The residency interview is a critical stage of the residency selection process. After all the months of tedious paperwork and preparation you are rewarded at last with the chance to finally find out how the programs you applied to actually compare to one another. Most students actually find this part of the application process to be a lot of fun.

The purpose of the interview is:

1. To assess how compatible you are with the program, how comfortable you feel there, and how well the program meets your goals for a residency.

2. To convey your sense of compatibility with the program to your interviewers. This goes beyond just making a good impression. In a sense, the interview is an opportunity for you to "try on" the program and demonstrate to your interviewers that you would be a welcome addition.

3. To assess the program's relative strengths and weaknesses so that you will be able to make informed decisions when it comes time to rank programs for the Match.

You will hear some differences of opinion about whether it is better to be one of the first candidates a program sees, one of the last, or somewhere in between. There are no reliable data to conclude that it makes any difference when you interview. Interviewing early may mean that interviewers are "fresher" and less critical. Interviewing later may mean they remember you better when drawing up their rank list. There are pros and cons either way, so do whatever is most convenient. N.B. Many programs have trouble filling all their early interview slots, so if you are willing and able to take a November slot, you may increase your chances of getting an interview. The later you apply, the more flexible you need to be.

Many people think that you should try to schedule your most highly favored program so that you interview there after you have had some experience with one or two other programs or have done one or more mock interviews. Faculty advisers are available to conduct mock interviews - contact our office for more information. However, if this isn't possible don't be overly concerned. There is no real evidence that it matters.

Call about a week before traveling to the program to confirm your interview time, location, and person(s) you will be meeting. Leave yourself plenty of time for unexpected traffic delays, etc. Ask the residency coordinator how to pronounce/spell any difficult or unusual names, and write them down (phonetically if necessary) so that you will be able to repeat them correctly. This telephone call will also give you an opportunity to find out whether your application is complete and ask about other details such as parking.

If your spouse or partner will be accompanying you, it may be worth while to schedule additional time to assess other aspects of the program and community important to him/her. In general, spouses and partners are welcome to participate in the interview process, but you should clarify this with the program ahead of time so that the schedule can be structured to accommodate them.

You have gotten the interview and worked hard to make a good impression, so don't ruin it all by running out of time. If you book yourself too tightly, you will not have any leeway if the interviews run overtime. Also, you may find that you have a greater interest in a program than you initially thought you would and end up wishing for some extra time to investigate the program's finer points. Allow yourself some flexibility.

If you find you must cancel an interview, inform the program coordinator as soon as possible. They will do all they can to reschedule. EVEN IF you decide you really don't want to interview there after all, be courteous and let them know. Programs do not like precious interview slots to go to waste. Annoyed program coordinators have been known to call each other to "rat" on inconsiderate students...

Know your specialty. This does not mean medical knowledge- you will acquire that in your training. What do the practitioners in the field really do? What is the future outlook of the specialty? These are things that you will have asked yourself in the process of making your decision about which specialty to pursue, and your interviewers want to see that you have really thought about your decision in depth. Programs are looking for people who will be happy in their program, people who will stay with the program, perform well, and go on to be happy practicing in their chosen field. Make sure that they see you in that light.

Review the program materials before the interview. You don't want to confuse the basics about one program with those of another. Keep organized notes, you will want them later when you are writing thank-you notes and especially when ranking programs.

The "uniform" to wear is conservative and neat. Men should wear a tie and jacket; women a dress, suit, or skirt and jacket. Make sure that your clothes are clean and pressed, fit well, and you are comfortable wearing them. Try to wear your outfit at least once before your first interview so it doesn't feel too "new" on the big day. Comfortable shoes are a must, especially if you are interviewing all day.

Be on time or even early. Allow plenty of time to get your bearings and catch your breath. You will make a huge bad impression on your interviewers if you are late. There are no excuses except serious bad weather or a transportation breakdown. If that happens, call ahead as soon as possible to let the program know what has happened.

