Nail your Residency Interview.
Perhaps you have been dreaming of landing that big-name radiology residency slot since you were 5 years old, maybe you simply want to stay around your hometown to complete your medical training, or most likely, you find yourself somewhere between the two extremes. Regardless of your particular situation, you most certainly want to nail your residency interviews. From Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) applications to business suits to scheduling flights, the following tips should help streamline the process and make your life much easier.
Instructions
1. Apply broadly. The first step to nailing your radiology residency interview is getting the interview. No matter how competitive you feel, apply to at least 25 to 30 programs. Increase that number to 30 to 35 programs, if you are participating in the couples match, or if you have a particularly weak aspect to your application (i.e., a low board score, lack of research, or class rank in the lower half of the class). Those resume components do not mean you will not match. They simply mean you need to cast a wider net.
2. Submit your application on September 1 of the year you plan to apply. This is the first day you can submit, and to make sure you are as competitive as possible, it is best to release your ERAS application on this day. Do not worry if all of your letters of recommendation are not in at this point. They can be added later.
3. Accept every interview you are offered until you meet your goal number. For individuals, as well as couples, 10 to 15 interviews is an excellent goal for radiology applicants. More competitive specialties, such as dermatology, might require more interviews, and less competitive specialties, such as internal medicine, might require less. However, for radiology residency applicants, 10 to 15 interviews will most likely result in a successful match.
4. Schedule your interview the same day you receive an invitation. Most invitations now are sent via email, so check this repeatedly throughout the day during mid-to-late September through January of the year you apply. These are the months when most interview invitations will be sent. If you are not prompt with your reply, you might lose the invite. There are some programs that offer more invites than they have interview spots, so first come equals first serve. Bottom line, email back within an hour or two.
5. Keep a planner. Write down your interview dates, interview day itineraries, and travel plans as soon as you know them. Just because you have an interview scheduled for Friday does not mean you can take another interview on Thursday. Evaluate travel distance and whether or not programs will be hosting a dinner the night before the interview. Most programs will have a dinner either the night before the interview or the evening of the interview. Certainly, if travel precludes you from attending, it does not mean you will not match. However, if you are making the time, money and energy investment to interview at a program, why not attend? It certainly cannot hurt.
6. Make your travel plans as soon as you schedule your interview. Flights are cheaper the further out you book them, and most programs will suggest a hotel near the hospital with student discounts. Those hotel rooms can fill up, so be sure you are one of the applicants doing the filling.
7. Wear a black suit. Whether male or female, wear a black, conservative suit. For males, a white shirt with a nondescript tie is best. For females, slacks or a knee-length skirt is appropriate with a simple blouse. The goal is not to attract attention to your clothing on the interview day. You want to showcase other assets, namely your excellent resume and interview skills. Ladies, if you feel the need, wear jewelry, but it is not necessary. If you do choose to wear it, keep it simple, clean, and professional.
8. Arrive early to the interview. If you will be driving, map out your route the night before and allow for excessive traffic, especially if you do not know the area. If you are taking a hotel shuttle, make sure you know the designated pick-up area and time.
9. Smile, be polite, and make a point to engage in conversation throughout your interview day. Hopefully, this will not be difficult, but even if it does seem exhausting for you, it pays off to exert the extra effort. You will be nervous, but your goal is not only to allow the program to interview you, but for you to interview them. Engage the residents. See if you have things in common. Try to get a feel for what it would be like to work in that environment. Notice whether or not you feel comfortable or awkward during the day. It is easier to do that when you are actively conversing with others in the program, both residents and faculty.
10. Look your faculty interviewer in the eye. Speak slowly and think about questions before immediately answering. Also, particularly during your interview with the program director, convey your interest level in the program. If you really want to match at that program, tell him. If you plan to rank that program number one, tell him. However, do not lie. Be honest, sincere and open within reason. If you decide you are not interested in a program, be tactful and refrain from negative comments.
11. Make friends with the program coordinator. He or she is your gateway into that program. Never minimize how helpful (or hurtful) a program coordinator can be during the interview process.
12. Send thank you notes. Handwritten notes are best, so be sure to obtain a mailing address before you leave the program. If you forget to do this, you will likely be able to find it online. However, this does take extra time. Send thank you notes to all your interviewers, including residents, as well as the program coordinator. You will be glad you did.
13. Relax and enjoy the process. Compared to other residency applicants, you will likely have one of the more benign interview experiences.
Tags: your interview, night before, program coordinator, programs will, radiology residency
