Vocab, Grammar, etc. for Interview

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I understand most interviews are conversational and we are all expected to be able to speak better than at least jr. high students, but how much does vocabulary and grammar matter in an interview?
 
misodoc said:
I understand most interviews are conversational and we are all expected to be able to speak better than at least jr. high students, but how much does vocabulary and grammar matter in an interview?
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...

Enough so to where you don't sound like a complete ****ing fool, but at the same time, don't come across as simply a pompous ass.
 
If you were born and raised in America and cannot use proper grammar when speaking, you shouldn't have been given a diploma, let alone a degree.
 
It's all part of how you present yourself, so it matters quite a bit. You don't need to be extra stuffy sounding (and shouldn't be), but you do want to speak deliberately and calmly, and avoid using slang unless it's something that's nearly universal (like saying "Kleenex" when you mean a tissue or whatever). Really, just use common sense. If you think something isn't acceptable for an interview, you're probably right. In short, be professional.
 
misodoc said:
I understand most interviews are conversational and we are all expected to be able to speak better than at least jr. high students, but how much does vocabulary and grammar matter in an interview?
Click to expand...

Handle this like a job interview. (Have you ever been on one?)
 
VneZonyDostupa said:
If you were born and raised in America and cannot use proper grammar when speaking, you shouldn't have been given a diploma, let alone a degree.
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.

I think the OP is trying to ask how picky interviewers might be about grammar.
Like using the word "yeah" instead of "yes" and saying "ummm" before things. And "uh" instead of "a". The word "like" and "you know".

Seriously, I can't think of many people in their twenties that use proper grammar when they are speaking. Hell, most people in general don't use proper grammar. You start to get in a habit of speaking like your peers, and that kind of speaking might slip out during an interview.

I don't have any experience with med school interviewers so I wouldn't know how picky they might be about these things.
 
calnation said:
.

I think the OP is trying to ask how picky interviewers might be about grammar.
Like using the word "yeah" instead of "yes" and saying "ummm" before things. And "uh" instead of "a". The word "like" and "you know".

Seriously, I can't think of many people in their twenties that use proper grammar when they are speaking. Hell, most people in general don't use proper grammar. You start to get in a habit of speaking like your peers, and that kind of speaking might slip out during an interview.

I don't have any experience with med school interviewers so I wouldn't know how picky they might be about these things.
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"Yeah", "umm", and "like, you know" are examples of laziness, not problems with vocabulary or grammar. Also, I know most people don't speak properly in casual conversation. When you're interviewing for a professional school, as well as a future professional career, however, you should speak as if you understand your own language.
 
Thanks to everyone who responded. I found an example answer online to the common interview question "Tell me about yourself."

"My friends call me Jimmy the Greek. The odd thing is that I'm not Greek! They've been calling me that since high-school when we were taught about the Greek scientist Archimedes. After he had discovered buoyancy for his king, he ran through the streets of Syracuse butt-naked screaming "Eureka, eureka!", which means "I found it". Certainly my friends do not think of me as the type to run around naked (!), but rather being enthraled by what you do - that's who I am.

. . . academic, creative, social . . .

From an academic standpoint, I have always worked hard at school primarily because I love to learn. I won an entrance scholarship to Simon Fraser University and after a period of adjustment to university life, I was able to give my energies to my craft, and be honored by receiving two more academic awards over the last two years and being placed on the Dean's list. I am in my last year of an honors program in Life Sciences.

I definitely have a creative side. I think it's partly due to the years of classical piano lessons. I learned jazz piano on my own, and I recently had the honour to play with Oscar Peterson at a benefit for cystic fibrosis. I have also developed creative skills while tutoring, which I thoroughly enjoy, and during research. I was fortunate to be awarded 2 summer research scholarships during my undergraduate studies to investigate something called apoptosis, which is a programmed cell death important in most forms of cancer. Since this is a relatively new concept, we have had to design new techniques - one of which I had written up and was accepted by the journal Science for publication. The potential for a treatment for cancer is very exciting.