Before you arrive, make sure that you have everything you need for the interview. General materials might include a list of questions that you want to ask each program or something else that will give you an organized method of remembering important information obtained in the interview. Take a pad of paper and pen (make sure the pen works!) You may want to carry an extra copy of your credentials and any other paperwork vital to the program.

Keep in mind your goals for the interview in order to establish and maintain the right frame of mind. Be confident and positive. Be pleasant, polite, and show enthusiasm for the program to everyone at all times. Programs will be just as interested in how you act outside the formal interview session. Input from sources other than the interviewers is often very important. This does not mean that you need to fawn over the residents and bow down to the secretary, but you do need to treat them courteously and not ignore them. Being liked by ancillary staff and other applicants is a positive attribute. Working well with a team is key to being a successful resident.

Keep in mind that the interviewers have their own agenda so try not to be dismayed or intimidated by probing questions that try to find out more about you as a person and as a potential resident for their program. Think about what the interviewers are trying to get out of the interview and you will have already anticipated their questions and be prepared to answer them. If you can't think of a response, tell the interviewer that you need a moment to think about it or ask them to rephrase the question.

Try to be open and honest. It is OK to be nervous, but try not to let your nervousness hide your personality. Take a couple of deep breaths before you begin. If you still feel very anxious, acknowledge your nervousness and go on. You will find that this can help you feel less anxious.

If you can get your interview schedule for each program before you arrive, you will have some idea how to pace yourself throughout the visit.

The program will usually prepare an itinerary for you that lists the names of the people you will be talking with as well as the time allotted for each, usually 20-30 minutes. You may talk with the program director, other faculty members, residents from different levels of training and other individuals with whom you may have significant contact as a resident in that program. You may have a chance to see the clinics and hospital facilities during your visit. If there is free time, it may be informative to spend it in places where there are residents to get a better feel for the actual working environment.

It is not uncommon for you to be asked to or provided lunch. Think of it as a business lunch. Be sure to use good table manners. Avoid alcohol... even if you don't lose your wits, some of your interviewers may disapprove and discount you as a viable candidate. Don't eat too much- you don't want to sleep through the afternoon festivities.

Talk to current residents. They often see things differently than the attendings and their perspectives are likely to be a better approximation of yours than that of faculty. These talks are usually informal but the residents' opinions, views, and insights into the programs may influence how you rank each program and many programs rely heavily on their input. Try to talk to any medical student who is on rotation while you are there, as well as any UW graduates who are currently in training or recently graduated from the program.

In addition to the most common one-on-one serial interview, where you go from interviewer to interviewer, students are occasionally (but not often) faced with a panel or group interview. These interviews will generally be in one of two formats. Either they will consist of each panel member asking his or her own questions, or there will be a scenario which is to be discussed with the entire panel. In the former case, look at the individual who asked the question when you answer. If an individual asks a follow-up question, direct your eyes to that person when answering. Don't bother trying to determine who the most influential people are on the panel- you will probably guess wrong and may slight someone.

It is important to keep in mind what questions you want to ask AND what you are searching for in the replies. There are two kinds of questions you can ask:

1. Questions that elicit information: These are questions you really want to know the answers for. You should be looking not only for the specific answers, but also observing the interviewers' attitudes toward the subjects you raise, e.g. " I understand that your program hasn't had a director for the past year. Could you comment on this? What has been the impact on the program?" This is not the time to ask about vacations, maternity leave, call schedules, etc. You obviously want to know about these particulars, but there are better ways of finding out the information than using precious interview time AND you don't want the interviewers to be left with the impression that you are already thinking about taking time off.

2. Questions that make you look good: These are questions you may or may not need more information about, but they make it clear to the interviewers that you are not only familiar with the specifics of the program, but you also are interested in specifics that they are proud of, e.g. "I understand that your program now has a (rural rotation, OB elective, research possibilities, rural fellowship, etc.). I am very interested, could you tell me more about it?" This is where researching the program pays off... use student questionnaires in our files, the program's brochures, talking ahead of time to current residents, etc.

