Sounding over rehearsed.

[gillian]

What does it actually mean if you sound over-rehearsed?

I have been told that in a mock interview and don't know how to sort it out when I haven't in actual fact done too much practise. The people who did my mock asked me if I had done the mock before...huh??...I told them I hadn't, so I am trying to find out what the difference between sounding confident & relxed and over rehearsed is...

Please can anyone point me in the right direction so I can sort it out as I have interviews coming up..

Cheers!!!!

[DH2005]

I've never attended a medical school interview, but I've passed a number of job interviews and I passed an Access to Medicine interview last week, so I'd say that I interview reasonably well. I have a few of techniques.

Some people say that over-rehearsal is a fatal flaw, but I don't necessarily agree. I believe in rehearsing intensively, though not rehearsing the exact same wording; try asking yourself a sample question and varying your answers a little every time. Make sure that you make all the crucial points each time but use different linking phrases, say things in a different order, maybe include a brief pause or two somewhere in your answer etc. In my experience, you'll learn your answers more effectively and they'll sound more dynamic. When you're confident that you know what you're going to say, test the effectiveness of your delivery on a friend, member of family etc.

When at the interview, don't panic when asked a question that you've prepared and hammer-off the points you've rehearsed like a shopping list - have confidence in your preparation and take your time. Don't be afraid to pause mid-answer - even if you know what you're going to say next it makes you look thoughtful and considered, as though you've taken the question onboard - interviewers like to think that they've tested you. Plus, it will make your interview more of a conversation than an interrogation - it'll lighten the mood, which is better for everyone.

Some people advise against this, but I'm a big believer in using physical gestures to emphasise certain points - don't wave your hands about and pull tortured faces, but a properly-timed smile can communicate intelligence and a sense of humour. Particularly for medical school interviews, I'd say you should show your humanity at every appropriate opportunity.

It's a little contrived, perhaps, but then so is the whole interview process.

Hope this helps.

[simran]

I would agree with DH2005 about including pauses. I think if you start talking as soon as they have finished asking you a question, then the interviewers may think that you rehersed the answer already. Also if you talk too well without any pauses, then the nterviewers might conclude that you already knew the answer.

[angelic_xox]

I think sounding rehearsed refers to the fact you sound like you are reading something straight off and possibly the answers are the "done before" type thing with little originality. I think everyone prepares something towards the obvious questions "why medicine" "why this uni" and they expect that. It is hard sometimes to put these points in a new way because everyone is normally saying similar stuff. Instead of learning an answer make points to say, and then when you speak entwine them with what you say. In the interview you can usually tell how you're doing by the facial expressions of the interviewers and whether they're actually listening!

I'd say it is really hard to sound rehearsed for the WHOLE interview because you get some of the most random querstions, things you haven't thought of, personal statement based questions from a different angle. I think thats when the ability to be a good speaker kicks in.
I wouldn't worry too much about being told that you sound "rehearsed". An interview is as much about what you say as how you say it. Just do your best!

[pianodoggie]

Gillian, i hope my reply hasn't come late. I have recently been offered the opportunity to interview the young wannabes who wished to enter medical school. In an ideal world everyone would be accepted; but in reality all we (Barts and London) are looking for is a person who will enjoy working in the NHS (which can be very much of a poo-hole for most people, believe me :-)!)
There are 3 parts in the interview, first, we play a video clip of a really rubbish GP interviewing his patient, and the interviewee has to spot out the 5 things not right about him, and for bonuses to tell what would be the good practices. Then, we would ask the person how much he/she knew about the course - the structure, duration, topics covered, etc - and strengths and weaknesses (identifying the compatibility of one's personality to Medicine - at the end of the day it really isn't for everyone!). Finally, the senior med student in the board would ask you questions about ur interests, which wouldn't matter with our final decision as to acceptance, unless you came up with things like "i enjoy sex and i want to sleep with all of the nurses when i become a doctor!".
I say, be yourself, because the interviewers will be there to help you decide whether you are made for it. However, if you really want the place, then you should have the attitudes for it - someone who isn't impulsive, willing to listen to others, willing to learn and work with others, and enjoys the learning experience. Do not mention your love for Holby City, or ER. They are not impressed with that. Hope it helps!

[rachelm]

Possibly what makes someone sound over-rehearsed is that they don't actually answer the question they're asked - often things are worded in a slightly different way (like "can you tell us how you came to decide on medicine" and not "why do you want to be a doctor").

[Michelle @ Kidderminster]

This isnt really relevant to me- cos I dont watch Casualty or Holby City- and I am asking this as a light hearted question but what do these admissions doctors have against Casualty and Holby City? lol- at every open day I have been to they mention them as if they are the work of the devil- at the Premed Course at Oxford (even THAT cost £50 for a few hours!) they even played a clip of ER and criticised it, lol.

[Renal]

Tbh, I don't believe in rehursal. If you have the comms skills and actually have the answers to the questions (I'm no admissions officer, but I'm guessing that's what they might be looking for) than you'll be fine.

The problem with pre-planning answers is that, almost invariably, one question will be asked that you didn't plan for and you'll sit there like a lemon wondering which of your rehursed speeches will suffice. Alternatively you'll just trot some answer you picked up on here which means nothing to you and get into medicine.

[bav]

i agree with you abt not rehursin, but its a gd idea to know what kinda stuff theyre gonna ask.
gotta b from the heart if u wanna seem genuine. plus admission tutors have probs heard it all before so itd b gd to be different.
bav

[Renal]

they even played a clip of ER and criticised it, lol.

We can do that watching in the association bar...