rehearsed vs. rambling...

[cariblil]

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Hey guys,

I have my first interview in a few days here, and I was wondering if anyone had any advice (aside from SDN feedback and reading the school's website) about how I can better prepare for the interview?

I am having a tough time with sounding 'rehearsed' (per my one mock interview with a friend). I like to think my answers are genuine, and unfortunately, I did type it out word-for-word. But, in contrast, the answers that are spare of the moment are a mix of good answers and ramblings.

Is there any general advice for a first time interviewer trying to get it right? What should I do in the next few days?

Also, is it bad to say "I think, I feel, I believe.."?

 

[luv2sd]

Hey guys,

I have my first interview in a few days here, and I was wondering if anyone had any advice (aside from SDN feedback and reading the school's website) about how I can better prepare for the interview?

I am having a tough time with sounding 'rehearsed' (per my one mock interview with a friend). I like to think my answers are genuine, and unfortunately, I did type it out word-for-word. But, in contrast, the answers that are spare of the moment are a mix of good answers and ramblings.

Is there any general advice for a first time interviewer trying to get it right? What should I do in the next few days?

Also, is it bad to say "I think, I feel, I believe.."?

One thinks, One feels, One believes...

 

[brianmartin]

I would advise against typing out/memorizing answers to questions. Definitely think about it but you don't need EXACT answers. A little "rambling" is OK as long as you stay on topic.

 

[SnoPearl]

Hey guys,

I have my first interview in a few days here, and I was wondering if anyone had any advice (aside from SDN feedback and reading the school's website) about how I can better prepare for the interview?

I am having a tough time with sounding 'rehearsed' (per my one mock interview with a friend). I like to think my answers are genuine, and unfortunately, I did type it out word-for-word. But, in contrast, the answers that are spare of the moment are a mix of good answers and ramblings.

Is there any general advice for a first time interviewer trying to get it right? What should I do in the next few days?

Also, is it bad to say "I think, I feel, I believe.."?

Perhaps you should try to slow down when you are answering your questions. Often answers become muddled with ramble if you are talking faster than you are thinking or you've thought so far ahead that you can't figure out what you're talking about anymore.

After you are asked a question, do take a brief moment to consider the question, even if it's already clear (spitting out a blatantly obvious rehearsed answer is unappealing). Spend a few seconds to collect your thoughts, think of the main points you want to bring up, and then go through them one by one. If you've already been practicing, it should come pretty quickly ("okay, I'll pick these 2 weaknesses to mention, and use examples X and Y"). You can usually be repeating the question or saying "hmmm" while you think.

Finally, the best way to practice is not just to let a friend ask a question and then proceed to give a speech. Real interviewers will actively interrupt you to ask questions about what you are saying, which makes it like a conversation. Once you become comfortable with this conversation-style answer, you will find yourself feeling much less awkward and hopefully less likely to ramble and/or lose your train of thought. Oh, and saying "I feel" is definitely okay. In fact, say it often! They want to know what you are thinking and that you realize it's your own opinion. Without prefacing with I feel and I think, you might sometimes say things that come off as pompous: "Doctors should be X, Y, and Z" versus "I think that doctors need to be X, Y, and Z".

 

[ChristianJames1]

just wing it. it is more sincere that way. answers to secondaries are planned, interviews are not. that is why there are interviews and secondaries.

 

[nick_carraway]

Perhaps you should try to slow down when you are answering your questions. Often answers become muddled with ramble if you are talking faster than you are thinking or you've thought so far ahead that you can't figure out what you're talking about anymore.

After you are asked a question, do take a brief moment to consider the question, even if it's already clear (spitting out a blatantly obvious rehearsed answer is unappealing). Spend a few seconds to collect your thoughts, think of the main points you want to bring up, and then go through them one by one. If you've already been practicing, it should come pretty quickly ("okay, I'll pick these 2 weaknesses to mention, and use examples X and Y"). You can usually be repeating the question or saying "hmmm" while you think.

Finally, the best way to practice is not just to let a friend ask a question and then proceed to give a speech. Real interviewers will actively interrupt you to ask questions about what you are saying, which makes it like a conversation. Once you become comfortable with this conversation-style answer, you will find yourself feeling much less awkward and hopefully less likely to ramble and/or lose your train of thought. Oh, and saying "I feel" is definitely okay. In fact, say it often! They want to know what you are thinking and that you realize it's your own opinion. Without prefacing with I feel and I think, you might sometimes say things that come off as pompous: "Doctors should be X, Y, and Z" versus "I think that doctors need to be X, Y, and Z".

I agree. Having ideas of what you want to say and merely thinking about it for a split second before opening your mouth is a good way to go. Writing all those secondaries and being your pleasant, sociable self should be enough training to decide what you want to say during the interview. You should have plenty of time to think of how you're going to answer the question while the interviewer is still asking it.

I would warn against practicing too much because I had thought about why I wanted to attend a school so much that when I was asked why during the interview, I gave my reason and prepared to move on. The problem was that the interviewer didn't completely hear me the first time and so I had to repeat myself. Let me tell you that a well rehearsed spiel sounds even more insincere the second time around.

 

[hp540]

I think you should have well rehearsed and prepared answers for the typical questions you're bound to expect at any interview.

 

[SigurRos]

i've winged every interview, because i feel like you should try to be as genuine as possible and this is easiest when you don't have answers preplanned. I ramble a lot, but that's fine as long asyou get your point across eventually.

 

[Gospe1]

I think the best way is to notecard certain phrases or ideas you want to get out there, then during the interview wing the filler.

 

[LiveUninhibited]

i've winged every interview, because i feel like you should try to be as genuine as possible and this is easiest when you don't have answers preplanned. I ramble a lot, but that's fine as long asyou get your point across eventually.