When you ask your questions, do so in a courteous and diplomatic way... don't "cross-examine" the interviewer. Ask the right people the right questions. Decide ahead of time which questions you want to ask which type of people. There may be some questions you want to ask everyone, in order to contrast and compare their answers.

You want to be prepared, but not so focused on your list of questions that you lose an unexpected opportunity to pursue a topic that presents itself.

Avoid dominating the conversation, but try to be an active participant in the interviewing process so that your interviewers will have a sense of your interest in the program and your ability to formulate good questions. Mold your answers to questions in ways that are most favorable to you.

Listen to the questions that are being asked. Keep your answers brief and to the point. Don't ramble on and on, providing an excess of superfluous information. If you have a lot to say in response to a question, cover your main points and then ask the interviewer if they would like you to continue. Look for non-verbal cues to indicate when enough has been said.

Be prepared to carry the burden of the interview if necessary. Many students in recent years have reported that they were not asked even one question during their interview at certain programs. "Tell me about yourself" or ""What would you like to know about our program?" may be the extent of their input. You want to be able to take the lead in discussing topics that will make the best possible impression on the interviewers as well as elicit the information you need to make an informed decision about the program.

Be upbeat and smile. Looking stressed, tired, or anxious (even if you are) can undo a lot of the positive impact your application or earlier interviews had. Do not disparage other programs, faculty, or applicants. Although you may have interviewed at a really horrendous place, if you berate a person or program, the interviewers may wonder what you will say about them or their program when you go elsewhere. Also, you never know what connection the interviewer(s) may have with any other person or program. You don't want to inadvertently say the wrong thing about their alma mater.

Never falsify your background. Deliberately giving erroneous or misleading information at the time you apply for any job, including a residency program, is grounds for immediate dismissal.

There is a definite place for humor in interviews, but it should not offend. Avoid the following during the interview: drinking coffee or tea (diuretics), smoking, and chewing gum. Be prepared for different interviewing styles and try to adjust accordingly.

It is a good idea to take some notes throughout the day to help you jog you memory later. Try not to concentrate on your notes so much that it interferes with your effectiveness during the interview.

You may find our Residency Checklist useful in evaluating each program....but don't wait too long to fill it out after your visit. They really do all start looking alike after a while.

As soon as possible after the interview, take some time to write down significant facts and impressions and update your checklist so that you don't confuse information between programs or forget key information with the passage of time. In looking over your notes, you may discover vital questions that you did not have the opportunity to ask. It is perfectly acceptable to call back for more information.

Unless a program specifically states that they don't want thank-you notes, send a note to recognize their hospitality and to reaffirm your interest in the program (if you are still interested). Spell the names correctly. You may want to send a letter to the main interviewer and mention the other people with whom you interviewed. OR you may want to send notes to everyone you met with. Don't go overboard trying to be witty or profound... concentrate on making yourself memorable. Personalize it; mention specific topics of mutual interest that were raised during the interview. You may want to take materials with you on the road so that you can get the letter out expeditiously and avoid being overwhelmed once you return home.

Occasionally a request for additional information will arise either during the interview or from the program coordinator. Mention in your thank-you note that you will be sending the requested material as soon as possible and make sure you do.

Some programs will offer you a "second look." Feel free to take advantage of such an opportunity, especially if you feel it will benefit you. In most cases, a program will interpret your interest as an indication of your enthusiasm for the program. Some students have returned to do rounds with faculty. Explore this during your interview if you think you may want an additional look.

Once you have completed your interviews, your work is nearly done. Your only remaining task is to assess the information you have collected and use it to establish your rank order list. Talk with advisors, faculty, residents, friends, family- anyone whose opinion you value and may have helpful information. You may want to put your notes aside for a while to give yourself some time to digest it all. You may decide, after completing all your interviews, that you still haven't found what you want. In that case, you may have time to apply to some more programs. One of the many advantages of applying and interviewing early is this option. Better to do the extra legwork now than to have lingering doubts.

Once you start putting together your rank order list, please contact Lee Robison lrobison@fammed.washington.edu (543-9425) to make an appointment to meet with a faculty member knowledgeable in the residency application process.