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Your roadmap to turning interview anxiety into interview confidence

Interview season is approaching, and we know what you're thinking: "What if they ask me something I can't answer?" Here's the thing: there are three questions that trip up even the most prepared candidates. But once you master these, you'll walk into any interview room with confidence.

Question #1: "Tell me about yourself"

Sounds easy, right? Plot twist: It's not.

Try answering this out loud right now. Go ahead, we'll wait...

Harder than expected? You're not alone. Here's your foolproof formula:

The 3-Part Framework:

• Name & Background: "I'm [Name], currently finishing my degree in [Major] at [School]"
• The Hook: "Something most people don't know about me is [unique fact]"
• Personal Touch: "In my free time, I'm passionate about [hobby/interest]"

Pro tip: Choose your "hook" and "passion" strategically. They'll likely spend the next 10 minutes asking about these – giving you home-field advantage on topics you love discussing!

Question #2: "What's your stance on [controversial medical topic]?"

Abortion, euthanasia, physician-assisted death... they're testing your reasoning, not your politics.

​Whichever issue the interviewer chooses to ask, the gist of the question and the answer are still the same.  The question involves an issue with no clear right or wrong answer so that you can stake out a claim for one side or the other.  

Here's what to do:

• Acknowledge that it's a tough issue.  
• Explain briefly the first side of the argument.
• Explain briefly the other side of the debate.
• Take a firm, uncompromising (and preferably, not nuanced) stance in favor of one of the sides, grounded in the underlying morals of the debate.

Example approach: "Well, abortion is a tough issue, one that our country seems pretty divided on.  On the one hand, I can see how if you believe that life begins at conception, we are obligated to protect the life of the child.  On the other hand, I can see how a woman's right to choose would supersede the right to life, since the right to control one's body is the pre-existing right.  Personally, since I believe that life begins at conception and since it's so hard to figure out exactly when a child becomes viable in the womb, I believe that abortion should only be performed when there's a threat to the health of the mother."

Since your position is grounded in morality, "since I believe that life begins at conception," it will be hard for the interviewer to budge you, no matter how argumentative, since you can continue to go back to that moral principle as the one most persuades you.

Question #3: "Why medicine?"

​Probably the hardest question of all to answer, especially since you know it's coming.

You will rehearse your answer to this question a dozen times, and yet, you will want it to sound unrehearsed.  Authentic.  Heartfelt.

How do you do this?  The best way is to connect your "why medicine" to a story.  Anyone can list reasons they want to be a doctor, but not anyone has a story to tell.  So here's the template:

• Mention 1 or 2 smaller reasons (or obvious reasons) you want to be a doctor.
• Mention the main reason you want to be a doctor.
• State that the main reason is tied to a story you'd like to tell.
• Tell the story.

Example: “Well, I grew up with two parents who were both doctors, so I've seen just how much commitment and dedication they put in.  I also have always loved biology, especially solving biological problems.  But I wasn't sure I wanted to be a doctor until I went to Guatemala on a medical mission trip, and that's where I met Jose."

Then tell the story (briefly, one minute or less) about why your trip solidified your desire to be a physician.

Remember: Your personal statement is full of these stories – use them! Even if the interviewer read your application, hearing you tell it brings it to life.​

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