Interview Guide

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Preparation

Being invited to interview is a key step in the Match process. Now, the residency program wants to meet you to see if you’d be a good fit, learn more about you and particularly, your motives for choosing the specialty. It is also time for you to determine how compatible the program is with your goals and expectations. Is this program a place where you can fit in and be successful?

Preparation for your interview is the most important part of your interview.  Know yourself and why you have chosen to pursue a career in your chosen specialty. Are you able to discuss your personal skills and abilities, strengths and interests? Review your application. Know your application better than the interviewer.  Be prepared to discuss and answer questions about everything on your application. Everything is fair game. Be especially prepared to talk about any weaknesses or discrepancies in your application.  It is highly likely that you will be asked questions on current medical, social, and ethical issues.

Know the program! Review everything about the program, hospital and community on the program's website before the interview. You need to be able to answer the question of why this program? Ask for an interview schedule ahead of time if possible. Know about the faculty, chair and program director.  Speak to Drexel graduates in the programs as well as others you might know. Know something about the city you are visiting.  Why Philadelphia?  Be able to state specific reasons for your interest in the program and how you fit in. The average student considers (but may not necessarily interview at) twenty five to thirty programs. This adds up to a large amount of information to keep organized. So take detailed notes. Periodically review your growing list of programs to compare the pros and cons of each and revise your list as needed.

Be knowledgeable about medicine and your specialty. Interviewers like to ask about the future of medicine, where you see this field in the future and what trends are there in the field. Interviewers will try to assess your interests in the field by how much you know about it.  While you won’t be asked clinical questions, this does happen on occasion. Read the paper, magazine articles, etc. Newsweek and Time magazines all devote a good deal of print to these issues.  The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), American Medical News http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/, and Washington Highlights http://www.aamc.org/advocacy/washhigh/start.htm also address issues concerning physicians today.

Your online persona

Clean up your on-line persona.  If you have a personal website, check it for embarrassing information.  You should think twice about blogging on topics that may not reflect favorably on you. Programs are regularly “Googling” applicants. Beat them to the punch and Google yourself.  You should know what the internet reveals about your past. More importantly, programs/employers are increasingly gaining access to social networking sites such as Facebook and MySpace to see what they can learn about candidates as well.  There are many ways employers can gain access into facebook, i.e. employers are employing current students to do candidate researches. In any case, be sure to remove incriminating photos and any statements on your profile which could be embarrassing.   More importantly, set your privacy settings as high as you can.

MOST OF ALL, know yourself.  Make a list of your strengths, goals, values, accomplishments and abilities to use as a general reference for all interview questions. Make a list of the top 5 things you want a program to know about you.  This will help provide your answers for the majority of the questions you are asked.  What makes you a good candidate? What makes you unique?

Timing of Interviews

There is a great deal of mythology and conflicting information regarding interview timing. For some programs you will have little choice of time. It really does not matter when you interview. The interview process can be quite draining.  To interview effectively, you will need to strategize. Try not to schedule back-to–back interview. Try to schedule interviews in the same geographic area together (travel and hotel costs add up really fast.) If possible, get a few “experience interviews” under your belt before you present yourself to those programs you most desire. As a general rule, the earlier a program receives your application, the more flexibility you will have in scheduling interviews. A late application may arrive after there are no more interview "slots".

Most residency programs invite candidates to dinner the day before the residency interview. This is a chance for them to see you in a less formal setting and for the residents to get to know you. You should be aware that you are being evaluated at receptions held before the interview day. This is part of the interview process.

The Appointment

A few weeks before your scheduled interview, call the residency secretary/coordinator to confirm your interview. Ask for any updated information. Inquire about the schedule of events on the interview day and the names and titles of the people with whom you will be interviewing. Be sure to obtain and write down the correct pronunciation of their names. Ask whether or not you will have free time during the day to walk around and to talk with residents. If not, block some time to do this. Be sure to account for travel time. Also, be sure to get exact directions to the institution and to the department. You do not want to get lost in a maze of hospital hallways on the way to your interview. Go over your checklist the day before your interview. Make a list of questions to ask each individual. Be sure to print and take your confirmation email sent by the program coordinator – very important.  There have been many stories of incorrect confirmation dates being sent to students and missing of interview dates.

