Why pediatrics residency interview question

Do residents have dedicated time for research projects and continuing education, as well as studying for board exams? Most residency interviews are traditional one on one interviews or panel interviews — where two or more interviewers are asking questions. With this said, MMI interviews are becoming increasingly popular and are commonly used for larger programs with more residency spots such as internal medicine and family medicine.

It's a good idea to bring a few extra copies of your CV in a folder as well as a notepad and a pen for taking notes afterward. Avoid bringing your luggage. Not only does it look unprofessional, but you'll be doing a lot of walking around and meeting people, you don't want to have to drag your luggage around all day. If you're catching your flight the same day as your interview, put your luggage in storage or ask your hotel to store it for you until after the interview.

Note that programs know a lot of travel is involved during interview season and they may have indicated a secure place where your luggage can be stored during your interview. Be sure to verify whether or not this is available before your interview.

If you have to cancel your interview due to unforeseeable circumstances, ensure that you cancel as soon as possible so that program directors can offer your spot to another applicant. Obviously, canceling last minute does not reflect well on you and at no point should you fail to show up on interview day, unless an emergency situation has come up. If you have to cancel on the day of your interview, ensure that you call the program to let them know.

X, my name is A and I am an applicant to your family medicine program. I apologize for this last-minute notification and I would not cancel unless it was an emergency. If it is possible to reschedule my interview, please let me know of an alternate date and time. I look forward to giving my best and showing my interest in your program.

It is so important to make an excellent first and last impression because this is what interviewers will remember the most.

May I have your name? B, for taking the time to interview me today. It was a pleasure speaking with you. Some programs prefer to let their applicant take the lead, this is especially true of MMIs. So, you can certainly instigate if you prefer shaking hands.

Obviously, on a panel or traditional interview, if the interviewer sticks out their hand, it is unprofessional to not shake it.

So, go ahead and do so if they offer. Personal, program-based, scenario, and policy questions are the most common types of residency interview questions. If you would like to see more common residency interview questions, you can check out our list of CaRMS interview questions.

If you are asked a quirky question, such as what kind of superhero would you be, or to perform a task you weren't expecting, the first step is to stay calm. Take a moment and don't be afraid to ask for one out loud to give yourself a chance to come up with an approach. When answering a quirky question, be sure to display an aspect of your personality. So, if you say the liver, tie that back to how resilient you are by giving an example.

To answer a task-based question, take a systematic approach. Solving the problem is usually less important than explaining why you are choosing to take certain steps and being clear in your actions. For example, if you are asked to build a Lego model, again, the goal is not accomplishing the task, but first clarifying the end goal and making a plan of manageable steps to get there, then tackling each step one by one.

If you are applying to residency programs in Canada, be sure to review our ultimate CaRMS interview prep guide. Firstly, feeling stressed is normal. Acknowledge that these are normal feelings for high-stakes interviews! In the long-term, preparation and strategy are essential. Ensure that you are practicing effectively by taking part in realistic mock interviews with expert personalized feedback.

Next, approach your practice in manageable chunks, instead of doing endless hours each day and burning yourself out. Lastly, exercise, eating right, and sleeping well are essential for managing stress.

For short term stress management the day before and day of, make sure that you check out the campus if you have never been so you know where to go for your interview. Get a good night's sleep the night before and be sure to arrive at least 30 minutes early to allow time for parking and navigating to your interview room.

If you're feeling nervous outside of the interview room, try these relaxation tips:. You should practice out loud, ideally using a realistic simulation — so it should be timed, should replicate actual interview conditions and you should dress appropriately. It's also smart to receive feedback from an objective, knowledgeable professional so you know what you did well and what to improve, otherwise, you risk cementing bad habits. Filler words are common in day-to-day speech. First, become aware of what your filler word is um, uh, like, so, you know, etc.

Next, work to eliminate these from your day-to-day speech by taking a brief pause instead of saying the filler word, and then continue with the rest of your sentence.

