Residency Interview Preparation

 Most Frequently Asked Residency Interview Questions
 How did I get 26 Interviews and PREMATCHED for US Residency? An IMG's Experience

Residency Interview Experience

 My Residency Interview Experience- The whole story
 At University of Nebraska Medical Center, Neurology Program
 At West Virginia University, Medical Center, Neurology Program
 At Aultman Hospital, Canton, Internal Medicine Program
 At University of Arkansas Medical Sciences,Little Rock, Neurology Program
 At Westchester Medical Center, Valhalla, Internal Medicine Program

Exclusive videos for residency interview training

The videos should help you in key areas of an interview

 Know yourself 
 Know the program

Know the program

Why should you know more about the program? As much as the interview is about you and you getting the residency, it is also about how you will fit into their program and if program should give you the residency ahead of the hundreds that are waiting. It is very important you give answers that the interviewer is expecting.

How can you know what the interviewer is asking? Good question. By researching about the following you will know what they expect from you:
 What is the motto,objective of the program?
 What work are they doing?
 What are tehe achievements of the program?
 Do they have a history?
 What characters do the existing residents have?
 How is the life style of current residents?
 What do they do outside work?

Easier said than done, How do you do it? Start with:

 The program website
The websites give you the basic information about the program. Remember the information on their website is information they want you to know - that you should know.

Facebook
Is see you asking really?! how do I use facebook to do my research? That's what these videos will help you to achieve.

Example 1- Using Facebook to research about the OSU Medical Program

Example 2- Using Facebook to research about the Emory Internal Medicine Program - no sound

Twitter
Twitter like facebook is another awesome tool that can tell you about the "pulse" of the program. You will get to know tweets from current residents or former. There will be several tweets about recent achievements of the program.Yet another source of information you can use.

Example 3- Using Twitter to research about the Mount Sinai Medical Program - no sound

Example 4 - Using Google Discussion $amp; News to research about the Mount Sinai Medical Program - no sound

Watch more videos and "Know Yourself"

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Work Sheet

Who knows best about you? It's you.

This work sheet helps you know more about your self.

How to use this work sheet?

This process will take 3 hours or more
1. Print it out
2. Read through the questions on the questionnaire
3. Think through it
4. Write down your answers using a pencil
5. Read your answer, is it convincing?
6. No, rinse and repeat answer
7. After you are happy talk to family and friends and find out if they find your answers convincing

When in doubt, ask the magic wall. Remember the magic wall in only to clarify your interview answer and not a contact form. If you have any questions email us support@mdguru.me

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Master the medical residency interview

You have come so far, all the hard work and toil. You will be applying to programs and that magical email appears in your inbox - "Invite for an Residency Interview". As elated as you might be, this begins the next round of preparation and practice. 

Interviews are the second most important aspect of matching after USMLE Step1. It is absolute important to prepare well and excel in the medical residency interviews to get matched. We want you to succeed and will help you get into the residency by acing the interview.

 Where to start?

 Start with Work Sheet
 Watch Videos to learn about yourself and the programs.
 Read through Flip Wall and construct your answer for questions
 Read common Q & A
 Use Magic Wall when you have trouble writing your answer for a question.

Residency Interview Resources

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Some common interview questions and answers. Check back we update this page periodically.

Did you find us alright?

This is probably the first question that you might encounter when the interviewer meets and greets you. The answer should be minimal.No unnecessary chatter. Say for example you found it difficult to find the place and are elaborating on it. The interviewer might think "if only this guy had researched it on Google maps before he came here". You are leaving lose threads for the interviewer to form an impression about you. If your answer was a simple yes or no the story ends right there.

Always remember the interview actually starts when you enter the hospital premises. Be courteous to every one you meet (not just the interviewer).

What motivates you and why?

This is a question that tests both your degree of self-insight and how you might fit within the new work group and program. Only you can know what makes you work best. Think about answers in the lines of,
 1. Public Recognition
 2. Awards
 3. New challenges
 4. New technology
 5. Learning/Training
 6. Good Team
 7. Work Culture
 8. History of the program

In almost all cases, "money" is not a good answer!. Since you are interviewing for a medical training you could talk about your passion for the serving humanity, compassion. Make sure it does not sound too dramatic unless you have done some volunteering or worked for a charity.

What style of management gets the best from you?

This is similar to the question about what motivates you. It measures what you know about yourself and how you might fit within the new work group and organisation.Your answer should be in the lines of the previous question.