My social side I express in many ways including with my family, friends and the French and Spanish clubs I've joined at school. I also play many team sports such as basketball, volleyball and hockey. My greatest experiences from a social perspective have come from my volunteer activities. Having volunteered at St. Paul's and the Children's hospital, I have opened a whole new world of possibilities in my personal growth. I learned to listen to the sick, to hold hands with the elderly, and even to cry with children who saw no hope. I always did my best to comfort.

It has been said that a doctor may cure sometimes, diagnose often, but comfort always. I am excited about entering a profession where you can learn, research, teach, and above all, interact in a most human way with those in need. That is why I am convinced that medicine is the right career choice for me."

Are we seriously expected to speak like this?
 
misodoc said:
Thanks to everyone who responded. I found an example answer online to the common interview question "Tell me about yourself."

"My friends call me Jimmy the Greek. The odd thing is that I'm not Greek! They've been calling me that since high-school when we were taught about the Greek scientist Archimedes. After he had discovered buoyancy for his king, he ran through the streets of Syracuse butt-naked screaming "Eureka, eureka!", which means "I found it". Certainly my friends do not think of me as the type to run around naked (!), but rather being enthraled by what you do - that's who I am.

. . . academic, creative, social . . .

From an academic standpoint, I have always worked hard at school primarily because I love to learn. I won an entrance scholarship to Simon Fraser University and after a period of adjustment to university life, I was able to give my energies to my craft, and be honored by receiving two more academic awards over the last two years and being placed on the Dean's list. I am in my last year of an honors program in Life Sciences.

I definitely have a creative side. I think it's partly due to the years of classical piano lessons. I learned jazz piano on my own, and I recently had the honour to play with Oscar Peterson at a benefit for cystic fibrosis. I have also developed creative skills while tutoring, which I thoroughly enjoy, and during research. I was fortunate to be awarded 2 summer research scholarships during my undergraduate studies to investigate something called apoptosis, which is a programmed cell death important in most forms of cancer. Since this is a relatively new concept, we have had to design new techniques - one of which I had written up and was accepted by the journal Science for publication. The potential for a treatment for cancer is very exciting.

My social side I express in many ways including with my family, friends and the French and Spanish clubs I've joined at school. I also play many team sports such as basketball, volleyball and hockey. My greatest experiences from a social perspective have come from my volunteer activities. Having volunteered at St. Paul's and the Children's hospital, I have opened a whole new world of possibilities in my personal growth. I learned to listen to the sick, to hold hands with the elderly, and even to cry with children who saw no hope. I always did my best to comfort.

It has been said that a doctor may cure sometimes, diagnose often, but comfort always. I am excited about entering a profession where you can learn, research, teach, and above all, interact in a most human way with those in need. That is why I am convinced that medicine is the right career choice for me."

Are we seriously expected to speak like this?
Click to expand...

What's wrong with speaking in the same style as the example you posted? It's very casual, but professional.
 
misodoc said:
Thanks to everyone who responded. I found an example answer online to the common interview question "Tell me about yourself."

"My friends call me Jimmy the Greek. The odd thing is that I'm not Greek! They've been calling me that since high-school when we were taught about the Greek scientist Archimedes. After he had discovered buoyancy for his king, he ran through the streets of Syracuse butt-naked screaming "Eureka, eureka!", which means "I found it". Certainly my friends do not think of me as the type to run around naked (!), but rather being enthraled by what you do - that's who I am.

. . . academic, creative, social . . .

From an academic standpoint, I have always worked hard at school primarily because I love to learn. I won an entrance scholarship to Simon Fraser University and after a period of adjustment to university life, I was able to give my energies to my craft, and be honored by receiving two more academic awards over the last two years and being placed on the Dean's list. I am in my last year of an honors program in Life Sciences.

I definitely have a creative side. I think it's partly due to the years of classical piano lessons. I learned jazz piano on my own, and I recently had the honour to play with Oscar Peterson at a benefit for cystic fibrosis. I have also developed creative skills while tutoring, which I thoroughly enjoy, and during research. I was fortunate to be awarded 2 summer research scholarships during my undergraduate studies to investigate something called apoptosis, which is a programmed cell death important in most forms of cancer. Since this is a relatively new concept, we have had to design new techniques - one of which I had written up and was accepted by the journal Science for publication. The potential for a treatment for cancer is very exciting.

My social side I express in many ways including with my family, friends and the French and Spanish clubs I've joined at school. I also play many team sports such as basketball, volleyball and hockey. My greatest experiences from a social perspective have come from my volunteer activities. Having volunteered at St. Paul's and the Children's hospital, I have opened a whole new world of possibilities in my personal growth. I learned to listen to the sick, to hold hands with the elderly, and even to cry with children who saw no hope. I always did my best to comfort.

It has been said that a doctor may cure sometimes, diagnose often, but comfort always. I am excited about entering a profession where you can learn, research, teach, and above all, interact in a most human way with those in need. That is why I am convinced that medicine is the right career choice for me."

Are we seriously expected to speak like this?
Click to expand...
It's a long winded answer IMO.

I've been thinking about my answers and most of my tell me about yourself and why medicine responses are going to be pretty short, honest and conversational. I really think these dudes just expect you to sound smart, genuine and kind. After all, were applying to medicine not law - were not suppose to be able talk out of ass for days on end in an eloquent fashion.
 
your school is chill, bro.
 
misodoc said:
Thanks to everyone who responded. I found an example answer online to the common interview question "Tell me about yourself."

"My friends call me Jimmy the Greek. The odd thing is that I'm not Greek! They've been calling me that since high-school when we were taught about the Greek scientist Archimedes. After he had discovered buoyancy for his king, he ran through the streets of Syracuse butt-naked screaming "Eureka, eureka!", which means "I found it". Certainly my friends do not think of me as the type to run around naked (!), but rather being enthraled by what you do - that's who I am.

. . . academic, creative, social . . .

From an academic standpoint, I have always worked hard at school primarily because I love to learn. I won an entrance scholarship to Simon Fraser University and after a period of adjustment to university life, I was able to give my energies to my craft, and be honored by receiving two more academic awards over the last two years and being placed on the Dean's list. I am in my last year of an honors program in Life Sciences.

I definitely have a creative side. I think it's partly due to the years of classical piano lessons. I learned jazz piano on my own, and I recently had the honour to play with Oscar Peterson at a benefit for cystic fibrosis. I have also developed creative skills while tutoring, which I thoroughly enjoy, and during research. I was fortunate to be awarded 2 summer research scholarships during my undergraduate studies to investigate something called apoptosis, which is a programmed cell death important in most forms of cancer. Since this is a relatively new concept, we have had to design new techniques - one of which I had written up and was accepted by the journal Science for publication. The potential for a treatment for cancer is very exciting.

My social side I express in many ways including with my family, friends and the French and Spanish clubs I've joined at school. I also play many team sports such as basketball, volleyball and hockey. My greatest experiences from a social perspective have come from my volunteer activities. Having volunteered at St. Paul's and the Children's hospital, I have opened a whole new world of possibilities in my personal growth. I learned to listen to the sick, to hold hands with the elderly, and even to cry with children who saw no hope. I always did my best to comfort.

It has been said that a doctor may cure sometimes, diagnose often, but comfort always. I am excited about entering a profession where you can learn, research, teach, and above all, interact in a most human way with those in need. That is why I am convinced that medicine is the right career choice for me."

Are we seriously expected to speak like this?
Click to expand...

A few things:

(1) Normal people use contractions. If you go into your interview, shake the interviewer's hand, and say "I-am-very-pleased-to-meet-you," it may come off as formal and robotic. Talk normally, for crying out loud!

(2) The vocabulary of the post you used is not incredibly elevated/esoteric or otherwise out-of-the-ordinary. If there are words that you don't understand in that post, then perhaps you may want to improve your English vocabulary (assuming you are a non-native speaker). If you ARE a non-native speaker, just use words you are comfortable with. <-- This will NOT hurt you.

(3)^No one will care if you end your sentences with prepositions while you're talking.

(4) NEVER call your interviewers "dudes" as posted above (presumably in jest).

(5) Avoid "uh" and "um". I'm not so sure about "yeah". Avoid "hey" upon greeting the interviewer. Don't say "what up?", or "hey, man" or say "iz like". If you are a non-native English speaker, try to follow normal English speaking patterns.

