What are interviewers looking for?

[QuinnTheEskimo]

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What qualities are interviewers looking for? I am curious to hear your opinions.

 

[sinombre]

Something unique, like a blog with a list of handles that have been banned from SDN.

 

[sinombre]

You can probably answer this question yourself... what kinds of qualities do you think interviewers are looking for?

 

[Bovary]

Among other attributes, I've heard interviewers want to see if you're confident, personable, well-spoken, able to explain complex concepts (e.g. the details of one's research), and in general whether you have a personality and composure commensurate with the profession.

The interview is also another, final venue to get to know you better. Different schools have different priorities, and so School A and School B might not be looking for the same personal characteristics; however, confident declarations, firm hand-shakes, eye-contact, and generally being an engaging conversationalist should help you anywhere.

I recommend searching these forums for the many threads which have discussed this very issue in the past, including answers by known admissions officers such as users Goro and LizzyM. In particular, LizzyM has the past three years hosted a thread where she answers questions posed to her which I highly recommend you read.

 

[QuinnTheEskimo]

You can probably answer this question yourself... what kinds of qualities do you think interviewers are looking for?

I could answer it myself, but I am curious to hear what others have to say.

 

[LizzyM]

See http://forums.studentdoctor.net/thr...ng-2013-edition.1046981/page-17#post-14751925

 

[QuinnTheEskimo]

See http://forums.studentdoctor.net/thr...ng-2013-edition.1046981/page-17#post-14751925

Thanks LizzyM.

I made this post because I am in an uncertain situation right now: I am on 3 waitlists, have 5 decisions pending, and 1 more interview to go.

I would characterize myself as a little introverted and shy. I tend to be somewhat blunt/forthright in my answers. I am a normal person and not offensive, but I wouldn't say I have outstanding social skills or a sparkling personality. I am worried I am screwed in the interview because I am not good at putting on a performance.

I'm not sure if there is anything I can do to change things.

 

[bluebananaslug]

Haha, you sound like you're describing me at interviews- I too feel like I'm no good at "performing". I also tend to get overly nervous before interviews. I've had 8 interviews so far. I feel I did the best when I acted the most confident, and when I tried to be conversational , i.e. pick up on activities/people/topics the interviewer mentioned and continue the conversation, ask questions.
At least, that's what I remember from interviews at the schools I was accepted to. I hope that helps. Anyway, I'm sure you'll hear some good news, best luck!

 

[Pacna]

1. Compatible mate
2. Money
3. A fulfilling life
4. Sorcerer's stone/unicorn blood/horcrux spell

 

[QuinnTheEskimo]

1. Compatible mate
2. Money
3. A fulfilling life
4. Sorcerer's stone/unicorn blood/horcrux spell

That order is way wrong

1. A fulfilling life
2. Sorcerer's stone/unicorn blood/horcrux spell
3. A compatible mate
4. Money

 

[Pacna]

That order is way wrong

1. A fulfilling life
2. Sorcerer's stone/unicorn blood/horcrux spell
3. A compatible mate
4. Money

Oh you suddenly know what ADCOMs want okay lock the thread. 😛

 

[QuinnTheEskimo]

Oh you suddenly know what ADCOMs want okay lock the thread. 😛

hahaha

 

[gyngyn]

· Integrity and Ethics
· Reliability and Dependability
· Service Orientation
· Social and Interpersonal Skills
· Capacity for Improvement
· Resilience and Adaptability
· Cultural Competence
· Oral Communication
· Teamwork

 

[QuinnTheEskimo]

· Integrity and Ethics
· Reliability and Dependability
· Service Orientation
· Social and Interpersonal Skills
· Capacity for Improvement
· Resilience and Adaptability
· Cultural Competence
· Oral Communication
· Teamwork

I feel like none of these have been assessed in any of my interviews, except for social/interpersonal skills

 

[gyngyn]

I feel like none of these have been assessed in any of my interviews, except for social/interpersonal skills

That's sad. Maybe that's why so many schools have switched to MMI. Weak interviewers.

 

[QuinnTheEskimo]

That's sad. Maybe that's why so many schools have switched to MMI. Weak interviewers.

Yes, I actually had 1 MMI and I thought that was my best experience.

 

[Member67988]

That's sad. Maybe that's why so many schools have switched to MMI. Weak interviewers.

of all my interviews, the one mmi i had was the only one that I felt assessed all the things you listed! I honestly think its the best interview method.

 

[Lya]

Yes, I actually had 1 MMI and I thought that was my best experience.

of all my interviews, the one mmi i had was the only one that I felt assessed all the things you listed! I honestly think its the best interview method.

I think it's the best interview method if you end up getting accepted. I didn't, so I think I have to disagree =P

 

[LizzyM]

I feel like none of these have been assessed in any of my interviews, except for social/interpersonal skills

How could "oral communication" not be assessed?? Did you write your responses to the interviewer?

 

[NickNaylor]

Everyone is going to have different things they look for, so asking as many people as possible to get a broad variety of opinions is important. Things I look for:

-Do you make me uncomfortable when I talk with you? If the answer is yes, you are going to be extremely hard-pressed to get a positive evaluation from me. This is the most important thing to me bar none. Being able to communicate with people is important both to your future colleagues and to your patients. Unless I get the sense that someone is highly focused on research or otherwise less interested in clinical work, interpersonal skills are extremely important.

-When you talk about your experiences, is it obvious you've reflected on them and/or put some thought into what you did and why? It's great that you did "X super unique activity," but if you can't talk about it in a way that leads me to believe that it was important to you or if you're unable to articulate why this thing has prepared you for medicine, you shouldn't have even included it on your app.

-Do you act professional throughout the interview? Do you say or do things that are questionable or otherwise inappropriate for the setting? If the answer is yes, this is again a huge red flag for me, and I'm unlikely to give you a positive evaluation.

At my institution student interviewers don't see access to the more questionable parts of the app (e.g., disadvantaged status, institutional actions, etc.) so I don't have any advice for those sections. My best advice is to try and be normal and be thoughtful in your replies. DON'T BE THAT GUY NO MATTER WHAT YOU DO. Fortunately, there seem to be a lot of physicians/adcom members that have no problem with "that guys" as they clearly continue to make it into medical school. From a student perspective, though, the ultimate question I ask myself at the end of the interview when I'm completing the evaluation is, "would I want this applicant as a classmate?" Another important one is, "do I think this person would flourish at this institution based on my experience here?" If the answers to those questions are yes, I will almost certainly give you a positive evaluation barring, of course, the caveats mentioned above.

 

[Goro]

I look not only for the below, but also whether I can see the person wearing the white coat. Would I want this person to touch my children? Can the candidate think on his/her feet? Remain cool under pressure? Display maturity? Make it through our program? Have more than a superficial knowledge of osteopathy (have to do this since I'm at a DO school)? Know what they're getting into? Be self-aware? Have insight?

As per the post above this one, my student interviewers (who can be much harsher on the candidates than the faculty) look for someone who can be a colleague.


Among other attributes, I've heard interviewers want to see if you're confident, personable, well-spoken, able to explain complex concepts (e.g. the details of one's research), and in general whether you have a personality and composure commensurate with the profession.

Integrity and Ethics
· Reliability and Dependability
· Service Orientation
· Social and Interpersonal Skills
· Capacity for Improvement
· Resilience and Adaptability
· Cultural Competence
· Oral Communication
· Teamwork[/quote]