It’s interview time! Good luck to
everyone! Here’s a few pieces of advice to think about as you journey towards
the big day.
- It all begins with the Perfect
Suit. Without the Perfect Suit, it is harder to feel confident, comfortable and
professional the Day Of. I brought my mom shopping with me and we did not rest
until we had found an attractive, classy, mom-approved suit that made me feel
like I could stomp it out on the interview runway. By “attractive,” I mean that
it was modest, fashionable and fit well. The Perfect Suit is not a short skirt
and a cleavage baring top; nor is it hemmed too short and paired with your
father’s paisley tie from 1972. By all means, show your personality but above
all, be professional and you will be confident!
- It is so important to be a
proficient communicator. I recommend running through pretend scenarios in your
mind the weeks before the interview. Practice your responses in front of the
mirror. Note the way you look when you speak. Do you maintain adequate eye
contact? Do you smile? Is your voice the appropriate volume and tone? Do you
hum and haw a lot? Is your response well structured? Is it easy to follow? Do
you explain your thought process and rationale clearly?
- At the beginning of the
interview, I began to feel quite unwell. And then I got the oddest sense of vertigo.
I felt like I might fall down and start writhing in pain before I had even
begun! But I pushed through and got accepted even though I felt, physically,
miserable. So expect the unexpected the Day Of but don’t let that shatter your
confidence.
- You will be nervous. That is
normal. Make sure you do your deep breathing and drink water. I also recommend
a suit jacket to hide the pit stains of agony which will slowly blossom to the
size of dinner plates through the course of your interview.
- I became most nervous when I
first encountered the other potential applicants, a sea of black suits. It may
be intimidating but do not be afraid. They are just as nervous as you. Many of
them may be your potential classmates. Think of them as your future friends,
not your competition.
- Talk to the students who go to
the school. They will probably be nice and chatting with them may set you at
ease.
- Be professional even when you
are not being directly interviewed. People are still watching you.
Professionalism is key in medicine.
- I have the urge to finish this
post by telling you to “have fun” and “be yourself” – both of which are very
true. But basically, I think the best piece of advice I could give you is to
know yourself and to allow others (especially the people interviewing you!) to
know you. Be transparent, be easy, be comfortable.
Let me know how it goes!
Xoxo
MD
