Research interview: Common questions for IMGs

In our other blogs we have discussed how IMGs can get US research experience or where  can you find clinical research opportunities if you are loking to get research experience before residency?
Here we discuss research position interview questions and what you can expect. These questions will help you if you are looking for research electives as IMG, research fellowships in the US or research volunteer positions, whether online research or full time research position at top programs like Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, Johns Hopkins or others.
If you secure a research position, it will help you ​improve your USMLE Residency profile or ERAS CV, here is a list of most common questions asked in a paid/voluntary research interview- as listed by our panelist, Dr. Raja Chandra.
  • The first common question of course is why do you want to do research?
  • What are your plans in the immediate future?
  • Why do you want to do research in this particular field?
  • Are you applying for the residency match this year?
  • Do you have any experience in research? If yes, what was your role?
  • What are you expecting from this research?
  • What kind of role are you willing to play?
  • How long are you willing to commit?
  • How many hours per day/week are you willing to work?
  • How early can you start?
  • Are you in the US? What visa are you on?
  • Can you use Microsoft excel?
  • Are you expecting any pay?
  • If it’s an unpaid research – How are you going to manage living
    expenses? Do you have family here?