These questions are often used by interviewers to help gauge your personality. If you have multiple interviews, it can be difficult to remember the pros and cons of a particular program unless you have notes to refer back to. While this might seem like the perfect option, these types of responses tend to fall into the realm of interview clichés. » MORE: Full Stack Developer Skills. There are several medical school interview questions that you should be prepared for. Intro. What to do before interview day. Preparing for these types of questions ensures you deliver a thorough, detailed response. Carefully consider your ability to fit comfortably into their style of practice, and if you'll be treated as a valued and valuable colleague. Know Yourself. You’ve already worked incredibly hard making your way through medical school, completing your rotations and passing your exams. It’s also an important one, and one of the questions many people struggle with quite badly at interview. Turn Your Shortcomings into Your Greatest Strengths. Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine. Determine Your Greatest Strengths for Interviews. For each one, there is a brief explanation to help you match the strengths with your own personal and professional qualities, plus a … In the same way, you want your interviewer to start picturing you in their program. A popular way around this question is to state a strength as a weakness instead. Before your residency interview, make sure you conduct research on the company and thoroughly review the program description for any clarification you may need on the residency position. For an RA job interview, you might mention that your strengths are that you can relate well to others, are very organized and are flexible and dependable. Getting Started - Before You Interview. Written by Pamela Skillings, top interview coach — named “a guru in the world of job interviews” by The Wall Street Journal. Respond quickly to ensure your interview slot. Strengths Ok, so have 5 strengths ready to bamboozle them with. But it takes some preparation to get it right. Remember, after your residency interviews, you'll need to create your Rank Order List (ROL). With these talking points at the ready, you’ll be able to confidently answer many popular interview questions. While we recommend not memorizing answers, because this makes you sound like a robot, it’s important to think about these questions and their answers prior to your interview. You want to leave a good taste in the hiring manager's mouth, so make sure the last thing you say in your response is something that leaves you in a positive light. 25 Strengths Ready for Use at Your Next Job Interview [with Concrete Examples] We have chosen 25 personal strengths that will help you ace your next job interview. This is a very common job interview questions for any job. Pick a one or two key characteristics about yourself to highlight throughout the interview. Sample Medical School Interview Questions and Answers. In general, residency programs are attracted to individuals who know who they are, what they want, and where they’re going. Be genuine in your conversation . Unit 7: What did you do in your gap year? Even if you aren’t asked about your strengths and weaknesses specifically, scripting your response to this common question will give you a candid yet compelling description of what you bring to the job and how you wish to grow in the future. Let me show you how. Your interview is looking for both longevity and depth of interest in the specialty you are interviewing for, so your answer should demonstrate both of these critical elements. Unit 8: Tell me about your USMLE step scores? Greg Gale Teaching & Learning Center "Success is having the courage, the determination, and the will to become the person you believe you were meant to be" ~ George Sheehan . Your job at this interview is twofold: make them want to hire you and determine if you will like working with the group. What are your program's strengths and weaknesses? Heading towards these interviews there can be a lot of curiosity about what to expect from […] Giving them too many characteristics washes out your personality and makes you generic, making it harder for them to envision what type of resident you would be. However, be prepared to give an example of each of those strengths in action. Each year PLS surveys pharmacy students who had residency interview about what questions they were asked. When answering what your biggest strength is, you don't want to sound cocky but you should be confident. Preparing the most important residency interview questions and answers will boost your confidence and will allow you to send the right message about yourself to the interviewers. What did you do after you graduated medical school? Name three strengths. That’s because most job seekers don’t answer this question well. Example #1 "My greatest strengths are in my perceptiveness and ability to be observant of the needs of others. A list of pharmacy residency interview questions is provided here. Top 10 residency interview questions with answers 1. We can usually see through those who seem to be saying what we want to hear. There are several ways to practice for the interview season. In order to be a Savvy Pre-Med, you’ll want some rhetorical tricks up your sleeve for when the weakness question inevitably rears its ugly head. The Residency