Skip to content
  • About
  • Contact
  • Contribute
  • Book
  • Careers
  • Podcast
  • Recommended
  • Speaking
  • All
  • Physician
  • Practice
  • Policy
  • Finance
  • Conditions
  • .edu
  • Patient
  • Meds
  • Tech
  • Social
  • Video
    • All
    • Physician
    • Practice
    • Policy
    • Finance
    • Conditions
    • .edu
    • Patient
    • Meds
    • Tech
    • Social
    • Video
    • About
    • Contact
    • Contribute
    • Book
    • Careers
    • Podcast
    • Recommended
    • Speaking

8 tips to land the residency of your dreams

Cory Fawcett, MD and Eric Brown
Education
November 9, 2018
437 Shares
Share
Tweet
Share

After countless hours of hard work and three demanding years of medical school, it’s now time to face the spotlight! If your interview invites have started rolling in and you are feeling intimidated by the thought, follow these tips to land your first choice of clinical residency.

1. Be prompt with your responses to interview invites 

Be sure to set your inbox to automatically refresh every hour during the interview season so you don’t miss out on the interview dates because most residency programs have multiple interview slots that are taken up quickly. You also need to make sure your interview dates don’t clash with other events so know the schedule in advance and plan accordingly.

2. Prepare in advance for different types of interviews

Different types of interviews need different preparations. For instance, if you are preparing for an in-person medical residency interview you can do a mock session with a mentor so you are all ready to answer comfortably and confidently in your face-to-face interview.

When preparing for a video interview, you would need to ensure that you are in a quiet, clutter-free space and wearing the right attire. Also, make sure that the backdrop is absolutely distraction-free, and finally test your webcam and microphone so you know they work and there are no last minute surprises.

Lastly, if you are prepping for a phone interview, do your homework just as you would for a face-to-face interview. You should be able to confidently discuss your strengths and skills during a telephonic conversation so keep your resume handy if you need to refer to it during the interview. You may also be asked about deficiencies in your application, whether it is a poor grade, a gap in your educational history or a course you may have repeated to see how you respond under pressure. So, be prepared to give an honest explanation that elaborates on what you learned from the experience without making it apparent that your answer is rehearsed.

3. Rehearse your elevator pitch

Once all the pleasantries are taken care of, you are most likely to be asked one question, “Tell me something about yourself”?

So, make sure you leave a lasting impact with a well-rehearsed pitch that efficiently highlights your clinical skills and experience while also mentioning important personal facts like your interests, hometown, and your accomplishments.

4. Conduct a mock interview with behavioral questions 

This is a medical residency interview so you can expect that you will be bombarded with a ton of questions. Even though you may be well-prepared inside-out, behavioral questions often make even the best of candidates fumble. When faced with such questions, it is best to describe the situation in detail followed by your course of action and the outcome. The most commonly asked behavioral questions are:

  • Tell me about a difficult time where you managed to work efficiently under pressure.
  • Describe a demanding situation during medical school and also how you managed it.
  • A mistake that you made at medical school and how you handled it.
  • Explain how you would deal with a colleague who is not doing his/her share of work.

5. Ask questions to leave a lasting first impression

At the end of your clinical residency interview, you are likely to be asked, “Do you have any questions?”

Just the way you set the stage at the start of the interview with your well-prepared pitch, this is your final chance to make an impact or change the perception of the interviewer if you felt that things did not go in your favor so far.

6. Know the format and think through the structure

You should be receiving an agenda prior to your clinical residency interview where you will be given all the details regarding who will be on the interview panel, if there are one or more interviews and if current residents are also participating in this interview. When you know how the interview will be conducted, you would be in a better position to think through the arrangement and sound confident even if you are in a room with 20 people.

7. Prepare a list of commonly asked questions and be ready to deliver impressive answers

There are certain questions that are asked in every medical residency interview regardless of where you interview or who the chairperson is. Write out your answers to common questions like: why did you opt for this residency program, how will you be an asset, how will you handle disagreements, what are your strengths and weaknesses or what is the last book you read?

