Comprehensive Interview Prep Material

Even before interviewing, you you will have some thoughts as to which programs are more more or less less desirable. Schedule your early interviews at less desirable programs. This will allow you to ease yourself into the interview process. As your confidence grows with experience, you will place yourself in a position to shine in your later interviews. i nterviews. How should I prepare for the interview? Preparation is the key to interviewing interviewing well. Try to anticipate anticipate questions you may may be asked so that you can give some thought as to how you will answer them. Questions that interviewers commonly ask interviewees include the following: Why did you choose choose this specialty for your your career? What What do you like most most about this specialty? specialty? What do you like least about this specialty? Why did you apply to this residency program? What are you looking for in a residency program? Where do you see yourself in five years? Ten years? years? What are your greatest greatest strengths? What are your greatest weaknesses? A very useful way to prepare for the interview is to participate in a mock mock interview. Many medical medical schools offer mock mock interviews. If your school does does not, ask your advisor if he or she would be willing to play the role of an interviewer. When should I arrive for my interviews? Make every effort to arrive in your interview interview city on the day before the interview, preferably in the morning or afternoon. afternoon. Arriving early will of offer fer you some flexibility should something something unforeseen occur (e.g., (e.g., bad weather). weather). You will also have a chance chance to to visit the institution institution so that you can can familiarize yourself yourself with where you need to go go to start your interview day. day. Also keep in mind that some programs invite applicants applicants to an informal informal dinner dinner on the evening evening before the interview day. day. You certainly don't don't want to miss this opportunity opportunity to meet meet faculty and house house staff. Should I ask the interviewer questions? At some point in the interview, interview, your interviewer interviewer is likely to ask you if you have have any should never never answer "no" because because this is essentially saying saying that you have no interest in the program, program, which may may or may may not be true. Prepare questions beforehand but make make sure that the questions questions you you ask are appropriate. Questions about vacation, call schedules, and benefits are appropriate questions for house officers but will not put you in the best possible light with faculty. Questions that you may wish to ask fa faculty culty include the following: What didactics are are offered by the department? department? Do the residents have

protected time so so that they can attend the didactic didactic sessions? sessions? What What

percentage of the residents go on to pursue fellowship training? How have the residents performed on the specialty board certification certification examination? examination?