The Interview

1

• The Interview
• Presented by
• Bobbie Ann Adair White, M.A.
• Coordinator, Learning Resources
• 254-724-6808
• bawhite_at_medicine.tamhsc.edu
• Contributors Bobbie Ann A. White, MA, Prudence
  Zavala, Jenny Cureton, MS

2
Personal Statement
3
Overview

• Preparing for the interview
• Behavioral Questions History
• Preparing for the Behavioral Interview
• First Impressions
• Common Interview Questions
• Dos Donts
• Follow-up

4
Interviewing

• When does the Interview begin end?
• What is the purpose of an interview?
• What should an interview get you?
• The candidate with the most experience gets the
  job, right?

5
Preparing for the Interview.

• Know your CV Personal Statement
• Research the program
• History
• Current Affairs
• Significant Members their specialties/research
• Programs Mission, Vision, Goals
• Prepare your questions
• Practice your answers and stories
• Anticipate the questions that they will ask

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Behavioral Interview Questions
Past Behavior
Future Behavior
Predicts

• Most accurate predictor of future
  behavior/success in a position
• 1970s Industrial Psychologists
• 30 employers
• Preparing for a behavior interview will allow you
  to be more prepared for a traditional interview

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Preparing for the Behavioral Interview

• Know the skill sets the program is looking for
  what it would take to be successful in that
  program.
• Examples
• Leadership
• Team Building/Interpersonal Skills
• Decision Making/Problem Solving Skills
• Motivation
• Communication
• Organization
• Research/Detail Orientation

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Preparing for the Behavioral Interview Cont

• Refresh your memory about your achievements and
  highlights of your academic and work careers
• Think about challenging problems or obstacles you
  faced.
• Demonstrate past behaviors by drawing on
  experiences

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How to Answer Behavioral QuestionsSTAR

• Situation or Task
• Think of a situation or task where the skill was
  utilized
• Action
• Recall the action that you took to resolve the
  situation
• Result
• State the end result
• Sample Behavioral Question Describe a recent
  unpopular decision you made and what the result
  was.
• Wrong way to answer (negatively reflecting on
  you)
• Right way to answer (positively reflecting on you)

10
Its the Night before the Interview, Dont forget

• Bring all information that you might need
• Bring extra CVs
• Map-out drive to the location the night before
• Arrive 10 to 15 minutes early

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First Impressions

• Dont underestimate your presentation
• Handshake
• Eye contact
• Clothing
• Smell
• Etiquette
• Breath
• Portfolio
• Name Tag
• Be patient

Packaging Responsiveness Experience Miscellaneous
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Common Questions Right Answers

• Tell me about yourself
• Why do you want to be a part of this program?

13
Common Questions Right Answers

• What are your long range goals (five years from
  now)?
• Why should we choose you?
• What are your greatest strengths weaknesses?

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Common Questions Right Answers

• Are you thinking of applying for fellowship or
  receiving additional training?
• Do you have any questions for me?

15
Common Behavioral Questions

• Describe the biggest challenge you've had in your
  last rotation and how you handled it.
• Tell me about a situation when you had to learn
  something new in a short time. How did you do
  this?
• Give us an example of a situation in which you
  had to use your leadership skills. How would you
  describe your leadership style?
• Summarize a situation where you had to generate a
  new idea or suggestion at work or school and tell
  me about how you got this idea implemented.
• Tell me about a goal or project that was not
  successful or was rejected.

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Common Behavioral QuestionsCont

• Think about a crisis situation where things got
  out of control. What was your role?
• Recall for me an important project you worked on,
  and tell me about your process from start to
  finish.
• Tell me about a time you had to refrain from
  making a decision because you did not have enough
  information.
• Describe an instance when you had to think on
  your feet.
• -For more questions see the handout-

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Dos

• Research the program
• Dress professionally make eye contact
• Arrive early
• Bring extra copies of your CV with you
• Prepare examples for any questions you anticipate
  being asked
• Ask questions about the program
• Show enthusiasm
• Show flexibility
• Ask for the interviewers business card (helps
  with follow-up)
• Smile and be confident
• Be detailed and specific

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Donts

• Greet your interviewer with a weak handshake
• Forget to take notes during the interview
• Be uncertain in your answers
• Look at your CV for answers-know it!

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Follow Up

• Write a thank you note within 24 hours of your
  interview hand deliver or mail it!
• Personalize the thank you note by using
  information from the interview.

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References/Resources

• http//www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/category/10757.htm
  l
• http//www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/category/6701.html
  
• http//www.med.uiuc.edu/administration/CurricMgt/R
  esidencyInterviews.php
• http//www.rushu.rush.edu/studentlife/career/medin
  t.html

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Questions?

• Want information on Personal Statements CVs?
• See the website for Power Points and Handouts
• Need someone to proofread your CV or Personal
  Statement?
• Contact Bobbie Ann Adair White, MA
  bawhite_at_medicine.tamhsc.edu 254-724-6808
• Good Luck!