Interview Skills

Started by ambernikel
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ambernikel

ambernikel

ambernikel
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Does anyone know a good resource to help prepare for the interviews? I was hoping for a good question checklist and maybe some tips. I plan on doing mock interviews w/ people that generally make me nervous. A list of questions, especially the ones that make you shuffle in your seat, would be awesome.
 
I feel silly, since I wrote this message I've found a few different resources. I guess my next question would be, what your opinions are on them. What do you feel is the most beneficial?
 
You should know the answer to "Well, why did you apply to OUR school?" before you get off the plane. 😉

I think that's one of the most important questions they ask, because they want to know that you've thought about your personal and professional goals, and where you best "fit" at medical school. Where can you be a part of the community, get the best education for what you want, have opportunities to do what you want, develop the skills you think are most important for a physician to have, etc.

Generally, you should know why you want to be a physician--inside and out. Personal experiences you've had that shaped your life, helped you make the decisions, taught you about people, life, and your own desire to help others in the medical way.

If you know yourself well, you'll portray yourself well to the adcoms, and they'll be impressed that you are a genuine, thoughtful, understanding, self-aware, well-rounded applicant. I think at the end of the day, that's all they're looking for in the interview. A so-so one can't totally break you at a school where your stats are very competitive; conversely, it can't be the only deciding factor if you're not statistically competitive (a GREAT interview can't get you into Harvard if you just don't have the grades; there's only so much it can do for you, etc.).

Practice explaining who you are, what sets you apart, and why you want to pursue medicine--talk to anyone who'll listen. Friends, a spouse, coworkers, etc.

Good luck to you!
 
Thanks for the advice! I can usually come up with answers very well, in my head! Relaying them in an understandable manner is what I'm worried about! Actually I have always interviewed well for jobs. I'm usually quick in answering questions. But I did have one interview where I got nervous and I didn't get the promotion. I guess that's what scares me. It was a good learning experience to have though.
 
I should have said this before, since you're applying to DO programs: you should know enough about osteopathy to be able to speak intelligently about it. Maybe relate a story of how you became interested in it--maybe your family physician was an osteopath, or you love the anatomy of the body and how it influences physiologic/pathologic processes, etc. Know what osteopathic manipulative medicine is, it's general uses and benefits (and if you want, find out its weaknesses--paucity of peer reviewed, double blinded research, the sometimes sketchy cranial manipulative techniques). Search these boards for great examples of osteopathic principles in action (massage to encourage drainage from lungs in pneumonia; OMM for chronic low back pain, how osteopathic management of common problems is sometimes a little different than allopathic, etc).
 
If you haven't discovered the SDN medical school interview feedback page. I thought it was a great resource. Also, It is best to actually practice with someone who is asking the questions to you.
 
It really is a good idea to do several mock interviews before interview day. As simplistic as it sounds, it is very helpful to have a few key phrases worked into your vocab. Before you know it, you'll hear them flying out of your mouth. You don't want to appear conceited when someone asks you what your weaknesses are and you have to pause and think... (And they will ask...lol.) At the same time, you want to appear prepared and not necessarily rehearsed.

Something else that I think is of benefit is making sure you have researched the school and know a bit about what sets it apart from other schools. Play on the strengths of the school.

Oh yeah, and be yourself. 😉
 
wash your hand just before you interview so they will be not be clammy and gross. also practice speaking about yourself with confidence. it shows you know the subject [yourself] and are an expert on it. take your time if you need to. look them in the eyes and smile, because you're almost homefree.
 
One thing to add, don't have any set, pre-rehearsed answers to anything. It is always really bad to see someone squirm in their seat when they are trying to remember a scripted answer and then babbling the words all up.

You should have an idea of what you want to say in your head (know your views on big subjects both personal and political well), but not a "rehearsed" answer. When the question is asked, take a few seconds to gather your thoughts before speaking. Be as complete as possible in as few of words as possible. Definately do at least one mock interview if your interviewing skills are rusty. Last but not least, RELAX!
 
Some of those questions are hard to answer. especially the ethical ones....is there a right/wrong answer to those??
 
Lady Tokimi said:
Some of those questions are hard to answer. especially the ethical ones....is there a right/wrong answer to those??
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Although there is right or wrong answers, I don't think that there's a right or wrong WAY to answer it. I mean, i may be assuming a bit but i think that everyone here has some what of a sense of ethics and know what the wrong answers are. The medical schools just wants to get a feel of who we are and how we confront those problems. I think they're looking for doctors with not only a good sense of ethics but with enough gumbo to act on it.

The way I'm gonna approach this is to read over SDN for a majority of those ethical questions, and just be myself and be honest about them. I'm sure they will appreciate that much more than if I spew out the 100% ethically correct answer, which I honestly don't think there is.

My 2 cent 🙂
 
dr.z said:
Just be yourself and honest during the interview.
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yes be yourself to a point and remember being completely honest is not always good 😉 skew your wording a little bit to something preferably that they would like to hear. (ex. you should never tell a girl she is fat as hell even if she really is) 😛
 
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