Residency Interview Q&A - How to Ace Your Residency Interview as an IMG

You’ve done it! You’ve landed an interview with your program of interest! They've seen your application and they like you on paper. They want to gauge how compatible you are with the program. What are the things you can do to make this interview count?

Keep listening to this Residency Interview Q&A session to get some tried and true advice to help you build compatibility, demonstrate likeability, and show the program why you are the ideal match for them!

How do you prepare for questions to ask the faculty?

Google it! Do not ask questions that can be answered easily online. Show that you’ve done your homework.
Ask about:
- The academic success of previous doctors within the program, to show that you are thinking ahead.
- The percentage of successful applicants into your intended specialty/subspecialty.
- Outcomes and board exam pass rates.
Ask questions related to the conversation you’re having with the faculty member and draw similarities where possible.
Don’t ask about socially controversial topics.

How to stand out as a Non-US IMG when trying to match into surgery?

Be charismatic.
Show an edge - surgical specialties tend to favor a more edgy, outgoing personality over the more somber personalities favored in other specialties.

How do I emphasize my training in a resource-limited charity hospital without coming across as offensive?

This is an advantage! Underserved areas tend to hire a lot of IMGs.
Use a captivating, true story to relay your message and show your experience.

What are some good resources to help you prepare for your interview?

Google model answers and responses, but these will vary from source to source and from person to person.
Use your intuition.
Think ahead of answers to personal questions. You know yourself best!

How do you answer the question, “Tell me about yourself?”
Focus on:

Summarizing the biggest life lessons that you’ve learnt,
Describing yourself as an ideal candidate and what makes you a good fit for the program,
What makes you resilient,
What makes you easy to work with,
What makes you likeable, different, yet special.

How do you address weaknesses?

Look for aspects of your life that were once a challenge but that you have now overcome.
How have these made you a stronger and better individual?
How has your life transformed and what steps have you taken to be better, and by extension a better fit for the program.

What steps should you take if your B2 visa renewal is denied?

A good idea is to leave your applications in and use any invitations to interview as leverage to help the US Embassy to reconsider their decision.

How to answer the question, “What books have you read recently?”, when you’ve only been reading medical textbooks?

Be honest, genuine and vulnerable. This could be a good opportunity for humor! Program directors are human and they may very well relate to what you’re saying. This could serve as a humanizing moment and may even build likeability and compatibility.

What are some of the don’ts in the interview?

Improper Attire. Dress comfortably, professionally, and avoid bad habits such as chewing gum.
Arrogance.
Lack of professionalism.
Negative talk about other programs or people as this reflects badly on you, and doesn’t make you seem trustworthy.

What is the best way to prepare for an interview?

Practice practice practice!
If you have friends who have already gone through the process, ask them for advice and help to practice.
Use resources geared at helping you achieve interview success, such as the IMGRoadmap Course and others found on drninalum.com.

How do you explain gaps and low scores?