🧵 Presenting Part 1 of my Residency Interview Prep Series and the 5th thread in my #Tweetorial series for #Match2022 and #PedsMatch22: Interview Questions About Yourself and Your Character 🧵
Wondering what questions to expect? Keep reading to find out!
@FuturePedsRes
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Wondering what questions to expect? Keep reading to find out!
@FuturePedsRes
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Each part of this series will focus on a different area and feature interview questions to consider preparing for. These areas will include programs, experiences, your ERAS application, and the dreaded “What questions do you have?”.
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When it comes to interview prep, I wouldn't recommend memorizing or having scripted responses, but being prepared can make interviews much more fruitful and reduce your interview day stress.
This thread will cover 20 questions about yourself and your character. Let’s begin!
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This thread will cover 20 questions about yourself and your character. Let’s begin!
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1. Tell me about yourself.
You WILL be asked this, and I would recommend having an elevator pitch ready (not scripted). There is no “right” way to answer this. I spoke about my family, upbringing, passions, education, journey to pediatrics, and goals, among other things.
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You WILL be asked this, and I would recommend having an elevator pitch ready (not scripted). There is no “right” way to answer this. I spoke about my family, upbringing, passions, education, journey to pediatrics, and goals, among other things.
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2. Describe yourself in 3 words.
You may not necessarily be asked this, but it would be a good idea to have a few words or characteristics in mind that you would use to best describe yourself. And have EXAMPLES and experiences ready to SHOW those characteristics.
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You may not necessarily be asked this, but it would be a good idea to have a few words or characteristics in mind that you would use to best describe yourself. And have EXAMPLES and experiences ready to SHOW those characteristics.
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3. How would your friends describe you?
Similar to the last question, but it demonstrates an extra layer of introspection, requiring you to consider how others may perceive you, which may involve reflecting on interpersonal relationships and interactions with others.
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Similar to the last question, but it demonstrates an extra layer of introspection, requiring you to consider how others may perceive you, which may involve reflecting on interpersonal relationships and interactions with others.
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4. What is your greatest strength?
As long as you don’t say your squat, bench press, or deadlift, you’re off to a good start. You should be able to talk about how this strength translates to the workplace (hospital) and will help you and/or others moving forward.
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As long as you don’t say your squat, bench press, or deadlift, you’re off to a good start. You should be able to talk about how this strength translates to the workplace (hospital) and will help you and/or others moving forward.
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5. What is your greatest weakness?
People tend to approach this in two ways. They either give a true weakness, or they spin a weakness into a strength. I recommend actually describing a weakness as it gives you a chance to show humility, reflection, and a plan to improve.
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People tend to approach this in two ways. They either give a true weakness, or they spin a weakness into a strength. I recommend actually describing a weakness as it gives you a chance to show humility, reflection, and a plan to improve.
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6. What 3 things do you want me to remember about you?
I got asked the “one” and “three” versions of this on the trail. Think hard about what embodies you as a whole, as well as what may make you unique and stand out amongst a pool of academically high-achieving applicants.
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I got asked the “one” and “three” versions of this on the trail. Think hard about what embodies you as a whole, as well as what may make you unique and stand out amongst a pool of academically high-achieving applicants.
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7. Tell me something about yourself that is not on your application.
A great way for interviewers to get a sense of what you consider to be an interesting or unique aspect of your life, as ERAS applications are academically dense and don’t always show "the person" well.
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A great way for interviewers to get a sense of what you consider to be an interesting or unique aspect of your life, as ERAS applications are academically dense and don’t always show "the person" well.
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8. What is something from your time in medical school that you are most proud of?
This is a great question for gauging your character, priorities, and ambitions. This certainly does not have to be medicine-related (I had two answers and neither had to do with medicine).
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This is a great question for gauging your character, priorities, and ambitions. This certainly does not have to be medicine-related (I had two answers and neither had to do with medicine).
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9. What is a talent you have?
Again, this is another way for interviewers to learn about who you are as a person outside of medicine. It also opens the door for opportunities to talk about things that aren't traditionally perceived as “talents” if you go down that route.
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Again, this is another way for interviewers to learn about who you are as a person outside of medicine. It also opens the door for opportunities to talk about things that aren't traditionally perceived as “talents” if you go down that route.
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10. What kind of personality do you work with best?
Learning about the kind of people you work well with also speaks to who you are as a team player. It’s also helpful for programs looking for people who exemplify or demonstrate particular qualities to fill their class.
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Learning about the kind of people you work well with also speaks to who you are as a team player. It’s also helpful for programs looking for people who exemplify or demonstrate particular qualities to fill their class.
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11. What kind of personality do you have difficulty working with?
This serves three big roles. It helps discover if you will mesh well with residents. It allows for active reflection. Finally, it helps to elicit whether you will be able to work with any of your co-interns.
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This serves three big roles. It helps discover if you will mesh well with residents. It allows for active reflection. Finally, it helps to elicit whether you will be able to work with any of your co-interns.
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12. How are you resilient? / Tell me about a time you demonstrated resilience.
We all inevitably face stresses in both the hospital and our everyday lives. What coping mechanisms / tools / skills do you have that will enable you to overcome the challenges of residency?
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We all inevitably face stresses in both the hospital and our everyday lives. What coping mechanisms / tools / skills do you have that will enable you to overcome the challenges of residency?
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13. How do you foster resilience in your peers and team members?
How will you contribute to the well-being of others and look out for your co-residents? Residency is a team sport, and fostering resilience in others can be just as important as caring for yourself.
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How will you contribute to the well-being of others and look out for your co-residents? Residency is a team sport, and fostering resilience in others can be just as important as caring for yourself.
