Ep. 8: Interview

Happy Friday, all! ☀️ 

I hope you’ve all had a wonderful week 😄 

Finally caught a small break and got out into nature!

Check out our trip to the Grand Canyon & Antelope Canyon

This week, I’m focusing on a topic that can make or break potentially YEARS of ones life (as in my case)

I’m in the thick of interviewing for Family Medicine residency programs at the moment and have definitely found myself in positions where I may have hurt myself more than helped. So, I did a bit of research that I will share with you all this week.

These general rules hold true for job interviews, high school interviews, and beyond. So, if you know anyone preparing for a high-stakes interview, please share along!

1. Research the Company: Before the interview, make sure to thoroughly research the company. Understand their mission, values, products, and recent news. Tailor responses to show how your skills align with their needs.

2. Know Your Resume: Be ready to discuss your work history, accomplishments, and skills listed on your resume. Practice explaining how experiences relate to the job you're interviewing for.

3. Common Interview Questions: Familiarize yourself with common interview questions like "Tell me about yourself" and "What are your strengths and weaknesses?" Practice concise (this is where I F’d up) and relevant answers that highlight your qualifications.

4. Behavioral Questions: Many interviews include behavioral questions to assess your past actions and behaviors. Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method to structure responses with concrete examples.

5. Mock Interviews: Conduct mock interviews with a friend, family member, or career counselor. They can provide feedback on your responses, body language, and overall interview performance.

6. Technical or Industry-specific Knowledge: If your role requires technical skills or industry-specific knowledge, review relevant materials, and practice solving problems or answering questions in your field (thanks for this pointer, Gian!).

7. Questions for the Interviewer: Prepare thoughtful questions to ask the interviewer. This demonstrates your interest and engagement. Avoid asking questions that can be easily answered through research.

8. Dress for Success: Choose a professional outfit that aligns with the company's dress code. Ensure it's clean and well-fitted to boost your confidence.

9. Mind Your Body Language: During the interview, maintain good eye contact, sit up straight, and offer a confident handshake (if in person). Non-verbal cues can leave a lasting impression.

10. Stay Calm and Confident: Nervousness is normal, but don't let it overwhelm you. Practice relaxation techniques, deep breathing, and positive self-talk to stay calm and confident.

11. Follow-Up: After the interview, send a personalized thank-you email to express your gratitude for the opportunity and reiterate your interest in the role.

12. Continuous Improvement: Whether you land the job or not, use each interview as a learning experience (here I am!). Ask for feedback and reflect on what you can do better next time.

To Practice, huge shout out to our STEM Ninja, Gian for finding this AI tool to practice interviewing with:

Also, some great articles I came across in preparing the above list:

1. http://hbr.org/2021/11/10-common-job-interview-questions-and-how-to-answer-them

2. https://ung.edu/career-services/online-career-resources/interview-well/tips-for-a-successful-interview.php

3. https://www.careereducation.columbia.edu/resources/things-do-during-and-after-your-interview

4. https://www.wsj.com/articles/how-to-prepare-for-a-job-interview-11605107862

5. https://www.forbes.com/sites/emmylucas/2022/05/03/how-to-prepare-for-an-interview-amid-the-great-resignation/?sh=2d9cb5712c10

Have a great start to the weekend, everyone! 🌻 

Deepak

Currently: reading | watching \ team messages

📚️: The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey (Here is a nice video summary!)

📽️: Love, Death, +Robots 

🥷: AI tool for interview practice!