Interview Strategies: Advice from the Non-Medical World

There's a column in the NYTs written about interviewing for the many Americans who are currently seeking employment. I found part of it useful for medical school, residency and fellowship interviews and thought I would share that section below. Ms. Safani to whom the journalist refers is Barbara Safani, owner of Career Solvers, a career management firm.

Some people “believe that talking in generalities is the way to go,” Ms. Safani said, but hiring managers usually prefer specifics — especially examples of how you executed a project or solved a problem. Otherwise, you don’t differentiate yourself and you become a mere blur, she said.

In addition to these “stories of success,” candidates need to be able “to communicate in 30 seconds what they’re all about and how they’re going to add value to that organization,” Ms. Safani said.

If you are questioned about your weaknesses, “be authentic without being damaging,” Ms. Safani said. Be ready with an example of a weakness that is not centered on the core competencies of the job you are seeking, she said.

And, of course, be prepared to ask questions yourself — ones that show you have done research about the company. Ms. Safani recommends asking some questions that go beyond the particular job you are applying for, and that cover the direction of the company as a whole.

All of the above points are topics I discuss with my clients during their one-on-one mock interviews.

Get started early on your application for this coming season: www.InsiderMedicalAdmissions.com .