If I called up one of your friends now and asked them to use three words to describe you, what would he or she say?
or
How would your current boss describe you?

Thorough research will pay off. Self-assessment should be part of any job search strategy. It means you know what your assets are. Your research would tell you what sort of organization it is and what they are looking for in you. You should showcase your assets that will benefit the company. Many people feel very uncomfortable with this question because it invites us to sing our own praises — Remember, you're not boasting. You are stating objective information that you can back up with tangible examples, such as description of situations where these qualities have been evident.

Answers like "hard working", "productive", "efficient", "friendly", "team player" are safe bets but also remember to add some special assets that you have.

What were your three most significant achievements in your previous/current job?

This is a great question and you will almost always get this question. There's lots of potential here for you to prove your capabilities and experience. This is one answer that requires preparation. You will have to carefully think 3 or more scenarios that was the best moments in your career. Also make sure some of the achievements match with the requirement of the job you applied for. The answers might be in the lines of your company getting an award because of the product your team built and your part in it or may be how you won a new project for your company worth XXXXXXX dollars or how a simple solution made the client happy.

Describe a major goal you have recently set for yourself.

Use this question to demonstrate your ability to set yourself targets, plan to reach them and commit yourself to action. Your goal may be to find yourself a more rewarding and satisfying job. It may be a major project at work. In particular for graduates, the goal may relate to study or other personal activities. You can use a PAR formula to demonstrate your ability to analyze situations and problem solve. The formula stands for Problem-Action-Results. Introduce the goal by describing why it was important — was it fixing a problem or seizing an opportunity? What action have you taken? What are the results so far? Keep thinking about how this is relevant to the job you're applying for.

Why should we give you the position ahead of other candidates we're interviewing?
OR
What would you bring to this organization if you got the residency position?
OR
Why do you think you would be suited to this role?

You're almost always going to face this question in one form or another. Essentially, the question is "why you?". This question also requires a lot of preparation. The answer should be constructed in three parts,
 How you see the position
 What the position needs
 Why it is you? (How you will fit the position perfectly)

Introduce the way you want to answer the question: "I'd like to take a moment to tell you how I see the position, because that will help explain why you should choose me."

Next, state that the position is an important one and illustrate why it is important — how if it is done well, it contributes to the hospital's success. Then, talk about what the position needs — the skills, experience and personal attributes. You're not talking about yourself just yet — keep it general. But make sure that your carefully considered list of attributes are ones that you possess.

The final part of the answer is where you demonstrate that you have the skills, experiences and personal attributes to succeed in this position. Depending on how long your answer is, you might want to conclude by summarising your answer.

What do you enjoy most about your current position?

It's easy enough to wing this question and make up an answer on the spot but you won't do it justice. An effective answer will draw on your research and knowledge of the residency program and its key success factors. You're then well placed to match up some aspect of your current or past work that you enjoy that is also very important to the position being discussed. This might be something like the opportunity to work in or lead teams;

What is the question you don't want me to ask?

OR

What are your weaknesses?

This is a horrible question. If there is a question you're dreading, and you answer this question should never be a honest answer. Try to give a positive trait and say in some situations it might turn out negative. For example, your love to chat with patients, which makes you spend more time on a check up but make sure your interviewer understands your are a great time manager and DO NOT fall back on time because of this. The answer is got to be quick and try and move on to the next question.

Where do you see yourself in five to ten years time?

This is a standard question that is asked to check your career planning. It also gives an insight about the goals you have set for yourself in life.The answer is either that you see yourself in a more senior position or that you see yourself in a similar role. The best answer is that which matches your desires and the organisational culture. If they offer fellowship then talk about that, but underline the fact that you don't want to get ahead of yourself too much.

Why do you want to work for us?

This question is about the program,hospital and needs you to do a lot of research on the them and more so on the specific speciality you're being interviewed for. Answer this question in two parts. First, demonstrate what you know about the organization based on the research you've done and then tell them how you will be able to contribute to their success.

Maybe the hospitals work ethics, benefits,ranking or awards received. May be it's the opportunity to work for renowned faculty in that speciality in which you are experienced or keenly interested.

Note: The truth may be that you'll work anywhere that give you a residency. If you're desperate to find a position and you're not choosy, then you may not have given this question any thought.

Don't ever say "I just want a position and you can do it", or anything that suggests this. It may be true, but it won't help you. Every employer wants to feel that there is something special about his or her program and that you particularly want to work there.

What other interviews do you have lined up?

