How to Prepare for Fellowship or Job Interviews as a Pathology Resident

It’s never too soon to start thinking about what area of medicine you want to pursue, according to Stephanie Skala, MD, FASCP, who recently completed a fellowship in gynecologic pathology and teaches at the University of Michigan Medical School.

“As soon as you have an idea about what your fellowship interests are, whether it’s a subspecialty or your preferred geographic location, reach out to people to let them know about your interest,” she advises.  

If you have subspecialty interests in mind when applying to residency programs, check to see if those institutions also have fellowships in your particular area of interest. “At every residency program where you interview, you can also talk to people in the specialty you are interested in to learn about it,” Dr. Skala adds.

For the fellowship interview, your interviewers are interested in how you interact with everyone you encounter and whether you would be a good fit. It’s a good idea to research the institution and department to understand why you would be a good fit.

“I am involved in the University of Michigan’s pathology fellowship interviews,” Dr. Skala explains. “Once we have reviewed someone’s application, letters of recommendation, test scores, CV and personal statement, we want to make sure an applicant is genuinely interested in the subspecialty and our program and that it seems like we’d work well with them.”

If you are preparing for a first job interview, read the job description carefully so you are fully aware of the requirements and responsibilities of the position. The job description lists the qualifications, qualities and background the employer is seeking in a candidate. Think through how your skills are aligned with this description. The job description may also offer ideas about questions the employer may ask during the interview.

“Qualifications and responsibilities may be flexible in some cases,” Dr. Skala says. “It’s worth looking into interesting opportunities and keeping in mind that there may be flexibility on either side.”

Before the interview, think through why you want the job and why you are qualified. Be prepared to explain your interest in the opportunity and why you’re the best person for the position. If you have questions about the workplace environment, check out the organization’s social media accounts which can tell you a lot about its values and culture.

If you are applying for private practice jobs, you are likely to be given set of slides to assess your diagnostic skills. To prepare, check out institutions, such as Johns Hopkins or the University of Michigan Medical School, that have posted scanned slides online to test your knowledge. 

If you are seeking a job in an academic setting, you may be asked to give an hour-long presentation to residents, whether in your specific knowledge area or pertaining to research you have done. “Some places will have faculty candidates conduct unknown slide sessions with the residents,” Dr. Skala adds.

Remember, preparing for any type of interview, whether for a fellowship or first job, means taking the time to carefully consider your goals and qualifications so that you can articulate why you are the best candidate for the position. You won’t be able to predict every question you’ll be asked, yet there are some questions that you can anticipate. Practice your “elevator pitch” that describes who you are, what you do and what you want.

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