pre-interview dinner - better late than not at all?

[drbetty]

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Hey guys, I have some questions about the pre-interview dinner/happy hour:

1. if your flight gets in late, is it okay to show up to the event late or just not bother rushing there? or is that poor etiquette like the actual interview day?

2. do people often have their luggage with them? i imagine many people will be traveling directly to/from airport, though i have never brought my suitcase to a dinner or bar!

3. are these events usually close to the hospital? im just trying to anticipate all of the extraneous cab fares!! 😳

Thanks in advance!

 

[Law2Doc]

Hey guys, I have some questions about the pre-interview dinner/happy hour:

1. if your flight gets in late, is it okay to show up to the event late or just not bother rushing there? or is that poor etiquette like the actual interview day?

2. do people often have their luggage with them? i imagine many people will be traveling directly to/from airport, though i have never brought my suitcase to a dinner or bar!

3. are these events usually close to the hospital? im just trying to anticipate all of the extraneous cab fares!! 😳

Thanks in advance!

At least at some programs, you absolutely want to get to the dinner as scheduled, if at all possible, because (according to folks I've talked to) the residents you meet will potentially have a vote/input as to whether they want to work with you. It's also your one opportunity to get "candid" info about the program from folks who are in the thick of it. I personally would look at this as part of the interview day.

 

[PeepshowJohnny]

I'm friends with one of the residents who organizes the pre interview dinners. It's a sweet gig, very little work and he gets lots of great meals for free.

Anyway, when they invite the applicants, they all get his contact info (cell phone, email etc.) so they can call him if they get lost or whatever. I don't know how common this is, but I don't think it'd be out of place to ask for someone who you can call from the residency secretary in case you get lost or your flight is late.

As for location, ours tend to be kinda far from the hospital, but that's because there are no quality eateries close. Not sure how it is at other places.

As for showing up late, as long as you do it graciously and explain your situation, I think everyone would understand.

 

[mcl]

Late is definitely better than never--it is truly the best opportunity you will have to get a feel for the program and for them to get to know you. They would rather have you fresh off the plane with your luggage than not have a chance to meet you.

If your travel arrangements preclude attending whatever function is being offered, try to make arrangements with the Coordinator or Program Director to stay for a little while after the formal interview maybe in clinic or to attend rounds. Anything that will give you a little extra face-time with even a few residents.

If neither is possible (and sometimes it just isn't), tell the residents you meet how sorry you are that you had to miss the function, convey interest in the program through body languate (good posture, leaning forward, eye contact), tone of voice and energy level, and maintain communication with the program.

 

[ZonaRidicularis]

z

 

[Ludicolo]

Give them a heads up beforehand so they're not wondering where the heck you are. I'm sure they would be understanding about your flight.

And if they're not understanding, do you really want to be there for your residency?

 

[ZonaRidicularis]

z

 

[drbetty]

thanks for all of the quick replies! i hope i'll be able to make most if not all of these shindigs. seems like it could likely be the most fun part of the interview (depending on the residents of course)!

 

[drbetty]

during these pre/post-interview "happy hours", are munchies provided? just wondered if we should pre-eat!! hehe

 

[redbeans]

during these pre/post-interview "happy hours", are munchies provided? just wondered if we should pre-eat!! hehe

if you're not already carrying a granola bar in your pocket then medical school has taught you nothing

 

[Mental Gymnast]

if you're not already carrying a granola bar in your pocket then medical school has taught you nothing

HAHAHAHA yessss. the good old days of third year surgery

 

[drbetty]

i get awful neck pain at the end of day from the water bottle & snacks that i stuff in my white coat pockets!

i'll have to make room for back-up food in my little carry on suitcase!

 

[peerie]

This thread has been really really helpful for me; I read it before I started to get alot of interviews and so as I began to schedule them I made sure I got into the city/town early enough so that I could be there for the dinner.

I agree about it maybe being a super important part of the interview process. I want to check them out as much as they want to check me out.

 

[dragonfly99]

I think it depends on the specialty. I know at my IM program the dinner didn't count for anything (i.e. we residents were never asked to rank the candidates or for input). The chief resident was also there so it's possible he might have had some input, but our program was very old school so I think the formal interview was probably most or all of the "evaluating". The preinterview dinner may be the best place to get candid info about the program including the call schedule, since what you get from the PD and others @your forma interview will definitely have a "spin".

I did interview at some fellowships where I felt that the preinterview dinner was part of the interview, and one where I couldn't make it to the dinner (due to my resident clinic running late and a time zone change/difference) where I found out later it was held against me that I couldn't come to that (i.e. "The fellows didn't think you were that interested").

It's totally fine to come with your luggage...just explain you came from the airport, etc. Usually it's OK to be late...usually I would just email the secretary telling her I might be late so they wouldn't wait on me. Usually for IM there were so many applicants @the dinner, being one of 3/30 who is late won't bring you any negative attention...might be different if there are 4 people interviewing for a neurosurg. spot.