You can monitor your filler word use by recording your answers and watching them back; count how many filler words you use per answer and work to cut that number down gradually. Always remember to prioritize quality over quantity. For traditional or panel interviews, anywhere from minutes may be appropriate, depending on the question.

Again, having a concise but well-organized answer is key. Veena Netrakanti is a senior admissions expert at BeMo. Netrakanti attended the University of Alberta for her undergraduate studies and the University of Calgary for medical school. Throughout her training, she participated in volunteer programs that allowed her to tutor and mentor students of all ages.

Veena is currently a practicing family physician. Anything we didn't cover? Have a question? Weekly draws! Medical residency interview tips, strategies and sample residency interview questions. Blog Resources Scholarship. Blog Residency Interview. Updated: Oct 07, Article Contents. What do you do for fun?

Why should we choose you? Do you have any questions for me? How many emails are in your inbox? The last time you got mad. Tell us about yourself. Why do you pursue X? Why join our program? What differentiates you? I wrote on my essay that I dream of working with children once I earn my degree, and I still have this dream, because I feel that I can communicate better with children then with adults, especially children younger than six. Having said that, I am just starting my studies.

Without a doubt I will meet many interesting people at med school, from both ranks of students and teachers. We will see what happens, but I am extremely excited about the journey ahead of me.

Considering my strengths , however, as well as my weaknesses, I came to a conclusion that a job of a pediatrician is the best match to my personality, strengths, and expectations. I was lucky enough to get clinical practice in different wards of the hospital, and I shadowed various medical professionals during their typical day at work. It helped me to make the decision, and I am convinced that I want to work as a pediatrician for decades to come.

It would be a dream come true to get this job with your clinic. To be honest, we have to look back to my childhood to find the roots of my career choice. I have had my share of medical issues over the years, especially at elementary school. Problems with breathing, allergies, even some mental issues. And I was extremely fortunate to visit the doctors I did visit. They not only helped me to treat some of the issues I experienced, and even cure my mental problems.

They also treated me nicely , encouraged me to fight for a better future, and overall they had a positive impact on my life. My personal experience with pediatric care motivated me to pursue a career of a pediatrician. I also want to make such a positive difference in lives of children , following my role models. My career counselor recommended me this choice. To be honest—and I do not want to sound cocky— with my GPA and abilities I could pursue any career path.

And I also find many areas interesting, both within healthcare and outside of it. She let me complete some personality tests , and asked me a lot of questions. We discussed my expectations on my future, my dreams and also my worries. After several sessions spent together, we came to a conclusion that a career of a pediatrician is the best path for me to follow , considering my strengths, personality, and expectations I have on life. I do not know how much you know about the place, but people experience a lot of issues, and healthcare for children is almost non-existent in many areas.

Perceived commitment to specialty and relevant experiences Residency personal statement , medical student CV. Evidence of professionalism in collaborative settings ERAS letters of recommendation. Programs look for evidence of the following through your interview. This is arguably as important for interacting with staff, nurses, and colleagues as it is for interacting with patients. Nobody wants to work with someone whose ego or self-consciousness makes day-to-day work a slog, especially not during residency, which is demanding enough without contending with fraught social dynamics.

That you are as polished in person as you convey through your applications. Plus, committees are not only hiring an apprentice to learn in their program—they are hiring a colleague whose personality must complement those of their existing team.

These three pieces of information highlight two powerful insights about how to think about and approach the residency interview process:. You should pay significant attention to how you answer questions and interact with interviewers and other school staff. However, poor first impressions are difficult to overcome, no matter how well you answer interview questions.

Upon receiving an interview invitation, respond immediately. If you want to secure your spot, call or email the coordinator as soon as possible to schedule your date.

When communicating with any program staff, consider it part of the interview, regardless of their position in the department. Scheduling interviews, especially during peak interview season, can be a logistical nightmare, and you may find available dates inconvenient for one reason or another.

