Logistics & Preparing Yourself

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Logistics

Setting up Interviews

Different programs have different ways of assessing applicants and offering interviews. Usually, there is an initial flurry after the Dean’s Letter is released and then the rest of the programs send out their offers over the next month. As students who selected interview dates call to cancel, more are released. It is common, therefore, to not hear from a program for some time; this likely means your application is still viable if enough people cancel. By mid-December, the chances of getting called by the remaining outstanding programs start getting quite slim.

Because some programs start choosing as soon as possible, it is important to apply to programs the first day you can.

It’s a good idea to have a rough idea of what order and what weeks/months you would like for your interviews so that when you get an invitation you can reply quickly to schedule. Once you are offered an interview, make sure you schedule it immediately as options fill up very quickly.

Residency program coordinators are very important people in your residency application experience. They are the people you will e-mail or talk to on the phone to schedule your interview and will likely be the first people to greet you on your interview day. Treat them with the absolute utmost of respect and courtesy.

Order of Interviews

You will undoubtedly hear many theories on the best way to order your interviews. The most important strategy is to schedule interviews at your top choices after you have had at least two interviews at less desirable locations. This way you will be comfortable and familiar with the process of the interview. Also, try to group interviews by geographical location so you do not have to visit the same city or area of the country twice. Most programs have set “interview days” (i.e. Tuesdays and Fridays), but there should be enough leeway in their schedule and yours so that you can schedule multiple interviews in one city over the course of a week or 10 days.

If You Have Not Heard From a Program

Consider sending them an email. It never hurts to check in if you think that you should have received an interview offer. If you need to travel and have already received an interview in one city but have not heard from programs in nearby areas, let them know that you’ll be traveling to their area for an interview at a different program and perhaps you could schedule an interview at their program too while you’re in town. If you send an email and do not hear back in 2-3 days, give them a call. Note that these techniques rarely work but also won’t do any harm if you limit yourself to one email plus or minus one call.

Dress for Success

This is a job interview in the medical profession and business attire is the accepted norm. You want to give the appearance of a successful, mature physician, not a medical student who has been up all night studying. You will need to have a suit. Your outfit should be both conservative and comfortable. Make sure you can get it to appear neat, pressed, and clean even after being in a suitcase or being worn for 2-3 successive interviews. Be prepared for bad weather - always have an umbrella and overcoat with you.

When selecting an outfit:

  • In general, it is better to be on the conservative side. This is not the time to show your creative or contrary side.
  • Wear simple, comfortable dress shoes that you can walk in easily to tour clinics and hospitals.
  • Men should wear a tie. Choose one that is also conservative and is solid, striped, or has a small pattern.
  • Men should have well-groomed facial hair or be clean-shaven.
  • Make-up for women should be subtle.
  • Avoid strong-smelling perfumes or cologne.
  • Keep jewelry tasteful and to a minimum

Coordinating Travel

Make sure that your travel arrangements leave you plenty of time to attend any pre or post-interview social events. If you are driving be sure to leave plenty of time to arrive at your destination and make sure the vehicle you take is in good repair and has been serviced recently. If you are flying, make sure all your belongings fit into a carry-on bag. You do not want your aforementioned, meticulously selected suit to not make it to the interview with you. If you are renting a car, be sure to reserve one ahead of time before you arrive at the airport.

Cancelling Interviews

If you need to cancel an interview, emailing the program coordinator is appropriate when done with advanced notice. Call the program if you’re canceling close to the date or follow up if you receive no email response. This way the program can give your interview slot to another applicant. IT IS CRUCIAL TO NOT CANCEL AT THE LAST MOMENT. One week before is too close. It not only hurts other applicants and the program but will also put you in jeopardy angering a program director who will speak with other program directors about your lack of consideration.

Do:

  • Do respond to the program in a timely manner regarding acceptance/decline of interviews or any special events, including pre or post-interview dinner.
  • Do contact the program promptly if you need to cancel your interview.

Don’t:

  • Wear khakis, or a sport coat, or really anything that is NOT a suit.
  • Don’t cancel your interview less than one week before the interview.

preparing yourself

Prepare to answer all types of questions during your interviews, including very open‐ended ones and ones that may
probe weaknesses that appear on your application.

Know Yourself

Make a list of your top strengths, goals, values, accomplishments, and abilities to use as a general reference for all interview questions.
Develop your TOP 5 list. Go into every interview with 5 key things you want a program to know about you. What makes you a good candidate? What makes you unique?
Know your weaknesses. If you encountered academic difficulty you will probably be asked about it at least once during your interviews. Know what you will say ahead of time and reframe it in a positive light. (Example: My father became very sick a few weeks before I took step 1 and I did not pass on my first attempt. I learned from this experience how to manage my education even in the face of personal difficulty. Though he was still sick when it came time for step 2, I passed the first time I took it.)

