First Impressions
by Ann Demarais, Ph.D., and Valerie White, Ph.D.
What kind of first impression do you make? This is a critical question as we do our residency interviews - whether we match as a dermatologist or not can ultimately hinge on this all-important first encounter.
Drs. Demarais and White talk about "social generosity," carefully helping others feel good about themselves, whether through "appreciation," "connection," "elevation" (good spirits) or "enlightenment" (new information). Each chapter covers one of "Seven Fundamentals of a First Impression" (including the need for self-disclosure and for fluency in conversational dynamics); each ends with a checklist of "positive topic behaviors" and "common miscommunications" (e.g., if you focus on one topic, you may think you're passionate but you come off as self-absorbed).
This book is best used with a friend to practice interviewing and then using the checklists to obtain objective feedback on your performance. It is difficult to be objective about yourself, and the checklist from this book help you to acheive that. Another way to be objective is to videotape yourself interviewing and then fine tune from there. The book also has a companion website where you can print and download the checklists.
If you have read the book, please let us all know what you thought by leaving a comment on this post.
(updated 1/16/05 with review)