When to schedule an interview?
Interviews start in Oct, go until Jan/Feb. You can really schedule the interview only after receiving a call. But generally speaking schedule your ‘best’ programs in the middle of the season. Because (and you will realize this yourself as you go through) you become more experienced, and fluent and more articulate as you go through the interviews.

Do some research before you go in
Go through the material if they have provided any, go through the website, do some homework. You can gather some info before you go in, may be you will find someone from your med school in the current resident list. This will put you in that mind set. You can start thinking about some of the questions as well.

Night before dinner
Many a times program arranges dinner with current residents (usually no faculty). Take advantage of it. You get to talk to the residents and actually can get all of your questions answered, plus get some inside scoop!

Day of interview
It takes about a full day. Most of them start anywhere between 7 to 8 AM. Please arrive promptly
How formal is the interview process?
Residency interview is a very formal interviewing process. You have to dress up! Men tie and suite, women – suite/skirt etc.. the entire atmosphere is very formal.

Do we need to carry any documents with us?
Usually no, because the program already had your application. However, keep a copy of your diplomas/ other credential. If you are ECFMG certified, definitely keep a copy, some programs do ask for a photocopy..

What are the questions asked during the interviews?

* Interview usually starts with some general questions – name, place, weather, medical school you attended, what are you currently doing, How did you hear about this program? Why did you apply to this program? Tell me more about yourself? Tell me more about your research? What are your strengths and weaknesses? Etc. then more details specific questions are asked.

* Why are you interested in this program? Do you know any resident working here? What do you expect from any residency training program? What can you contribute to this program?

* Don’t be surprised if they ask you any medical question. Also, be prepared to discuss a case – typical question is – describe an interesting case? Once you describe it, they will ask some clinical questions on that case. What is the most difficult kind of patient?
* What is one thing you are worried about when you start your residency in June?

* One more very typical question is – why we should hire you? Be prepared to answer this question. If you prepare well and in advance, you can actually score a lot here. Your answer should be very specific, short and ofcourse well articulated.

* What do you want to do after completing your residency? Do you want to do fellowship? Why and which one?

* Where do you see yourself 5/10 years down the line?
 
* Sometimes they do ask you about your hobbies, and what you like to do in spare time etc.

* Some more general questions like - How would you redesign the health-care system? What do you know about the health insurance policy in the US? What is the role of a doctor / nurse/ pharmacist? Who is more important?

At the end they give you a chance to ask questions. Don’t waste that chance, be prepared to ask at least a couple of questions.

What questions can we ask to the program director?

* What are the strength and weaknesses of this program? Given the resources, what would you like to change in this program?
* Where do your graduates land after completing the residency? How do your residencts do on the exams (passing rate etc.)? do they get enough exposure to inpatient/ clinic setting/ operation room/ ward procedures etc (depending on the specialty)? What qualities do you look for in a candidate? How do you grade them after the interview? (yes we can ask this question if the interviewer is cool….they usually look at the scores, recos, clinical ex, English/ communication skills, looks, and overall personality) What is the general policy about offering out of match positions?
* What is the proportion of private attendings and in-house hospitalist staff? Do residents get some leeway or do they have to strictly follow attending orders?
* How is the patient population at your hospital? Insured/ uninsured? Ethnic backgrounds – Hispanic/ Indian/Polish/ African Americans. If you are a linguist, you can play that up as well. If you know Spanish, that would be very handy at some programs.

Take notes when you are done
After going home, or in the plane (if you are going program hopping!) write down your experiences, you impression about the program. Have a system of your own, and give some sort of points/ grades. This is very important especially if you have a lot of calls. You tend to forget what happened during some of the initial interviews when actually sit down to write your rank order list. So create an excel sheet or something where you can compare different programs. It should not happen that you gave 15 interviews and at the end of the season you are sure about your first 4 choices, rest of them depend on your memory.

Thank you note

It is little time consuming to email everyone who interviewed you, but it is a nice gesture especially if you are interested in the program. So do ask for business cards/ emails before you leave and then send a thank you note later. It does not have to be too fancy. Just tell about your (hopefully good) experience during the interview and hospital visit, nice meeting the PD/ faculty/ chief resident/ other resident etc. and you will be looking forward to working with you / join the team next year.

Also email the PD or other key person about any update on your scores e.g. if you clear Step 2 CS, or you receive ECFMG certificate, or pass Step 3 exam, let them know. That could affect the ranking.