Worst/Funniest Interview Experiences

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landscapelover said:
The interviewer and I had a very lively and long discussion about sports, especially tennis which is my favorite sport and also the favorite of the interviewer's son. I was thinking: "Yes, I'm so in. He's associating with his son".

Then we moved on to discussing the various hospitals in various locations that I can go for my clinical years. He asked me if I had any questions about these hospitals. I jokingly asked: "So which area would be most tennis-friendly?" He just sat there with a surprise look and said: "I'd imagine you asking about the hospitals and their programs, not tennis. You're going to medical school."

Uh...I...uh...ARGH. Now he's probably associating me with his irresponsible son who would only play tennis and not do anything with his life.

Result: waitlisted until I learn that school is more important than tennis. 🙁
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There's a time to joke and a time to be serious. I wouldn't have made such a joke in the same situation.
 
gujuDoc said:
There's a time to joke and a time to be serious. I wouldn't have made such a joke in the same situation.
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I think the interviewer was just being touchy. If you follow the joke up with something serious, there's nothing wrong with it. Then again, you have to be sensitive to subtext to pull off a move like that...
 
SolidWater said:
Yeah, I always cringe when I see someone who isn't capable of laughing something off or getting a simple joke. How do people make it through life without humor?! :laugh:
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seriously few things are worse than trying to throw in a little humor to lighten the mood and having the person you're talking to not get it/not even crack a smile.
 
SolidWater said:
Yeah, I always cringe when I see someone who isn't capable of laughing something off or getting a simple joke. How do people make it through life without humor?! :laugh:
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Oh I wasn't saying I don't know humor but keep in mind the population of the elder doctors that are in this country. many of them are these older conservative types who are very serious in the academic world. You need to know who you are dealing with and how to deal with people and there's a time and place for that humor i.e. where you feel comfortable with the person and know them enough to know they'll get a joke. Not everyone is good at detecting sarcasm or understanding one person's humor and some take offense to such. I'm just saying there's a time and place for everything.

I mean I found it funny what the poster did but I wouldn't have done something like that on the basis that a lot of interviewers won't find it funny esp. if they are the overly serious types.
 
slipped up at my interview the other day. my interviewer was an MSII so I unconsciously "loosened up" a bit, probably just because he was a year older than me, so I felt weird being very formal around him.

anyway, I pretty much told him I hated my bench research because I felt anti-social just sitting in a lab 5 hours a day mixing stuff together. minutes later, he asked what i wud do if i didnt get accepted... i very intelligently said I would pursue my degree in chemistry further and maybe think about a PhD. oh yeah, or "fly planes"

then, he asked what i do for fun... out of nowhere, "party" comes out of my mouth. fu**!

whoooops lol, it was my first interview, and the school is bottom on my list. i wud have probably/definitely answered and acted differently if he was an older doctor, but I really didn't care that much cuz I made my decision that I am not a fit at the school after our tour and seeing the campus, but I couldn't help but leave the room thinking "what the hell just happened?" lol
 
makeshift123 said:
slipped up at my interview the other day. my interviewer was an MSII so I unconsciously "loosened up" a bit, probably just because he was a year older than me, so I felt weird being very formal around him.

anyway, I pretty much told him I hated my bench research because I felt anti-social just sitting in a lab 5 hours a day mixing stuff together. minutes later, he asked what i wud do if i didnt get accepted... i very intelligently said I would pursue my degree in chemistry further and maybe think about a PhD. oh yeah, or "fly planes"

then, he asked what i do for fun... out of nowhere, "party" comes out of my mouth. fu**!

whoooops lol, it was my first interview, and the school is bottom on my list. i wud have probably/definitely answered and acted differently if he was an older doctor, but I really didn't care that much cuz I made my decision that I am not a fit at the school after our tour and seeing the campus, but I couldn't help but leave the room thinking "what the hell just happened?" lol
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Haha awesome... I'm so glad it's time for this thread to start picking up again this year 😀
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by makeshift123
slipped up at my interview the other day. my interviewer was an MSII so I unconsciously "loosened up" a bit, probably just because he was a year older than me, so I felt weird being very formal around him.

anyway, I pretty much told him I hated my bench research because I felt anti-social just sitting in a lab 5 hours a day mixing stuff together. minutes later, he asked what i wud do if i didnt get accepted... i very intelligently said I would pursue my degree in chemistry further and maybe think about a PhD. oh yeah, or "fly planes"

then, he asked what i do for fun... out of nowhere, "party" comes out of my mouth. fu**!

whoooops lol, it was my first interview, and the school is bottom on my list. i wud have probably/definitely answered and acted differently if he was an older doctor, but I really didn't care that much cuz I made my decision that I am not a fit at the school after our tour and seeing the campus, but I couldn't help but leave the room thinking "what the hell just happened?" lol

GoSpursGo said:
Haha awesome... I'm so glad it's time for this thread to start picking up again this year 😀
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lol as soon as the words "i don't like my research" came out of my mouth, it just went downhill from there.
 
lildoc said:
I was interviewing at Loyola in Chicago and my interviewer asked what school was the farthest west I had applied to. I answered Georgetown 🙁
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made me LOL. I hope you get in anyway, what a great story this will make!
 
Interviewer: So, tell me about your involvement with orchestra.
Me: Well I've done it for () years and I was concertmaster last semester...

blank stare....

Me: You know, concertmaster....I was first chair...
Interview: Why do you think I don't know what a concertmaster is?
Me: Ummm, well, I..uhhh...
Interview: Never assume anything.

Ouch...🙁
 
This thread is really amusing but it makes me really paranoid at the same time. Seems like some interviews have no sense of humor or just won't cut you any slack. :scared:
 
i had a practice interview today with my school. we were talking about an ethical situation "What if a patient asked you to help them commit suicide, what would you do?"

conversation was going great until i said "its not like they had a DNR or anything, then you cant really intervene"

yea that set the guy off, he kept asking me questions about what the difference would be....i felt that it was just going way to fast and got all confused and then said "what if i pulled out a gun and gave it too you and told me to shoot me right now..would you do it? Its like the same thing".

lets just say he started laughing and said to NEVER do something like that in an interview...lol
 
Not a worst answer exactly...just a worst moment.

My first interview I was naturally really nervous. Unfortunately, when I get nervous I tend to talk A LOT and words come out of my mouth before I think about what I am going to say.

Anyway, when I was answering a particular question I became tongue tied and started stuttering. My interviewer just cut me off and said he got the picture. Definitely will be working on this from now on...
 
tennischica07 said:
Interviewer: So, tell me about your involvement with orchestra.
Me: Well I've done it for () years and I was concertmaster last semester...

blank stare....

Me: You know, concertmaster....I was first chair...
Interview: Why do you think I don't know what a concertmaster is?
Me: Ummm, well, I..uhhh...
Interview: Never assume anything.

Ouch...🙁
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owned!
 
Hm...how about this?

Interviewer : Give us a brief overview of the volunteer work you have done.

Me: I go into this long explanation of a single important volunteer activity, because I get all into it - and then I say "I have many others, if you'd like me to discuss those..."
Interviewer : No, that's fine.

Me: *dammit...he said brief...* I totally forgot!!! **
 
Twenty pages read... Wow.. Now, I'm just hoping I won't have a contribution to this thread!!
 
CupcakeMD said:
This thread is really amusing but it makes me really paranoid at the same time. Seems like some interviews have no sense of humor or just won't cut you any slack. :scared:
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i've learned some valuable lessons from this thread, though. never say you hate research because your interviewer will then end up being a researcher. in fact, never say you hate anything, because your interviewer probably likes it. so . . . be positive. and don't make jokes (this is going to be the hardest one for me . . . i compulsively crack jokes especially when i am nervous.)
 
MaryLennox said:
i've learned some valuable lessons from this thread, though. never say you hate research because your interviewer will then end up being a researcher. in fact, never say you hate anything, because your interviewer probably likes it. so . . . be positive. and don't make jokes (this is going to be the hardest one for me . . . i compulsively crack jokes especially when i am nervous.)
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You can crack jokes!


...just don't crack bad ones.😳
 
Myuu said:
You can crack jokes!


...just don't crack bad ones.😳
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i think the types of jokes i like to make usually fall into the category of "inappropriate" so i am going to try to resist the urge to make any at all 🙂
 
Wow. Been reading this thread all day instead of studying for my bio test tomorrow. Luckily it ended. Off to study!
 
at a recent interview...

Me: It was a pleasure speaking with you today. [handshake] O, by the way, may I have a business card if you have one?

Interviewer: [looks at me warily] I am sorry but I am advised to not have any personal relationships with interviewers outside of this setting.

Me: O. [look of surprise] Okay.




I was so shocked at his response that I didn't know how to respond. I felt misunderstood of my intentions, which were purely professional, but which also could have been misconstrued as a form of "hitting on" the interviewer. I should have explained myself right there, but because I didn't, I'm afraid I'll forever be remembered as the one student who tried to hit on the interviewer.