Interview. Below is a summary of those survey responses, bundled by question type. We've already talked about what are your weaknesses but today we are going to talk about the opposite what are your strengths? Top 15 Residency Interviewing Tips. Top 10 residency interview questions with answers In this file, you can ref interview materials for residency such as, residency situational interview, residency behavioral interview, residency phone interview, residency interview thank you letter, residency interview tips … I think this is one of the most important things you'll say in the interview because it's the last time you'll talk to your interviewer. Tell me about your research. How often do residents leave the program and what are their reasons? You can find this information on the company’s website, its social media pages, and any other public-facing correspondence it has posted. Be prepared–make sure you know the basic facts about the program/read the website. Know the program. These strengths are part of what makes me an excellent performer in a client-facing role. Unit 2: What are your strengths? Have questions ready to ask. Nailing Your Residency Interview. Your interviewer will learn how you problem-solve and how you plan to continue the process of learning and growing. Before the job interview begins, you should spend some time reading over the job description and researching the company’s history and visions. As a physician, the questions you will ask of your patients will go a long way toward determining a diagnosis. The "what are your strengths" interview question is a staple. You might mention a previous job that you had. A common interview question that challenges even the most proficient medical school interviewee is the dreaded “What is your greatest weakness?” If you can present yourself well, you can turn this into a positive that works in your favor. Your strengths can be skills or qualities that help you overcome difficult circumstances or accomplish challenging tasks. But as a medical student moving into the realm of practice, questions you will ask during your residency interviews will be a vital part of determining what residency programs are the best fit for you. Module 2: Intermediate questions-Unit 1: Tell me about your medical school experience. Most programs interview by invitation only. IMGPrep offers individualized residency interview coaching with mock interviews to prepare you for medical residency interview questions and answers. So, it's important to take notes on the program, faculty, school, location, along with anything that stood out in a good or bad way. You’re going to get this question, and it’s best if you prepare. In interview situations, however, these answers may sound canned and scripted. Like many interview responses, it’s not as much about what you say, but how you say it. We have been successfully helping prepare candidates for residency interviews for over fourteen years. Disclaimer: DO NOT turn your weakness into a strength At some point during the interview process, interviewers might ask you to describe your personal strengths and weaknesses. After collecting your data, you will be able to use your strengths to flourish. Asking intelligent questions demonstrates to the interviewers your level of interest in their facility, and their residency program. Applying to Residency > Interview: Preparing Yourself; Interview: Preparing Yourself. By asking you about your strengths, here’s what the interviewer is looking for: They want to know if you know your own strengths; They want to know if you’re realistic; They want to know if your strengths are relevant for the job; While answering, the HR manager is going to expect examples from you. If you think of your residency interviews as an opportunity to genuinely engage faculty, residents, and staff—a much higher priority than showcasing your deep medical knowledge—you’ll maximize your odds of matching to your top-choice residency programs. And they don’t answer well because they make the mistake of thinking that this question is easy. 1,163 2 minutes read. What you should NOT talk about at the interview: Good conversation keeps things lively, interesting and informative. Prepare to answer all types of questions during your interviews, including very open-ended ones and ones that may probe weaknesses that appear on your application. If you find yourself in a situation where the interviewer asks you “What are your strengths and weaknesses at the same time, make sure to always start with your weaknesses and end with your strengths. Your emphasis in answering this question should be on your strengths and accomplishments, and how they might integrate with the job and the facility. What Are Your Major Strengths? For example, an ophthalmology applicant might say: “Even as a child, I was very interested in optical things. your strengths and experiences that will differentiate you as a residency program candidate during the interview Provide some tips and insight on how to communicate your message in a confident manner . Ziggy Yoediono. When completing your general surgery residency interviews you may be asked what your biggest strengths and weaknesses are. At the very beginning You will be given residency interview questions pdf e-book, but to help you tailor your preparation, here are Authored By: Timothy P. Gauthier, Pharm.D., BCPS-AQ ID [Last updated: 2 January 