This is something of a sneaky question because there's no one right answer. If you are being courted by other programs, you become a more attractive candidate to the person who is interviewing you. However, you can answer in several different ways, depending on your circumstances.

Change is a constant in this organization. How do you respond to change in your environment?

This may be a cloaked discriminatory question, asked of you if you are mature-aged old graduate and the interviewer has a stereotype that older people aren't flexible and adaptable.

 Be direct, positive and don't get defensive with your answer.
  Demonstrate experience: "I am very accustomed to change. My experience in X hospital illustrates this. For instance when I worked with them... we had this interesting case... and my experience helped solve..."
  Or demonstrate understanding: "I understand that hospitals these days are operating in a very different environment compared to 10 years ago. I've worked in a quite stable environment, but I am constantly learning the new changes that come my way and have even suggested changes to the way we ...."

Always remember your experience is your strength, show case that in positive light rather that answering it in negative mode.

Describe a time where you recently had to bend the rules to achieve one of your goals.
OR
Can you give me an example of a time when you had to make a decision on your own, without consulting your supervisor.

These behavioral type questions aim to predict how you will respond in the future by learning how you responded to similar circumstances in the past. This question is concerned with initiative and independent thinking, within the organizational context.

Consider what you know about the culture of the organisation you are being interviewed by. Is it a large, very bureaucratic organisation that has complicated approval processes, or a smaller setup that doesn't have written down procedures? These different environment suggest different levels of tolerance for risk-taking and initiative and you should choose your example to fit.

Be aware of the health care provider good practice guideline. You can quote AMA guidelines if you know any and is related to this situation.

"Rules exist to make sure that processes are understood and the operation runs smoothly and efficiently. They make sure that patients can rely on consistent and excellent service. However, it's not possible to create a rule for every situation that might occur. There will always will be unexpected situations where you have to make a decision that is outside the guidelines. It is important to choose what rule best applies and how to adapt it. For instance, .... ".

In your example, describe the situation you found yourself in, the action you took and the outcome you achieved.

If the question asks about bending the rules, be sure to address the ethical implications. Make sure you use an example where the outcome is a win-win situation — for the hospital and its patients or staff. Don't suggest that you bend the rules for your personal gain.

Imagine this situation. Your boss asks you to do something which you believe will cause a great loss to the organization. You make the boss aware of the problem but he still insists that he is correct and asks you to just do it. What do you do?

They want to know that you'll put the good of the hospital first — but that you're not going to "cause trouble" unneccesarily.

Here is an example of a good answer, "This is a difficult situation. First I would check that my information is correct and that the action would certainly result in a loss to the company. I would consider what other evidence I could gather that further proves this point. If there is no doubt that the action would be a disaster, I would have no option but to go above my boss' head for the good of the company. The most appropriate way to do this would be to advise my manager again of the reasons why the loss will eventuate and that I can't, in all conscience, "just do it". If he or she persists with the instruction, I will have to raise the issue with the next level of management."

What is one thing that your present and past employers could do to improve?

This is a bonus question! Really — it's a great opportunity to demonstrate what you know rather than just what you've done. Obviously, it helps to have thought about this beforehand. If possible, concentrate on some aspect that is relevant to the interviewers program.

Make sure your answer is clear, concise and demonstrates good logic — this is not the question to answer in a rambling, vague manner. Outline what you see needs to be improved, back up your position (preferably with hard data) and outline the opportunity cost to the organization of not improving in this area. Then note how you would improve it, refer to any contingencies or dependencies and explain the outcome of the improvement.

You must balance your insight and wisdom with diplomacy and ethics. Don't use extreme language to put down your former employer or show them in bad light. It is sometimes better not to name them until the interviewer insists.

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Interview Etiquette

The basics that can be easily over looked. As silly as they may sound can cause serious damage to your chances.

Here are some of the guidelines,
  Always dress up for the interview. It shows the program how much you value that position. People assess you in their first look. Nobody hates a well groomed candidate at first look. Wearing a suit is never too much for any interview. It is better to be over dressed than under.
 Never be late for the interview. What ever your reason might be, being late for the interview is unforgivable.
 Always read your resume/CV,ERAS form and personal statement before you go into the interview. Be consistent with what you have told already.
 It is always good to research where the venue for the interview is. Take a map or get the directions (no such problems if you have a GPS).
 Have numbers of taxi companies in the area. 
 Always take a mint or chew some mouth freshening gum before an interview.
 Always smell nice, a dash of perfume or deodorant never hurts .
 Your interview actually starts when you enter the hospital compound. Be courteous to every one you see in the building. You never know the guy in the elevator may be the program director of the specialty.
 A firm hand shake, eye to eye contact and a smile is a must.
 Have a copy of your resume/CV, LORs, ERAS form (filled), personal statement, any certificates and credentials.

