Blog Archives

Quick tip: Be nice on the interview trail

It can be super stressful on the interview trail: You’re worried about your performance and your travel details. Perhaps you haven’t slept much. But I would recommend being at your best with two groups of people you might not have considered:

1. Secretaries/administrative assistants. These people often have tremendous power. When the administrative assistant used to tell us someone was rude to her on the phone we listened and it affected that person’s candidacy. In fact, I even recommend sending thank you notes after interviews to the secretaries, assuming they helped you directly.

2. Other applicants. You will see some of these people again. It may be immediately or in a few years, but remember that one day the candidate who is sitting next to you might be able to help you when you have a scheduling emergency or family issue.

For one-on-one practice for your interviews contact me through InsiderMedicalAdmissions.com . Remember that I am scheduling two to three weeks in advance.

Tags:

Interview Strategies: What (not) to wear

A lot of clients ask me what to wear to medical interviews: Your principal goal is not to get noticed for your clothing at your interview. I would generally recommend avoiding the following:

1. Clothes that are casual. Semi-formal attire is appropriate.
2. Clothes that are goofy. Avoid cartoon ties, outlandish stockings, silly hats.
3. Clothes that are revealing. (Enough said.)
4. Clothes that are uncomfortable. It’s not smart to wear heels that will keep you from focusing on the hospital tour. Avoid the temptation despite the cosmetic appeal.
5. Clothes that don’t fit the weather. Your interviews will be inside, but you may have to travel outside to get from one interviewer to the next.

For individualized help with your interviews please check out http://www.insidermedicaladmissions.com/. See testimonials from my clients’ regarding their enthusiasm with the interview assistance I offer.

Tags:

Med school: A real downer

Granted, my work here is to help candidates get into medical school (and residency and fellowship), but I still think I should point out a heartfelt piece by Pauline Chen, MD in the New York Times about depression and isolation in medical school. It’s worth a look, but be forewarned that it is a downer. I think a lot of MDs – including myself – will agree with her assessment of medical school.

(Happy Halloween!)

Tags:

Quick tip: Social events on the interview trail

Sometimes applicants are invited to a dinner the night before interviews or optional drinks after. I strongly recommend attending these social engagements if you are able. This is your opportunity to demonstrate interest in the institution, gather information you might not get otherwise and highlight your social skills. One caveat: Even if you are told you can say/ask anything at these events without effect on your candidacy keep your guard up and watch what you say and do.

For one-on-one mock interviews contact me at http://www.insidermedicaladmissions.com/ . I am scheduling up to two weeks in advance so please get in touch with me soon.

Tags:

Interview Strategies: Go Carry-On

Here’s another blog entry on interview strategies. Today’s topic is luggage. As boring as it sounds, I want to make the case for going carry-on for two reasons:

1. Cost (on some airlines).

2. You do not want to show up to your interview in shorts. Your interview clothes should be with you at all times. I know of a true story of a residency applicant who came to his interview in jeans and a t-shirt because his luggage was lost. He arrived by plane the morning of the interview (a poor idea), had packed his clothes and – rather than be late – he showed up casual. Although you can explain the dilemma, being flustered and in flip flops is not going to instill confidence in your candidacy. If you were on the committee wouldn’t you worry about this person’s organizational skills and common sense?

For one-on-one mock interviews with copious verbal and written feedback please contact me at insidermedical@gmail.com or see my website www.InsiderMedicalAdmissions.com .

Tags:

About Dr. Michelle Finkel

Dr. Michelle Finkel

Dr. Finkel is a graduate of Stanford University and Harvard Medical School. On completing her residency at Harvard, she was asked to stay on as faculty at Harvard Medical School and spent five years teaching at the world-renowned Massachusetts General Hospital. She was appointed to the Assistant Residency Director position for the Harvard Affiliated Emergency Medicine Residency where she reviewed countless applications, personal statements and resumes. Read more

Receive FREE Insider Medical Admissions Tips.

Listen to Dr. Finkel’s interview on The Visible Voices podcast: 

 

Listen to Dr. Finkel’s interview on the White Coat Investor podcast:

Listen to Dr. Finkel’s interview on the FeminEm podcast: