Effective Residency Interviews A (brief) Session for Medical School Students Georgette Dent, MD Kevin Biese, MD, MAT, FACEP Robert Gwyther, MD, MBA October 19, 2012 G100 Bondurant Hall

Todays Two Goals: Understand and prepare to approach the residency interview as a communication event Understand and prepare to approach the residency interview as a communication event Identify specific behaviors to avoid and to employ during the residency interview Identify specific behaviors to avoid and to employ during the residency interview

Rank Order List Targets Least Competitive Specialties MUMUMUMU Internal Medicine94 Internal Medicine94 Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation 114 Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation 114 Psychiatry94 Psychiatry94 Pathology95 Pathology95 Family Medicine85 Family Medicine85 M=Matched applicants, U=Unmatched applicants Charting the Outcomes of the Match 2011

Rank Order List Targets Moderately Competitive Specialties MU Emergency Medicine115 Emergency Medicine115 Anesthesiology134 Anesthesiology134 General Surgery116 General Surgery116 Obstetrics/Gynecology115 Obstetrics/Gynecology115 Pediatrics 107 Pediatrics 107 Charting the Outcomes of the Match M=Matched applicants, U=Unmatched applicants

Rank Order List Targets Highly Competitive Specialties MU Dermatology 93 Dermatology 93 Orthopedics126 Orthopedics126 Radiology114 Radiology114 Plastic Surgery117 Plastic Surgery117 Radiation Oncology114 Radiation Oncology114 Charting the Outcomes of the Match M=Matched applicants, U=Unmatched applicants

*From Job 99 Outlook, 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 everyday lives? What attracts us to people in our everyday lives? How can these characteristics be communicated during an interview? How can these characteristics be communicated during an interview?

What Attracts Us to People in Our Everyday Lives? Attractiveness (Do I like the way he looks?) Attractiveness (Do I like the way he looks?) Similarity (Do I share anything with her?) Similarity (Do I share anything with her?) Reciprocity (Does this person seem interested in me?) Reciprocity (Does this person seem interested in me?) Exchange (Can I get something from him?) Exchange (Can I get something from him?) Competency (Can I learn from her? Is he interesting/knowledgeable?) Competency (Can I learn from her? Is he interesting/knowledgeable?) Disclosure (Is he being open with me? Can I trust her?) Disclosure (Is he being open with me? Can I trust her?)

Appropriate responses to questions Appropriate responses to questions Enthusiasm Enthusiasm Maturity Maturity Confidence Confidence Emotional stability Emotional stability Intelligence Intelligence Language fluency Language fluency Initiative Initiative Controlled energy Controlled energy Clear career goals Clear career goals *from research conducted by J.Cox & D. Schlueter, Baylor University, as cited in J.M. Farrs * *from research conducted by J.Cox & D. Schlueter, Baylor University, as cited in J.M. Farrs The Quick Interview and Salary Negotiation Book, 1995, p Traits that create a positive impression during an interview I am confident but not arrogant. I am emotionally 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 culture? Will you fit in to the organizational/program 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 field? Do you have adequate background in the field?

Some Advice From the Field What things have residency interviewees done that DONT HELP them to be ranked highly by an interviewer? What things have residency interviewees done that DONT HELP them to be ranked highly by an interviewer? What things have residency interviewees done that DO HELP them to be ranked highly? What things have residency interviewees done that DO HELP them to be ranked highly? What suggestions do you have for fourth year medical students? What suggestions do you have for fourth year medical students? From survey of 35 UNC-CH and Seattle-area doctors who interview prospective residents and represent family medicine, dermatology, pediatrics, surgery, etc.

Behaviors to Avoid Demonstrating little knowledge or enthusiasm about the hospital and program Demonstrating little knowledge or enthusiasm about the hospital and program Being unprepared and disorganized Being unprepared and disorganized who [would] you want to work with at 2:00 a.m.? who [would] you want to work with at 2:00 a.m.? Providing brief answers Providing brief answers …the interviewer shouldnt have to work too hard to get information from the candidate …the interviewer shouldnt have to work too hard to get information from the candidate Spending too much time talking about what YOU want Spending too much time talking about what YOU want e.g., call schedule, time off, etc. e.g., call schedule, time off, etc.

