Informational Interviewing

1
Informational Interviewing

• IDM Career Development
• October 5, 2007
• Sandra LaBlance

2
Informational Interviewing

• Purpose
• Gather information
• Day to day work life Three dimensional
  perspective
• Expectations to be successful in the field
• Opportunities available
• Opportunities available during M3 year
• Research/case studies
• Shadowing
• Building Professional Contacts

3
Successful Informational Interviewing

• Request for Interview
• Professional approach
• Specific agenda
• Who to Contact
• Career advising coordinators
• Recent graduates
• OSPPD

4
Successful Informational Interviewing

• Remember your purpose
• Gather up-to-date information, not asking for a
  residency
• Self-assessment
• Be prepared to discuss your background and
  interests
• Respectful of time limits
• Make an appointment, stick to time allotted
• (20-30 minutes depending on persons schedule)

5

• Know the specifics of the specialty
• Do your homework ahead of time
• Be Prepared to take the lead
• Have questions prepared, know what you are
  seeking
• Send a thank you
• Keep in touch

6
Sample Questions

• Tell me about how you chose this specialty?
• What do you most like/least about your specialty?
• What are various practice settings for this
  specialty?
• How do you balance career with rest of your life?
• What would you recommend to a third year student
  considering this specialty?

7
Letters of Recommendation

• IDM Career Development
• October 5, 2007
• Sandra LaBlance

8
Purpose of a LoR

• Show you have professional and personal qualities
  needed to be successful in a given field.
• Supply Qualitative information important for
  residency programs to make decisions regarding
  your candidacy

9
When to Request Letters

• Beginning M3 year
• End of a rotation, or soon after clerkship
• Give plenty of time for letter writer
• 4-6 weeks minimum
• If rotation is at beginning of M4 year, there may
  be less time to give the writer, give as much
  time as you can dont rush the writer

10
Who to ask for letters?

• Right Person
• Knows you well enough to write strong letter
  your skills talents, work ethic and future
  potential
• Thinks highly of you
• Can reflect your background and strengths
• Communication skills
• Specific examples and anecdotes
• Committed to you and your future
• Know what letters are needed
• Department chair?
• Number needed for specialty/programs?

11
How to Ask for LoR

• Ask for time with the attending, not just in
  passing
• Be polite, cordial and professional
• Do you feel you know me and my work well enough
  to write me a strong letter of recommendation?
• If no, thank him/her knowing they are politely
  declining
• If yes, know you can be confident the letter will
  be positive

12
Information to Provide Letter Writer

• Packet containing the following
• Letter of Request for Letter of Recommendation
• Thanks for agreeing to write letter and letter
  writers general support of you
• Your Contact Information
• Specialty Area You are Applying
• Directions on what to do with letter once
  complete
• Date letter is due
• ERAS Cover Sheet
• Curriculum Vita (if complete)
• Personal Statement (if complete)
• Copy of their evaluations of you
• Anything else the letter writer has requested
• Envelope with address for LoR to be delivered

13
After Letter is Requested

• Letters are due in the Deans Office in the Fall
  (end of September/beginning of October)
• Follow-up with letter writer as deadline
  approaches
• Check with Deans office to make sure letter is
  received
• Send Letter writers a personal thank you note
  after letter is received by Deans office
• Send a note to each letter writer after the match