Top 10 tips for pre-interview residency dinner

Given the virtual interviews during the 2022 season, the pre-interview dinners may not happen at most programs.

​The pre-interview dinner is one of the most important aspects of your residency interview trials. Not all programs offer it but for those that do, it is one of the most important ways in which the applicant can build rapport with the current residents in the program. Please note you are being judged as a potential resident by your future peers so avoid getting too friendly and over excited during this or too casual.

The first challenge that most IMG applicants face is what to wear to the pre-interview dinner.

What to wear for the pre-interview dinner?
Our take is simple on this, business casual dress does best. Don’t stand out from the rest of the applicants. You need to blend in. One option is trousers and a simple plain shirt and during the winter, coats are acceptable.  Don’t be too formal. Suits will make you stand out, ties again are to be avoided. Avoid Jeans, even though you may see residents at the dinner in Jeans.

The dinner is usually in a restaurant chosen by the residents. At times it may be at one of the resident's houses as well.

Sometimes residents may offer you a drive to the restaurant. During your drive to the venue, the resident may show you the city. Try asking questions regarding the city, why the resident choose this program (especially if it’s an AMG resident), the cost of living, how they like the program, and related. This may be the best time to ask those questions. Residents are very honest and open about why they choose this program. Always demonstrate your interest in these conversations When meeting the residents, it is important to introduce yourself. Remember their names and your discussion with them. This may come in useful.

​The most important part of the dinner is ordering the food. Here are some useful tips:
  1. At times the menu is predetermined., but if you do have the opportunity to choose, select something light, preferably something in line with what others select.
  2. Don’t pick the most expensive dish on the menu.
  3. Avoid alcoholic drinks even if the residents are ordering one for themselves. If you are offered, it is best to decline it politely.
  4. It is also best not to try a new dish, for example, if you are not comfortable using chopsticks, don’t order anything that requires chopsticks or something you haven’t tried before.
  5. Try to eat slowly and in sync with all residents.
  6. During the dinner try building up rapport, but don’t hog the limelight.
  7. Do not play the ‘we are from the same country’ card with residents.
  8. Don’t argue or disagree with other applicants either, it's best to keep the conversation light and talk about similar hobbies or general topics. Politics and controversial and religious conversations should be avoided at all costs.
  9. It is also advisable to allow other applicants to share their views and respectfully hear them as well. Do not interrupt other applicants.
  10. When the dinner is done, make sure to meet all the residents again and thank them individually.

Remember, the pre-interview dinner isn’t as casual as it seems, your behavior, attitude and personality will be reflected here. Some programs do request resident's feedback when making their final rank order list and this could have a dramatic impact on your match results.

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