(6) Talk normally --> assuming your regular language doesn't incorporate tons of slang.
 
pianola said:
A few things:
(6) Talk normally --> assuming your regular language doesn't incorporate tons of slang.
Click to expand...

I guess I should drop the lolspeak, then.🙁

Iz hard, bt i can has.

Edit: On a more serious note, your, and conversely, your interviewer's word choice can greatly affect the tone of the interview. Be yourself, but don't be too familiar or robotic.
 
In the sample answer above, the vocabulary is not beyond the reach of a normal conversational style. However, who can come up with such well-organized thoughts on the spot? It would be almost impossible to give such a well-framed answer without making it sound thoroughly rehearsed, I think.
 
Diksha said:
In the sample answer above, the vocabulary is not beyond the reach of a normal conversational style. However, who can come up with such well-organized thoughts on the spot? It would be almost impossible to give such a well-framed answer without making it sound thoroughly rehearsed, I think.
Click to expand...

QFT! Having that kind of response at the ready seems a bit too programmed and a tad too forced to me.
 
Avoid saying "uhhhhh" at all costs. I interview others on campus quite a bit due to certain positions I hold and I can't stand it. So if I don't like it I'm pretty sure with something as important as medical school admissions that its probably looked upon pretty unfavorably.
 
misodoc said:
I understand most interviews are conversational and we are all expected to be able to speak better than at least jr. high students, but how much does vocabulary and grammar matter in an interview?
Click to expand...

Only in America would someone who will presumably graduate from college with a rigorous degree and thinks he has a shot at medical school ask whether or not he should be expected to speak his native language well or whether it's acceptable to speak like he text messages.
 
Slang, regional accents, and idiomatic expressions are OK, by the way, provided you actually have the accent, know that you are using slang, and your expressions are interesting and not too obscure for the interviewer.

Be yourself. If you are an uneducated buffoon there is nothing you can do to hide it.
 
I think you should only call yourself Jimmy "The Greek", Paul "Big Pauli", John "The Teflon Don", Michael "Trigger Mike" etc if you are interviewing for a mafia related position. 🙂
 
ejay286 said:
It's really a shame.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/12/24/AR2005122400701.html
Click to expand...


Well, yeah. We know that colleges and universities are full of ignorant students whose only purpose is to feed an endless supply of fresh federal student loan meat into the ravenous jaws of higher education. That's why they have psychology, sociology, and any number of other Mickey Mouse degrees. Higher education is in fact one of the biggest scams of the century.

But we're talking about people who are supposed to be "brilliant."
 
I'd love to see this guy in an interview.....


[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W45DRy7M1no[/YOUTUBE]
 
Panda Bear said:
That's why they have psychology, sociology, and any number of other Mickey Mouse degrees. Higher education is in fact one of the biggest scams of the century.
Click to expand...

My Uncle Panda just kicked me in the balls.
 
Diksha said:
In the sample answer above, the vocabulary is not beyond the reach of a normal conversational style. However, who can come up with such well-organized thoughts on the spot? It would be almost impossible to give such a well-framed answer without making it sound thoroughly rehearsed, I think.
Click to expand...

I agree. The vocabulary is not the problem I was concerned with here. It was more the extremely long, detailed content and the expectation to come up with such an organized answer quickly that worried me. I tried reading the paragraph as if I were in an interview and it sounds too formal and long. Maybe it's just me...

Many thanks for all the responses!
 
It could've just been the teleprompter who knows? He should've just been like..

"FU*K IT WE'LL DO IT LIVE"
 
calnation said:
It could've just been the teleprompter who knows? He should've just been like..

"FU*K IT WE'LL DO IT LIVE"
Click to expand...

It seemed like it was an odd combination of "slow teleprompter" and "unpunctuated block of text."
 
I like how he butchered all of the all-american's names.
 
Speak like you almost have a college degree.

Don't use any words you can't define or pronounce, or that at least 70% of educated americans don't use.
 
ejay286 said:
I'd love to see this guy in an interview.....


[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W45DRy7M1no[/YOUTUBE]
Click to expand...

Blowfish.jpg

Awkward Blowfish
 
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