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Interviews - Blog Posts
the set of Alex Israel’s “AS IT LAYS” interview series
Thank you, @anambermusicbox !
September 29 Day Countdown (6/29): 2019/02/19 Global Chinese Golden Chart 《流行音乐全金榜》 Live Broadcasted Radio Interview on Dragonfly FM
Highlights:
(14:15) Interviewer talks about how Zhou Shen’s activity on Weibo is completely unlike a celebrity; Zhou Shen mentions that Gao Xiaosong says he’s never acted like a celebrity and often tells him: “Zhou Shen, you’ve already debuted for so many years, how is it that you actually behave less and less like a celebrity?”
(21:40) “What are Shengmi to you?”:
Zhou Shen: They’re an inexplicable existence. Because, I’ve told them so many times, that I’ve always never understood what motivates them—not only my shengmi, but even just fans in general—what motivates them to support their favourite singer or idol. I feel like, personally, I can’t do much for them. All I can really do is sing some songs. […] I feel at a loss; I feel like I have no way to guarantee something good to repay them for their continuous support, for their love. Because I’m a really insecure person, and yet they’re able to give such an insecure person some sense of security… you can imagine how great their strength is.
(26:45) Interviewer asks if Zhou Shen has a 小名 (family nickname):
Zhou Shen: Because 深 and 星 are pronounced exactly the same in hunanese, my family has always called me Xingxing. When getting me registered, they asked the person doing the registration to register “our family’s Xingxing”, and the person said “okay, and your family name is Zhou,” so they literally registered me as “Zhou Xingxing” (周星星) (*Interviewer laughs*).
[I didn’t know this was my original legal name] until my high school entrance exam, when they called out “Zhou Xingxing” during rollcall, and no one responded. They thought it must’ve been a typo at first, because when they called the name out, the entire class was like “HAHAHAHAHA WHO THE HECK IS NAMED THAT”, and I was also there laughing like “HAHAHAHAHA WHO THE HECK IS NAMED THAT” (*laughs*) And then after everyone was called, they asked whether there was anyone who hadn’t been called. I said “I haven’t” and they said “Okay this must be you”, then everyone was like “HAHAHAHAHA YOU’RE ZHOU XINGXING” […] Afterwards, I went and legally changed my name back to Zhou Shen.
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Medical School Interviews
Across the UK hopeful medics will have sent off their applications and are eagerly awaiting for an interview. Considering I was in the same position a literal year ago I thought I would share some advice for the interviews. Unfortunately, I can’t disclose what interview questions I got but I can give some general tips that really helped me.
First, I thought I would give some background to my application. I applied to 4 medical schools that were all MMI so the advice I am about to give is more geared towards MMI style interviews. I was very fortunate to get 3 interviews and 3 offers for medicine.
Look at the Medical Schools website. Each medical school tends to outline the qualities they are looking for at interview on their website. Think of specific examples for each quality and practice how you have used/developed said quality and why this would make you a good doctor.
Stay away from Student Room. The number of people that told me to stay away from student room was enormous and yet I still ignored them and checked. All it does is scare you and makes you panic. It’s not worth the stress at all. Just focus on your application and nobody else’s.
Be professional. Medical schools really value professionalism and teach it throughout medical school. However, there is the expectation for you to have a certain level of professionalism before you enter medical school. Little things such as what you wear can make a big impact. For example, guys tended to wear suits at the interview however it isn’t necessary to as long as you are dressed smart then it is okay. Arrive on time. It looks really bad if you arrive late to your interview and you will also probably be really stressed as well which won’t help at all. If you are going to be late ring the medical school well in advance.
Some interviewers may be mean. I wish someone had told me this. Interviewers are there to test certain skills and therefore may be appear to be really brutal to you. Remember, that is what they are there for, stay calm and prove to them that you can handle it. This is essential as not every patient is going to be compliant and they need to test that you are able to cope with it.
