Should Students Bring a CV/Resume to Interviews?

[ace12345]

I searched past threads but there was not a ton of recent information on this one. Wondering whether or not this is a good idea at med school interviews.

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[Lya]

I doubt bringing them is necessary; however, being able to discuss some unique activities and experiences is necessary, so that interviewers understand the overview of who you are, without reading your CV.

 

[jeghaber]

I searched past threads but there was not a ton of recent information on this one. Wondering whether or not this is a good idea at med school interviews.

It's probably a good idea to bring a folder/portfolio that has your:
- AMCAS
- Secondary
- a few copies of your CV/Resume

if only to remind yourself of what you wrote so you can speak intelligently about it. After 20 secondaries, I know I can barely remember what I wrote, hahha Depending on the type of interview and flow of it, you might also find it appropriate/useful to leave a copy of your resume with your interviewer.

 

[Mt Kilimanjaro]

You could study it while waiting for your interview, but no one is going to ask you for it.

Kind of like looking at your notes in the hallway before a test. Might make you feel productive, but unlikely to help.

 

[Planes2Doc]

I remember bringing them just in case since I'm a non-traditional student with past work experience. I also remembered that I submitted a copy to the school itself, which they had on hand. Therefore it wasn't necessary.

Can't hurt to have it though!

 

[mcloaf]

I brought one but never needed it. Can't hurt to have it on hand I suppose.

 

[ace12345]

Thanks for the info guys. I like the idea of bringing it to have/"study" beforehand.

 

[kyamh]

What about a copy of a publication that you put out? Is it ever appropriate? I'm imagining explaining research and having a nifty copy of the figures around....but that's probably because all my interview advice comes from pre-grad students

 

[jeghaber]

What about a copy of a publication that you put out? Is it ever appropriate? I'm imagining explaining research and having a nifty copy of the figures around....but that's probably because all my interview advice comes from pre-grad students

I'm planning on bringing copies of mine; but as you can probably tell from my post above, I'm in the over-prepare camp of things 😀 I have heard of research coming up in conversation and interviewers being interested in a copy if you mention you have one on you. I doubt they'll actually have time to read it, but still, why not? It really doesn't take that much effort to print a copy out and it shows that you're prepared.

 

[Ismet]

What about a copy of a publication that you put out? Is it ever appropriate? I'm imagining explaining research and having a nifty copy of the figures around....but that's probably because all my interview advice comes from pre-grad students

You don't need to go into that much detail when describing your research unless you get SUPER lucky and your faculty interviewer happens to do research in the same area. But that probably won't happen, and even if it does, it's an interview for med school, not grad school. Just give a few sentences of summary of what your project entailed and what your role was. You can bring along a copy in your folder just in case, just use your judgment and don't whip it out unless the interviewer is interested.

 

[kyamh]

You don't need to go into that much detail when describing your research unless you get SUPER lucky and your faculty interviewer happens to do research in the same area. But that probably won't happen, and even if it does, it's an interview for med school, not grad school. Just give a few sentences of summary of what your project entailed and what your role was. You can bring along a copy in your folder just in case, just use your judgment and don't whip it out unless the interviewer is interested.

Thanks, I thought as much, but then some of my letter writers were requesting a copy (even though they don't know me research-wise at all) so I started thinking about it.

 

[cyaneidae]

It's probably a good idea to bring a folder/portfolio that has your:
- AMCAS
- Secondary
- a few copies of your CV/Resume

if only to remind yourself of what you wrote so you can speak intelligently about it. After 20 secondaries, I know I can barely remember what I wrote, hahha Depending on the type of interview and flow of it, you might also find it appropriate/useful to leave a copy of your resume with your interviewer.

This, exactly.

No one asked for my resume at a recent interview, but it plus my primary + secondary were useful the night before when I was reviewing all I'd done and said (so I could be sure to speak well about everything at the interview).

I also brought materials on the healthcare system & healthcare reform, again to review the night before so I could talk about things intelligently.

 

[Goro]

Absolutely NOT! It makes you look like an neurotic, overweening hyper-achiever.

I searched past threads but there was not a ton of recent information on this one. Wondering whether or not this is a good idea at med school interviews.