please help, freaking out about first interview

[anestheticman]

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Sorry to ask questions that are probably on here somewhere but I am freaking out about my first interview:

1. I bought a black suit that I am picking up tomorrow, now I just read today in Iserson's that it should be navy/grey and some threads on here say that a black suit is not a good idea and will "make me look like I am going to a funeral." I look much better in a black one I think and I got it because it seems versatile and I don't have a suit right now. Is a black suit a bad idea? I could still return it I think...

2. I got 2 white dress shirts to go with the black suit but I just realized they are kind of thin/ see through shirts. Should I get some of those thick heavier ones instead? I hate those because they are hot, but I am a little weary of them seeing through my shirt to my tshirt underneath, that seems weird (I never wear white shirts on rotations, so this is new to me).

3. For the dinner the night before when there is one, is it a bad idea to wear the same slacks/shoes? I really have no other choices and I'm not sure if I need to go buy more slacks/shoes. How nice do people look at these dinners and how much should I spend on another outfit after spending 500 on a full suit, etc.?

4. What do people bring with them to interviews? I have read today to bring a CV, PS, application, picture, copy of USMLE scores, etc. and this is completely foreign to me, I had NO IDEA that this ever happened. I was just going to bring a folder/ and or notepad and pen etc....

I am seriously freaking out here!

 

[zinjanthropus]

Sorry to ask questions that are probably on here somewhere but I am freaking out about my first interview:

1. I bought a black suit that I am picking up tomorrow, now I just read today in Iserson's that it should be navy/grey and some threads on here say that a black suit is not a good idea and will "make me look like I am going to a funeral." I look much better in a black one I think and I got it because it seems versatile and I don't have a suit right now. Is a black suit a bad idea? I could still return it I think...

2. I got 2 white dress shirts to go with the black suit but I just realized they are kind of thin/ see through shirts. Should I get some of those thick heavier ones instead? I hate those because they are hot, but I am a little weary of them seeing through my shirt to my tshirt underneath, that seems weird (I never wear white shirts on rotations, so this is new to me).

3. For the dinner the night before when there is one, is it a bad idea to wear the same slacks/shoes? I really have no other choices and I'm not sure if I need to go buy more slacks/shoes. How nice do people look at these dinners and how much should I spend on another outfit after spending 500 on a full suit, etc.?

4. What do people bring with them to interviews? I have read today to bring a CV, PS, application, picture, copy of USMLE scores, etc. and this is completely foreign to me, I had NO IDEA that this ever happened. I was just going to bring a folder/ and or notepad and pen etc....

I am seriously freaking out here!

1. calm down
2. black suit will be fine - as long as you feel confident in it
3. dinner the night before - you could do some khakis and a nice button up/collared shirt tucked in
4. you did pretty good to get a full suit for 500
5. i would at least take a nice copy of your cv with you - the ERAS one is so tacky looking and it gives people a nice simple snap snot. it should, naturally, include your usmle scores under the licensing section

 

[fineline]

1. It is absolutely true that a navy/grey suit is better. In fact, some would say that a navy/grey suit is really the only acceptable choice; I have personally heard stories where people were NOT MATCHED due to their suit color. The Program Director sent them actual e-mails stating that "although they were qualified candidates, the suit was really the inappropriate color and therefore everyone on the committee decided not to rank them. See, we read that in Iserson."

2. Don't buy new shirts. But also don't wear an undershirt. That will probably make you extremely warm and get you sweating, which will show as armpit stains after you take off your black suit in shame and stand there half-naked. Instead, just wear the thin white shirt -- nipples are a sign of sexual dominance and they will be intimidated by your nipples. This will most surely counteract the negative opinion of your black suit and subsequent state of undress.

3. It's OK to wear the same slacks, but NOT the same shoes!!! I am glad that you thought of this, for one's shoes are often checked at the pre-interview dinner. In fact, that is really the main point of having the dinner. The next day, if it is discovered that the same shoes are being worn, it is big trouble. I did that once, but it was me so the only thing that happened was that all of the female candidates had sex with me while we were waiting, but you're not me.