Stay up to date with the news. When I had my interviews, the junior doctor contract was very hot in the news so I read around the topic. However, medical schools expect that of you and will probably not test you about that as it doesn’t really show anything that makes you stand out. But keeping up to date with scientific advancements in the medical field will put you in good stead.
Be honest. I think this is probably the most important tip I have. If you do not know something, then tell them that you don’t know it. The person asking will probably have a lot of expertise on the subject and will be able to tell when you are waffling. A lot of the time they are trying to see if you are brave enough to say you do not know rather than seeing if you actually do know something on that topic. Remember that a responsible doctor is one that stays within their limits and admits that they do not know something. If you are quite competent on the subject, then do talk about it however do not feel pressured to have a conversation with them about it.
So there are all my general tips! I just want to finish with saying that please don’t worry if you mess up a station. MMIs typically have 7/8 stations, you are judged on all the stations not just one, so take a deep breath and smash the other ones. If anyone has any questions regarding interviews just send me a message.
Good luck to everyone applying!
50 Things to ask on Residency Interviews
HARK. Interview season is upon us!
And my old littles gave me the great idea to come up with a big ol’ list of questions the interviewing 4th year can use to find the answers they need about certain program OR give ideas that a 4th year may not have thought of at all.
I hope this helps anyone who has been dreading the “any questions for us?” moment. It’s not everything you can ask, it may not even highlight your program priorities, but hopefully you can get something out of it!
Is there any standard curriculum which the residents follow?
When do residents have to take step 3 by?
Is there any expectation to take step 3 before residency starts?
How are morning reports/grand rounds/resident lectures held?
Does the program support simulators and simulated learning?
Does the program have a sim center?
Is the in-training exam used by the program in any way?
When do the residents take the in-training exam at this program?
What is the percentage of specialty board pass rates?
What is the fellowship match rate/job placement rate?
What are you expected responsibilities on the floor?
What kind of call do you do as an intern vs as a senior?
What are you looking for a in a resident?
What do you value in a team?
How often are you working with seniors vs other interns vs attendings?
What fellowship programs does this program offer?
What are the responsibilities of the fellows toward residents, if any?
How are mentors approached?
How does continuity clinic run through the program?
How many electives are offered per year?
What specialties does the hospital not have?
Which specialties are done at an outside hospital/system if any?
What are some hallmarks that make this program different from others?
How does this program participate in resident wellness?
Are their any resources if a resident feels they need help?
Is there support when there is a loss during patient care?
Does the hospital have any associated medical schools?
What are the 3rd and 4th year med student expectations?
What are the resident expectations to the medical students?
How many fourth years are around during audition season?
How is the schedule organized (how many floor, clinic, etc months)?
Are schedules flexible in any way?
If someone needs to miss a day or call, how is that rectified?
How are vacation requested, decided and divided?
Is there a holiday schedule?
How does the program approach QI projects?
What are some standout QI projects from the residents?
What are the research expectations for each year?
What resources does the program provide for research?
Are the residents provided food and drink (stipend/resident lounge supply)?
Are the residents provided scrubs?
Do you get white coat replacements or fleeces/jackets?
What is the expected attire on the floor, clinic, etc?
What is the parking situation?
Are there any stipends for moving, study material, exams or conferences?
What is the average cost of living in that area?
Where do most of the residents live?
Do you need to be in close proximity to the hospital?
How do you think a program of this size facilitates the learning environment?
Do the residents hang out together?
I didn’t describe why someone would ask these so if you’re interested, don’t know what something means, or want elaboration feel free to send an ask.
Go forth! Be strong and confident!
Good luck!
Thank you author & literary shaman Leslie Stuart Tate for interviewing me on my childhood in Tahiti and my novel The Charm Buyers, as well as chronic illness, and lupus. Thankful to Francoise Holozet-Howan for the spectacular photos - this interview begins with a translation of her message re why she shares these photos: to bring more awareness to the environmental vulnerability of these islands, on the frontlines of climate change.