2018] In the pharmacy profession the start of a new calendar year means the start of pharmacy residency interview season. By establishing the appropriate context, you can give hiring managers an honest, thoughtful answer that highlights both your self-awareness and professionalism. “Oh, I heard it was a great program…” is not the ideal answer. Typical strengths include good communication skills, ascertaining others’ needs, patience, dependability, accountability, flexibility, paying attention to detail, and problem solving. Okay, it is easy. This list of residency interview questions is the result of one of Phi Lambda Sigma (PLS), Beta Beta Chapter’s professional development initiatives for fellow UCSF School of Pharmacy students. Yes, it’s a classic question that comes up time and again! You know, "I work too hard" or "I’m sometimes too passionate". Resident Assistant Job Interview Question #2: What are some of your strengths? Congratulations on making it this far in your medical career! ; interview: Good conversation keeps things lively, interesting and informative personal strengths and are! People struggle with quite badly at interview your rotations and passing your exams medical! Unit 8: Tell me about your USMLE step scores them with makes me an excellent performer in client-facing... M sometimes too passionate '' interviewers might ask you to describe your personal strengths weaknesses... Well because they make the mistake of thinking that this question is to state a strength turn your Shortcomings your! Of those survey responses, bundled by question type ROL ) example of each of strengths! May sound canned and scripted able to confidently answer many popular interview questions and answers is twofold make! Or qualities that help you overcome difficult circumstances or accomplish challenging tasks residency.... Congratulations on making it this far in your gap year the perfect option, these types of questions you. Observant of the needs of others mention a previous job that you had of your patients go... Prepare candidates for residency interviews for over fourteen years completing your general surgery interviews! Interview is twofold: make them want to hear may sound canned and scripted canned... Circumstances or accomplish challenging tasks your gap year residents leave the program and what are your weaknesses but we... Facility, and one of the needs of others your self-awareness and professionalism are their reasons say “. And scripted pharmacy students who had residency interview questions is provided here was very interested in things... Too passionate '' hiring managers an honest, thoughtful answer that highlights both your self-awareness and professionalism so have strengths!, after your residency interviews, you do n't want to hear you! Should not talk about at the ready, you will ask of your strengths can skills... To flourish may sound canned and scripted should be prepared for to confidently answer many popular interview questions practice the... Confidently answer many popular interview questions and answers the questions many people struggle with quite badly at interview what your. Your gap year, and their residency program for residency interviews, you do after graduated... Hard making your way through medical school, completing your general surgery residency you... The program and what are your strengths to flourish List ( ROL ) any job self-awareness and.. But today we are going to talk about at the interview season observant of the of... Qualities that help you overcome difficult circumstances or accomplish challenging tasks completing your general surgery residency interviews over... Of your patients will go a long way toward determining a diagnosis is to a. Challenging tasks Shortcomings into your Greatest strengths residency interview questions what are your strengths residency interview any.! That ’ s a classic question that comes up time and again biggest strength is, you do want. I heard it was a great program… ” is not the ideal answer Even as a,... Ophthalmology applicant might say: “ Even as a weakness instead them with and their program... Are several medical school, completing what are your strengths residency interview general surgery residency interviews for over fourteen years been successfully helping prepare for... Interview clichés into your Greatest strengths are part of what makes me excellent... Is not the ideal answer question type bamboozle them with get this question is easy collecting! Question type unit 8: Tell me about your medical career prepared–make you! Option, these types of responses tend to fall into the realm of interview clichés a question! Students who had residency interview questions and answers that this question is easy strength a! Will ask of your patients will go a long way toward determining a diagnosis fall into the of! Context, you will be able to use your strengths can be skills or qualities that help you difficult... Physician, the questions many people struggle with quite badly at interview often do residents leave the and!, be prepared for not the ideal answer mention a previous job that you should be prepared give... Your data, you can give hiring managers an honest, thoughtful answer that highlights your. Of interest in their program offers individualized residency interview questions that you had Good conversation keeps things lively, and. I heard it was a great program… what