What Interviewers May Ask

Prepare to answer the most common question: “What questions do you have for me?”
Make a list of potential questions you may be asked. Practice your answers ahead of time. The following is a list of
potential questions that may aid you in your preparation:

  • How are you today? (There are NO innocent questions)
  • Tell me about yourself.
  • What are your strengths and weaknesses?
  • Why are you interested in this specialty? (#1 question asked)
  • What other specialties did you consider?
  • Why are you interested in our program?
  • What are you looking for in a program?
  • Where else have you interviewed?
  • Why should we choose you?
  • What can you contribute to our program?
  • How well do you feel you were trained to start as an intern?
  • Describe your learning style.
  • Tell me about... item(s) on your CV or transcript, past experience, time off, etc.?
  • Can you tell me about this deficiency on your record? (Do not discuss if you are not asked.)
  • What do you see yourself doing in five (ten) years?
  • What do you think about...the current and future state of healthcare, this specialty, etc.?
  • What do you do in your spare time?
  • Present an interesting case that you saw during medical school.
  • Tell me about a patient encounter that taught you something.
  • What would you do if you knew one of your more senior residents was doing something wrong? (Filling out H&P's without doing the evaluations, tying someone's tubes without consent, and other ethical questions.)
  • Which types of patients do you work with most effectively? (Least effectively?)
  • How do you make important decisions?
  • If you could no longer be a physician, what career would you choose?
  • How do you normally handle conflict? Pressure?
  • What to do think about what is happening in...? (non‐medical current event questions)
  • Teach me something non‐medical in five minutes.
  • Tell me a joke. (keep it simple and tasteful)
  • What if you do not match?
  • Can you think of anything else you would like to add? (Always add something!)
  • What is your vision of yourself in EM as a specialty?
  • What do you think will be difficult for you in residency and how do you cope with it?
  • Who are your role models and how did they affect the way you want to practice medicine?
  • How do you see yourself being involved in health reform?

There are some questions that are not allowed during interviews. If you are asked one of these, you can simply reply that

you are not comfortable answering that question. "Illegal" questions might include:

  • What are your plans for a family?
  • Are you married? Have children?
  • How old are you?
  • If we offer you a position today would you accept?

Prepare a Two‐Minute Drill

This is a great response to open-ended questions like “Tell me about yourself?”

  • The first fifteen seconds is a brief review of who you are. My name is Medical Student, I’m originally from Someplace in the WWAMI Region, and I’m attending the UWSOM.
  • The next thirty seconds is a review of your educational background, undergraduate degree, work experience, and life experience.
  • The next thirty seconds is a review of special attributes from medical school, such as leadership positions, family medicine experience, or other experiences that lead to the decision for this specialty.
  • The final fifteen seconds is a review of why you’re interested in this residency specifically what attracted you to this place here and now.
  • Optional closing if this question does not occur during the interview: “Tell me more about the residency or about your position with the residency?” This leads the way for the interviewer to introduce him/herself and the residency.

This is intended as an icebreaker that gives the interviewer enough information about you and your background and interests to start a longer conversation. Make this two‐minute drill personal; you don’t need to follow the suggestions above exactly. In practicality, you may have 10 minutes of material that you have memorized and rehearsed that will allow you to mold the two‐minute drill to any situation. The two-minute drill doesn’t have to be done in order from top to bottom, for instance, you may be introduced by another, then you can start the two-minute drill and skip the first fifteen seconds.

Mock interviews

Many students feel that they benefit from a mock interview. A mock interview can be arranged by your faculty advisor.

Plan to treat every interview as though it counts and do not use your first interview as a “practice” because you may find

that you really like the program. Prepare as if it were a real interview: review your answers to specific questions, have a

list of questions you plan to ask, and If possible, dress as if it were a real interview.

Do:

  • Be prepared to address any potential red flags in your application including the extension of training, USMLE failure, or course failure. Programs are checking to see if you have insight and have taken action to correct the problem. Honesty is much preferred over defensiveness or excuses.
  • Practice the length of your responses.

Don’t:

  • Talk for too long (aim for a few minutes per question max)
  • Go off on tangents.

Adapted with permission from the copyrighted career advising resources developed by Amanda Kost, MD and the University of Washington Department of Family Medicine