Lesson: Do not ask for business cards.
 
Equality said:
at a recent interview...

Me: It was a pleasure speaking with you today. [handshake] O, by the way, may I have a business card if you have one?

Interviewer: [looks at me warily] I am sorry but I am advised to not have any personal relationships with interviewers outside of this setting.

Me: O. [look of surprise] Okay.




I was so shocked at his response that I didn't know how to respond. I felt misunderstood of my intentions, which were purely professional, but which also could have been misconstrued as a form of "hitting on" the interviewer. I should have explained myself right there, but because I didn't, I'm afraid I'll forever be remembered as the one student who tried to hit on the interviewer.

Lesson: Do not ask for business cards.
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Sorry to hear that. I think it was an honest mistake. You'll be fine - I sincerely hope so. You should try to get in touch with the interview coordinator to see if you can get their contact info to send a thank you note. After all that was your intention, right? Or just ask if you can send the coordinator/secretary thank you notes that can then be forwarded to the interviewers.
 
hahah i'm really blowing these interview things... at my second interview, i TOTALLY forgot to turn off my cell. In the middle of me answering my "why medicine?" question, my ringtone blares. not the usual Verizon ringtone, but Trey Songz "I invented sex.".... "Girl you gonna think, girl you gonna think, I invented sex" just came out crystal clear from my pocket. it was my gf calling asking how the interview went (shes the only one with that ringtone, all others are normal lol).

good thing it was a student interviewer cuz he just laughed while i fumbled to find my phone and just said "hey, i like that song too"

Ps I found it funny that song would play while answering a why do you want to be a doctor question... women?
 
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makeshift123 said:
hahah i'm really blowing these interview things... at my second interview, i TOTALLY forgot to turn off my cell. In the middle of me answering my "why medicine?" question, my ringtone blares. not the usual Verizon ringtone, but Trey Songz "I invented sex.".... "Girl you gonna think, girl you gonna think, I invented sex" just came out crystal clear from my pocket. it was my gf calling asking how the interview went (shes the only one with that ringtone, all others are normal lol).

good thing it was a student interviewer cuz he just laughed while i fumbled to find my phone and just said "hey, i like that song too"

Ps I found it funny that song would play while answering a why do you want to be a doctor question... women?
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:laugh:
 
makeshift123 said:
hahah i'm really blowing these interview things... at my second interview, i TOTALLY forgot to turn off my cell. In the middle of me answering my "why medicine?" question, my ringtone blares. not the usual Verizon ringtone, but Trey Songz "I invented sex.".... "Girl you gonna think, girl you gonna think, I invented sex" just came out crystal clear from my pocket. it was my gf calling asking how the interview went (shes the only one with that ringtone, all others are normal lol).

good thing it was a student interviewer cuz he just laughed while i fumbled to find my phone and just said "hey, i like that song too"

Ps I found it funny that song would play while answering a why do you want to be a doctor question... women?
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so. much. win.


(or... fail? you decide. either way, i lol-ed.)
 
Equality said:
at a recent interview...

Me: It was a pleasure speaking with you today. [handshake] O, by the way, may I have a business card if you have one?

Interviewer: [looks at me warily] I am sorry but I am advised to not have any personal relationships with interviewers outside of this setting.

Me: O. [look of surprise] Okay.




I was so shocked at his response that I didn't know how to respond. I felt misunderstood of my intentions, which were purely professional, but which also could have been misconstrued as a form of "hitting on" the interviewer. I should have explained myself right there, but because I didn't, I'm afraid I'll forever be remembered as the one student who tried to hit on the interviewer.

Lesson: Do not ask for business cards.
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Yeah, you should have followed up with something like, "Oh no, I just thought if I had questions about this whole process, I could maybe contact you?"
Don't worry too much though, I'm sure it's fine.
 
Most of my interviews have gone great so far... but my last interview, not so much.

Interviewer was a female doctor probably in her mid-30s.

Interviewer: Well, a little background about myself. I went to undergraduate school here, medical school here, I did my residency and fellowship here, and now I'm a faculty member here.

Me: Oh wow, you've been here forever.

Interviewer: [with a straight face and no emotion] I'm not that old.

Me: [laughs nervously]
 
GuzzyRon said:
Here's my sorry story...😳

After all the welcome, presentation, tour, lunch blah blah with the other interviewees 🙄 ...finally, my interviewer showed up and led me away. Nervous as hell :scared: but I tried not to show it. Once we were both alone in his office, he went straight to the very FIRST question...


