Opinion on Interviews

[poohbear12345]

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So im doing some interview prep and have run into a couple of schools of thought which im having a difficult time grasping and was hoping for some advice. So I feel like some people think interviews are your opportunity to stand out, really show your personality and motivation. Others seem to think that the interview is another weeder step, its better to avoid doing anything that would rule you out.

I realize these are not mutually exclusive but am having a difficult time synthesizing them into one coherent thesis, so I guess my question is, what is the best way to approach the interview?

sorry for being nuerotic.

 

[CodeBlu]

So im doing some interview prep and have run into a couple of schools of thought which im having a difficult time grasping and was hoping for some advice. So I feel like some people think interviews are your opportunity to stand out, really show your personality and motivation. Others seem to think that the interview is another weeder step, its better to avoid doing anything that would rule you out.

I realize these are not mutually exclusive but am having a difficult time synthesizing them into one coherent thesis, so I guess my question is, what is the best way to approach the interview?

sorry for being nuerotic.

Be yourself. Stop the neuroticism. It's not going to help you at the interview.

Be relaxed, and explain yourself clearly. Use examples in your answers. Speak clearly and all will go well. NickNaylor just posted something... I will quote it for you.

 

[CodeBlu]

Here you are.

Make eye contact, be enthusiastic and engaging but not over the top, and take a genuine interest in what your interviewer is saying.

Pay attention to information about the school, especially if it's provided to you before the interview. That can be incredibly helpful for figuring out what you should emphasize when you're talking with your interview.

Stay with hosts and talk to them about the school/ask them questions. This is another great way to get informed about the school and appear interested.

 

[aSagacious]

Regardless of the 'point' of an interview (whatever that means) your actions should remain the same.

- Be sincere and honest, ALWAYS
- Be engaged and interested (shouldn't be too hard, hopefully)
- Stay positive. I don't mean be naive and hopelessly idealistic. Instead, when describing 'why medicine' for example don't criticize other fields in your reasoning. (ex: I think medicine is better than research because research is lonely and slow --> BAD)

 

[poohbear12345]

Thanks for the advice, I know you guys are right, I have been fairly succesfull in professional/job interviews in the past, I just forget this stuff sometimes (plus the stress with med school). Trying to be unique is probably the most annoying/ hardest part, I feel like they are bound to hear everything I say a thousand times.

 

[CodeBlu]

Thanks for the advice, I know you guys are right, I have been fairly succesfull in professional/job interviews in the past, I just forget this stuff sometimes (plus the stress with med school). Trying to be unique is probably the most annoying/ hardest part, I feel like they are bound to hear everything I say a thousand times.

Don't think like this. Just be cool dude. 😎