6 tips for residency interview.

The motto behind the residency interview is to provide each candidate with a suitable learning environment.

It is an opportunity that none can afford to mislay. The residency interview is somewhat similar to your med school entrance interview. There are a few changes as the purpose of both is different. 

Many programs offer and detailed structure of the interview so you can get prepared before the interview. 

What kind of questions is expected in the interview?

Well, having reached the residency interview, you must comprehend each and everything on your CV. You have to prepare your CV very well. You should be able to communicate fluently about your past work experiences, research project, and extracurricular activities. 

You should be ready to answer some critical questions regarding your upcoming residency program.

Here are a few most commonly asked questions that you can prepare for: 

– Tell us about yourself?

– Why do you want to join this program?

– Why do you want to be a physician? 

– Why did you choose this particular specialty? 

– What specialty are you interested in?

– What made you choose your med school?

– Tell us about your strengths.

– What are your areas of development?

– What are your long-term goals?

– Where did you see yourself in the next five years?

These are some standard questions asked in an interview as it gives a glance of your personality or vision to the interviewers. It also helps them in deciding for you based on their experience.

You don’t need to get some exclusively written piece of content that you will present there. Just analyze yourself and be prepared before time.  Master these questions to create a positive impact on the interviewer. 

What does the interviewer expect from you? 

The interviewer is looking for the best for their patients with the facilities they provide. 

They are always looking for the human being prevailing behind the CV. Here are some essential tips to get prepared and tackle the residency interview. 

Your first impression is crucial –

A glance of fewer than five seconds is enough for the other person to assess you and form an opinion on the very first meeting. 

This first glance evaluates your Body Language (The way you walk, sit, or make certain movements with your hands or feet, etc.), Appearance (how are you dressed up?), and mannerism to some extent. 

The first impressions are irreversible. You may have evolved 100 times better, but the first impressions will always flash in the mind of another person. So let’s see a few tips that may help you in creating a great first impression –

Don’t be late –

On the very first meeting and especially the one like a residency interview be very punctual. 

Reach the venue before time so, can relax and get ready to face the interview. 

Be presentable –

Being able to present yourself attractively and pleasingly is equally essential. 

You don’t need to dress up like a cover page model but make sure you look decent, neat, stylish, confident, and fresh.

Take enough sleep a night before to avoid the tiring look on your face. Go for a walk in the early morning so you will be able to look fresh and sound fresh. 

Be yourself –

Being a little more conscious of all the different factors like dressing up well, looking confident, adapting to healthy postures is good. But make sure you don’t lose yourself in the process. 

All this is just, to present a better image to you.

Put your winning smile on –

Nothing can compete for the winning smile when it comes to creating a better first impression. A pleasant and confident smile will ease the process. But like everything has got its limit, so is the smile. Do not smile too often, as might portray a disingenuous image of yours. 

Interact and be attentive –

Be attentive while the interview goes on. Do not enter the La-La land as soon as the interviewer pauses. Also, avoid a Yes & No answer be interactive but don’t overexpress yourself. 

Be prepared for tough questions –

Initially, we have shared with you some common questions that everyone encounters in an interview. But the interview process does not end here. There are a lot more questions based on your practical and theoretical knowledge heading your way. 

Regardless of the type of question, you must be able to answer it honestly and humbly. 

Hence be ready to demonstrate your learning from med school and other experiences mentioned in your CV. 

Dress well – 

Dress up formally, avoid walking in with a funky outfit. You should look pleasant and professional. Research a little about how to get dressed up for an interview and you will find numerous blogs & resources to answer it. 

Choose something that is comfortable and suits your personality.

Enjoy the process –

Be enthusiastic, and express your interest in the ongoing process. It will enhance your first impression and ease the complete process. Do not let anything negative on your mind impact your behavior or expressions there. Sounding uninterested will get you no gain.

It is just a part of your journey to becoming a physician. Anything you face through the process is going to be a new & valuable experience.

Express your strengths positively –

The interview is going to be a two-way process with a lot of interaction and discussion. 

If you have got some relevant extraordinary stuff to share, find a way and express it. 

Speak up about your achievements or anything that you learned through your med school life. 

Anything that was life-changing or could be helpful for you as a physician. 

Practice your interview –

Practice makes a man perfect, this old-school saying works for all. Preparing for a residency interview might make you nervous. Practice mock interviews. You might surely, be having your study groups; you can ask your friends or colleague for mock interviews. 

If you have got good support from your faculties, you can ask them for some help. 

Arrange a mock interview session for all of your colleagues and takes help from your peers.    

We hope you find these tips beneficial, start preparing for your interviews in advance, and practice well so; you are stress-free later. 

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