IMGs often wonder what’s a good time to start interviewing. Is it good to interview early or late? The approach is usually individualized as per personal wishes. If you intend to apply for an H1B than it is better to interview early in mid October- mid December since this is a good time and the applicants have a better chance of being offered a pre-match position which most of the physicians aspiring for an H1B desire. H1B visas are subjected to quota restrictions and are not available throughout the year. (Visa link). Very few programs would offer an IMG a late start date in case a problem arises due to visa issues. The advantages about early interview is getting a pre-match but you might have to compromise other interview options since the programs offering pre-match positions would not give enough time before signing the contract and to let you interview further. It’s like one time offer “Take it or leave it”. IMGs without visa restrictions (Permanent resident) or a J-1 visa aspirant usually interview late desiring to get their best choice of program via the match results. Late interviewer have the advantage of being fresh in the memories of the program directors while they are preparing their rank order list for the upcoming match but there is always an uncertainty of not getting matched and undergoing the post-match scramble or to wait for another year. So one has to outweigh the risks and benefits before adapting any of the approach. See important facts to know to see how IMG perform in the match.

During the initial interviews due to lot of anxiety, fear and enthusiasm for the interview the applicant might not be able to perform their best but as the interview sessions progresses the anxiety and the fear subsides and the confidence builds up and the applicants becomes more oriented to the interview styles and questions and are able to give their best performances. It is suggested that you should not schedule your most desired programs first when the anxiety level is very high or last when the enthusiasm for the interview is at the low end. But also we would like to stress that no real interviews should be used as mock interviews. It is good to experiment some fake interviews to become familiar and in order to reduce the anxiety level before the interviews. Give your best performance in all interviews irrespective of your desire for the program keeping in mind of the competition and the difficulties faced by IMG to get into a good residency program.

IMGs usually go to an average of 10-15 interviews to ensure a good match, but it is often safer to go to as many as you can and then choose which one you will put on your Rank Order List after visiting the program. Less number of interviews should not discourage you from giving your best performance. Read our Success Story of physicians how they managed to beat the competition.

Schedule your interviews as soon as possible to get the desired date and try to group your interviews in one geographical area (like all New York interviews at one time) to save time, energy and of course the money which usually all IMGs are in a big deficit off. Allow some time for rest between the interviews to regain the energy and enthusiasm for the next interview. Try and learn from each of your interview experience to keep improving your performance in each of the upcoming interviews.

Confirm your interview date and time a week before the interview to avoid the unexpected changes that might have occurred in the programs schedule. Ask the program coordinator to send you the schedule of the interview day, directions to the hospital and the possible accommodations near the hospital. Usually the programs are the best guides to help you provide the information of safe, proximal and inexpensive accommodation in the area.

Be sure to arrive at your destination a day before the interview, and find your way to the hospital.

Try to talk to one of the residents preferably PGY-1 to get the most of the information about the interview sessions and of any particular pattern of interview.

Read about the program from ‘FREIDA and also request the program coordinator to send you a general information catalogue about the program and ask if there is any website of the program. More you would know about the program more you will sound committed to it. Find out the current issues and the upcoming changes in the program to exhibit a good insight about the program. Some IMGs have suggested that knowing more about the program director’s specialty and research interests are helpful in giving an idea about what kind of medical questions might be asked during the interview and it is helpful if there is a common interest of medical subject between the applicant and the program director.(take opinions)

Know as much as possible about your specialty and the reasons for liking it. More you know about your specialty more you will appear committed to it. Find out the current issues involving the specialties from medical journals reading editorials. If you are changing your specialty than have good reasons for doing it merely saying that it is not possible to get into your choice of specialty due to competition (although it might be true) is not a good enough reason to justify your interest in the specialty you are now planning to join. (Example – An IMG orthopedic surgeon changing to internal medicine).

Your appearance on the interview day is of utmost importance. Look like a formal executive. Get a suit in traditional colors like navy blue, gray, black etc. Wear a tie, standard glasses and polished conservative shoes and preferably no after-shaves/perfumes. Carry your documents in a leather bag with a classic pen.

Women attire: Navy, dark gray or black suit with polished conservative dark colored shoes. Skirt and Coat should be desirably in same material and color preferably in wool or wool look-alike material. Blouse in pastel shades in silk, cotton or look-alike synthetic or dress with a coat is also acceptable. Avoid flashy colors. Try to minimize the make-up, perfume and jewelry.

Directions to the program with full address and phone no of contact of the program coordinator.

Information about the program available from all the resources (FREIDA, Program’s information catalogue and website, information from the resident)

Medical school diploma, transcript, passport with documents regarding the visa status, ECFMG certificate, Photograph.

Any new information that you could not provide at the time of application (like any new publication, letter of recommendation, exam score)

Any new information that you could not provide at the time of application (like any new publication, letter of recommendation, exam score)

Remember the old saying “Punctuality is the mark of Perfection”. Be on time at the interview. No excuses will be accepted if you are late, in case if you are getting late call the program coordinator in advance and inform your reason for coming late.

Each interview lasts for about 10-20 minutes and on an average interviewed by 2-3 faculty members. The first few minutes of the interview are critical for selection therefore give your best first impression on the interviewer. Today is your day after so many days of hard work and sleepless nights of exam preparation. Give your best performance look confident, with a positive attitude and high self-esteem. Believe in your self and don’t let anything put you down nor the circumstances, weather, journey or any of the past experiences of the interviews. Talk confidently with a smile on your face, talk about your positive qualities (like team player, reliable, hard working etc.). Don’t criticize your fellow colleagues who are interviewing with you if asked ”why choose you over them”. One has to remember that you are trying to sell yourself so learn to talk about your self easily and naturally. (smiling face).

Show your enthusiasm for the program, interact with the colleagues and interviewers in a pleasant way, remember you are being observed from the moment you enter the hospital they already know that you have the knowledge to be a resident but they want to know how interactive you are and whether you are compatible for the program. Present yourself as an intellectual physician with motivation and high-energy. Show your positive attitude and commitment to the medical specialty.

Things that are assessed during the interview to assess your suitability to be a resident-

Learn how to pronounce the interviewers name. Pay full attention to the questions asked by the interviewer, take your time to answer the questions with a confidence in your voice. If you don’t know the answer to any question (academic or non-academic) apologize politely instead of answering incorrectly. Don’t forget to thank the interviewer for giving you an opportunity to meet and show your interest in the program and affirm that you are looking forward to be a part of his team.

Some programs will judge you by your questions. Do not ask questions about the information provided in the brochure/website of the program / FREIDA or any information that have been provided in the morning overview by the program director. Asking a stupid question will do worse then remaining silent in the interview. Try to ask an intelligent question which arises from the available information given to you from different sources. Most of the interviews fail because of inadequate preparation, and when the applicant does not listen to the faculty and answers to the questions that are not being asked

USMLE Scores + interview + Postgraduate Experience + Language + US experience

How much interaction is there with the faculty? Are they just vestigial organs do nothing but get inflamed?

How much didactic time (Lectures, seminars, journal clubs) is there in a week? Is there enough time to read?

What kind of clinical experience and what kind of clinical procedure is available to the resident? How many patients are under the supervision of one intern and what is the call schedule?

a "thank you note" or letter to the program director and the person who interviewed you to express your thanks and interest in the program. Thank him for giving the opportunity to meet him. In the letter mention the specific things that were discussed with you, and the reasons why you liked the program.

Make a specific note about the impression of the program so that you can remember all the positive and negative things about the program. Often check list of the things that you are looking for is also helpful.