Effective Residency InterviewsA (brief) Session for Medical School

Students

Georgette Dent, MDGeorgette Dent, MD

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

Robert Gwyther, MD, MBA Robert Gwyther, MD, MBA

October 18, 2013October 18, 2013

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 Targets

MMUU

Family MedicineFamily Medicine 88 55 Internal MedicineInternal Medicine 99 44 NeurologyNeurology 10 10 55 PathologyPathology 99 55 PediatricsPediatrics 10 10 77 PsychiatryPsychiatry 99 44

M=Matched applicants, U=Unmatched applicants

Charting the Outcomes of the Match 2011

Rank Order List TargetsRank Order List Targets

MM UU AnesthesiologyAnesthesiology 1313 44 Emergency MedicineEmergency Medicine 1111 55 Obstetrics/GynecologyObstetrics/Gynecology 1111 55 PM&RPM&R 1111 44 RadiologyRadiology 1111 44

Charting the Outcomes of the Match 2011

Matched applicants, U=Unmatched applicants

Rank Order List TargetsRank Order List TargetsHighly Competitive Highly Competitive Specialties Specialties

MM UU DermatologyDermatology 9 9 33 General SurgeryGeneral Surgery 1111 66 OrthopedicsOrthopedics 1212 66 Plastic SurgeryPlastic Surgery 1111 77 Radiation OncologyRadiation Oncology 1111 44

Charting the Outcomes of the Match 2011Charting the Outcomes of the Match 2011

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

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?)

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?

Pre-Interview Preparation

• Read up on the program

• Only take in 1 item (not a clipboard)

• The magazine on the stand is a “prop” – do not read the magazine or book, be prepared to have a high handshake (70% of communication is non-verbal)

It All Starts With a Handshake

• Do have a “warm-western” full handshake; where the webs of the shakers hands meet;

• Do have a high and semi-firm handshake

• Do not have a short fingered handshake; this type of handshake is quick and less casual

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!

Questions Interviewers Ask:• What would you like to know about my program?

• Dependent on location; sometimes it’s more applicants than positions available for filling; or sometimes it’s more positions than applicants interested

• It’s all about supply and demand• ***sometimes being a UNC applicant springboards you, due to the

quality of education received• DO NOT obsess over your strengths and weaknesses• Why are you applying here

• Wrong answer: referencing personal motive or benefit• Good answer: Flattery about the school; the quality of the educational

program• Cases: if you are asked a question about a particular case and what you

would do; go as far as you can, or know how THEN SAY…. “I don’t know” … but ….

The Interviewer That Has NOT Read Your Record

• Be prepared for the interviewer who has not read your record

• Understand this type of interviewer has a lot on their plate

• Enter this situation with a understanding and forgiving mind

• Understand your record is NOT that important to them; his job is to interview you, while a committee makes the final decision

• 30% of interviewers have not read your application

Side Notes:

• If your interviewer is interested in you; they will ask engaging questions

• Keep a positive engaging attitude

• If the interviewer ask you open ended question: “Tell me about yourself” just know they are taking 15 seconds to read your file and get a feel on how the interview will go

Insightful questionsfor you to ask

What is your patient population?What is your patient population? 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!

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] you want to work with at 2:00 a.m.?”

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

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.

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 because [you] were in the ‘neighborhood’”

Arriving lateArriving late “…impresses nobody”

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

may come across as a complainer/difficult [to deal 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

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 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.”

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

and others are lackluster” “…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 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 shoesBlack or dark brown dress shoes Match belt to your shoesMatch belt to your shoes Dark socks to complement your suitDark socks to complement your suit

Men’s Business Attire

Yes

NoYes

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

Women’s Business Attire

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 sensitive to If you wear perfume, be conservative.  Some people are sensitive to

odor.odor. Your jewelry should be minimal and professional.  Nothing that could Your jewelry should be minimal and professional.  Nothing that could

create a distraction.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.

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

or without picture), typed, hand written

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

different because they may end up in the 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

https://www.aamc.org/cim/https://www.aamc.org/cim/

Brandeis Hiatt Career CenterBrandeis Hiatt Career Centerhttp://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 2011Charting Outcomes of the Match 2011

NRMP 2013 Main Residency MatchNRMP 2013 Main Residency Match

UNC-CH Career ServicesUNC-CH Career Serviceshttp://careers.unc.edu/students/interviewinghttp://careers.unc.edu/students/interviewing