Effective Residency InterviewsA (brief) Session for Medical School

Students

Georgette Dent, MDGeorgette Dent, MD

Kevin Biese, MD, MAT, FACEP Kevin Biese, MD, MAT, FACEP

October 21, 2011October 21, 2011

G100 Bondurant HallG100 Bondurant Hall

Today’s Two Goals:

Understand and prepare to approach Understand and prepare to approach the residency interview as a the residency interview as a communication eventcommunication event

Identify specific behaviors to avoid and Identify specific behaviors to avoid and to employ during the residency to employ during the residency interviewinterview

Rank Order List TargetsRank Order List TargetsLeast Competitive SpecialtiesLeast Competitive Specialties

MM UU Internal MedicineInternal Medicine 99 44 Physical Medicine & RehabilitationPhysical Medicine & Rehabilitation 99 44 PsychiatryPsychiatry 77 44 PathologyPathology 88 44 Family MedicineFamily Medicine 77 55

https://services.aamc.org/publications/showfile.cfm?file=version135.pdf&prd_id=266&prv_id=327&pdf_id=135

M=Matched applicants, U=Unmatched applicants

Charting the Outcomes of the Match 2010

Rank Order List TargetsRank Order List TargetsModerately Competitive Moderately Competitive SpecialtiesSpecialties

MMUU

Emergency MedicineEmergency Medicine 1010 55 AnesthesiologyAnesthesiology 1212 55 General SurgeryGeneral Surgery 1111 66 Obstetrics/GynecologyObstetrics/Gynecology 1010 66 PediatricsPediatrics 9 9 44Charting the Outcomes of the Match 2010Charting the Outcomes of the Match 2010

https://services.aamc.org/publications/showfile.cfm?file=version135.pdf&prd_id=266&prv_id=327&pdf_id=135

M=Matched applicants, U=Unmatched applicants

Rank Order List TargetsRank Order List TargetsHighly Competitive Highly Competitive SpecialtiesSpecialties

MM UU DermatologyDermatology 9 9 44 OrthopedicsOrthopedics 1212 66 RadiologyRadiology 1212 77 Plastic SurgeryPlastic Surgery 9 9 44 Radiation OncologyRadiation Oncology 1010 44

Charting the Outcomes of the Match 2010Charting the Outcomes of the Match 2010

https://services.aamc.org/publications/showfile.cfm?file=version135.pdf&prd_id=266&prv_id=327&pdf_id=135

M=Matched applicants, U=Unmatched applicants

*From “Job 99 Outlook,” http://www.jobweb.org/pubs/joboutlook/report.htm

Your record only tells part of the story

The rest is COMMUNICATED during the interview

Everyday communication rules Still apply in the Interview setting

What attracts us to people in our What attracts us to people in our everyday lives?everyday lives?

How can these characteristics be How can these characteristics be communicated during an interview?communicated during an interview?

What Attracts Us to People in Our Everyday Lives?

AttractivenessAttractiveness (Do I like the way he looks?)(Do I like the way he looks?) SimilaritySimilarity (Do I share anything with her?)(Do I share anything with her?) ReciprocityReciprocity (Does this person seem (Does this person seem

interested in me?)interested in me?) ExchangeExchange (Can I get something from him?)(Can I get something from him?) CompetencyCompetency (Can I learn from her? Is he (Can I learn from her? Is he

interesting/knowledgeable?)interesting/knowledgeable?) DisclosureDisclosure (Is he being open with me? Can I (Is he being open with me? Can I

trust her?)trust her?)

Appropriate responses to Appropriate responses to questionsquestions

EnthusiasmEnthusiasm MaturityMaturity ConfidenceConfidence Emotional stabilityEmotional stability IntelligenceIntelligence Language fluencyLanguage fluency InitiativeInitiative Controlled energyControlled energy Clear career goalsClear career goals

**from research conducted by J.Cox & D. Schlueter, Baylor University, as cited in J.M. Farr’s *from research conducted by J.Cox & D. Schlueter, Baylor University, as cited in J.M. Farr’s The Quick Interview and Salary Negotiation Book, 1995, p. 169.The Quick Interview and Salary Negotiation Book, 1995, p. 169.

Traits that create a positive impression during an interview

I am confident butnot arrogant. I amemotionally stable.

He is so confident...but not arrogant. And so emotionally stable!

What Does the Interviewer Want to Know About You?

Can you do the job? (ability/skills)Can you do the job? (ability/skills) Will you do the job? (motivation)Will you do the job? (motivation) Are you “promotable”?Are you “promotable”? Will you fit in to the organizational/program Will you fit in to the organizational/program

culture?culture? Will you work well with others?Will you work well with others? Are you sincerely interested in this job?Are you sincerely interested in this job? Do you have adequate background in the Do you have adequate background in the

field?field?