No matter the situation, do not lose your temper or come off as pushy. You want to be remembered for your politeness and tact. Express your gratitude for the opportunity and excitement to learn more about the program. Conversely, schedule programs that you are less likely to go to at the end of the cycle. Once you confirm your interview date, book your travel and accommodations immediately to lock in the best available prices. Arrive for your interview in the city the day before and remember that travel delays might interfere with your schedule; plan accordingly.

Direct morning flights can help minimize the likelihood of delays, especially in cold-weather locations where ice or snow could interrupt your plans. Make sure that you plan enough time to arrive at the location, gather your thoughts, and relax before the interview. Rushing to the interview can make you appear harried and agitated during the question and answer portion.

Though committees may be able to overlook such missteps, avoid giving them reason to see you in a negative light. Dinners are great sources of information and an opportunity to meet and connect with current program residents.

The first step in preparing for your interview is to study your ERAS application inside and out. In addition, list your strengths, values, accomplishments, and abilities. After creating this list for yourself, identify five key aspects of yourself that you want the program to know, and make sure these aspects align with what makes you a stand-out candidate for the program in question. Pay special attention to any keywords or key concepts, like diversity and research, that come up a lot so you can demonstrate fit with those aspects of their culture and stand out.

Additionally, talk to your contacts, fellow students, or alumni of your med school who might have a connection to the program or supporting institution. If provided with interviewer names in advance, look up their research and clinical interests and, if appropriate, ask questions about their work during your interview. Make sure to go through several mock interviews before your first official one. Good folks to request practice interviews with include:. Your medical school advisor, especially if their area of expertise is your specialty of interest.

A friend who has successfully navigated the residency match process. Ask your interviewer to provide feedback on answer content and delivery, including eye contact, speed, and conversational fluidity. When you get feedback, practice answers using your newfound approach instead of simply taking notes for the future. Another tool that candidates sometimes find helpful is recording themselves as they answer questions during a mock interview.

This need not be a complicated audiovisual ordeal with high production values; your phone camera will usually suffice. You can review the footage later to see what others see and consider if there are any gestures or tics you want to avoid, and any other body-language elements you may wish to incorporate.

Keep in mind, however, not to practice too much. Some applicants who over-rehearse answers or repeat examples from essays can seem robotic. Your official interviews can be stressful. You may not be fully rested and feel anxious, so aim to recreate stressful conditions for your mock interviews. Sleep less beforehand, drink coffee, and do whatever else you need to give yourself slight jitters. That way, your interview day will feel more familiar. Here is a list of ways you can make your mock interview more stressful:.

Interviewing with someone who has a harsh or cold demeanor. These are just a few of the many ways you can stress yourself out to simulate interview day jitters. Answering residency interview questions essentially boils down to the following:. Answer in a way that is consistent with your application materials. Ensure your answers progress clearly—avoid non-sequiturs and tangents—and address the question directly.

Take a firm position on an issue e. Demonstrate how you prioritize patient needs above all else. Use appropriate speech volume and tone and make consistent eye contact. Display appropriate emotions and facial expressions e. Update your interviewers on achievements since submitting your ERAS application. Does your interviewer want to know about your clinical experiences?

Is this a trick question? It is not a trick question, but there are better and worse ways to respond. A common misconception: Applicants think they should immediately start talking about their medical experiences, especially ones related to the specialty they intend to pursue.

How to approach the question: Before discussing medical experience, describe personal aspects of your background, such as your upbringing and interests, to humanize yourself and not seem like a typical med student. I grew up in a Japanese American family in Boulder. When I was young, I resented it a little chuckles. I ended up getting very interested in radiology, which can actually feel a lot like a darkroom at times….

A common misconception: Applicants wonder whether they should reiterate the answer they gave in their personal statement.

How to approach the question: Overall, this is an important one. Remember: First, remain consistent with the answer you gave in your personal statement. Giving an entirely new answer might stump the interviewers or cast you as inauthentic. Second, think about key experiences and anecdotes. What was your first exposure to this specialty?