Interviews - No real chance to sell yourself

[Dr. LeBron]

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Most of my interviews to this point have been casual conversations. I don't think I have been asked about my strengths or why they should choose me etc. How can you sell yourself without being asked those questions?

 

[Raryn]

Most of my interviews to this point have been casual conversations. I don't think I have been asked about my strengths or why they should choose me etc. How can you sell yourself without being asked those questions?

In general terms....

By being a reasonable person. The interview is to get to know your personality and see if you fit the culture of the program. The "selling" was you working to put together a competitive application, at this point it's just to confirm you have a chance to match.

 

[mvenus929]

For the most part, the interview is about seeing how you'd fit into the program, rather than selling yourself. Unless you're gunning for the top programs in your specialty, the programs are trying to recruit you. They want to end up on as many rank lists as possible and fill their class with people that will do well in the program.

That said, the candidates I've seen do the best job at selling themselves have already mentally integrated themselves into the program. "So, I'm starting in July, what is a typical day like?" "Where would I live around here?" It's a subtle distinction compared to just asking questions that makes you seem all that more interested in going to THAT program.

 

[Dr. LeBron]

Okay, I appreciate the feedback.

Thanks

 

[doc05]

Most of my interviews to this point have been casual conversations. I don't think I have been asked about my strengths or why they should choose me etc. How can you sell yourself without being asked those questions?

there isn't anything to sell. pretty much every med student (and hence applicant) is the same. you have no special skills (yet).

all they have to go with is grades/test scores and your personality, which is why it's just a casual conversation. beyond that, good references can help.

 

[Law2Doc]

there isn't anything to sell. pretty much every med student (and hence applicant) is the same. you have no special skills (yet)...

Um no. There are actually a fair number of nontrads out there who had lives, careers, military service, leadership roles before med school. And even traditional students have very differing accomplishments. It's the minority that look vanilla generic.

But even in the most structured of interviews, if you wait for them to give you the opportunity to "sell yourself" you've already failed. When you have a conversation with someone and come away impressed, they have "sold themselves". People who are good at this don't come across as doing the hard sell, but certainly will steer the conversation to topics in which they can present themselves favorably. That's a form of selling yourself.

 

[Dr. LeBron]

Um no. There are actually a fair number of nontrads out there who had lives, careers, military service, leadership roles before med school. And even traditional students have very differing accomplishments. It's the minority that look vanilla generic.

But even in the most structured of interviews, if you wait for them to give you the opportunity to "sell yourself" you've already failed. When you have a conversation with someone and come away impressed, they have "sold themselves". People who are good at this don't come across as doing the hard sell, but certainly will steer the conversation to topics in which they can present themselves favorably. That's a form of selling yourself.

Any tips on how to do that? I mean I answer their questions and then ask them questions, but to steer it to where I can showcase my strengths will need it some work.

I think all my interviews went well, but I want them to get more out of it than 'just' liking my personality.

 

[RadOncDoc21]

Any tips on how to do that? I mean I answer their questions and then ask them questions, but to steer it to where I can showcase my strengths will need it some work.

I think all my interviews went well, but I want them to get more out of it than 'just' liking my personality.

If you're a male... Be arrogant. If you're a female look pretty. If you're neither, be both!

 

[hamstergang]

I think all my interviews went well, but I want them to get more out of it than 'just' liking my personality.

Serious question: what do you think the purpose is of the interview portion of an application process?

 

[Law2Doc]

Any tips on how to do that? I mean I answer their questions and then ask them questions, but to steer it to where I can showcase my strengths will need it some work.

I think all my interviews went well, but I want them to get more out of it than 'just' liking my personality.

It's a skill you hone with practice. Dale Carnegie used to liken a conversation to a tennis match. A skilled player can send the conversation in whatever direction he chooses. If you simply answered the questions asked and then asked questions it really sounds like you just went through the motions.

What you ought to try and do is subtly sell as you do that. Instead of just asking "what kind of research opportunities are there", phrase it like "while in med school I did a fair amount of research on X, and was lucky enough to present my work at Y. What kind of research opportunities are there". That both highlights a portion of your CV you find important and steers the conversation if the interviewer takes the bait.

 

[Dr. LeBron]

Serious question: what do you think the purpose is of the interview portion of an application process?

To get to know your story, personality AND qualities.

 

[Dr. LeBron]

It's a skill you hone with practice. Dale Carnegie used to liken a conversation to a tennis match. A skilled player can send the conversation in whatever direction he chooses. If you simply answered the questions asked and then asked questions it really sounds like you just went through the motions.