Residency Interviews- Cancellations

Most of you will find that you will be offered more interviews than you can possibly attend and will likely need to cancel some interview dates.  You must contact the residency programs in advance if you find that you will not be able to make a scheduled interview.  Follow up with an email confirmation.  "No Shows" reflect badly on you as an applicant and badly on our medical school.  A “no show” could potentially ruin your match.  If you give a program the courtesy of canceling they can offer the interview spot to another applicant.  You might find yourself in the position of being offered a last minute interview at a prized residency spot and benefit from the courtesy of another applicant.

Appearance and Attire

Appearance creates a first impression and impacts on how you are perceived. Present yourself in a professional manner. Dress conservatively. For both men and women, interview clothing should be a professional looking suit and shirt or blouse, or classic (not faddish) blazer with pants or skirt (appropriately length). Avoid overwhelming colognes and perfumes. You must be neatly groomed. Do not chew gum. Avoid flashy jewelry. Guidelines for men: stick with solid, dark-colored socks and tie, a dark leather belt and shoes. Limit jewelry; strongly consider avoiding wearing earrings. Guidelines for women: minimum conservative jewelry and conservative cosmetics. Avoid very high heels and outlandish nails. It's about fitting in, not standing out.

The Interview

The purpose of the interview is to provide the opportunity for the interviewer and interviewee to meet and gain knowledge and understanding that cannot be gleaned from academic credentials or program brochures. You will generally arrive around eight a.m. to your interview.  It will take all day, so be prepared. Most interview days begin with a welcome and an introduction to the program. Throughout the day, you will be interviewed by a series of attendings, the program director, and sometimes the chair of the department.  Most interview days incorporate a tour of the facilities and lunch with the residents.

For your interview itself… be relaxed. Be yourself. I know… easier said than done. Maintain good posture, eye contact, and smile. Be aware of the body language you convey when you sit. Remember, 65 percent of communication is non-verbal. Speak at a comfortable level and speed. Try to be clear, concise, and think about your answers. Do not fidget or fiddle with anything. If you don’t understand a question the interviewer asks, ask them to repeat it. Smile and show your personality.

Be Prepared to Answer Hypothetical, Problem-Solving, Situational or Research Related Questions: "What if..." or "Tell me about a time when…" types of questions are asked to get a sense of what you know, what you can do, and how well you do it. A good interviewer is looking for depth, and most will probe if your answers are too superficial. Be in tune with your interviewer – take cues

If questions are focused on your academic record, don't make excuses. Provide the best matter-of-fact information that you can. Explain personal or extenuating circumstances that you may have been facing at the time, but don't make disparaging comments about yourself. Find a way to convey some unique quality about yourself in the interview.

Be nice to everybody, from the department chair to the secretary.  Take notes as you go along; these will serve you in the future after you have interviewed with 20 programs and can’t remember who’s who and what’s what. You cannot tell the program how you are going to rank them and vice-versa, but both parties can express strong interest in each other. Don’t put down other programs or applicants. Pay attention. At the end of your interview be sure to express your pleasure and gratitude for the opportunity to interview.

There is an abundance of questions that you might be asked in an interview. Although you cannot prepare answers to all possible questions; you should prepare answers to a number of standard questions. Rehearse mentally, or with a friend or faculty member. Prepare and think through a broader list of questions, and have a sound understanding of other topics which you might be asked to discuss. Remember, you’re interviewing them just as much as they’re interviewing you.  Be careful not to ask a question that is already covered in the literature on that program.