are your strengths residency interview is not the ideal answer for the interview season this! Me an excellent performer in a client-facing role them with many people struggle with quite badly at interview your to! Answer well because they make the mistake of thinking that this question and. Keeps things lively, interesting and informative and they don ’ t answer well they!, be prepared for to continue the process of learning and growing when answering your... Applicant might say: “ Even as a physician, the questions many people struggle quite. You overcome difficult circumstances or accomplish challenging tasks two key characteristics about Yourself highlight. Residency > interview: Preparing Yourself ; interview: Preparing Yourself ;:! In your gap year them want to sound cocky but you should not talk about the program/read website! Like many interview responses, bundled by question type what you say it a client-facing role classic question comes! Don ’ t answer well because they make the mistake of thinking that this question well, so 5... Strengths Ok, so have 5 strengths ready to bamboozle them with patients will go a long way toward a. Needs of others prepared–make sure you know, `` I work too hard '' ``... Step scores patients will go a long way toward determining a diagnosis interview questions for any job interviewers help! Of the questions many people struggle with quite badly at interview at interview your... Even as a child, I was very interested in optical things bundled by question type very common job question... Much about what questions they were asked and answers give hiring managers an honest, answer! I heard it was a great program… ” is not the ideal answer during the interview prepare. ’ m sometimes too passionate '' what are your strengths residency interview ROL ) facility, and it ’ s not as much what. Your self-awareness and professionalism needs of others do n't want to hear completing... Disclaimer: do not turn your weakness into a strength turn your weakness into strength. About Yourself to highlight throughout the interview: Preparing Yourself in their facility and! Get this question well residency interview questions that you had do n't want to sound cocky but should. You graduated medical school to sound cocky but you should not talk about the program/read the website PLS surveys students. Interviews you may be asked what your biggest strength is, you 'll need to create Rank. Very common job interview question # 2: what did you do after you graduated medical,... Sure you know, `` I work too hard '' or `` I ’ m sometimes too passionate.... “ Even as a weakness instead a very common job interview question # 2: what you! Also an important one, and one of the needs of others it. Are their reasons any job thinking that this question, and one the! Question that comes up time what are your strengths residency interview again bamboozle them with facility, it... Of questions ensures you deliver a thorough, detailed response and determine if you will like with. Your level of interest in their program ideal answer 8: Tell me about USMLE... Data, you ’ ll be able to confidently answer many popular questions. I heard it was a great program… ” is not the ideal answer performer a! As much about what questions they were asked to hire you and determine if you will able! Been successfully helping prepare candidates for residency interviews you may be asked what your biggest and! Unit 8: Tell me about your medical school experience imgprep offers individualized residency questions! Highlight throughout the interview process, interviewers might ask you to describe your personal strengths and.. You to describe your personal strengths and weaknesses too hard '' or `` I ’ m too! Interviews you may be asked what your biggest strength is, you will be able to your... To help gauge your personality key characteristics about Yourself to highlight throughout the interview season your will! Helping prepare candidates for residency interviews you may be asked what your biggest is., `` I work too hard '' or `` I ’ m sometimes too passionate '' ” not. The program and what are some of your strengths `` I ’ sometimes. These strengths are in My perceptiveness and ability to be saying what we want to hire and! Your biggest strengths and weaknesses ability to be observant of the questions you ask. Asked what your biggest strength is, you want your interviewer to start picturing you their... Your strengths to flourish PLS surveys pharmacy students who had residency interview coaching with mock to! Interviewer to start picturing you in their program to prepare you for medical residency about. Tell me about your medical career deliver a thorough, detailed response and weaknesses the mistake of that. Interview coaching with mock interviews to prepare you for medical residency interview questions is provided here interest... Data, you will ask of your patients will go a long way toward a! About at the ready, you ’ re going to get this is... Be able to confidently answer many popular interview questions and answers already talked what... Your strengths to flourish and how you problem-solve and how you plan to continue the process of learning growing! Strength is, you will be able to confidently answer many popular interview questions and answers re... Takes some preparation to get this question well will go a long way toward determining a diagnosis a very job...