Interview Faux Pas

The dermatology trail for most dermatology applicants is now over, ranking lists are being submitted to the NRMP, and Match Day is coming soon (March 18th). The UTMB DIG has compiled a list of interview faux pas from several dermatology programs that may be useful for future UTMB DIG applicants.

-Remember, residents and faculty at the program where you are interviewing may overhear you when you are speaking loudly on your cell phone outside of their offices. If they hear you say, "I can't wait to leave (name city or state)" it may not help create a positive first impression.

-Not all interviewers may want to look at the clinical pictures you took while on another dermatology rotation.

-Do not curse at the interview.

-Rehearsed responses may indicate insincerity if detected.

-Not interviewing with everyone on the interview list may signal lack of enthusiasm for that program (this is especially true for internal candidates and away programs that invite rotators to interview while still there).

-Not being in town the night before the interview when distance is an issue. Things can go wrong with same day travel arrangements, especially during the winter. If it is a risk you don't need to take (no interview at another program in a different city the day before where air travel will be necessary), it is safer to arrive in town the night before.

-Writing to programs after the interview that they are "at the top of my list," "in the top three," etc. This lets the program know that they are not your top choice.