Thread by @oliviamtdavies

Here we go! I'm excited to share a #tweetorial on how to prep for the upcoming virtual interview season.

#Match2022 #MedStudentTwitter #MedEd #dermtwitter

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Your #tweetorial road map:
1. Set Up (to ring light or not to ring light)
2. Question Prep (!!)
3. General Advice (there will always be surprises, here's how to handle them)

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Set Up pt 1: Background.

There are typically three main approaches to interview backgrounds. First, let's do a poll, what's the #MedTwitter favorite?

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I personally favor a blank wall - the reasoning? No distractions to pull away from the critical few minutes you have with your interviewer(s).

HOWEVER, there are reasons why you might opt for one of the other set ups...

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1. You don't have a good blank wall OR you live in a shared space.

A digital background may be your best bet. But, beware, they can slow down your connection & cause an unnatural interview experience.

An alternative: lots of schools have interview rooms available.

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2. You have a talent (artist, guitar player etc) & (and this is important) you WANT to be asked about this by the interviewer.

This is tricky and I think it's 🔑🔑🔑 that this talent be central to who you are if you're going to display it.

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Set Up pt 2: Lighting.

I found it was best to not rely on natural light given the weather's rapid ability to change (maybe this is just a Wisconsin thing?)

But I don't think you need to drop money on a ring light. I used 2 lamps to minimize my shadow on the wall.

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Set Up pt 3: Other.

The two things I would recommend are:
1. A consistent wifi connection
2. A laptop stand.

I spent ~$30 on a laptop stand. This is the exact one I purchased, but there are many options! amazon.com/Compatible-Boy…

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Now to the good stuff, THE PREP. Because it’s so important we’ll divide this into sections too:

1.General Interview Questions
2.Behavioral Questions

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General Interview Qs:
a.Tell me about yourself
b.Why *INSERT SPECIALTY*
c.Why not *OTHER SPECIALTY*
d.What are your strengths/weaknesses
e. Where do you see yourself in 5, 10, 20 years
(There are many others you can google👀)

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Tip:
Regardless of the specialty, try not to use generic responses.

I'll use #derm as an example. A generic answer to "why derm" would be: I'm a visual person.

Radiology is visual, so is rheumatology, allergy & immuno, ID & so on ... you get my drift

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Some less generic examples of why derm:
- easy access to rapid diagnostics (skin bx/bedside dxs)
- ability to treat in clinic (laser/excisions)
- growing arsenal of immuno-therapeutics
These aren't perfect, but the point is to find what is true to YOUR path & share that.

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Weakness/strength:
I'm going to diverge from the usual med school advice & encourage you to come up with REAL weaknesses for this. Mine?
- Delegating
- Confidence

THEN, the key is talking about how you're working on those.

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Future:
Be honest. You don't need to have it all figured out, that's what residency is for. But DO share current interests & goals. (Academics? Med Ed? Your own lab?)

Programs are often asking so that they can show you how their program can help you achieve your dreams.

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Alright, now to my favorite section, behavioral questions. This is going to be interactive.

Do me a favor & grab a pen/paper or open up a Word doc on your computer...

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Ready?

First: jot down 10-15 meaningful experiences (positive & negative) you’ve had as a med student (You can also draw from pre med school when necessary).

Just a rotation & a qualifier. E.g.:
1. IM rotation - patient on Eliquis
2. Surgery – patient w/chest tube

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Second: Ask yourself how many of the following categories each story demonstrates.

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Let me show you:
ENT: Needle stick
(This story is about a time I stuck myself in the OR & had to stop the case & scrub out. The team was frustrated). This story displays:
- A mistake, communication mishap, a time I stood up for myself, a stressful situation

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Or:
Clerkships: Senior Res Relationship
(This story is about a senior res who asked me why I was an MS3 when I was old enough to be a 3rd yr resident). This story displays:
- Communication mishap, response to feedback, a team that didn’t work well, a time I set boundaries

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Or:
IM: Patient w/PCA
(This story is abt a patient who’s pain we could not manage. I spoke to them & realized they were worried about their pets. We looped in SW & trauma psych & their pain reqs ⬇️⬇️.) This story displays:
- Compassion, communication, building trust

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So, if I’m asked to share a story about a communication mishap, I know these are all stories in my tool kit I can use – make sense?

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For each story you share ask yourself:
WHY are you sharing it?
What does this story show about YOU?

Many people like to use “STAR”:
⭐️Situation, Task, Action, Result⭐️

This is a good framework, but don’t be mechanic. These are YOUR stories, no need to memorize.

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Unknowns/general advice:

➡️If you don't have an answer:
1. Take a deep breath
2."That's a great❓, let me think for a second"
3. Think through your toolkit of stories, can you repurpose one?
4. If you can't, "I have not been in that situation, but if I had been..."

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➡️Know your research (anything on your ERAS is fair game to be asked about methods, key takeaways & your contribution)
➡️Research your interviewers! What are their areas of focus? Have you co-authored a paper with them?
➡️Perfection isn't the goal, seriously. Be real.

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Thanks for tuning in!

Remember, every program interviewing you can already picture you at their program. During the interview, show them why they were right!

GOOD LUCK! Rooting for you.

#Match2022 #MedEd #MedStudentTwitter #dermtwitter

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