Some Advice From the Field

What things have residency interviewees What things have residency interviewees done that done that DON’T HELPDON’T HELP them to be ranked them to be ranked highly by an interviewer?highly by an interviewer?

What things have residency interviewees What things have residency interviewees done that done that DO HELPDO HELP them to be ranked them to be ranked highly?highly?

What suggestions do you haveWhat suggestions do you have for fourth year for fourth year medical students?medical students?

From e-mail survey of 35 UNC-CH and Seattle-area doctors who From e-mail survey of 35 UNC-CH and Seattle-area doctors who interview prospective residents and represent family medicine, interview prospective residents and represent family medicine, dermatology, pediatrics, surgery, etc.dermatology, pediatrics, surgery, etc.

Behaviors to Avoid

Demonstrating little knowledge or enthusiasm about Demonstrating little knowledge or enthusiasm about the hospital and programthe hospital and program

Being unprepared and disorganizedBeing unprepared and disorganized ““who [would] who [would] youyou want to work with at 2:00 a.m.?” want to work with at 2:00 a.m.?”

Providing brief answersProviding brief answers “…“…the interviewer shouldn’t have to work too hard the interviewer shouldn’t have to work too hard

to get information from the candidate”to get information from the candidate” Spending too much time talking about what Spending too much time talking about what YOUYOU

wantwant e.g., call schedule, time off, etc.e.g., call schedule, time off, etc.

Behaviors to Avoid Giving evasive responses about “red flags” in recordGiving evasive responses about “red flags” in record Acting pompous or cavalierActing pompous or cavalier Interviewing just because of locationInterviewing just because of location

“…“…never give the impression that [you] are only here never give the impression that [you] are only here because [you] were in the ‘neighborhood’”because [you] were in the ‘neighborhood’”

Arriving lateArriving late “…“…impresses nobody”impresses nobody”

Being demandingBeing demanding ““Don’t bug the office staff with lots of requests…you Don’t bug the office staff with lots of requests…you

may come across as a complainer/difficult [to deal may come across as a complainer/difficult [to deal with]/not someone we would want on the housestaff”with]/not someone we would want on the housestaff”

Behaviors to Employ

Acting genuinely interested in programActing genuinely interested in program ““Residency programs are interested in candidates who are interested in Residency programs are interested in candidates who are interested in

them”them”

Demonstrating that you have prepared to interview with Demonstrating that you have prepared to interview with THISTHIS programprogram

“…“…they have done their homework! They have conveyed to me why they they have done their homework! They have conveyed to me why they really want to come to our program.”really want to come to our program.”

Conveying an understanding of and enthusiasm for the Conveying an understanding of and enthusiasm for the practice of pediatrics, surgery, etc.practice of pediatrics, surgery, etc.

““Be ready to explain why you chose this specialty.”Be ready to explain why you chose this specialty.”

Talking about something interesting you have doneTalking about something interesting you have done “…“…some interviewees just seem to ‘shine’ during their interviews and some interviewees just seem to ‘shine’ during their interviews and

others are lackluster”others are lackluster” “…“…have at least one interesting patient to talk about.”have at least one interesting patient to talk about.”

Behaviors to Employ

Asking insightful questionsAsking insightful questions Communicating humility but also self-Communicating humility but also self-

assuranceassurance Smiling, laughing…showing a sense of Smiling, laughing…showing a sense of

humorhumor “…“…smile, you’re a family doc, not a smile, you’re a family doc, not a

surgeon!”surgeon!” Dressing appropriately but comfortablyDressing appropriately but comfortably

Men's Business Attire:

A suit, preferably in a dark color (navy, dark A suit, preferably in a dark color (navy, dark gray, or black)gray, or black)

Long sleeve dress shirtLong sleeve dress shirt A tie (classic looking silk tie, avoid trends)A tie (classic looking silk tie, avoid trends) Black or dark brown dress shoes.Black or dark brown dress shoes. Match belt to your shoesMatch belt to your shoes Dark socks to complement your suit.Dark socks to complement your suit.

Men’s Business Attire

Women's Business Attire:

A suit in a dark color. A suit in a dark color. Black, charcoal, or navy are most common.Black, charcoal, or navy are most common.

If you choose a suit with a skirt, watch the hemline.  If you choose a suit with a skirt, watch the hemline.  Your skirt should be at least knee length when Your skirt should be at least knee length when standing.standing.

Conservative blouse or shell under your suit jacket.Conservative blouse or shell under your suit jacket. Closed-toe dress shoes, with a 1-1 3/4 inch heel.Closed-toe dress shoes, with a 1-1 3/4 inch heel. Hose-NO RUNS!  Bring an extra pair with you, just in Hose-NO RUNS!  Bring an extra pair with you, just in

case.case. Minimal jewelry, perfume and makeup.Minimal jewelry, perfume and makeup.

