have done to push me in that direction(school-wise, sports, cadets, research,ECs)
-->Hobbies and things I enjoy.

Any imput or suggestions are welcome thank you.

 

[prado]

Here's a nice read that I used a variation of on a few of my interviews

http://studentdoctor.net/2008/02/trick-question/

Here was his list in short:

Here is a list of possible categories to help structure your body of information:

• Age
• City of origin (could be your city of birth or current residence)
• Important work experiences (you can include research and volunteer activities)
• Passions
• Personal characteristics (kind, compassionate, energetic, etc.)
• Hobbies

 

[DrEnderW]

I'd leave medicine influences/desires out of that. They're asking who you are outside of a pre-med and potential future physician.

Basically, who are you and why is your intriguing. Hobbies, interests, etc

 

[Lady Netter]

I read somewhere to view this question as a way for you to guide the conversation where you want to go. I think it was described as like a platter of food - you're presenting the interviewer with potential topics to choose from. So talk about things that you would want the interviewer to ask you about and use the question as a platform for the rest of the conversation. I found this way of thinking made it easier and less intimidating.

Save your "why I want to be a doctor" answers for when you get asked that question. Instead, use this as an opportunity to bring up other things that they may not ask about that you want to make sure you mention (why you want to be a doctor is a given).

 

[DokterMom]

Excellent advice. Think about a story or experience you'd love to be able to tell the interviewer but maybe couldn't think of a way to weave into the conversation. Then come up with a 'teaser' that hint at it in a way that would naturally prompt the interviewer to ask the kinds of follow up questions you'd like to be asked, and that create a natural opening for the story you'd like to tell. Hint at something interesting...

 

[magelcakes]

Tell a story.

As others have mentioned, it's important to touch on a variety of topics: your background, hobbies, etc. That being said, you definitely DON'T want to ramble or find yourself listing off factoids in a disconnected manner. So think about it froma storytelling perspective. You don't have to write it out and memorize it, but you want your spiel to have a clear beginning, middle, and end. One piece of information should logically flow into the next one.

I also think it's fine to mention the things that have motivated you to pursue medicine if you can work them into a larger narrative. That's what I ended up doing at interviews, and the storytelling approach worked particularly well for me because it allowed me to connect a bunch of experiences that looked really scattered on paper (research, volunteering with palliative care patients, production manager for a theater group, etc. which I ended up spinning into a cohesive story about how I'm a "process nerd").

 

[jorgediaz]

I think SDN tends to over think these questions.

If someone you don't know asks you this, what would you say? Don't assume the interviewer knows your app inside out.

I went along with briefly where I am from, where I went to college, what I studied, talked about my family etc.

I took this question as meaning who are YOU - you aren't your hobbies, ECs, etc.

 

[cookiemonsters]

Talk about how much you lift... try to fit in some poses to make the point.

 

[dgsilvervid]

I spoke about where I came from and my journey into medicine, how I decided I wanted to stay in medicine and why I felt becoming a physician was the next logical step for me.

 

[prado]

I spoke about where I came from and my journey into medicine, how I decided I wanted to stay in medicine and why I felt becoming a physician was the next logical step for me.

I personally wouldn't take this route. In doing so, you've basically side-stepped giving out other information that shows what kind of person you are outside of medicine. I'd save this line of thinking for the inevitable question "Why medicine?". just my opinion.

 

[dgsilvervid]

I personally wouldn't take this route. In doing so, you've basically side-stepped giving out other information that shows what kind of person you are outside of medicine. I'd save this line of thinking for the inevitable question "Why medicine?". just my opinion.

It all depends, I had 8 years of healthcare experience it had been my life since I graduated high school. I wanted to show that I was experienced and committed to the field. I did that right off the bat and I think it was extremely effective. 85% acceptance rate 6ac/7int 1 wait list with a decent at best MCAT score. Sure they want to know you aren't a robot and you have social skills but you don't have to come out with the... well I like photography and formula 1 racing.. right off the start.. for your first impression seems like a lame reason to accept you to medical school? Tell them about what matters and show them that you can communicate. Then when they ask, what do you like do outside of medicine... that my friend is the question to save the personal stuff for imho.