Health Professions Interview Workshop

Purpose– interview preparation for pre-med committee and healthcare professional program interviews

I. Purpose of an Interview

Some skills and qualities are more effectively communicated in an interview than in your application. For example – anyone can say they have good communication skills in their application. In the interview, you demonstrate communication skills and have the opportunity to offer proof of your skills - examples of when you have developed and used excellent communication skills. This is much more effective! Focus on these skills and qualities. Do not repeat your application – elaborate on it and give examples. This is your chance to give SPECIFIC examples of your healthcare experience and to demonstrate your motivation and interpersonal skills. The interview should complement your application, not reiterate it. They should fit together like puzzle pieces – giving a complete picture of you.

You want to leave the impression that you:

  • Have health care experience
  • Are a disciplined student
  • Are able to relate to patients
  • Are motivated to learn

What are interviewers looking for in the interview?

  • Compassion
  • Empathy
  • Self-awareness
  • Maturity
  • Familiarity with healthcare
  • Familiarity with the school
  • Communication skills
  • Multicultural competency
  • Ability to work well with others
  • Composure under stress
  • Motivation
  • Intellectual curiosity
  • Interpersonal skills

Remember that the interviewer represents you to the admissions committee. You must give the interviewer a reason to remember you and motivation to promote you. This is your chance to personalize your application.

II. Preparation for the Interview

A. Know yourself – skills, qualities, personality, experiences, strengths and weaknesses

B. Research field and school – know interview format, review your

application to this particular school, review school’s website, use professional association websites and pre-health sciences advising (

C. Develop and practice effective communication skills

1. non-verbal communication and body language, handshake, eye contact, manners/etiquette –

sit when offered chair, sit comfortably in the back of the chair

2. Practice answering questions (mock interview) – prepared, not rehearsed; think about why

they would ask you this question, definite ending to answer

D. Resources – collegegrad.com, studentdoctor.net (everyone’s experience is different; sometimes only negative experiences are posted)

E. Professional attire – suit, conservative fragrance, appropriate length skirts,

haircut, piercings, err on the conservative/professional side, reasonably comfortable shoes, extra hose, conservative makeup and jewelry

F. Know when and where - directions to interview; dry run the day before, if possible; call to confirm;

know format of interview

G. Psychological Preparedness – What motivates you? What keeps you positive and confident? What is your anxiety level? How do you respond to anxiety? Does anxiety motivate you or paralyze you? If you have interview experience, when does your anxiety peak – before, during or after interview? What are you saying to yourself during anxiety? Practice methods of coping with anxiety- interview practice and preparation, healthy eating and exercise, sleep, breathing, positive self-talk. What are you telling yourself during interview? Do you dwell/ruminate on questions or interviewer’s reaction?

III. Interview formats

  • One on one interviews
  • Panel interviews – when answering a question, beginlooking at person who asked, then look at each person on panel as answering to include them, end answer by looking at person who asked
  • Behavioral interviewing – STAR technique (Situation or Task, Action, and Result)
  • Lunch interviews – don’t be too casual
  • Expect the unexpected – expect to meet other interviewees, perhaps even interview with them and interact with them on an “assignment”
  • Every interaction with admissions is part of interview – stay with med student (being observed), calling admissions office for updates, meeting with Dean of Admissions…

IV. The day of the interview

Be early, well rested and well groomed, and eat breakfast

Turn off cell-phone; no bags (except purse); bring portfolio and pen (professional)

Some anxiety is okay – it shows respect and your motivation, keeps you alert and will motivate you! Breathe!

Tips:Develop rapport; Note and use names; Let interviewer run interview; Listen and pay attention; Think before speaking; Be respectful of everyone you meet

V. Common Mistakes

  • Appearing arrogant/know-it-all
  • Not listening
  • Being too general in answers
  • Being too casual during lunch, etc.
  • Sounding rehearsed/memorized
  • Being afraid to reveal personal information
  • Ruminating on poor answer
  • Not treating every interaction with admissions as part of the interview

VI. Asking and Answering Questions

Be very specific – tell specific stories

Don’t ask anything that was answered on websites and in catalogs

Strengths and weaknesses – key to answering weaknesses question is to explain how you

compensate for weakness or work to improve weakness

Know issues facing healthcare today

Ethical questions – give both sides of issues, explain what you would do – listen, respect

feelings of patient and not push own agenda, avoid appearing radical

Handling illegal questions – answer if comfortable, or politely and carefully ask why question is relevant

Interviewer’s strategies – good cop, bad cop – stay focused and professional

Don’t be afraid to say “I don’t know” but still answer question as best you can

Don’t let one poor answer rattle you

Practice sample questions - handout

Reflect on interview afterwards- learn from it

VII. Thank you Letters –

Mail or hand devliver(don’t e-mail) handwritten thank you note to each person who interviewed you. Bring stationary to interview to write note after interview and leave for interviewer(s). Refer to topic discussed in interview.