interviewing
The best advice I ever received regarding interviews was from one of my professors in college, who said, “Don’t miss the questions you’re supposed to get right.” It’s such obvious and yet brilliant advice. In my experience, I would say that everyone knows this without anyone saying it to them, but almost no one really prepares this way. Probably because the questions we are supposed to get right regard subjects that are so close to us, we don’t feel as unprepared regarding these topics compared to others. But after having gone through a number of interviews, both as an interviewer and interviewee, there is nothing worse than someone who blows a question that he/she should nail. For those interviewing for medical school, graduate school, MD/PhD programs, or residency programs: based on numerous discussions I’ve had with others as well as on my own experiences, I would suggest to absolutely know the following backwards and forwards:
1) Why you are pursuing that particular career choice.
2) If you did research, be able to describe it and its significance. A lot of people get caught up on this one because they worry about knowing all of the scientific literature regarding their work as well. It is true that a command of literature is impressive, but a discussion of the literature comes up much less frequently than a substantiative discussion of what *you actually did* and how it contributes to that scientific field. Know the limitations of your work and implications of your results. Pretty much demonstrate that you have thought long and hard about what you have done. If you want to cover yourself for 99.9% of your encounters, simply be aware of the general trend of reports in the scientific literature regarding the problem you are addressing as well as any work that contradicts yours.
3) Have an idea of where you see yourself in 10 yrs time. No one will obviously hold you to this, but at least show that you have thought about this–also demonstrating that you take your career/future seriously, proceeding forward with a plan to reach an objective. One tip from experience: at the same time, express your willingness and openness to new experiences and thoughts as well as an understanding that future plans are simply future plans–they are tentative and may change as you change through your experiences.
4) Know why you have applied to and are interviewing at that particular lab, institution or program. At least have something non-specifically nice to say!
You will get asked a lot of questions. Some easy, some hard. Some will have cold, hard answers and some are open-ended, meant to gauge “you”. Fess up when you don’t know but always try to reason out an answer. Explain your reasoning as you talk. And again, maintain an open-mind–demonstrate that you can see multiple perspectives (when there are multiple perspectives).
These are obviously all suggestions, gleaned from my own experiences and those of others. As I am now interviewing for residency, I too am preparing in this way. If nothing else, heed that timeless advice: don’t miss the questions you’re supposed to get right.
