Getting down to brass tacks… Don’t worry, it is just the REST OF YOUR LIFE!!!!!!!

NOT TRUE Always remember that no matter what you always have: Always remember that no matter what you always have:OPTIONS

From Now till your Interview Do your Research Do your Research Three topics: Three topics: Residency Residency Programs Programs YOU YOU

Know your Specialty Make sure you know what a day in the life of …. consists of (all aspects) Make sure you know what a day in the life of …. consists of (all aspects) What’s new? What’s new? Technology Technology Advances/changes in care Advances/changes in care Research Research Ethics Ethics

What type of people does it usually attract? What type of people does it usually attract? Male/Female Male/Female Extroverts/Introverts Extroverts/Introverts Academics Academics Do you fit into this mold? Why or Why not? Do you fit into this mold? Why or Why not? If not, how do you think your qualities will make you a better Doctor in this field? If not, how do you think your qualities will make you a better Doctor in this field? Know your Specialty

Know the Programs Attempt to individualize each program Attempt to individualize each program Avoid a generic interview Avoid a generic interview What is their focus? What is their focus? Research, clinical, community involvement, rural, urban………….. Research, clinical, community involvement, rural, urban…………..

Know the Programs Use every resource possible Use every resource possible Contact the programs Contact the programs Interviewers – Who? Names? Focus? Interviewers – Who? Names? Focus? Residents – MUN students, contact them Residents – MUN students, contact them People you connected with on electives People you connected with on electives CaRMS website CaRMS website Individual websites of schools Individual websites of schools

Know YOURSELF!! MOST IMPORTANT!!!!! This is where you get to individualize yourself Consistent Review all your materials and be prepared to answer any questions on anything you submitted

Reflect Get to know your own value system Ethics Past experiences both within and outside of medicine Know YOURSELF!!

Questions they may ask Tell me about yourself Tell me about yourself What are your strengths and weaknesses? What are your strengths and weaknesses? What attracts you to this area of medicine? What attracts you to this area of medicine? Where do you see yourself in five to ten years? Or do you see yourself in an academic or clinical position? (a professional/career direction question) Where do you see yourself in five to ten years? Or do you see yourself in an academic or clinical position? (a professional/career direction question) Why do you think you are best qualified for this residency program? Why do you think you are best qualified for this residency program? What do you think you can contribute to this residency? What do you think you can contribute to this residency?

Questions they may ask Describe a clinical situation that you handled well and were successful and one where things didn’t go as well as you would have liked Describe a clinical situation that you handled well and were successful and one where things didn’t go as well as you would have liked What are your overall career goals? What are your overall career goals? What do you do in your spare time? What do you do in your spare time? What influence do you think your family had on your life? What influence do you think your family had on your life? Is a family important in your lifelong goals? Is a family important in your lifelong goals? How do you get along with co-workers? How do you get along with co-workers? Where have you done electives? Where have you done electives?

Questions they may ask What challenges do you think this residency will present to you? What challenges do you think this residency will present to you? Explain a typical day in the life of a …….. Resident or physician? Explain a typical day in the life of a …….. Resident or physician? If you were a superhero which one would you be and why? If you were a superhero which one would you be and why? You arrive to the OR and your senior staff is intoxicated, what do you do? You arrive to the OR and your senior staff is intoxicated, what do you do?

Questions for shock value A 7 yr old child asks you how you can guarantee they will wake up after their surgery, what so you say? A 7 yr old child asks you how you can guarantee they will wake up after their surgery, what so you say? You are on a boat that is sinking. There is yourself (Doctor), Priest, a mother, her two children, a fisherman, and the captain of the ship. The rescue boat only takes 6. Everyone is looking to you to decide who goes to their death? You are on a boat that is sinking. There is yourself (Doctor), Priest, a mother, her two children, a fisherman, and the captain of the ship. The rescue boat only takes 6. Everyone is looking to you to decide who goes to their death?

Questions for you to ask Don’t ask questions that you should have been able to find the answer to yourself What is the interaction between housestaff and attendings? What is the interaction between housestaff and attendings? What type of applicant would you consider ideal? What type of applicant would you consider ideal? Are any program changes planned in the next 3 years? Are any program changes planned in the next 3 years? How do you feel your program compares to other programs? How do you feel your program compares to other programs? What challenges do you feel I may face in your program ? What challenges do you feel I may face in your program ?

SUMMARY The more you research the more comfortable and confident you will be The more you research the more comfortable and confident you will be Be yourself, Relax Be yourself, Relax Goal: Establish Rapport Goal: Establish Rapport Sincerity Sincerity Engage your brain before you open your mouth!!! Engage your brain before you open your mouth!!! The bottom line is you want them to like you The bottom line is you want them to like you You always have OPTIONS!!!!! You always have OPTIONS!!!!!