Interviewing

[pinipig523]

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Hey guys,

When interviewing - I got some tips for you.

1. Don't be cocky, don't appear too cool. Don't appear arrogant.
2. Dress well, don't look like a slob.
3. Firm handshake, shake it like you mean it.
4. FOCUS on the task at hand. Don't zone out, don't look around the room, don't look behind or the the side of the interviewer when talking to the interviewer.
5. Be enthusiastic and let that permeate from you. Don't be dull. The word is ENGAGE. Engage the interviewer... if you can carry a conversation with him/her, this is a BIG positive.
6. For the love of everything sacred, do NOT lie. You LIE, you DIE. Don't hide your gap years, don't lie about reading books (if you put down "reading" as your hobby - I'm going to ask you to recite the last 3 books you read... and if you stumble, that's a negative).

I have been doing interviews at my residency program these past few weeks and I can't tell you how many good candidates (on paper), we had to ax out because of those 6 rules.

Just an FYI... I know this is a premed forum, but you guys have to learn how to interview as premeds so when you're med students applying for a residency program - or residents applying for an attending position... you don't flounder.

👍

 

[AD04]

It is pretty good. Safe to say, it applies for interviews anywhere.

And if I can add one thing, it is to be prepared. Know something about the school, try to find out what questions they ask and prepare a good answer, and ask intelligent questions.

 

[Political]

Just one more thing: Always have questions prepared for the interviewer at the end of the interview.
It just looks bad when the interviewer asks "Do you have any questions for me?" and you respond with "Nope"

 

[hydrogen1]

Hey guys,

When interviewing - I got some tips for you.

1. Don't be cocky, don't appear too cool. Don't appear arrogant.
2. Dress well, don't look like a slob.
3. Firm handshake, shake it like you mean it.
4. FOCUS on the task at hand. Don't zone out, don't look around the room, don't look behind or the the side of the interviewer when talking to the interviewer.
5. Be enthusiastic and let that permeate from you. Don't be dull. The word is ENGAGE. Engage the interviewer... if you can carry a conversation with him/her, this is a BIG positive.
6. For the love of everything sacred, do NOT lie. You LIE, you DIE. Don't hide your gap years, don't lie about reading books (if you put down "reading" as your hobby - I'm going to ask you to recite the last 3 books you read... and if you stumble, that's a negative).

I have been doing interviews at my residency program these past few weeks and I can't tell you how many good candidates (on paper), we had to ax out because of those 6 rules.

Just an FYI... I know this is a premed forum, but you guys have to learn how to interview as premeds so when you're med students applying for a residency program - or residents applying for an attending position... you don't flounder.

👍

It's insane for me to think that there are potential residents who break these rules. I mean you just described the ABSOLUTE bare bones basics of interviewing here. Youre not even getting into actual interview strategy or anything like that

 

[akszp4]

Hey guys,

When interviewing - I got some tips for you.

1. Don't be cocky, don't appear too cool. Don't appear arrogant.
2. Dress well, don't look like a slob.
3. Firm handshake, shake it like you mean it.
4. FOCUS on the task at hand. Don't zone out, don't look around the room, don't look behind or the the side of the interviewer when talking to the interviewer.
5. Be enthusiastic and let that permeate from you. Don't be dull. The word is ENGAGE. Engage the interviewer... if you can carry a conversation with him/her, this is a BIG positive.
6. For the love of everything sacred, do NOT lie. You LIE, you DIE. Don't hide your gap years, don't lie about reading books (if you put down "reading" as your hobby - I'm going to ask you to recite the last 3 books you read... and if you stumble, that's a negative).

I have been doing interviews at my residency program these past few weeks and I can't tell you how many good candidates (on paper), we had to ax out because of those 6 rules.

Just an FYI... I know this is a premed forum, but you guys have to learn how to interview as premeds so when you're med students applying for a residency program - or residents applying for an attending position... you don't flounder.

👍

Good advice... thanks! 🙂

What's the hardest question you've asked? & the best response you've gotten for it?

 

[Neurocentric]

What's wrong with stumbling when asked a question like the last three books you read? It would take me a minute to answer, because I'd have to think about it - I probably did a ton of other things in-between reading said books.

Interviewer: You said you love to read.. what are the last few books you read?
Applicant: Let's see.. well, there was <insert title>, and then.. <insert title> and I also read <insert title>

That would be frowned upon?

 

[akszp4]

What's wrong with stumbling when asked a question like the last three books you read? It would take me a minute to answer, because I'd have to think about it - I probably did a ton of other things in-between reading said books.

Interviewer: You said you love to read.. what are the last few books you read?
Applicant: Let's see.. well, there was <insert title>, and then.. <insert title> and I also read <insert title>

That would be frowned upon?

I think he's saying that not having a answer would make the interviewer double-guess if your application is genuine or not. You can usually tell when someone is lying or just nervous.

 

[Neurocentric]

I think he's saying that not having a answer would make the interviewer double-guess if your application is genuine or not. You can usually tell when someone is lying or just nervous.

Okay, that makes more sense. I got worried for a second because usually when I'm being interviewed, I take a second to process the question and make sure I'm giving an adequate response. I don't want my pause to be misinterpreted.

 

[Neurocentric]

What kind of questions would you ask?

Questions about the school, things the interviewer likes/dislikes about the school, etc. I feel the dislike question is good because it gives you a real expectation.

 

[pinipig523]

Good advice... thanks! 🙂

What's the hardest question you've asked? & the best response you've gotten for it?

I'm not the toughest or most eccentric interviewer, I try to gauge if this person is genuine, enthusiastic, and nice to hang out or work with. That's it. It's more of a vibe.

Some questions I ask:

What's your 1 weakness?

What are 3 words that describe you?

Why emergency medicine?

Why do you want to join a County program?

I could care less about your board scores (as long as you meet the threshold). If I think you suck, you don't get an endorsement from me when we meet during the post interview meeting.