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14. What motivates you?
Residency is rewarding, but it’s not easy. There will be days when you’re swamped, stay extra late, or are exhausted. What motivates you in good and tough times? I like to think that intrinsic motivators are much more powerful than extrinsic ones.
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Residency is rewarding, but it’s not easy. There will be days when you’re swamped, stay extra late, or are exhausted. What motivates you in good and tough times? I like to think that intrinsic motivators are much more powerful than extrinsic ones.
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15. What type of leader are you?
Each person has a unique leadership style. You will be perceived as a leader by many people as early as day one. Painting a picture of what your leadership looks like can help others see how you may successfully lead others as a resident.
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Each person has a unique leadership style. You will be perceived as a leader by many people as early as day one. Painting a picture of what your leadership looks like can help others see how you may successfully lead others as a resident.
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16. What type of learner are you?
Medicine is a lifelong journey of learning. This question helps programs answer the question: “Is this somebody who may struggle in our program? Is this somebody for whom our program is probably just not the best fit?”
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Medicine is a lifelong journey of learning. This question helps programs answer the question: “Is this somebody who may struggle in our program? Is this somebody for whom our program is probably just not the best fit?”
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17. Who is your biggest role model or inspiration?
This is your chance to highlight the impact others have made on you and speak to the principles and experiences that ground you and have shaped you into who you are today.
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This is your chance to highlight the impact others have made on you and speak to the principles and experiences that ground you and have shaped you into who you are today.
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18. Who or what does your support system consist of?
All of us know that it takes a village to get to this point, and having people or things to support you throughout residency will be just as essential, so be honest about your support network and what that means to you.
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All of us know that it takes a village to get to this point, and having people or things to support you throughout residency will be just as essential, so be honest about your support network and what that means to you.
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19. What does wellness mean to you?
I really enjoyed this question, and sometimes I would weave it into other answers. Your answer can say a lot about how you may look to maintain wellness during residency and whether a program and/or its location can mesh well with that.
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I really enjoyed this question, and sometimes I would weave it into other answers. Your answer can say a lot about how you may look to maintain wellness during residency and whether a program and/or its location can mesh well with that.
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20. What brings you joy?
It behooves you to think about this at some point. I like to remind people that happiness and joy are different. Knowing what brings you joy is pivotal, not only for interviews, but to help you find joy every single day throughout residency.
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It behooves you to think about this at some point. I like to remind people that happiness and joy are different. Knowing what brings you joy is pivotal, not only for interviews, but to help you find joy every single day throughout residency.
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Hope you found this helpful! It's never too early to get started on interview prep, so I recommend starting if you haven't.
Stay tuned for the next thread in the series!
Feel free to retweet / share! I follow too many 4th years / applicants to tag all whom this may help!
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Stay tuned for the next thread in the series!
Feel free to retweet / share! I follow too many 4th years / applicants to tag all whom this may help!
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As always, tagging Twitter friends who may find this series helpful!
@DrEToBe @StuDrBrittany @StudyinAveryDay @wifemomfuturemd @KaitPardue @smalltownOMS @Shivam_Patel21 @ali_oats @doctortater @narcolepticsurg @kaushikganeshh @tjb518 @taylor_wintler @McmuffinsDoc @eli_harkins
@DrEToBe @StuDrBrittany @StudyinAveryDay @wifemomfuturemd @KaitPardue @smalltownOMS @Shivam_Patel21 @ali_oats @doctortater @narcolepticsurg @kaushikganeshh @tjb518 @taylor_wintler @McmuffinsDoc @eli_harkins
@MichelleLButts @EveV_futureMD @Drdobidoesit @halfadrmassey @SomiPeds @Flowerquinolone @ashleymatter1 @SoniaParikh3 @sarinha317 @MoniqueMHuerta1 @sheilak94 @NaaSey2 @joannar1012 @randhashim95 @kellytran95 @EstherKwara @clairebethel @GraceOverturf @shancwalker @chrisaugustin_
@DoctorWannabeMD @Andi_N_Garcia @AliciaHanson21 @skhetarpal44 @pagepeds_zackb @DraRaygoza @TaylorWHamilton @jaime_weber_ @MarriamElf @beeotaibi @kwablaMD @TayMChristian @WinchellMorgan @addie_witt_ @lauramazap @TaneishaRenae @AObeng_ @TaylorKrat @jbsargon @SalikaGadiwala
And some more Twitter pals who may find this thread / series helpful! @liyana_k @AnthoulaChri @medstudentdani @jessie_davis13 @sahar_panjwani @shrebhan @UPcomingPedsDR @LuisaOrtizMed @lochoaaa @EllieSidler @jazmineelleston @hngosnell @swapnil_patel95 @laurenmholt @AmberPriester2
@MandaPanda_med @NaumescuAna @JennaAziz1 @KelseyMedicine @matt_a_crain @clarambosco @LeslieFShang @MikaLumsden @keirajhane @ChrisJMurdock @AubreySwilling @KoriPoRodri @powerMIAup @abbydillaha @megan_e_ward1 @BrookeBurkins @ICanTakeYourHPI @SarahBrnich @ThePriscaO @JoshuaSylvan
@SinmiOpeyemi @MatthewStankard @EmiBarnard @RaiterSimone @Katierose0 @jaime_weber_ @StudentDocJazz @MoriahMurray7 @Rajbanerjee_33 @SarahMerrillms @MadisonBompard @Miriannie_ @BaileyDecoursey @EshwarKishore22 @anjanipatel418 @koreewiller @bowler_elise @parisunshoga @dr_jay125
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