Mock Interviewer Resources

General Mock Interviewer Tips

Preparing for the Interview

• Identify a suitable environment.
  • Select a private, quiet, and well-lit space where you can complete the interview.
  • Consider what is in your background during the interview and try to keep it free of distractions.
  • Have an outlet and charger nearby in case you need to plug in your device.
• Practice using technology.
  • Ensure you have video capability.
  • Check your microphone and camera to ensure you have good quality sound and video.
  • Check your internet connection.
  • Download and familiarize yourself with the platform you plan to use (Zoom, GoogleMeet, etc).
• Familiarize yourself with the interview questions.
• Review guidelines for providing feedback.

Conducting the Interview

• Join the interview 5-10 minutes early.
• Have all relevant interview materials on hand for easy reference.
• Welcome the student and introduce yourself.
• Try to put the student at ease – remember how nervous you were when you were in their shoes!
• Confirm that the student can both see and hear you.
• Ask the interview questions provided and any other questions that may be relevant to your specialty.
• Avoid questions that may be prohibited by law such as those about demographic information, disabilities and family military or criminal history.
• The question and answer portion of your interview should last approximately 20-30 minutes.
• Give the student verbal feedback (approximately 10-15 minutes). Be honest and detailed to help prepare them for future success. View feedback guidelines here.

Interview Structure and Feedback Guidelines

The total length of time for the mock interview session is 30-45 minutes.

1. 1. Introduce Yourself (5 minutes)As you introduce yourself, try to create an actual interview experience where you are the program director and the student is the applicant.
   • Provide some background information on yourself (when you graduated from PCOM, how you chose your career path, where you did your residency, etc.)
   • Explain the structure of the mock interview

   2. The Interview (20-30 minutes)

   • Be as authentic as you can be in the role of program director.
   • Use the sample questions provided below to guide you.
     • You may add any questions that you feel are appropriate, but please avoid questions that may be prohibited by law, such as those about race, religion, sex, age, national origin, disabilities, marital status, and children.

   3. Feedback (10-15 minutes)

   You will be providing verbal feedback to the student during the last 10-15 minutes of the interview. Be honest when you give your feedback. Students want to know what they did well and what they should work on between now and when the actual interviews begin later in November.

   Consider the following when providing feedback:

   • Did the applicant have good body language, look professional, make eye contact, etc.?
   • Did the applicant answer your questions well?
     • Did you feel interested in what they were saying?
     • Did they seem authentic in their responses?
     • Did you want to ask follow up questions?
     • Did you want to get to know them better?
     • Did you believe that they are committed to this specialty?
     • How was their energy level?
   • What advice would you give the student as they continue to prepare for interviews?

Sample Questions

Please select some of the below questions to ask during your interview.
You may also ask additional questions that may be relevant to your particular specialty. Avoid asking questions that may be prohibited by law, such as those about race, religion, sex, age, national origin, disabilities, marital status, and children.

Getting to Know the Applicant

• Tell me a little bit about yourself.
• What made you want to become a physician?
• What have been some of your biggest challenges as a medical student?

Questions Pertaining to Career Choice and Applying to “this Program”

• How did you decide on this career direction and residency path?
• What are you looking for in a residency program?
• Why did you choose to apply to our program?
• What do you feel you can bring to our program?
• Where do you see yourself after finishing your residency?

Questions to Elicit Insight into Personal Characteristics and Assess Self-Awareness

• Tell me about a time when you were most proud of yourself.
• Tell me about a mistake you made and how you handled it.  What did you learn about yourself from that experience?
• What interests do you have away from medicine?
• What frustrates you?
• What role do you normally assume during a team assignment or team project?
• Tell me about a patient who impacted you-either positively or negatively.
• How do you cope with stress?
• What do you do for fun?

Wrap-Up Questions

• What do you think we are looking for in a resident?
• What questions do you have about our program?
• Is there anything you want us to know about you that we have not asked?