Behaviors to Avoid Giving evasive responses about red flags in record Giving evasive responses about red flags in record Acting pompous or cavalier Acting pompous or cavalier Interviewing just because of location Interviewing just because of location …never give the impression that [you] are only here because [you] were in the neighborhood …never give the impression that [you] are only here because [you] were in the neighborhood Arriving late Arriving late …impresses nobody …impresses nobody Being demanding Being demanding Dont 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 Dont 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 program Acting genuinely interested in program Residency programs are interested in candidates who are interested in them Residency programs are interested in candidates who are interested in them Demonstrating that you have prepared to interview with THIS program Demonstrating that you have prepared to interview with THIS program …they have done their homework! They have conveyed to me why they really want to come to our program. …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 practice of pediatrics, surgery, etc. Conveying an understanding of and enthusiasm for the 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 done Talking about something interesting you have done …some interviewees just seem to shine during their interviews and others are lackluster …some interviewees just seem to shine during their interviews and 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 questions Asking insightful questions Communicating humility but also self- assurance Communicating humility but also self- assurance Smiling, laughing…showing a sense of humor Smiling, laughing…showing a sense of humor …smile, youre a family doc, not a surgeon! …smile, youre a family doc, not a surgeon! Dressing appropriately but comfortably Dressing appropriately but comfortably

Men's Business Attire: A suit, preferably in a dark color (navy, dark gray, or black) A suit, preferably in a dark color (navy, dark gray, or black) Long sleeve dress shirt Long 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 shoes Match belt to your shoes Dark socks to complement your suit. Dark socks to complement your suit.

Mens 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. Your skirt should be at least knee length when standing. If you choose a suit with a skirt, watch the hemline. Your skirt should be at least knee length when 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 case. Hose-NO RUNS! Bring an extra pair with you, just in case. Minimal jewelry, perfume and makeup. Minimal jewelry, perfume and makeup.

Womens 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 odor. If you wear perfume, be conservative. Some people are sensitive to odor. Your jewelry should be minimal and professional. Nothing that could create a distraction. Your jewelry should be minimal and professional. Nothing that 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 few years? What changes in the residency program are likely in the next 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 area, etc.) Where are your graduates? (private practice, academics, local area, etc.) You can ask about opportunities for research or for teaching medical students, depending on your interests. You can ask about opportunities for research or for teaching medical students, depending on your interests. Dont ask faculty about vacation, call, salary, insurance or benefits! Dont ask faculty about vacation, call, salary, insurance or benefits!

Remember to Thank You Send a thank you note to the program director Send a thank you note to the program director No consensus on format – (with or without picture), typed, hand written No consensus on format – (with or without picture), typed, hand written Probably not necessary to send one to each interviewer Probably not necessary to send one to each interviewer But if you do, they should be a little different because they may end up in the same file 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 ethic, your sense of balance, and your sense of humor. They want to know how you work with others, how dependable you are, whether you will be a team player on their team. I have been on the interview committee for (several) years. I do not think there is any one best way to interview. The most effective way is to be polite, interested, not too jovial nor too subdued. I think those qualities anyone can fit into.

Closing Advice (cont.) Be confident (not arrogant) and interested (have questions about the institution and be prepared to keep an interview going, preferably with questions that can lead you back to your strengths). Be yourself and answer questions naturally. We are looking for people that MATCH best. We have already weeded out those who cannot do the work before the interview.

Take Home Message Getting an interview means the judgment has been made that you have the credentials to succeed in the program Getting an interview means the judgment has been made that you have the credentials to succeed in the program Be nice to absolutely everyone! Be nice to absolutely everyone! Be prepared for the extremes Be prepared for the extremes Person who knows your application in detail Person who knows your application in detail Person who has not looked at your application Person who has not looked at your application Learn as much as you can about program and be prepared to ask appropriate questions Learn as much as you can about program and be prepared to ask appropriate questions You can ask house staff questions you might not ask faculty and vice versa You can ask house staff questions you might not ask faculty and vice versa

Online Resources Careers in Medicine Careers in Medicine Argus Technical Services Argus Technical Services Brandeis Hiatt Career Center Brandeis Hiatt Career Center select grad students interviewing tips College Grad Job Hunter College Grad Job Hunter Charting Outcomes of the Match 2011 Charting Outcomes of the Match 2011http:// UNC-CH Career Services UNC-CH Career Services interview readiness video