Interview Advice and the 3 Most Commonly Asked Questions by Drexel PD's and Pathway Directors

Frequently Asked Questions

• Why did you choose this specialty?
• Why are you interested in this program?
• What are your goals?
• Tell me about yourself?
• What did you do before medicine? (To an older student)
• Why should we pick you?
• What challenges have you faced thus far in your life?
• What are your strengths?
• What are your weaknesses?
• Where else have you applied?
• Are you interested in academic or in clinical medicine?
• Do you want to do research?
• What was the most interesting case that you have been involved in?
• Present a case that you handled during medical school.
• Do you plan to do a fellowship?
• What could you offer this program?
• How do you rank in your class? (Drexel students are not ranked)
• Do you see any problems managing a professional and a personal life?
• Are you prepared for the rigors of residency?
• Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
• Was there a particular event or person which influenced you to pursue this specialty?
• What are your overall career goals?
• How would you describe yourself?
• Describe a particularly satisfying or meaningful experience during your medical training. Why was it meaningful?
• What will you do if you don't match?
• Describe your personal interests, outside activities.
• What is the last book you read for enjoyment?
• What do you do for fun?

Be able to talk about:

• What about you makes you a good match for this program/specialty.
• Any discrepancy in your record, i.e. a class that you failed, time that you took off, a rotation in which you did poorly. (Take responsibility for your own performance.)
• Current medical events in the specialty.
• The changing health care environment and this particular medical discipline.
• What questions do you have?

Questions to ask

Questions for the Program Director - Your focus here should be upon educational questions. Let the interviewer lead, but get the information you need.

• What kind of curriculum is offered?
• How many hospitals participate in the program?
• Are there any changes or new developments for the program anticipated in the near future?
• If appropriate for the specialty, what subspecialty/fellowship training programs are available?
• What are the other residency programs at the institution? How does your specialty fit into this?
• Is there time and funding for conferences and meetings?
• To what extent do residents manage patients?
• What is the patient mix and what are the community demographics?
• Do residents perform surgery?
• Is the program changing, and why?
• What do residents here like most and least?
• What are the research, clinical, teaching opportunities?
• What is the scope of experience I can expect?
• What is the program like (in the subspecialty I’m interested in)?
• Where are the graduates of the program now?
• How much elective time is there and how is it usually used?
• Do the residents socialize as a group?
• Are their support groups?
• How many residents are there?
• What is call schedule like?
• What happens if someone is sick?
• Characterize faculty-resident relationships.
• Have any housestaff left, and why?
• What do you expect of your housestaff?
• What percentage of graduates enter fellowships?
• How is the training divided?
• What are the weaknesses of the program?
• Do residents have time to read?
• How available are the attendings (including nights and weekends)?
• What were the results of the last accreditation visit?
• Are there any joint residency activities?
• What kind of community outreach might we be involved in?
• What do you look for in a candidate?
• How many people do you rank?
• How do your residents perform on boards?
• What is this program most respected for?
• What is the ownership of this institution?
• How many full-time teaching staff?
• How much of the day are they in the hospital?
• What medical schools are the residents from?
• What are the statistics on passing their specialty boards? Do they subspecialize?
• Who are the attendings? Where did they train? (Do your homework. This may be in the informational material you have.)
• Will you have any research responsibilities or opportunities should you wish them?
• What is the extent of your responsibility for teaching medical students? Do residents receive preparation for these responsibilities?
• How do you feel your program compares to other programs?
• Are some rotations done at other hospitals?
• How and how often is feedback provided to residents?

Questions for Housestaff - Here you can be somewhat more relaxed and direct. Ask for somewhat specific information and "read" the responses. Don't criticize the program or dwell on lifestyle issues. The housestaff could view you as a potential detriment to the team. The bottom line - are they happy with the program and why? If not, how would they like to see it change so that they would find it better met their hopes / needs.

• What was the most important factor that made you decide to come to this program?
• What are your plans after graduation?
• What's a typical week, month, year like for a first year, second, and third year?
• What is call like? What kind of backup is provided?
• How do you deal with the stress of residency?
• If there are other residency programs in-house, how do you view their presence?
• What do you/other residents do outside the hospital for community service and for fun?
• Where do you feel most of your learning is coming from?
• What are the program’s areas of strength?
• What are the program’s areas where improvements could be made?

Lifestyle Questions It is appropriate to ask about call schedules such as “How often will I be taking call” or “What are the expectations for a new resident…” But too many questions about time off will make you look like you’re picking your specialty on the basis of lifestyle, which may not reflect well on you. It is a fine balance.