Women’s Business Attire

General Tips for Women

Keep makeup conservative and professional.Keep makeup conservative and professional. If you wear perfume, be conservative.  Some people are If you wear perfume, be conservative.  Some people are

sensitive to odor.sensitive to odor. Your jewelry should be minimal and professional.  Nothing that Your jewelry should be minimal and professional.  Nothing that

could create a distraction.could create a distraction. Hair should be neat and groomed.Hair should be neat and groomed. Nails should be neat and well groomed.Nails should be neat and well groomed. Your purse should be simple and match your shoes.Your purse should be simple and match your shoes. Watch your hemlines too much skin is not appropriate.Watch your hemlines too much skin is not appropriate.

Insightful questions What is your patient population?What is your patient population? What is the number of outpatients seen in clinic?What is the number of outpatients seen in clinic? What subspecialty services are available?What subspecialty services are available? What is the conference schedule?What is the conference schedule? Is attendance at national conferences encouraged?Is attendance at national conferences encouraged? What changes in the residency program are likely in the next What changes in the residency program are likely in the next

few years?few years? Is there exposure to private practitioners and office practice?Is there exposure to private practitioners and office practice? Where are your graduates? (private practice, academics, local Where are your graduates? (private practice, academics, local

area, etc.)area, etc.) You can ask about opportunities for research or for teaching You can ask about opportunities for research or for teaching

medical students, depending on your interests.medical students, depending on your interests. Don’t ask faculty about vacation, call, salary, insurance or Don’t ask faculty about vacation, call, salary, insurance or

benefits!benefits!

Remember to “Thank You”

Send a thank you note to the program Send a thank you note to the program director director No consensus on format – e-mail (with No consensus on format – e-mail (with

or without picture), typed, hand or without picture), typed, hand writtenwritten

Probably not necessary to send one to Probably not necessary to send one to each interviewereach interviewer But if you do, they should be a little But if you do, they should be a little

different because they may end up in different because they may end up in the same filethe same file

Closing Advice““Interviewers want to see your intelligence, your work Interviewers want to see your intelligence, your work ethic, your sense of balance, and your sense of ethic, your sense of balance, and your sense of humor. They want to know how you work with humor. They want to know how you work with others, how dependable you are, whether you will be others, how dependable you are, whether you will be a team player on their team.”a team player on their team.”

““I have been on the interview committee for (several) I have been on the interview committee for (several) years. I do not think there is any one ‘best’ way to years. I do not think there is any one ‘best’ way to interview. The most effective way is to be polite, interview. The most effective way is to be polite, interested, not too jovial nor too subdued. I think interested, not too jovial nor too subdued. I think those qualities anyone can fit into.”those qualities anyone can fit into.”

Closing Advice (cont.)““Be confident (not arrogant) and interested Be confident (not arrogant) and interested (have questions about the institution and be (have questions about the institution and be prepared to keep an interview going, prepared to keep an interview going, preferably with questions that can lead you preferably with questions that can lead you back to your strengths).”back to your strengths).”

““Be yourself and answer questions naturally. Be yourself and answer questions naturally. We are looking for people that We are looking for people that MATCHMATCH best. best. We have already weeded out those who We have already weeded out those who cannot do the work before the interview.”cannot do the work before the interview.”

Take Home Message

Getting an interview means the judgment has been Getting an interview means the judgment has been made that you have the credentials to succeed in the made that you have the credentials to succeed in the programprogram

Be nice to absolutely everyone!Be nice to absolutely everyone! Be prepared for the extremesBe prepared for the extremes

Person who knows your application in detailPerson who knows your application in detail Person who has not looked at your applicationPerson who has not looked at your application

Learn as much as you can about program and be Learn as much as you can about program and be prepared to ask appropriate questionsprepared to ask appropriate questions You can ask house staff questions you might not You can ask house staff questions you might not

ask faculty and vice versaask faculty and vice versa

Online Resources Careers in Medicine Careers in Medicine

http://www.aamc.org/students/cim/http://www.aamc.org/students/cim/ Argus Technical ServicesArgus Technical Services

http://www.argus-tech.com/intervie.htmhttp://www.argus-tech.com/intervie.htm Brandeis Hiatt Career CenterBrandeis Hiatt Career Center

http://www.brandeis.edu/hiatt/http://www.brandeis.edu/hiatt/select grad students “interviewing tips”select grad students “interviewing tips”

College Grad Job HunterCollege Grad Job Hunterhttp://www.collegegrad.com/intv/http://www.collegegrad.com/intv/

Charting Outcomes of the Match 2007Charting Outcomes of the Match 2007https://services.aamc.org/Publications/index.cfm?https://services.aamc.org/Publications/index.cfm?fuseaction=Product.displayForm&prd_id=197&prv_id=23fuseaction=Product.displayForm&prd_id=197&prv_id=2388

UNC-CH Career ServicesUNC-CH Career Services

http://careers.unc.edu/http://careers.unc.edu/interview readiness videointerview readiness video