I have been trying to figure out why it is a bad idea to rehearse answers for a long time now and people keep treating it as obvious and self-evident.

Can anybody explain in what way rehearsing an answer is not genuine? Or if there is any other reason not to practice for interviews?

Maybe you cared about your interview and didn't want to leave anything out, as you're bound to do if you just wing it. This is particularly true for questions you have many reasons for (such as why you want to be a doctor), but you want to be sure to emphasize the most relevant ones. Maybe your word choice will be relatively poor if you just wing it.

I mean, are custom marriage vows less genuine when they're written and rehearsed ahead of time as opposed to fumbled out? They're only "not genuine" if you didn't write them yourself. I honestly don't get the sincerity issue with rehearsal.

 

[brooklynblunder]

I think the best way is to notecard certain phrases or ideas you want to get out there, then during the interview wing the filler.

thiz

 

[greatnt249]

Can anybody explain in what way rehearsing an answer is not genuine? Or if there is any other reason not to practice for interviews?

I don't think the questions you're asking actually apply to anything the posters have already said. No one said that rehearsing answers is not genuine, nor did they encourage not practicing for interviews. Rehearsing answers to the point where that's all you can provide when an interviewer asks a question may seem as if it isn't genuine if you're so focused on giving the answer that you neglect your interpersonal skills in the process. Preparing for any possible interview questions is fine; memorizing your answers verbatim...not so much.

 

[LizzyM]

Actors memorize their lines. They may even have the acting chops to make you believe that they are genuine and believe what they are saying and acting in a way to make you believe that their emotions are genuine.

Interviewees should not be acting and reciting lines but should be themselves and speak from the heart. Most interviewees do not have the ability to act like a good applicant and the whole interview comes off as scripted, canned, insincere, and rehearsed. Don't be an actor, be yourself.

 

[Zona Pellucida]

Actors memorize their lines. They may even have the acting chops to make you believe that they are genuine and believe what they are saying and acting in a way to make you believe that their emotions are genuine.

Interviewees should not be acting and reciting lines but should be themselves and speak from the heart. Most interviewees do not have the ability to act like a good applicant and the whole interview comes off as scripted, canned, insincere, and rehearsed. Don't be an actor, be yourself.

👍 Thanks for your response!

I am planning on typing out answers to typical questions (as seen in the interview section for each school on SDN) just to get my mind thinking about topics and forming opinions before arriving but I am certainly not going to memorize "lines".

Oh, but first I need to be invited to an interview somewhere. -_-

 

[jla314]

OP, i had also written out answers for common interview questions, but on my actual interviews i ended up not using them. i had prepared for the type of interview that involves formal questions and answers, but actual interviews tend to be more conversational. writing out your answers will have helped you gather your thoughts so that you get your points across, but it's unlikely your interviewer will ask you the exact questions you've prepared answers for anyway.

good luck 🙂

 

[LiveUninhibited]

I don't think the questions you're asking actually apply to anything the posters have already said. No one said that rehearsing answers is not genuine,

You mean like these posts:

I am having a tough time with sounding 'rehearsed' (per my one mock interview with a friend). I like to think my answers are genuine, and unfortunately, I did type it out word-for-word.

i've winged every interview, because i feel like you should try to be as genuine as possible and this is easiest when you don't have answers preplanned.

Let me tell you that a well rehearsed spiel sounds even more insincere the second time around.

So I'm not sure if we're reading the same thread.

nor did they encourage not practicing for interviews. Rehearsing answers to the point where that's all you can provide when an interviewer asks a question may seem as if it isn't genuine if you're so focused on giving the answer that you neglect your interpersonal skills in the process. Preparing for any possible interview questions is fine; memorizing your answers verbatim...not so much.

But the rest of your post makes a lot of sense. Thanks.

Actors memorize their lines. They may even have the acting chops to make you believe that they are genuine and believe what they are saying and acting in a way to make you believe that their emotions are genuine.

Interviewees should not be acting and reciting lines but should be themselves and speak from the heart. Most interviewees do not have the ability to act like a good applicant and the whole interview comes off as scripted, canned, insincere, and rehearsed. Don't be an actor, be yourself.

Well acting is insincere because you're reading lines that somebody else wrote and/or you're trying to be someone you're not. Actors can do this in an impromptu way or a scripted way, so I'm not sure if it's the scripted aspect that makes the difference.

But your response does help me understand the perspective adcoms may have on this issue while I literally had no idea before. So thanks. 🙂

 

[BlueElmo]

I've prepared my answers. Better to be prepared then to walk in and look like an idiot.

 

[Food]

I've prepared my answers. Better to be prepared then to walk in and look like an idiot.

Agreed - you should have an argument prepared for why you wish to be a doctor, and not just wing it. You could argue that by virtue of your PS you have prepared for the question, but you cannot dictate your PS when asked "why medicine?". In short - preparation never hurt anybody.

 

[greatnt249]

So I'm not sure if we're reading the same thread.

Ha, touche; I must've just skimmed through what people were writing and thought that's what they were getting at.😳

 

[siliso]

Not wanting to "sound rehearsed" is different from winging it, I think.
"Sounding rehearsed" usually means sounding either wooden or too slick, as though you are reciting a script. If you can rehearse without sounding rehearsed, more power to you. I think keeping some bullet points in mind + extemporizing sounds more natural and conversational for most people.

 

[OpalOnyx]

OP, i had also written out answers for common interview questions, but on my actual interviews i ended up not using them. i had prepared for the type of interview that involves formal questions and answers, but actual interviews tend to be more conversational. writing out your answers will have helped you gather your thoughts so that you get your points across, but it's unlikely your interviewer will ask you the exact questions you've prepared answers for anyway.

good luck 🙂

This is right on target with my experience as well. 👍