8. Use your strengths to stand out

If you have compelling clinical skills, find a way to share them. Even if you have a hobby or an accomplishment that may add value to your residency program, talk about it. This is your chance to shine so flaunt whatever it is that makes you unique and leave an impression on the interviewer’s mind.

Cory Fawcett is a general surgeon and can be reached at his self-titled site, Dr. Cory S. Fawcett.  He is the author of The Doctors Guide to Starting Your Practice Right, The Doctors Guide to Eliminating Debt, and The Doctors Guide to Smart Career Alternatives and Retirement. Eric Brown is a standardized patient and adviser, New York Clinical Skills Prep.

Image credit: Shutterstock.com

Prev

You can measure the pulse of a hospital by its coffee shop

November 9, 2018 Kevin 1
…
Next

Slow thinking and machine learning in medicine

November 9, 2018 Kevin 0
…

Tagged as: Hospital-Based Medicine, Medical school, Residency

Post navigation

< Previous Post
You can measure the pulse of a hospital by its coffee shop
Next Post >
Slow thinking and machine learning in medicine

Related Posts

  • 4 essential tips for residency interviews

    Vivy Tran, MD
  • 12 tips to help you survive residency

    Priyanka Jain, MD
  • 10 tips for surviving and thriving throughout your partner’s residency

    Nashira Pearl
  • Residency training, and training in residency

    Michelle Meyer, MD
  • This residency interview season: Be the rebel

    Bryan Pardo, MD
  • It goes without saying: a residency interview

    Liana Meffert

More in Education

  • The secret to success in medical school: self-awareness and courage

    Kaelor Gordon
  • Is mandating pre-medical training widening disparities in the U.S. physician workforce?

    Deepak Gupta, MD and Sarwan Kumar, MD
  • Equalizing the future of medical residencies: standardizing work hours and wages

    Deepak Gupta, MD and Sarwan Kumar, MD
  • From studying to baby kicks: Navigating motherhood in medical school

    Natalie Eichner-Seitz
  • The power of advocacy: a medical student’s journey to helping an uninsured immigrant

    Fabiola Plaza
  • From AI to love: the key to a better future in medical education

    Stevan Walkowski, DO
  • Most Popular

  • Past Week

    • The real cause of America’s opioid crisis: Doctors are not to blame

      Richard A. Lawhern, PhD | Meds
    • Healing the damaged nurse-physician dynamic

      Angel J. Mena, MD and Ali Morin, MSN, RN | Policy
    • The struggle to fill emergency medicine residency spots: Exploring the factors behind the unfilled match

      Katrina Gipson, MD, MPH | Physician
    • Breaking the stigma: Addressing the struggles of physicians

      Jean Antonucci, MD | Physician
    • Beyond the disease: the power of empathy in health care

      Nana Dadzie Ghansah, MD | Physician
    • Deaths of despair: an urgent call for a collective response to the crisis in U.S. life expectancy

      Mohammed Umer Waris, MD | Policy
  • Past 6 Months

    • The hidden dangers of the Nebraska Heartbeat Act

      Meghan Sheehan, MD | Policy
    • The real cause of America’s opioid crisis: Doctors are not to blame

      Richard A. Lawhern, PhD | Meds
    • Nobody wants this job. Should physicians stick around?

      Katie Klingberg, MD | Physician
    • The fight for reproductive health: Why medication abortion matters

      Catherine Hennessey, MD | Physician
    • The vital importance of climate change education in medical schools

      Helen Kim, MD | Policy
    • Resetting the doctor-patient relationship: Navigating the challenges of modern primary care

      Jeffrey H. Millstein, MD | Physician
  • Recent Posts

    • Why it’s time to question medical traditions [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • The hidden gems of health care: Unlocking the potential of narrative medicine

      Dr. Najat Fadlallah | Physician
    • The realities of immigrant health care served hot from America’s melting pot

      Stella Cho | Policy
    • The dark side of immortality: What if we could live forever?

