Phone Interviews? Is this normal?

[medicienne]

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I'm an applicant for 2009 residency in family medicine. I got a phone call out of the blue and it turned out to be a resident from a program I had applied to. I had a normal conversation and didn't realize that it was an 'interview' and I would be judged based on this. I was very disappointed that I was not informed about this at all 🙁 I could not do any homework on this program and get a fair chance to have a positive impression on the admissions committee.

Is this normal to have a phone interview like this out of the blue?

What is the purpose and how do they want to shortlist candidates based on a phone interview?

 

[NotAProgDirector]

What is the purpose and how do they want to shortlist candidates based on a phone interview?

They want to make sure you can speak English and didn't simply hire someone to write your PS. If you "passed", they will likely invite you for a full interview.

 

[xanthines]

I have no experience with this personally, but it seems kind of weird to me. Not to sound idealistic but I don't approve of "sneaky" tactics like this. I like it when people are upfront and honest. It's bad enough patients lie all the time (yes, hyperbole), but I would find it intolerable to be getting that from my program as well.

Just my $00.02. No bailout here! 😉

-X

 

[dragonfly99]

I agree it's kind of weird.
I 100% agree with aprogramdirector. They were likely trying to judge your English language skills, if you are an IMG. I agree it's a little sneaky, but I wouldn't stress about it too much...the die is cast.

And don't think anything about the residency or fellowship application process is "fair". Assume everything is part of the interview process, until after the last day to turn in rankings. This includes "informal" tours or dinners with the residents, emails to the secretary who schedules the interview dates - everything. And be REALLY nice to everyone. And smile a lot 😉

 

[Finding Chi]

Assume everything is part of the interview process, until after the last day to turn in rankings. This includes "informal" tours or dinners with the residents, emails to the secretary who schedules the interview dates - everything. And be REALLY nice to everyone. And smile a lot 😉[/quote]


Totally! Can't tell you some of the insane things I've heard applicants say to interns/residents in "confidence." Needless to say, they didn't end up with a spot.

 

[Hova2005]

I seem to recall having a phone interview for med school, but not residency. Agree with above posters - treat every contact you have with the program as part of the interview process.

 

[sandraf]

medicienne: I hope your interview went fine. I don't think it's a big deal, and it certainly tests the spontaneity and how a person acts when caught by surprise/under unexpected stress. It must also save time and money for the program. Remember: many candidates don't play fair either, stating Family Practice is what they really want, when actually it's a backup. Some try to sell themselves as somebody they are not. So I think it's only fair that a program try and find out as much as they can about them, by whatever means they have.

 

[medicienne]

Thanks for your responses. I requested a rescheduling and then had a better conversation, and am so glad I got that interview😍

 

[medicienne]

They want to make sure you can speak English and didn't simply hire someone to write your PS.

That would be the worst 😱. I took 5 months to write mine and didn't come out with the perfect one but its at least 'mine'.

 

[medicienne]

medicienne: I hope your interview went fine. I don't think it's a big deal, and it certainly tests the spontaneity and how a person acts when caught by surprise/under unexpected stress. It must also save time and money for the program. Remember: many candidates don't play fair either, stating Family Practice is what they really want, when actually it's a backup. Some try to sell themselves as somebody they are not. So I think it's only fair that a program try and find out as much as they can about them, by whatever means they have.

Thats true. It'll probably benefit me when I have a real interview if they don't interview 100 applicants for 5-6 positions. but the 'spontaneity' test almost knocked me out. Gotta be more alert😴

 

[sandraf]

Well, who knows...? Maybe we'll meet each other very awaken in the real interview there!
🙂