Here are a few tips on how to make the most out of your interview:
🔹 Before you go to your interview:
– Consider your audience. Who are they, and what are they expecting of you?
– If the schedule of the interview day is given, be sure to take the time to memorize it and garner any information which may be beneficial in your preparation for that specific interview.
– Do lots of research on the people who will be interviewing you, as this may afford you an informational advantage.
– Look up the program online and get an overview of what the program entails.
– Speak to previous residents who went through the program if you can.
🔹 During your interview:
– Focus on what you are saying – your words matter more than body language during a virtual interview.
– Being a good listener is an important skill – you need to properly understand the question in order to answer it accurately.
– Always find the opportunity to assert your purpose for interviewing – how will you be a good fit for the program?
– Storytelling is an invaluable tool to get your point across effectively. A good story has a strong character, an obstacle, and an outcome.
– Integrity is key when describing both successes and failures. If you need to expound on your failures, be honest about what caused you to fail and the lessons you’ve learnt.
🔹 When you’re asked about yourself:
– Keep your response less than 90 seconds long.
– Ensure that you are speaking in complete sentences and getting your point across.
– Avoid rambling and always connect your story back to your being a good fit for the program.
– Letters of interest should be sent prior to residency interview season but they can also be sent at any time throughout the process.
🔵 Here is some general feedback based on the rapid-fire mock interview sessions with IMGs intending to match into various specialties:
– Ensure that your personal introduction is an attention-grabber in order to make yourself stand out.
– Focus on the elements of the specific program into which you are interviewing. Use your prior knowledge of the program and the program director or coordinator to demonstrate how this program aligns with your goals.
– Origin stories can show resilience – use your past experiences to emphasize why you are choosing to attend this residency interview.
– When speaking about gap years, be sure to mention the fact the gap was unavoidable and show how you remained within the clinical space despite not being in school.
– Ensure that you do not sound rehearsed. Let your responses flow organically for the best results!
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