1. Effective Residency Interviews A (brief) Session for Medical School Students Georgette Dent, MD Kevin Biese, MD, MAT, FACEP Robert Gwyther, MD, MBA October 18, 2013 G100 Bondurant Hall

2. Today’s 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

3. Rank Order List Targets MU Family Medicine85 Family Medicine85 Internal Medicine94 Internal Medicine94 Neurology 105 Neurology 105 Pathology95 Pathology95 Pediatrics 107 Pediatrics 107 Psychiatry94 Psychiatry94 M=Matched applicants, U=Unmatched applicants Charting the Outcomes of the Match 2011

4. Rank Order List Targets MU Anesthesiology134 Anesthesiology134 Emergency Medicine115 Emergency Medicine115 Obstetrics/Gynecology115 Obstetrics/Gynecology115 PM&R114 PM&R114 Radiology114 Radiology114 Charting the Outcomes of the Match 2011 Charting the Outcomes of the Match 2011 Matched applicants, U=Unmatched applicants

5. Rank Order List Targets Highly Competitive Specialties MU Dermatology 93 Dermatology 93 General Surgery116 General Surgery116 Orthopedics126 Orthopedics126 Plastic Surgery117 Plastic Surgery117 Radiation Oncology114 Radiation Oncology114 Charting the Outcomes of the Match 2011 Charting the Outcomes of the Match 2011 M=Matched applicants, U=Unmatched applicants

6. *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

7. 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?)

8. 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?

9. 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)

10. 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

11. 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. 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. 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!

12. 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 ….

13. 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

14. 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

15. Insightful questions for 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 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. Don’t ask faculty about vacation, call, salary, insurance or benefits! Don’t ask faculty about vacation, call, salary, insurance or benefits!

16. Some Advice From the Field What things have residency interviewees done that DON’T HELP them to be ranked highly by an interviewer? What things have residency interviewees done that DON’T 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 e-mail survey of 35 UNC-CH and Seattle-area doctors who interview prospective residents and represent family medicine, dermatology, pediatrics, surgery, etc.

17. 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.?” Providing brief answers Providing brief answers  “…  “…the interviewer shouldn’t 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.

18. 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’” Arriving late Arriving late   “…impresses nobody” Being demanding Being 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”

19. Behaviors to Employ Acting genuinely interested in program Acting genuinely interested in program   “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.” 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.” 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”   “…have at least one interesting patient to talk about.”

20. 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 Dressing appropriately but comfortably Dressing appropriately but comfortably

21. 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

22. Men’s Business Attire Yes No Yes

23. Women's Business Attire: A suit in a dark color. A suit in a dark color.  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.

24. Women’s Business Attire

27. 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.

28. 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 – e-mail (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

29. 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.”

30. 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.”

31. 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 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

32. Online Resources Careers in Medicine Careers in Medicine https://www.aamc.org/cim/ Brandeis Hiatt Career Center Brandeis Hiatt Career Center http://www.brandeis.edu/hiatt/ select grad students “interviewing tips” College Grad Job Hunter College Grad Job Hunter http://www.collegegrad.com/intv/ Charting Outcomes of the Match 2011 Charting Outcomes of the Match 2011 Charting Outcomes of the Match 2011 Charting Outcomes of the Match 2011 NRMP 2013 Main Residency Match NRMP 2013 Main Residency Match NRMP 2013 Main Residency Match NRMP 2013 Main Residency Match UNC-CH Career Services UNC-CH Career Services http://careers.unc.edu/students/interviewing