Date post: | 02-Jan-2016 |
Category: |
Documents |
Upload: | abigail-boyd |
View: | 33 times |
Download: | 0 times |
Talking the TalkAcing your Professional School
Interview
Most Important! Be yourself!!! They talk to a lot of people and will sense if you
are trying to be someone you aren’t Be “on” at all times Do not look at your cell phone at all until the
process is over (be sure it is off) Do not take family members with you Be sure you listen Wear comfortable shoes
Typical Med School Visit Generally divided into orientation (and
description of financial aid), tour, and interviews
Just because some of the facilities aren’t new, doesn’t mean they aren’t perfectly adequate. Don’t be fooled by shiny things
The cyclohexojumbodubotron may be impressive, but you probably won’t use it
Assessing the School Rather than focusing on the shiny and new
Is the library open 24 hours a day? Is the complex safe? (you’ll be there some late nights) Are there comfortable spaces for studying and relaxing? Ask about their exam schedules—do they fit your learning
style? Do they have learning skills specialists?
Talk to Students If possible, speak with some of the med students
Ask about the library, student housing, extracurricular facilities, computers
What contact they have with clinical faculty Do you need a car What support staff are available What is the patient population you will see On what school committees do students have
representation Do students socialize
If there is a Meal No alcohol Do not eat too much (don’t want to be
sleepy) Use good manners Avoid foods that can cause embarrassment
to eat—soups and dressings that drip, spaghetti, greasy food, tacos, onions, garlic
Before You Go Learn everything you can about that school Think in advance about possible questions
and how to answer (though don’t rehearse these)
Reread the application materials you submitted
Prepare questions for them Spend some time relaxing the night before
Basic Skills Learn how to pronounce the interviewer’s name—don’t know
how to pronounce “Dr. Swnolwyg”? Ask around Look confidant—head up, shoulders back, looking poised Shake hands—firm but not bone-crushing Be enthusiastic and animated Look interviewer(s) in the eye Acknowledge interviewer statements with a nod, or “I see” not
“wow,” “yeah” or “cool” Show enthusiasm for that school
The Graceful Exit People remember what is said at the end
so prepare for a final comment Shake hands and look them in the eye Thank them for their time Offer to send any additional information Make a final statement (would be honored
to be associated with this school…) Smile
Be sure to bring Directions to interview Phone number in case you are lost or delayed Information they sent about the interview List of your questions for them Pad of paper, pen If your appearance has changed since you sent in
an application photo—take them a new one Bring something to do in case you have wait time
(newspaper, sudoku, crossword)
Why put you through this? They are assessing
Motivation for and interest in this field Interpersonal skills and character Maturity Communication Skills Empathy and concern for others Social awareness and self-awareness Knowledge, judgment, problem-solving
Open & Closed Interviews Open Files
They have read your materials or at least had access to them
Closed Files Your interviewer knows basically only your name
Interview Types Structured:
Most interviewers simply ask their favorite questions
Stressful: Less common now Try to put you on the spot to see what you do
Group Interviews: Several individuals are interviewing with you
Interviewer Types Rude (sometimes on purpose to see if you
are easily flustered) Silent (don’t fidget or blather on) Reassuring (active listener type) “Angry-guy” (doesn’t seem to want to be
there) Conversational (chatty, but doesn’t ask
questions)
Types of Questions Closed: looking for specific info—give simple
answer Open-ended: require more in-depth answer eg:
what clinical experiences have you had so far? Open-ended attitudinal: determines how well you
organize your thoughts before speaking eg: What do you think of direct pharmaceutical advertising to consumers?
Probing: used as follow-up to open-ended questions eg: Why do you feel that way?
Impossible questions: ok to admit you don’t know
Questions to ask them Do not ask anything easily found on their website How many courses use problem based learning How much flexibility is there in timing of course
work Any anticipated changes in the school’s
curriculum How much of an administrative, legal, and
bioethics curriculum is taught How do your student’s do on their board exams
Questions for them continued What are the clinical opportunities for students
during the preclinical years What types of clinical sites are used How many students involved in required or
voluntary community service What research opportunities available What types of student evaluations are used What is your retention rate How does your mentor/advisor system work
When asking questions Make sure you go beyond what is available
online Make sure you go beyond the AAMC list at
http://www.aamc.org/students/applying/about/31questions.htm
Try not to ask in a confrontational way Do not ask about vacation time or who their
competing schools are
What not to do Disparage other schools, faculty, or applicants Falsify background Use inappropriate humor Drink coffee, smoke, chew gum, or bite nails Steer interview Dress inappropriately Bring family along
Interview Killers Arrogance—Guess what? Just about every
interviewee is equally qualified to you Not being prepared Applicant does not listen to questions and/or
answers their own version of the question Being distracted Answering questions that weren’t asked Rambling
Wardrobe Males: Suit, slacks and sport coat, slacks,
shirt with collar and sweater. Always a tie. Females: Suit, slacks and jacket, dress No open toed shoes, no stilettos, cover
tattoos, take out facial piercings, jewelry at minimum, hair should be out of your face, conservative hair & make-up
Thank yous Sending a thank you note is a very good thing to
do Interviewers give a lot of time for this An email is ok, but a written note is better
Immediately following interview jot down some notes on your thoughts, questions you might want to think about, and names of those you want to thank!
Interview Feedback Generally you will be asked to give
feedback on your interview day by the school
Report any weirdness For more examples of questions, check out
interview feedback from students at http://www.studentdoctor.net