      Ketan Desai, MD, PhD | Physician
    • Lazarus: the dead man brought back to life

      William Lynes, MD | Conditions
    • Revolutionizing COPD management with virtual care solutions [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast

Subscribe to KevinMD and never miss a story!

Get free updates delivered free to your inbox.


Find jobs at
Careers by KevinMD.com

Search thousands of physician, PA, NP, and CRNA jobs now.

Learn more

View 4 Comments >

Founded in 2004 by Kevin Pho, MD, KevinMD.com is the web’s leading platform where physicians, advanced practitioners, nurses, medical students, and patients share their insight and tell their stories.

Social

  • Like on Facebook
  • Follow on Twitter
  • Connect on Linkedin
  • Subscribe on Youtube
  • Instagram

CME Spotlights

From MedPage Today

Latest News

  • Doc Moms, Mind the Gap -- $3M Earning Difference by Sex
  • Clinical Note Writing App Powered by GPT-4 Set to Debut This Year
  • Helping Patients Get Fit -- One Walk at a Time
  • TB Cases Rebound to Near Pre-Pandemic Levels, CDC Data Show
  • Marginalized Groups May Benefit More From Decreasing Air Pollution

Meeting Coverage

  • Switch to IL-23 Blocker Yields Deep Responses in Recalcitrant Plaque Psoriasis
  • Biomarkers of Response With Enfortumab Vedotin in Advanced Urothelial Cancer
  • At-Home Topical Therapy for Molluscum Contagiosum Gets High Marks
  • Outlook for Itchy Prurigo Nodularis Continues to Improve With IL-31 Antagonist
  • AAAAI President Shares Highlights From the 2023 Meeting
  • Most Popular

  • Past Week

    • The real cause of America’s opioid crisis: Doctors are not to blame

      Richard A. Lawhern, PhD | Meds
    • Healing the damaged nurse-physician dynamic

      Angel J. Mena, MD and Ali Morin, MSN, RN | Policy
    • The struggle to fill emergency medicine residency spots: Exploring the factors behind the unfilled match

      Katrina Gipson, MD, MPH | Physician
    • Breaking the stigma: Addressing the struggles of physicians

      Jean Antonucci, MD | Physician
    • Beyond the disease: the power of empathy in health care

      Nana Dadzie Ghansah, MD | Physician
    • Deaths of despair: an urgent call for a collective response to the crisis in U.S. life expectancy

      Mohammed Umer Waris, MD | Policy
  • Past 6 Months

    • The hidden dangers of the Nebraska Heartbeat Act

      Meghan Sheehan, MD | Policy
    • The real cause of America’s opioid crisis: Doctors are not to blame

      Richard A. Lawhern, PhD | Meds
    • Nobody wants this job. Should physicians stick around?

      Katie Klingberg, MD | Physician
    • The fight for reproductive health: Why medication abortion matters

      Catherine Hennessey, MD | Physician
    • The vital importance of climate change education in medical schools

      Helen Kim, MD | Policy
    • Resetting the doctor-patient relationship: Navigating the challenges of modern primary care

      Jeffrey H. Millstein, MD | Physician
  • Recent Posts

    • Why it’s time to question medical traditions [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • The hidden gems of health care: Unlocking the potential of narrative medicine

      Dr. Najat Fadlallah | Physician
    • The realities of immigrant health care served hot from America’s melting pot

      Stella Cho | Policy
    • The dark side of immortality: What if we could live forever?

      Ketan Desai, MD, PhD | Physician
    • Lazarus: the dead man brought back to life

      William Lynes, MD | Conditions
    • Revolutionizing COPD management with virtual care solutions [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast

MedPage Today Professional

An Everyday Health Property Medpage Today iMedicalApps
  • Terms of Use | Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • DMCA Policy
All Content © KevinMD, LLC
Site by Outthink Group

8 tips to land the residency of your dreams
4 comments

Comments are moderated before they are published. Please read the comment policy.

Loading Comments...