questions to ask during interviews?

[treonaut]

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What questions do you ask during interview?

1. Basics about program
2. Info about hospital/new developments
3. Research exposure
4. Research interests of interviewer


anything to be added to the list would be helpful

 

[sandraf]

I wouldn't ask anything that is on their website, that would sound kind of dumb and show you didn't do your homework. Read it and ask something that was not covered.

 

[bananamed]

I'm just not that inquisitive. I hate asking questions.

 

[gutonc]

The "Money" question for any of the PD/aPD folks you interview with is "what significant changes do you see in the program in the next 5 years." The type of answer you get will tell you a lot about the program and its leadership.

If you get an answer like "well, we're thinking about starting a night float system," or "we're starting a book fund for residents" that's a program w/o much long-term planning.

If, OTOH, you get answers that outline fundamental changes in the mechanism of resident education/training such as changes in structures of rotations, new rotations w/ different educational objectives, etc, then you're looking at a program w/ vision.

I found that this question helped me stratify programs very easily.

NB...Do NOT ask this question of everyone you interview with at a program, only the PD-type folks. The new asst professor in the Nephrology division probably doesn't even know how many residents there are and asking this question of them only shows that you're not paying attention.

 

[jonb12997]

describe a typical day on the inpatient/outpatient service... of the chief resident or hospitalist type attending if you get to interview with one of them.

 

[bluealiendoctor]

Hey,

Could some of you veterans list some more questions to ask. Seems silly, but after reading the information packet sent to me and going over the web site...I don't really have any more questions except those that wouldn't be appropriate for PD or aPD...i.e. 'How many hours will I ACTUALLY work in a week and what is the ACTUAL call schedule". I like the 'what changes do you see in the next 5 years?'..So... any other beauties?

 

[Law2Doc]

describe a typical day on the inpatient/outpatient service...

If it's anything like the law firm interviewing I used to do, this is actually the absolute least favorite question folks get asked. Folks ask what the typical day is like. Your immediate response is always "no day is typical, there's always something new". But then you feel compelled to lay out the prior day's schedule in detail as an example, something you don't consider of particular use to the interviewee since that day will never reoccur, and an annoyance to try and recreate. Maybe the residency types like this question better than lawyers because they have a more set schedule, with rounds, lectures, etc. But I kind of doubt it.

 

[jonb12997]

If it's anything like the law firm interviewing I used to do, this is actually the absolute least favorite question folks get asked. Folks ask what the typical day is like. Your immediate response is always "no day is typical, there's always something new". But then you feel compelled to lay out the prior day's schedule in detail as an example, something you don't consider of particular use to the interviewee since that day will never reoccur, and an annoyance to try and recreate. Maybe the residency types like this question better than lawyers because they have a more set schedule, with rounds, lectures, etc. But I kind of doubt it.

yeah, I was thinking more of like, what time is morning report, when does sign out usually happen, when does teaching rounds usually happen (morning or afternoon, not specifically the exact hour), what's the lecture schedule for the week look like... you never know when you'll get consults or admissions or such, but it's good to look at other fairly standard stuff. that's sorta what I was getting at... good point on your end, I agree with what you're saying.

 

[Doowai]

The "Money" question for any of the PD/aPD folks you interview with is "what significant changes do you see in the program in the next 5 years." The type of answer you get will tell you a lot about the program and its leadership.

.

Great suggestion