Make Sure Your Residency Application Is Strong
Congratulations! You’ve finally made it to the residency interview process. All your years of hard work and dedication are finally paying off. Now it’s time to show the residency interviewer that you’re the right candidate for the job.
But residency interviews are much more intense than job interviews in other industries. You must prove your interest and skills in a particular specialty match the program’s needs. So, here are some tips to help you get through the interview process while standing out above the competition.
You need to have a strong ERAS (Electronic Residency Application Service) application to really stand out. That means getting high USMLE scores, letters of recommendation from industry leaders and doing well during clinical placements.
A strong application will also include work experience, as well as volunteer and research experience in the medical industry. Include relevant information related to all clinical rotations, externships and observerships. Also, be sure to include interests and hobbies that could lead to interesting conversations during your residency interview.
Preparing Your Schedule for Residency Interview Season
Most residency programs schedule interviews at the very beginning or end of the week. This gives you time to fly in and out over the weekend, without taking too much time off from med school.
You may have heard about the infamous interview dinners many programs offer the night before interviews. Attendance is not mandatory. But if you do, this allows you to arrive the day before, so you aren’t in a rush on interview day. These dinners usually take place from 6-8 PM, giving you the rest of the night to prep and rest.
Expect your interview day to begin between 7-10 AM and continue until about 3-5 PM. After traveling, flight delays, traffic issues, rental car returns, etc… you should arrive home by about midnight.
Getting Your Residency Interview Schedule Together
If your residency application is strong, you could start getting calls for interviews almost immediately. So, make sure you have a calendar ready to track your interviews.
Slots fill up fast. Be prepared to respond to interview requests quickly, so you don’t end up on waiting lists. If there are conflicting interview times, contact the programs to discuss your options. Programs that use the MyERAS interview scheduling system, you can change interview dates and times on-demand.
Residency Prep Can Help
ERMI residency prep helps you learn how to get through the interview process while selling your personal brand with confidence. MedSmarter uses the ERMI method to help you prepare your Essay and Resume and learn through full mock interviews.
Join the MedSmarter community of future doctors for a smarter approach to a career in medicine. Click the button below to learn more about the MedSmarter residency prep program in the Atlanta, Georgia area.
