Poor interview skills

[deleted647690]

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I just interviewed at this job on my campus for the second time, after not getting in last semester. I’m so bad at interviewing. I often don’t know what to say, and I’m not that good with situational questions. A lot of the questions were like, “How did you respond in this situation in your life?” and I just responded with an awkward blank stare as I thought of a poorly put together answer, “Uh…I don’t know, I’d…uh…” I’m not that articulate and I’m often at a loss for words…..

It almost seemed like the interviewer rushed me out at the end because my interview was so bad. She was quick to escort me out of the office.

I'm a long way off from medical school applications, but I'd like to know how I can improve my speaking skills. Reading?

 

[hoihaie]

Practicing. Reading doesn't help you formulate your thoughts on the spot as much as practicing multiple times does.

 

[deleted647690]

It’s OK to gather your thoughts, but it’s not OK to blank out. This group includes the people who do something like this (and I am NOT making this up!): goro: So tell me about this thing you did in Honduras? Interviewee: Well, we went there for a mission trip and...what was the question? goro: (thinking: reject!)
Or the guy who, when asked "How does your hobby relate to the practice of Medicine?", and can't even say "It doesn't", and definitely can't even BS an answer, but sits there in a coma?


Also, I was looking through old threads, and I saw Goro post something:

"It’s OK to gather your thoughts, but it’s not OK to blank out. This group includes the people who do something like this (and I am NOT making this up!): goro: So tell me about this thing you did in Honduras? Interviewee: Well, we went there for a mission trip and...what was the question? goro: (thinking: reject!)
Or the guy who, when asked "How does your hobby relate to the practice of Medicine?", and can't even say "It doesn't", and definitely can't even BS an answer, but sits there in a coma?"

I did this often. I would ask them to repeat the question, or I would say that I need a moment to think. What followed was an awkward 20 seconds of me staring at the floor and the interviewer looking up and down at me as I saw her out of the corner of my eye. Then I would come up with some vague answer because I couldn't think of the specifics to a situation that happened to me like 5 years ago.

How do interviewers expect you to just spit out an answer on the spot? For difficult questions, doesn't it make sense that the interviewee should have like at least a minute to just sit there and think about things?

I'm not sure how to link Goro to this post......

 

[deleted647690]

@Goro

 

[itsogre]

I also had (maybe still have) a problem with interviewing, and particularly responding spontaneously and earnestly to more meta questions such as "what did you learn from that experience?" What I did to overcome my initial trepidation of meeting new people (who will incidentally judge my performance), was going to lots of meet-ups before I had to interview for medical schools. I'm not saying you should respond to craigslist personals, but you could probably find interest group meet-ups in your local town. If you have a more analytical inclination for public policy, you could attend citizen engagement sessions/open halls at your local government and ask questions. Not only is this a good way to find opportunities to network with public officials, you will learn how to be more sure/aggressive of your opinion and how to think on your feet. There are lots of websites that give you a platform to find meet-ups and/or citizen/interest groups. You could even try dating sites, because some of these dates you go to will invariable ask you to list your most significant personal accomplishments if they're career-minded.

 

[TraumaLlamaMD]

There are a few situations that are common fodder for interview questions: a time you showed leadership, a time you had an ethical dilemma, a time you had to work with someone you didn't like, etc. Think about these common ones in advance of an interview so you have an idea what to say when one of them comes up.

 

[NickNaylor]

Get involved in something that requires interacting with others and work on trying to make yourself more of an extrovert. Think about things that people do that make you feel comfortable around them and try and emulate those things.

I was more of an introvert in high school. I'd still classify myself as an introvert. That said, during college I got involved with things that forced me to develop personal skills. Even in high I school I did - things like working in a grocery store, working retail, teaching, getting involved in leadership positions among my peers. Just like anything else, interacting with others is very much a skill that can be developed. Some people are blessed with the ability to be inherently charismatic and affable. You may never get to that point, but you can certainly improve your skills.

For interviewing specifically, try and do some practice interviews. Many pre-health offices offer mock interviews or require interviews at some point in the process of getting a committee letter. Take advantage of those opportunities.

 

[Goro]

Speech classes; debate team, acting or drama classes.

I just interviewed at this job on my campus for the second time, after not getting in last semester. I’m so bad at interviewing. I often don’t know what to say, and I’m not that good with situational questions. A lot of the questions were like, “How did you respond in this situation in your life?” and I just responded with an awkward blank stare as I thought of a poorly put together answer, “Uh…I don’t know, I’d…uh…” I’m not that articulate and I’m often at a loss for words…..

It almost seemed like the interviewer rushed me out at the end because my interview was so bad. She was quick to escort me out of the office.

I'm a long way off from medical school applications, but I'd like to know how I can improve my speaking skills. Reading?

We expect you to be able to think on your feet. Period.

How do interviewers expect you to just spit out an answer on the spot? For difficult questions, doesn't it make sense that the interviewee should have like at least a minute to just sit there and think about things?

 

[razzmatazz87]

Is your self-confidence lacking? Sometimes I think that is what makes interviews difficult. Try to talk to strangers more often--about ANYTHING. It really does help.

Mock interviews are also your friend

 

[Psai]

Speech classes; debate team, acting or drama classes.





We expect you to be able to think on your feet. Period.

How do interviewers expect you to just spit out an answer on the spot? For difficult questions, doesn't it make sense that the interviewee should have like at least a minute to just sit there and think about things?

Thinking on your feet is so necessary for medical school but it's so hard...
No one gives you a chance on the wards. You either know it or you don't. No guessing.