4. Bring a crossword and do it while being interviewed, as this is a skill most anesthesiologists need. Try to fall asleep, if you feel the interview is not going well; if the interviewer wakes you up by screaming at you, act surprised and offended.

I am glad that I could help you with your questions. Feel free to PM me if you wish to discuss big breasts on young wimmen!

 

[Winged Scapula]

Sorry to ask questions that are probably on here somewhere but I am freaking out about my first interview:

Like Zin says above, CALM DOWN. You are reading WAAAAYYYY to much into this stuff.

1. I bought a black suit that I am picking up tomorrow, now I just read today in Iserson's that it should be navy/grey and some threads on here say that a black suit is not a good idea and will "make me look like I am going to a funeral." I look much better in a black one I think and I got it because it seems versatile and I don't have a suit right now. Is a black suit a bad idea? I could still return it I think...

Iserson's is well known to be full of errors and overstatements. This is a perfect example. Traditionally, yes...men and women generally only wore black to funerals. This was true in the 50s and 60s. Times have changed. Black is fine for interviews, even acceptable these days at weddings. It will have ABSOLUTELY NO affect on your chances of matching.

2. I got 2 white dress shirts to go with the black suit but I just realized they are kind of thin/ see through shirts. Should I get some of those thick heavier ones instead? I hate those because they are hot, but I am a little weary of them seeing through my shirt to my tshirt underneath, that seems weird (I never wear white shirts on rotations, so this is new to me).

Depends on two things:
1) how hairy you are
2) how much you sweat (which based on this thread, I'm guessing a lot)

If you are going to have chest hairs popping through the thin material or sweat through your shirt, you might consider wearing an undershirt. But understand that even if you did, you aren't going to be taking your jacket off, so no one will likely know...unless you are so hairy as to resemble something in the primate area of the zoo or have pathological diaphoresis. I wouldn't worry about it unless worrying about it is going to make you anxious, in which case either buy new shirts or get a t-shirt.

3. For the dinner the night before when there is one, is it a bad idea to wear the same slacks/shoes? I really have no other choices and I'm not sure if I need to go buy more slacks/shoes. How nice do people look at these dinners and how much should I spend on another outfit after spending 500 on a full suit, etc.?

You run the risk of staining the pants and of course, will have to iron them back in the hotel room. Most people attending these dinners wear khakis or other "business casual" clothes with a button down shirt and tie.

4. What do people bring with them to interviews? I have read today to bring a CV, PS, application, picture, copy of USMLE scores, etc. and this is completely foreign to me, I had NO IDEA that this ever happened. I was just going to bring a folder/ and or notepad and pen etc....

I am seriously freaking out here!

I think its overkill to bring all of that stuff, just a copy of the CV should be fine. We HAVE your picture, your USMLE scores, etc. and I don't frankly want anymore paper to add to your folder.

Relax...residency interviews are much less stressful than med school ones, especially anesthesia.

 

[fineline]

My advice was far more accurate and therefore you should listen to me.

 

[gutonc]

Sorry to ask questions that are probably on here somewhere but I am freaking out about my first interview:

...now I just read today in Iserson's ....

And this is why you're freaking out. I too made the huge mistake of reading Iserson's before my first interview. After my first interview when I discovered that Iserson is completely insane, I drank enough to forget what I had read, burned the book and everything went smoothly from there on out. So if you have the time before your interview, start drinking now, induce a little amnesia and you'll be fine.

 

[mlw03]

And this is why you're freaking out. I too made the huge mistake of reading Iserson's before my first interview. After my first interview when I discovered that Iserson is completely insane, I drank enough to forget what I had read, burned the book and everything went smoothly from there on out. So if you have the time before your interview, start drinking now, induce a little amnesia and you'll be fine.

quality advice - Iserson's book is crap. i've said this numerous times for numerous reasons.

i would recommend the OP either take fineline's advice 🙂laugh🙂, or simpler, just relax and not overthink all the little crap. you made it this far for a reason, so if something seems like a good idea, it probably is. if something sound rediculously stupid (ie, all of Iserson's book), it likely is.