December 16, 2008

• The interview trail

  Being on the interview trail is a lot like being on the oregon trail, but with less dysentery.

  Haha, no I kid.

  It definitely has not been as nerve-wracking as I was first worried it would be. No crazy questions, no ridiculous tasks. Mostly I go sit in a room with one or two people, and we just have a brief conversation. Usually its about my past as a stand up comedian, sometimes its about my research or travels. This is inevitably followed by the most oft-used phrase on the interview trail, “do you have any questions.”

  And I do. Even when I dont, I do. Sometimes, there will be something about the program I genuinely want to know more about. Other times, I just ask one of my stock questions for the sake of having a question. A good one for me is “what would you like to see added to your program?” It’s a sneaky way of asking what they lack. Most program directors are wise to this, but answer anyway…its the equivalent of them asking me what my greatest weakness is.

  There is always the obligate powerpoint presentation and lunch with the residents. We are told to ask all the down and dirty questions we really want to know of the residents, but then again, most of the residents selected to assist in the tours are there because they like the program, so you dont always get great information that way either. Though I have found that the residents will be more honest about the workload or the ancillary services, but it will still be sugarcoated to some degree.

  And of course every interview has a tour of the hospital. Which at first doesnt sound like its necessary, but secretly gives you a chance to evaluate the facilities…is the hospital old? run down? how do the residents and nurses seem who ARENT part of the happy faces shown you by the program…are people laughing, joking or they all gloomy guses?

  Having been on multiple interviews now, I have started to get a feel for whether or not I would fit in with the program, and how I like it. I have learned to read between the lines, as it were.

  Thus far New York has not impressed me. Now I still have three more interviews here and things could certainly change, but as much as I want to come back to the city to live (manhattan in particular is amazing), I have not felt that any of the programs I have seen would add to my growth as a person.

  Chicago was great, but part of that is also being on familiar territory

  And for all my complaining about not wanting to live in a non-city like LA yet, the socal programs by far treat their residents the best in terms of benefits.

  Now i still have plenty more interviews to go on, and my rank list isnt due til february…but it’s interesting to see how my attitudes are starting to develop.

  -Almost Dr J

  • 4:15 pm
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