Interviewer: So why do you want to become a doctor?
Me: Who? Me?

😱


My fears that I might still be downgraded to their MSc. program (for my stupid response) will never go away until I hear my name at the white coat ceremony :scared: :scared:
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Hera182 said:
Foot in the mouth moment:

Interviewer: What do you like to do in your spare time?
Me: (without missing a beat) Sleep.

At another interview, this one caught me completely off guard...

Interviewer: So, your mom raised all of you on her own. She must be a spectacular woman.
Me: I guess so. I never really thought about it. (meaning that it was normal for me to grow up in a one-parent household--I saved myself by explaining that answer)

And finally:
Interviewer: do you have any questions for us?
Me: Where's the restroom? :laugh:
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Cracks me up still.:laugh:
 
This was actually for a P/T job at an insurance company at the beginning of my 3rd year, but I thought I'd throw it out here.

Interviewer: So tell me more about this auditing job you had last summer. (apparently, it was the only thing on my resume remotely related to insurance....).

Me: Well, it actually didn't require that much brainpower... (WTF!! Can't believe I just said that! *furiously backpedals*)...but it was still a very important position... (blah blah blah about how important it was).

Interviewer - doesn't look impressed.

Needless to say, I didn't get that job. 😛
 
I double-majored in Music and Neuroscience.

---------

Interviewer: So, have you studied music in terms of neuroscience?

Me: No, not officially, but I started thinking about the overlap by reading books like Musicophilia by the same author who wrote The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat. The name of the author escape me right now, but Musicophilia was a really interesting book (talked about the book. read it like 2 years ago)

Interview: Yeah. I'm in that book. Oliver Sacks wrote about a study of mine in one of the chapters.





😵
 
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Equality said:
I double-majored in Music and Neuroscience.

---------

Interviewer: So, have you studied music in terms of neuroscience?

Me: No, not officially, but I started thinking about the overlap by reading books like Musicophilia by the same author who wrote The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat. The name of the author escape me right now, but Musicophilia was a really interesting book (talked about the book. read it like 2 years ago)

Interview: Yeah. I'm in that book. Oliver Sacks wrote about a study of mine in one of the chapters.





😵
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Aw come on. you can't remember everything from books and who wrote every book that you ever read. (although i remember oliver sacks because its such a cool/weird name.) still though, you read the book that your interviewer was in, i bet they vast majority of people haven't. i've read 'hat' but never even heard of musicophilia. and from reading this thread, it kinda seems like a lot of applicants never read for fun, ever (and admit it to interviewers . . . oops.)
 
MaryLennox said:
Aw come on. you can't remember everything from books and who wrote every book that you ever read. (although i remember oliver sacks because its such a cool/weird name.) still though, you read the book that your interviewer was in, i bet they vast majority of people haven't. i've read 'hat' but never even heard of musicophilia. and from reading this thread, it kinda seems like a lot of applicants never read for fun, ever (and admit it to interviewers . . . oops.)
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Honesty, it was something I rarely did... but I always had an answer on hand regardless 😉
 
This happened last year at a MMI interview. I was supposed to deliver the news of infertility to a woman(actor) and console/counsel her:

Woman: But will an adopted baby love me?
Me: Well, you won't be his real mother....(AH CRAP, should've said biological mother!)

I didn't get in, obviously 🙁
 
Made the interviewer cry...twice
 
what fictional character do you want to meet?

i said tony montana from scarface. idk why
 
yea, you can't say he's not interesting though. good thing she didn't know who that was
 
yea lets hope that she does. i did tell her to watch the movie though. so lets hope she hates dvds and vhs in general. blu ray too. hopefully she just picks up the soundtrack, which was great
 
Interviewer: So what books have you read?
Me: Its funny you ask, I actually just received the Amazon Kindle and I .. (interrupted)
Interviewer: I hate the Amazon Kindle
Me: Oh, why is that?
Interviewer: I cant read it.
Me: Umm.. (didnt know where to go from there)
Me: So I just finished reading The Alchemist, its about a young man that is attempting to find his Personal Legend ... (interrupted)
Interviewer: I have read that book (very content look on his face )
Interviewer: So do you have any questions for me?

Didnt last too long but he was a really nice man. It was difficult to gauge how I was doing though since his expression didnt change too much.
 
"Interviewer: So where do you see yourself in five years?
(Interviewee thinks to self 'Don't say doing your wife, don't say doing your wife, don't say doing your wife')
Interviewee: Doing your...
(Interviewee spots picture of interviewer with son on interviewer's desk)
Interviewee: Son?"
 
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