Looking for some advice about an interview

In My Humble Opinion
1

This Thursday I have an interview with the Admissions Committee for the Radiology Program at Holy Cross Hospital in Silver Spring, MD.

I applied there last year, and went down for an interview, and ended up being an alternate for the program. In other words, I had gotten accepted but because Holy Cross gives preference to applicants who are residents of Maryland and I was (and still am) living in Maine, I ended up as an alternate. That was June 2002.

Then, back in April, I got an e-mail from the head of the program asking if I was interested in scheduling an interview. Turns out that I had asked her if it would be possible for my application to be carried over to this year, and she did so.

Anyway, the interview is of the panel type, and there will be 6-8 interviewers there. The setup is that they would be at one end of the conference table and I would be at the other end.

One of my questions is this: Would it be a good idea to go down to their end and shake everyone’s hand? My dad says yes, but I’d like to hear from my fellow Dopers. If you feel that I should, would it be better for me to do it at the beginning of the interview or at the end?

Also, is there any way that I could have my current non resident of Maryland status not be used against me? We moved to the DC area, (Rockville, MD) whne I was 4 and when people ask me what I think of as home, I say Maryland.

Oh, the last question that they asked me last year was something like this: "Ok. Now is your chance to sell yourself to us. Tell us why you would make the best candidate for the radiology program here."

I said something along the lines of, "I get along well with others. I don’t need to be supervised while i do my work. I have a good sense of humor. I want to help people…etc."

Thing is, to me that sounds like the usual bunch of cliches. Is there anything else that I could say?

Thanks.

2

It doesn’t move me in deep and mysterious ways, but by the same token, it’s geunine (I assume your voice conveyed that). Depends on the crowd, honestly. Some people prefer a sales-pitch approach.

3

Mention how you feel medicine is one of the most important human endeavors.

Shake hands at the end of the interview.

It sounds like you’re doing just fine.

4

I would like to expand on this and say that everyone likes sincerity and enthusiasm. When or if they ask why they should admit you, tell them in plain language exactly why you want to be admitted. (I assume you know this already.) Don’t hold back; lay all your cards on the table. Radiology is an exciting field, you want to work in medicine because it is both science and art, you want a job you can be proud of, and that gives you a sense of accomplishment. Radiology is is an interesting and complex field, and it fascinates you how otherwise lethal substances can be used to cure some of the same diseases (like cancer) they can cause.
It would greatly behoove you to do some reading and thinking aobut your motivations and desired direction in life before you head off to that interview. All the stuff I listed above is just my take on it, and on how to avoid all the b.s. cliches. (Speaking of that, a good way to avoid cliches is to get specific first, then move to general sentiments. “I want to help people” is a general sentiment that could apply to about 100 different professions. “I want to learn more about working with barium and study how it is used to help people” is pretty specific, moving to general. See what I mean?)

And don’t shake hands. In theory, it’s a good idea when being interviewed by up to three people. But 6-8? It will just be awkward, and that’s not the impression you want to leave them with. After they’re all done, stand up, give a sincere “thank you for your time” mini-speech, wish them a good day, then leave.

5

To me, those are the keywords in that question. They want to hear something specific about you and your experiences. They don’t want to hear the good or average things, but those things which make you stand out. Finally, they want to hear why you are a match for their program and staff.

Also, I’m in favor of the handshake at the end. It gives them a chance to see your smiling, enthusiastic face up close.

6

Congratulations Mr Lizard when can you start?

7

Don’t ask. :smiley: