Interview Questions- What to ask at a re-interview

[futuredo32]

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I didn't match last year and I'm interviewing at programs where I applied last year.
I went on one interview already and the interviewer asked me "So, what questions do you have?" I had asked all my questions last year and had no more questions to ask this year. Thus, that interview was really short.
Should I ask questions that I asked last year?
Any other good questions to ask?
The interviewee asking the interviewer questions seems like a big component of the interview, but I don't want to ask the same questions I asked last year because it will make it seem like I wasn't paying attention or something last year.
Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[ShyRem]

You should come up with new questions. You didn't match last year and are re-interviewing at programs you applied to last year? Did you rank these programs? If so, you need to show you are interested and a better candidate than you were last year.

If you didn't rank these programs last year, then why are you re-interviewing there?

I think you need to take a tough look and figure out how to look like an outstanding candidate. Appearing interested is a good first step.

 

[futuredo32]

You should come up with new questions. You didn't match last year and are re-interviewing at programs you applied to last year? Did you rank these programs? If so, you need to show you are interested and a better candidate than you were last year.

If you didn't rank these programs last year, then why are you re-interviewing there?

I think you need to take a tough look and figure out how to look like an outstanding candidate. Appearing interested is a good first step.

I ranked the programs, just didn't match🙁. I'm interviewing at the exact same programs where I didn't match last year.
I already had one interview and didn't expect the question about what questions I had about their program because I thought it would be kinda understood that I asked my questions last year.
I'm limited geographically for family reasons and I'm only applying to a few programs due to my self imposed limitations and I'd be beyond thrilled to match at any of them.
Last year, I asked all about the cirriculum, the strengths and weaknesses in the program, what changes they foresaw, what flexibility there was in the cirriculum to pursue my particular interests, and what changes they saw coming to the field (psychiatry) What other questions do people ask?
Also, there are several inteviews with the same program and every interviewer asks what questions I have. Do I ask each interviewer the same questions?

 

[ResidentMD]

I ranked the programs, just didn't match🙁. I'm interviewing at the exact same programs where I didn't match last year.
I already had one interview and didn't expect the question about what questions I had about their program because I thought it would be kinda understood that I asked my questions last year.
I'm limited geographically for family reasons and I'm only applying to a few programs due to my self imposed limitations and I'd be beyond thrilled to match at any of them.
Last year, I asked all about the cirriculum, the strengths and weaknesses in the program, what changes they foresaw, what flexibility there was in the cirriculum to pursue my particular interests, and what changes they saw coming to the field (psychiatry) What other questions do people ask?
Also, there are several inteviews with the same program and every interviewer asks what questions I have. Do I ask each interviewer the same questions?

I think a good place to look at would be the departmental website and the development they have made over this year (hopefully!), how residents can possibly benefit from that, any new interests you have developed in THIS year, and how could you pursue them, etc.

 

[tetris]

Just think up some new questions. Look at sample questions on websites for ideas.

Also, I think it would be acceptable, when asked if you have questions, to say: yes, but first I want to tell you what I've been doing for the past year.....

(or you can add it after asking youur questions.)

 

[ResidentMD]

Just think up some new questions. Look at sample questions on websites for ideas.

Also, I think it would be acceptable, when asked if you have questions, to say: yes, but first I want to tell you what I've been doing for the past year.....

(or you can add it after asking youur questions.)

I wouldnt use those words...it sounds a bit unnatural. You should casually bring it into your conversation e.g. If they ask you any question, after answering it, just add.....also over the last year, I have been doing (blah blah blah) that has helped me as (blah blah blah).

If they remember you from last year, they will know what you imply 🙂

 

[futuredo32]

Thanks. I was kind of thinking that when they asked me if I had any questions, I could say "From my interview here last year, I know that abcdefgh about the program and then maybe add a question or two if I can think of any."

 

[ResidentMD]

Thanks. I was kind of thinking that when they asked me if I had any questions, I could say "From my interview here last year, I know that abcdefgh about the program and then maybe add a question or two if I can think of any."

But why do you want to remind them?

There may be a faculty who doesnt even know you were interviewed last year. Why do you want to create this setback? Again, please provide opinions.

You will, in all probability, be asked about the extra year. Just say what you did in that. If they ask you, didnt you apply last year, then bring it up. "Actually I applied and even interviewed here. I really wanted to be here, but I wasn't ranked high enough. But I am really determined blah blah blah because your program is blah blah blah and I can really contribute to it because blah blah blah"

😉

 

[futuredo32]

But why do you want to remind them?

There may be a faculty who doesnt even know you were interviewed last year. Why do you want to create this setback? Again, please provide opinions.

You will, in all probability, be asked about the extra year. Just say what you did in that. If they ask you, didnt you apply last year, then bring it up. "Actually I applied and even interviewed here. I really wanted to be here, but I wasn't ranked high enough. But I am really determined blah blah blah because your program is blah blah blah and I can really contribute to it because blah blah blah"

😉

Well, in my first interview, I had the exact same interviewers this year as I did last year. The program director from my first interview made a reference to my previous application to the program almost in her first breath this year.
If they've even looked at my application, it's going to be obvious that I didn't match last year and I assumed that when they get to get together to discuss the applications, they'd figure it out for sure that I interviewed at the program last year. I always think honesty is the best policy. I'd definitely rather be the one to mention it than have the interviewer think I was trying to put something past them.