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How to use this?

Behind each brick are instructions to prepare for answers to each of these questions you see.

 Read the question. Do not click on the brick yet.
 In a piece of paper write down your answer
 Now click the brick and compare it with your answer. For questions you have no clue on how to answer it, go ahead and click on it.

The answers are instructions and helps you to build your own answer for an interview.

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Who am I?

I am an IMG. My credentials were 96/94/CS attempt with one month USCE.
I had three interviews this year. I would like to share my experience and suggest some tips from these interviews

The Invite

This is the one thing I was eagerly awaiting. It is quite a bit of a stress, you will be checking the in-box everyday hoping for invites and you will get many rejects. But don't lose heart, you will eventually get invites. Remember you may be on the waiting list also and may get an invite even into January. So DON'T LOSE HOPE. If possible, try to be in US during that period, as you may be asked to come at very short notice. One of my friends was invited for a interview on Friday and it was scheduled for Monday.

In the invite, they give a choice of dates. If possible, try to schedule the interviews such that you minimize the time traveling. After you decide the date, send them a reply. Thank them for the invite and state how pleased you are to receive this opportunity. The Program coordinator will then send a mail with the interview dates and the schedule, directions and details about the accommodation. Remember to be polite in all your interactions with the Program Co-ordinator.

Travel

The fastest mode (and best) is flying to the venue. But if possible, check out Amtrak and Greyhound. They may help to save money. But, they turn out to cheap only if you are traveling to other states close by.

Accomodation

One of the places I interviewed at provided overnight accommodation at a nearby hotel. If not, the Program coordinator might suggest some of the hotels nearby and there may be a discounted rate for people interviewing at the program. Make sure that you select a hotel which is not too far from the Hospital/ Interview Venue. Thus, you will be able to avoid unnecessary travel on the day of the interview and avoid the risk of being late. Rarely, you may come across a program which does not even suggest an accommodation, let alone provide one. In such case, the best possible option is to use Google Maps to search for hotels nearby. You can decide the hotel depending on your budget. The Marriott is of course, very comfortable, but does  cost a bit more. Choosing motels/hotels with free WIFI will help you prepare for your interview. I,personally, chose to stay in the Choice hotels. They were pretty comfortable and cost about one hundred $ a night. I stayed only for one day. They have a check-in time of 4pm and check-out by 2pm the next day. So, if you want to leave on the same day after the interview, you can just keep your bags at the front desk and collect them later. Also, some hotels provide a free airport shuttle. So its a good thing to look out for those as it makes it a bit easier.

Preparation for the Interview

Review your application and your Personal Statement as you mostly will be questioned regarding it. Read up about the program and whether there have been any recent awards or recognition. If the program co-coordinator mentions the people who will be interviewing you, it will also help to look up the person online and get to know more about him/her.

Have mock interviews and rehearse what questions to ask and whom to ask and how to answer various questions. Ask a family member (who has attended a few interviews and not your baby brother) to interview you and get their feedback. Do 3-5 mock interviews and fine tune your answers.

The Day of Interview

Dress professionally and be neatly groomed. It is good to be over dressed than under. Carry copies of your Resume, Personal Statement, MSPE, Letter of Recommendation in a neat folder - all organized. Remember You don't want to fumble through your documents if they ask for something. The typical day starts with an introduction by the Program Director about the merits of the program etc. followed by a tour of the hospital by one of the residents. Show your interest in the program and ask relevant questions but do not overdo it.

After the tour, there will be the interviews. In one of the places, I was interviewed by two faculty members while in the other two, there was only one interview. Try to find out if the hospital offers a second look and say that you will be interested.

After the Interview

Make sure you send a thank you letter to the people who interviewed you. Though it may not make a difference overall, it certainly cannot hurt. Keep in touch with the program and inform them about any recent clinical or research experience. Before the match, send them a mail and let them know that you really liked the program and that you are ranking them highly.

Ranking the program : Rank the program only if you are sure that you would not mind being a resident there. There have been many suggestions that the NRMP Match algorithm can be manipulated. But its very simple, just rank the programs in your order of preference. Do not worry about the way the program ranks you. So, if Program 'A' is your first choice, then rank it first even if it was your worst interview. You don't lose anything.

Just my two cents. All the best and hope you match!

By Dr. S