Interviews for CaRMS generally happen in January/February of your final year. They structure of the interview depends on the specialty, ie family medicine may have one interview with a panel of 3, whereas obgyn may have 3 interviews in a day with a panel of 4 each. Read on to understand how to prepare for and kill your interviews!
Interviews are where CSA’s stand out. You are already one of the chosen to get picked for an interview, so know that you belong there. CSA’s tend to be much better prepared than CMG’s for interviews.
Pre-interview
-I had a question list I made before my interviews which included questions I thought would be asked (ie why did you choose family medicine?). Make a list and write out your answers to these!
-practice interviewing with anyone who has ever interviewed anyone for anything. They may not understand your answers but they can pick up on nervous habits etc. You will be surprised if you ask around who has sat on an interview committee previously. I did 3 practice interviews with feedback from each person which I think helped prepare me a great deal.
-get a nice suit that you feel comfortable in. Remember that there will be snow in certain areas so bring boots but have an nice pair of shoes as well. Do at least 1 practice interview in your official interview day get-up!
Interview Time!
-do NOT get drunk at the social event while visiting for the interview. Also do not attack the chiefs at the social night. They are usually happy to answer questions, but there are other residents there as well, any of whom who may be an interviewer.
-In family medicine interviews, there are usually 3 interviewers – 2 physicians and one allied-health or resident. In specialty interviews, the program director(s) may be involved.
-thank your interviewers, and remember their names!
-be polite to EVERYONE – that person going through the door after you might be the head of the program…
-stay calm – some medical students have used propranolol (on their Dr’s advice) to help with this. Practice it first as it can cause hypotension in some!
-remember that you are talking about an easy topic, one you know better than anyone else – yourself!
Post-Interview
-after each interview, use the evaluation sheet at the end of First Aid for the Match. Write down likes/dislikes, further questions, **the names of your interviewers, what you talked about, etc.
-send thank you cards to interviewers and directors –> buy a bulk amount, handwrite the cards, and add in things you talked about.
Disclaimer – thank you cards do not help you get into the program, but they are a nice touch and may help you stand out.
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