Hey guys..interviews are perhaps the most important step in
securing a residency position. All the good work reflected in your
resume may be undone in a matter of seconds as can a poor CV
be made up for by dazzling your interviewers. I have talked to a
lot of current residents and among their varying opinions, one
constant stands out and that is; performing well in the interviews is
the key to success. So I'm hereby starting a thread to help us all
deal with the nuances of communicating well and effectively thru
the gruelling process. All of you are welcome to chip in with
your comments and suggestions. May God bless us all..Amen
The purpose of all interviews is to explore a mutual fit. In successful residency interviews, the goals of both parties are met: you get to sell yourself and gather information about the program; the program gets to sell their program and assess you in person. To optimize your exploration of a potential match between institutional needs and your professional interests, you need information about both the program and, equally important, yourself. If you are unclear about either, you weaken your competitive position.
PREPARATION
Research In a short period of time you will need to process an incredible amount of information that will be critical to your future. Many programs have web sites and brochures about their residency programs. Review this literature carefully. Comprehensive information on specialties is available in a variety of publications and through FRIEDA (the AMA's Fellowship and Residency Electronic Interactive Database) at
Talk to your contacts and trusted advisors about the information you have gathered to assess how current and accurate it is. Develop a system to organize key information and questions in advance of your interviews and, equally important, to record and update this information after each interview. You will need to be familiar with each program before your interview and you will want to remember the many details of your visit as you establish your match list.
Interviewing Style:
A good interview flows like a conversation with a natural exchange of information and commentary. Your role is not passive; you should be prepared to ask follow-up questions and to artfully weave essential information into this conversation. This takes both practice and clarity of purpose. Work at finding the right balance for you, so that you neither signal passivity or an overly aggressive manner. The culture of each specialty will affect your presentation: surgery assumes a high level of competitiveness, but this style may not serve you well in a Psychiatry
or Family Medicine interview.
Framing questions and responses:
Asking and answering questions effectively requires practice. Remember that your goal in asking questions is to gather useful information that will help you assess a potential fit. Does the program offer the experiences and opportunities you want? Do you think you would fit into this setting? Your goal in answering questions is to offer information that will allow the program to assess whether your interests and skills fit their needs. How you frame, or phrase, your questions and answers signals valuable information about you, so work at using these opportunities to your advantage. Research and preparation that allows you to ask knowledgeable questions illustrate the seriousness of your interest in a program.
Practice and FEEDBACK
:
Practice framing your answers (and questions) to illustrate your strengths without sounding like you are bragging. This is a subtle art, and one learned only by practice. Avoid questions that sound like answers. And avoid the common pitfall of answering questions that have not been asked: focus on the actual question and learn to frame responses that both illustrate your skill and answer the question. Try audio or video taping yourself, using the mock interview questions included in this handbook. Review the tape with someone you trust to provide critical and constructive FEEDBACK
. Practice with a trusted advocate and ask them to pay attention to your body language, eye contact, and energy level. You want to project genuine interest in the program (and the person); be "present" in an appropriate way, remembering to look directly at the interviewer, especially when they are talking. Try to relax into the process; smile, and show your genuine enthusiasm. Practice projecting self-confidence without seeming obnoxious.
Tracking and rating Interviews:
Spend as much time as possible at any given institution to assess the house staff and faculty. Take advantage of the opportunities to revisit the wards and clinics to discuss the program with residents to assess their level of satisfaction and the sense of camaraderie and support. Try to get the name and telephone number of at least one house officer at every program whom you may contact at a later date with additional questions.
It is equally important to assess the community surrounding the medical center. Gather information on the patient base and financial stability of the medical center. Make sure you leave with a solid understanding of such things as the cost of living, areas in which the house staff currently reside, employment opportunities for your spouse or significant other, and cultural and recreational activities.
It is essential that you develop a system to organize key information after each interview. In a short period of time you will gather and evaluate a massive amount of information. Record your impressions after each interview. Details will soon be forgotten or confused if not recorded in an organized fashion. Note questions or key points for follow-up telephone calls or letters.
Return Visits:
A return visit might be valuable to:
Confirm the seriousness of your interest in the program
Answer remaining questions you may have
Permit a second chance to assess the potential fit
Basic Etiquette
Scheduling and Cancellations
The highest level of professionalism and courtesy are essential in all your scheduling contacts. This practice applies to every program. Bad manners in these transactions reflect poorly on UIC, on your classmates, and all other potential residents. Your behavior may have untold consequences for you, UIC, your classmates, and other residents.
You are obligated to provide written notification with adequate notice for all cancellations. A telephone call is a courtesy, but a written letter is expected as well. Emergencies happen. Handle these situations with the highest level of professionalism, regardless of the desirability of the program. Assume that the world of program directors is very small.
Thank you letters
Program Directors have differing opinions on the necessity of thank-you letters, cards, emails, depending upon on their view of the dynamics of the match process. There seems to be no consensus from program directors on this subject, so use your best judgement. When in doubt about the perspective of the program director, send a thank you, remembering that the purpose of your contact is to thank individuals for their time, to confirm your continuing interest, and to provide updated information about yourself. Use these contacts as an opportunity to reinforce the positive impression you left with each of the interviewers.
Your main target is the Program Director, but do not forget the other interviewers who may play a role in ranking candidates. You may wish to prepare separate notes for each interviewer or may opt to send them each a copy of the note you send to the residency director with a hand written note, mentioning a subject that you discussed with them during interview. Your goal is to distinguish yourself from the pack, so be sure to mention topics of mutual interest that will help remind the interviewer who you are weeks/months after the interview.
Match the formality of your thank you to the tone of the interview. Letters to highly competitive programs should be typed on good quality stationery (with an optional handwritten note at the bottom) and mailed within twenty-four hours of the interview. A hand written note on an interesting note card or an email may be appropriate in many programs.
Wardrobe
Your interview wardrobe need not be expensive, but must look professional, fit you perfectly, and be clean and neatly pressed. Select conservative styles with clean and simple lines in good quality fabrics. The more traditional specialties (Surgery, Orthopaedics, etc.) require a well- tailored dark suit (or tailored dress) with a white or light colored shirt and conservative tie. Other programs (Primary Care, Family Medicine, Pediatrics) offer more latitude in color and style. Do not let ill-fitting clothing (the shoulders on your suit, neck on your shirt, pants/skirt length) signal similarly sloppy professional attitudes. Ditto for personal grooming: practice good dental and body hygiene and wear your hair in a simple style. Presentation is everything in an interview.
It is wise to keep jewelry to a minimum. Accessories (raincoat, gloves, umbrella, brief case...) should be professional and well coordinated. Shoes/ hose must be clean and blend well into the line of your suit/dress. Avoid perfumes or cologne. Women: have extra pairs of pantyhose available. Men: pack an extra tie.
Take good care of your interview wardrobe and keep the essential basics (shirts, hose, etc) ready at all times, so you are prepared to interview at any opportunity. Looking and feeling your best at the interview will add to your comfort and self-confidence. Do not wait until the last minute. Maintaining your interview wardrobe is another form of preparation.
|
Topic Tags: 