What you ought to try and do is subtly sell as you do that. Instead of just asking "what kind of research opportunities are there", phrase it like "while in med school I did a fair amount of research on X, and was lucky enough to present my work at Y. What kind of research opportunities are there". That both highlights a portion of your CV you find important and steers the conversation if the interviewer takes the bait.

Oh okay, I see. I would ask like 'what qualities do you look for in a resident' and hope after they answer it, they would ask 'what qualities do you possess' kind of thing. It doesn't work however lol.

 

[Law2Doc]

Oh okay, I see. I would ask like 'what qualities do you look for in a resident' and hope after they answer it, they would ask 'what qualities do you possess' kind of thing. It doesn't work however lol.

No -- you aren't getting it -- you do the opposite. Never wait for them to ask. They won't. You are steering this thing -- put both hands on the wheel. You should be asking, "I have X and Y quality from my experiences doing Z, which I think are going to be helpful. What qualities do you look for in a resident?"

 

[Dr. LeBron]

No -- you aren't getting it -- you do the opposite. Never wait for them to ask. They won't. You are steering this thing -- put both hands on the wheel. You should be asking, "I have X and Y quality from my experiences doing Z, which I think are going to be helpful. What qualities do you look for in a resident?"

I wish I would have made this thread earlier, you're making me feel like I wasted my past interview opportunities

 

[doc05]

Um no. There are actually a fair number of nontrads out there who had lives, careers, military service, leadership roles before med school. And even traditional students have very differing accomplishments. It's the minority that look vanilla generic.

I must respectfully disagree. An interview can tell you who is interesting, but can't tell you who you can count on to take care of your patients.

I've worked with a lot of surgical residents over the years, some great, some awful. There is no 30-minute interview that could have distinguished the two groups. Much more useful: references from people you know. Or working with the student over the course of a rotation.

 

[Law2Doc]

I must respectfully disagree. An interview can tell you who is interesting, but can't tell you who you can count on to take care of your patients.

I've worked with a lot of surgical residents over the years, some great, some awful. There is no 30-minute interview that could have distinguished the two groups. Much more useful: references from people you know. Or working with the student over the course of a rotation.

Um, That's a totally different question. Your previous post, which my response was to, said all applicants are the same and have nothing to sell. I disagree.

Now you argue that you can't tell anything in a 30 minute interview. That may be true (and since you phrased it as your own inability to discern I have no doubt you don't personally find the interview useful), but it's clear enough programs feel there is value in the process and put great value on it. You are in the minority here or nobody would put the kind of weight they do.

But again that's a totally different point than you previously made, to which I was responding to.

 

[22031 Alum]

I must respectfully disagree. An interview can tell you who is interesting, but can't tell you who you can count on to take care of your patients.

I think you're missing the point of interviews. Those who reach the point of interviewing with me are generally assumed to be able to take care of patients. At least in a very basic sense. The fine points of what the specialty requires is what I'm getting paid to teach. The point of the interview is to help me figure out whom I'd like to teach for the next four years.

 

[J ROD]

I worked in politics so I learned how to play the game there. I love interviewing and selling myself.

There is definitely an art to making yourself sound great.....haha

 

[Doctor4Life1769]

Definitely. There is a game and an art to it. If you can't play it like a fiddle, then you will have a hard time getting the top jobs out there after residency that comes through word of mouth

 

[FutureInternist]

Um no. There are actually a fair number of nontrads out there who had lives, careers, military service, leadership roles before med school. And even traditional students have very differing accomplishments. It's the minority that look vanilla generic.

But even in the most structured of interviews, if you wait for them to give you the opportunity to "sell yourself" you've already failed. When you have a conversation with someone and come away impressed, they have "sold themselves". People who are good at this don't come across as doing the hard sell, but certainly will steer the conversation to topics in which they can present themselves favorably. That's a form of selling yourself.

All the important stuff from that should be somewhere in your application already since that can prompt the interviewer to ask you about it
There may not be a natural way to bring up some accomplishments & it can make for an awkward interview
Pick 2-3 major things to highlight & allude to them during the interview

 

[Merely]

Um, That's a totally different question. Your previous post, which my response was to, said all applicants are the same and have nothing to sell. I disagree.

Now you argue that you can't tell anything in a 30 minute interview. That may be true (and since you phrased it as your own inability to discern I have no doubt you don't personally find the interview useful), but it's clear enough programs feel there is value in the process and put great value on it. You are in the minority here or nobody would put the kind of weight they do.

But again that's a totally different point than you previously made, to which I was responding to.

You're such a lawyer I love it