Information provided by Kaptest.com
Most residency programs have streamlined their interviewing
process to a finely tuned mix of information gathering and
dispensing. Since the majority of programs receive many more
applications than they have interview slots, receiving an
invitation to interview means that you have survived the first
round of eliminations. Congratulations! And welcome to the next
set of challenges.
Do Your Homework
Learn as much as you can about the program so that you arrive
prepared to ask thoughtful and specific questions about what they
have to offer. This helps you demonstrate interest in THEIR
program. It also helps you evaluate one program against another
once you've completed all your interviews.
The program will have sent you a packet of information about
their residency training process, but you should also look at the
information in the electronic residency database (FRIEDA) and any
websites for the program or its affiliated hospitals. More and
more, the latest and most detailed site-specific information can
be found on the web, including faculty research activities and
clinical programs unique to that program/hospital. Take the time
to do this research.
What Interviewers Look
For
The interview process is the program's chance to get to know you
firsthand rather than through written materials. They are
interested in your motivation for medicine and for their
specialty, in your communication skills and personality, in your
self-confidence and ability to handle the interview process
itself.
They hope to glean insights about your level of determination,
reliability, integrity, and how you might respond to criticisms
and the stresses of training. They also try to weigh how you
might fit in with their current residents and staff. For IMG
candidates, they are especially interested in your English
language skills and your understanding of the residency training
process.
Typical interview questions might include:
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Where do you see yourself ten years from
now? |
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What aspects of our program are you most
interested in? Concerned about? |
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What are your greatest strengths?
Weaknesses? |
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Please tell me about yourself. |
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What aspects of our program are you most
interested in? Concerned about? |
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What will you do if you don't match in this
specialty? Do you have research interests? Plans to pursue
fellowship training? |
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How would you describe your personal
style? |
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What books have you read recently? |
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What are your practice plans after finishing
residency? |
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How would you describe your personal
style? |
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[Description of a patient care dilemma
followed by] What would you do at this point?
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"Interview Don'ts"
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Don't be late. If a blizzard delays your
arrival, call program staff to forewarn them and provide
information on when they should expect you. |
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Don't try to make a fashion statement.
Medicine is a conservative field; dress conservatively. |
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Don't act like a student. As this is really
a job interview, relate on a professional level. Be polite to
everyone you meet, as you never know who really wields power
in the program. |
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Don't make negative comments about other
programs in the specialty or about any other specialty
area. |
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Don't try to impress an interviewer by
exaggerating your credentials or past experiences. |
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And finally, don't forget to send thank you
letters with special thanks to those who went out of their
way to be informative or kind. Mention specifics that make
their program particularly attractive to you.
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Reserved.
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program of The Federation of State Medical Boards of the United
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