Interviewing for Residency

1. Interviewing for Residency How to get the most from them and for them to get the most from you Joshua Chodosh, MD, MSHS

2. Overview • Goals of interviewing • How do I prepare for a day of interviews? • What resources should I rely upon? • What should I do on my interview day? • Should there be follow-up?

3. Goals of Interviewing • First and foremost: to determine whether this is where I want to do my residency. • To make a favorable impression • Taking the posture of number 1 greatly increases the likelihood of number 2. Why?

4. How do I figure out if this is the right place for me? • Do I want to live there? • If I am clear about my career goals, does this program offer me experiences to achieve those goals? • Can I see myself working with these residents and attendings? • Does this program have a good reputation? • Is this program “stable”?

5. How do I prepare for my day of interviews? • Do your homework! • Know as much about a program as you can before you get there. • Spend some money on clothes that are comfortable! • If there are people from the program you know and like, try to arrange to meet with them as well. • Anticipate the questions you will be asked. • Consider visiting programs that are lower on your (preliminary) list first – for practice.

6. Research the program before you get there. • Use the Web! • Who are the faculty? What are their interests? • Identify residents, fellows, and attendings at UCLA who have been there and talk to them (a great source for a candid appraisal). • Talk to students who have already interviewed there – (from UCLA and from the interview trail)

7. What do programs want? • Happy residents (not whiners!) • Residents who want to work hard (dedication and initiative). • Residents who are not just smart but also personable and professional. • Residents who will make them “look good”.

8. What should I do on my interview day? • Every person you encounter is evaluating you! This includes faculty, residents, administrators, and secretaries. • Dress appropriately. • Make sure you know where you need to go and plan accordingly, minimize stress! • Be reserved but be yourself.

9. The Interview • If offered coffee, etc., graciously decline. • Do not chew gum. • Body language creates impressions (eye contact). • Avoid self-deprecation. • You are smart, hard-working, and confident, but without being arrogant. • Allow the interviewer to set the tone, show their cards so you get some grounding. • Match your questions to the interviewer.

10. The Interview2 • Sometimes interviewers don’t ask the questions you want to answer. • Interview the interviewer – a way to demonstrate: interpersonal skills, seriousness, maturity, confidence, and interest. • Interest: Programs do not want to go “far down their lists”. They want to figure out who wants them.

11. Should there be follow-up? • Yes! • Real letters are better than email (but emails are sure to get there). • Notes to all those who have helped you while you were there as well as those who interviewed you. • Create some boilerplate letter but try to have some specificity. • Conveys maturity and interest.

12. After the Interview • Make notes for you to use later: pros and cons – helps with ranking programs. Dear Dr. McCann. I am very appreciative of having the opportunity to meet with you last week. My day of interviews was extremely helpful and I am very impressed with the opportunities available at the University Medical Center. I am both confidant and excited that I would be able to combine my interests in clinical medicine and research during my residency and hope that I will have the opportunity to work with you in the future. Sincerely, Joshua Chodosh