I do like your sample statement though. I just need to fill in the "blah, blah, blah" parts.🙂

 

[Frugal Traveler]

Do you have an adviser with whom to consult? Why did you not scramble? To which specialty are you applying?

Applying to the same programs that rejected you last year might not be the best strategy... that means that you were ranked low or not ranked at all (the latter meaning that they would rather have scramble applicants than have you... a bold statement that a program can make!).

Usually the interview does not kill an applicant completely, so I would assess the realistic strength of your application and perhaps apply to some safety programs. If you were to not match this year, it would raise some red flags if you had to reapply again (the further you are from your MS4, the worst off you will be).

For interviews and general advice, I would consult with an adviser at your medical school and read an advice book like Iserson's getting into a residency... while some parts are outdated... could give you some tips.

You need to match this year!!! Apply to some safety programs!!!

 

[futuredo32]

Do you have an adviser with whom to consult? Why did you not scramble? To which specialty are you applying?

Applying to the same programs that rejected you last year might not be the best strategy... that means that you were ranked low or not ranked at all (the latter meaning that they would rather have scramble applicants than have you... a bold statement that a program can make!).

Usually the interview does not kill an applicant completely, so I would assess the realistic strength of your application and perhaps apply to some safety programs. If you were to not match this year, it would raise some red flags if you had to reapply again (the further you are from your MS4, the worst off you will be).

For interviews and general advice, I would consult with an adviser at your medical school and read an advice book like Iserson's getting into a residency... while some parts are outdated... could give you some tips.

You need to match this year!!! Apply to some safety programs!!!

Thanks.
I'm applying to psychiatry, but there really weren't any psychiatry positions to scramble for in the last match and none were in my geographic area. There were family practice and internal medicine spots after the match and although I think that those are really great fields for some people, I don't think that either is a good fit for me.
Due to my geographic limitation, the only psychiatry residency programs that I am interested in are the ones I applied to last year. My "safety programs" this year are a few osteopathic internship programs, but because the osteopathic match is before the allopathic match, if I match into an internship program, I'd be pulled out of the allopathic match, so it's a little tricky.
I'll check out the book you suggested, thank you🙂.

 

[Frugal Traveler]

Be genuine and confident.

It's a sad state when psychiatry has no unfilled positions and people are scrambling into IM and FM... don't know much about FM... but IM is quite a wonderful field 😀

 

[dmitrinyr]

futuredo32,

Last year, I was reapplying and interviewed at the same program as my first year. I had just missed out matching at this program the previous year as it was told to me by their PD that was not there anymore when I interviewed my second time. I was actually interviewed by the same resident and this resident remembered me from the 1st year and obviously knew that I knew the program and wanted to come there. Still, as they must do, she asked if I had any questions. Their job is to answer your questions and sell their program to you as it's your job to sell yourself by answering their questions. So, basically you cannot have a situation when you have nothing to ask as this makes you seem uninterested. As others have pointed out, ask if something changed in the curriculum since you interviewed the previous year. If all fails, you can always ask similar questions that you might have asked the first year as they expect these questions and at least you will seem interested.

On interviews, I usually have at least 4 basic questions that I ask on every interview if they ask me if I have any questions. I try to refrain from these questions and try to ask original questions from what I've heard that day but sometimes they have either answered all of your unique questions and have put you on the spot during an interview and so you have to be prepared to ask questions at all time.

You've been through this already, this whole interview process is funny. Both sides are smiling and laughing and saying how great everything is. Both sides have prepared questions and answers and so it's like they press a button and ask a question and you press a button and spit out a prepared answer while trying to make it seem as unrehearsed as possible. I hate the standard questions such as: So tell me about yourself? What are you weaknesses/strengths? etc. and I would rather they have a conversation with me about anything but medicine. Good luck reapplying.

 

[futuredo32]

futuredo32,

Last year, I was reapplying and interviewed at the same program as my first year. I had just missed out matching at this program the previous year as it was told to me by their PD that was not there anymore when I interviewed my second time. I was actually interviewed by the same resident and this resident remembered me from the 1st year and obviously knew that I knew the program and wanted to come there. Still, as they must do, she asked if I had any questions. Their job is to answer your questions and sell their program to you as it's your job to sell yourself by answering their questions. So, basically you cannot have a situation when you have nothing to ask as this makes you seem uninterested. As others have pointed out, ask if something changed in the curriculum since you interviewed the previous year. If all fails, you can always ask similar questions that you might have asked the first year as they expect these questions and at least you will seem interested.

On interviews, I usually have at least 4 basic questions that I ask on every interview if they ask me if I have any questions. I try to refrain from these questions and try to ask original questions from what I've heard that day but sometimes they have either answered all of your unique questions and have put you on the spot during an interview and so you have to be prepared to ask questions at all time.

You've been through this already, this whole interview process is funny. Both sides are smiling and laughing and saying how great everything is. Both sides have prepared questions and answers and so it's like they press a button and ask a question and you press a button and spit out a prepared answer while trying to make it seem as unrehearsed as possible. I hate the standard questions such as: So tell me about yourself? What are you weaknesses/strengths? etc. and I would rather they have a conversation with me about anything but medicine. Good luck reapplying.

Thanks. I really wish I could have a "redo" of my first interview so I would ask questions. Oh well.