How to Prepare for Interviews

Where and How to Get Started Before the Interview

Dress the Part

Be conservative and professional but still comfortable

Types of Interviews to Expect

• One-on-One
• Panel/Committee
• Group
• Lunch
• Performance
• Multiple Mini Interview (MMI)

What are MMIs?

• Involves multiple stations/rooms (2 minutes to read a scenario and 5-8 minutes to execute)
• The evaluation may be based on:
  • How you answer the question
  • How you emotionally react to the interviewers’ questions
  • How you consider multiple or possible answers/perspectives
  • How you respond to opinions that you disagree with

Do Your Research

• Know the program that you are interviewing for
• Know what questions to anticipate
• AAMC Core Competencies, NACE Core Competencies
• Youtube, Reddit, forums.studentdoctor.net (Keep in mind that everyone has different experiences/opinions)

Make a Cheat Sheet

• Make a sheet before each interview to review immediately before the interview:
  • What specifically excites you about that program?
  • What are some of your strengths (with examples) or weaknesses (with how you are improving on them)
  • Outline for “Tell Me About Yourself”
  • Review any application materials (personal statement, resume)
  • Why did you want to pursue ____, as opposed to any other healthcare field?

Practice

You won’t know every question they are going to tell you, but you can practice how you articulate your skills/abilities and use these tools to build answers

• Make an appointment with Career Services
• Practice in front of a mirror

Interview Strategies & Tips – During the Interview

General Tips

• Be nice to everybody and be prompt
• Know where you’re going and how long it will take to get there! Prepare any interviewing necessities
• Expect the unexpected – be flexible
• Take your student interviewer(s) seriously
• Anticipate any things on your application that might concern the interviewer (i.e. poor grades) and have an explanation ready – not an excuse or rationalization

Zoom Interview

• If possible, practice using the platform in advance (Check your window screen and microphone)
• Look at the camera when speaking – not your face
• Pick a quiet space
• Turn off phone and computer notifications
• How is your internet connection?
• Communicate with roommates
• Wear professional attire – don’t just wear your pajamas
• Check the time zone

General Interview Strategies

• What is the question really asking? (Questions can be asked multiple ways)
• Elaborate, but keep your answers relevant and positive
• Give examples to support what you say
• STAR interviewing techniques

Types of Interview Questions

• Questions about you, your qualifications, and/or your application materials
• Behavioral – Tell a story or give a specific example
• Scenario – You are given a hypothetical situation
• Stress – You are asked to complete a task
• Role Play

Qualifications

• “Tell me about yourself” → “I’ve reviewed a lot of applications…remind me of who you are, why you’re here, and why I should pay attention to the rest of the interview!”
  • Create a structure to body your information
  • Give an overview of your qualifications and interest in medicine
  • Why have you chosen this career? Where did this interest come from?
• “What is your greatest weakness?” → “What are some areas that you will need additional support or development, and how are you working on these areas?”
  • Give an honest assessment of what you anticipate the most challenging thing for you to do in medical school or as a healthcare professional
  • Finish with what steps you take to improve on this weakness and what strategies you use
• Behavioral Questions – Asks you to tell a story or give a specific example
  • Situation: Brief background for context
  • Task or problem: What were you dealing with?
  • Action: What did you do (lots of details!)?
  • Result: What was the outcome? If it wasn’t successful, what did you learn?
• Scenario Questions – You are given a hypothetical situation and asked what you would do in that situation.
  • Google is your friend! Research how professionals in medicine handle these difficult situations
  • Apply the four pillars of medical ethics:
    • Autonomy – How does this show respect for the patient and their right to make decisions?
    • Non-Maleficence – Does this harm the patient?
    • Justice – What are the consequences of this in the wider community?
    • Beneficence – How does this benefit the patient?

After the Interview

Thank You Notes

• Why: Although this won’t make or break your application, this step to express genuine gratitude won’t go unnoticed
• Who do I send it to Anybody that you felt you had a meaningful conversation with? A representative on behalf of a department?
• The person who coordinated the interview? Those who had lunch or a one-on-one interview with you?
• When to send it: Ideally within 24 hours
• Email or handwritten: Ideally – email first, followed up by a handwritten note

Helpful Resources

Career Services Interviewing Workshop & Handout
American Association of Medical Colleges
Columbia University – Bioethics for Pre-Meds
Berkeley Pre-Health Advising – MMI Resources
UW – Ethics in Medicine
Harvard Office of Career Services
COBE Career Closet
Postable