Interview Skills Course?

**Mint Pixie** · 08-10-2008, 11:43 PM

My careers advisor suggested looking into either or both of the following interview courses:
isc medical interview course
oxbridge application interview preparation days

(Yes, I'm applying for Oxford, Merton)

Anyway, they're both pricey, so I was wondering if anyone has been on either. Or if anyone has any idea if they are worth it? I'm not that amazing at speaking, so any help would be loved.

And I have the isc medical interviews book, I love it.

**Anitaisdabest** · 10-10-2008, 09:24 PM

the book is good from isc. BUT don't bother with the course.
I went to the ISC preparation course in London (in October) and had <edit: offensive remarks removed> (communications consultant) as the practice interviewer. I thought the practice interview was cr*p personally and a waste of money. There's absolutely no point. He didn't giv much advice and when asked he couldn't answer any of my qs. and tried to change the topic instead. -i don't recommend it at all

Sorry 2 b so -ve but that's what i thought...

---the oxbridge one may better but I never attended that one, so I have no idea...

**Knowalot2** · 10-10-2008, 09:34 PM

don't bother. spend ur money on something else.

**Spencer Wells** · 10-10-2008, 09:45 PM

Recent research out of Australia demonstrates that those who go on interview preparation courses do not have a statistically significant higher chance of getting an offer of a place than those who don't go on courses, so save your money.

**Baki** · 11-10-2008, 01:27 AM

Originally Posted by Mint Pixie

My careers advisor suggested looking into either or both of the following interview courses:
isc medical interview course
oxbridge application interview preparation days

(Yes, I'm applying for Oxford, Merton)

Anyway, they're both pricey, so I was wondering if anyone has been on either. Or if anyone has any idea if they are worth it? I'm not that amazing at speaking, so any help would be loved.

And I have the isc medical interviews book, I love it.

Did you say Merton? I'm applying there as well...I guess that makes us buddies (or competition, depends how you look at it). Lol.

**ISCMEDICAL** · 12-10-2008, 02:40 AM

Originally Posted by Anitaisdabest

the book is good from isc. BUT don't bother with the course.
I went to the ISC preparation course in London (in October) and had 'Olivier Picard' - a very, very, rude person !!! (communications consultant) as the practice interviewer. I thought the practice interview was cr*p personally and a waste of money. There's absolutely no point. He didn't giv much advice and when asked he couldn't answer any of my qs. and tried to change the topic instead. -i don't recommend it at all

Sorry 2 b so -ve but that's what i thought...

---the oxbridge one may better but I never attended that one, so I have no idea...

Dear Anita

It is regretable that you have chosen to publish such defamatory message on such a public forum. Olivier Picard has not run any medical school course in October 2007 or October 2008 as all of them were run by practicing GPs. We can therefore only conclude that the purpose of your message was to defame ISC Medical's name as the information contained within your comments cannot be anything but untruthful.

ISC Medical

**vanitagossain** · 12-10-2008, 03:50 AM

lol - anita, I think you obviously haven't met Mr Picard, or maybe you were having a bad day. He is the nicest trainer you could ever meet. I met him in January when he coached me for my graduate entry place at St George's (in fact I insisted on being coached by him because I had loved his book so much) and I must say it was one of the best coaching sessions I have ever had. Of course, he can sometimes be a bit "direct" in his feedback, but that is what you pay for. You need a trainer to be honest, but of course also sensitive. My dad was also coached by him when he applied for his consultant post and he was equally pleased with the results.

I must say that your comments about him not answering your questions sounds awfully strange. When I saw him in fact he went to great length to tell me that I could contact him by email at any time if I had any questions. I was emailing him questions at night and he would often email me back with advice the same day - some of his emails were sent late at night! I must say I owe my med school place to him. I have since recommended the course to others and, although they got other trainers (one was coached by a GP who has a special interest in dramatherapy and is also a part time actress) and all were really pleased.

It is always difficult to assess how effective interview courses can be because you will never know what would have happened if you had not gone. Perhaps your bitterness comes from the fact that you were unsuccessful last year and you want to take it out on somebody.