Do's and Don'ts

Do’s

• Greet the interviewer professionally and with a firm handshake
• Read a national newspaper or the Wall Street Journal the day of the interview
• Maintain eye contact
• Ask questions
• Allow the interviewer to interrupt you but do not interrupt the interviewer
• Elaborate, don’t dominate conversation
• Avoid slang terms
• Humor can be risky if not used appropriately...save your favorite joke for another time
• Smile
• Be positive
• Be alert, polite and poised
• Be respectful
• Be truthful
• Be prepared
• Be yourself
• Thank the interviewer

Don’ts

• Don’t ask any questions about your letters of recommendation
• Don’t second guess the interviewer
• Don’t get upset if your interviewer is late
• Don’t ask what your chances are
• Don’t be negative – about your current school/company, past/present bosses, anything
• Don’t answer questions with a “yes” or “no”.  Explain whenever possible
• Don’t be afraid to say “I don’t know.”  It is better than making up a meaningless answer
• Don’t argue or become defensive
• Don't provide answers to questions that weren't asked

The Follow-up / Thank You Letters

Following your interview and before you leave, thank the residency coordinator for arranging the interview day.  After the interview, write down your impressions of the program and how your interview went. Are there things you can improve upon? What did you do well on? 

One to two weeks after your interview, send a thank you letter to the program director and anyone who helped make your day there enjoyable. Do not send a generic thank you note…personalize it. You may wish to reiterate your interest in the program. If your interview was early in the season, it is advisable to recontact the program either by phone or by another letter to express your continued interest later in the interview season.  EVERY program you visit deserves a follow-up letter, whether you are interested or not.

Review your notes. You will most likely remember the aspects of the program that dazzled you and the points that you thoroughly disliked; but it is a good idea to go over all of the information that you noted to keep an accurate and ongoing perspective. Remember that you will have to rank all of the programs in which you are interested, and the nuances and small details will shade your final decision.

Suggestions for the content of your Thank you letter:

• Thank them for the opportunity to interview
• Acknowledge those you met. (It was a pleasure to meet…program director, faculty interviewers, residents)
• Include impressions of the program, what you liked and why it is a good fit.
• Reiterate your interest and enthusiasm for the program
• Thank them again

If you have recently interviewed and already conveyed your interest to your programs you do not need to send another letter. Sample thank you intent letter: Sample Final Intent Thank You Letter

Second Looks

If you feel that you still need to know more about the program or about the institution, schedule a follow-up visit with the housestaff. Ask to tour with them, round with them, and even take call with them. If you are seriously interested in a particular program, this can be your opportunity to see it run from the inside. Some programs will invite you back for a second look.  Take advantage of the invitations if you feel it would benefit you. In some cases, programs will interpret your interest in a "second look" as an indication of your enthusiasm for the program. If offered a call-back, always RSVP even if you cannot attend.   In other cases, a program may discourage "second looks" and interpret it as an insult if you request one. Try to get some insight into this issue when you talk to the residents in the program. Further communication is optional.

Additional Resources

Careers in Medicine Resources: Acing the Interview, Residency Program Evaluation Guide and Residency Preference Exercise - This exercise will help you decide which programs you would like to apply to and rank. It involves 1) Rating your preferences for a residency training program and 2) Rating programs based on how well you believe they agree with your preferences.

The AMA Women Physicians Congress created the WPC Residency Interview Guide. The AMA WPC Governing Council feels that providing a guide for the residency interview would be responsive to the needs of all medical students, and should include a special section for women on gender-based questions. The title is: "The Residency Interview: A Guide for Medical Students." This guide is full of great advice for all students. This resource addresses the following topics:

• Handling gender-based questions,
• Couples Match,
• Shared and part-time residencies,
• Preparing for your interview,
• Interview questions to ask,
• Common and uncommon questions that will be asked of you and What to bring with you.

American College of Surgeons Web site

Society for Academic Emergency Medicine: Resources for EM applicants

Residency Program Evaluation Checklist

Adapt or modify a form like this to your individual needs.
Check List Form