lacigolonummI Posted March 13, 2015 Report Share Posted March 13, 2015 Hi all, has anyone experienced having an MMI interviewer who actually just won't make eye contact with you? This has happened to me a few times now, and I can't tell if it is on purpose or if the interviewer is tired/doesn't like me off the bat/uninterested. It happens right away after the initial handshake. Is this a game, to see how you will react? Would appreciate a quick response as I have my last MMI in a few days Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnGrisham Posted March 13, 2015 Report Share Posted March 13, 2015 Apart of the game, just act normal and carry on. It happens in real life too - not everyone is your friend or wants to listen to what you have to say. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmorelan Posted March 13, 2015 Report Share Posted March 13, 2015 Apart of the game, just act normal and carry on. It happens in real life too - not everyone is your friend or wants to listen to what you have to say. If they are "mean to you" they are mean to everyone. If they really really seem to like you probably they are that way as well with everyone. You probably like the latter more but the end result is the same Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StayHappy Posted March 13, 2015 Report Share Posted March 13, 2015 Apart of the game, just act normal and carry on. It happens in real life too - not everyone is your friend or wants to listen to what you have to say. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arztin Posted March 13, 2015 Report Share Posted March 13, 2015 I had an interviewer purpusefully yawn, looking at her watch constantly, rolling her eyes during one of my French MMI stations. standard procedure to make you tilt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Borborygmi Posted March 13, 2015 Report Share Posted March 13, 2015 This also happened to me during my interview at two stations. Handshake and then very cold (one interviewer seemed blatantly judgmental--smirking and frowning more than once). It actually threw me off quite a bit and I'm sure it was noticeable. In a situation that isn't, well.... this, I would absolutely address the behaviour with the person to see what was going on. I didn't feel I was able to deal directly with the behaviour due to time constraints and due to the rules of the interview station (no small talk). I guess I should be prepared for this next time--if there is a next time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MD2015:) Posted March 13, 2015 Report Share Posted March 13, 2015 they are supposed to be expressionless during MMI but it definitely feels weird because you are used to getting non verbal feedback when you speak and they seem colder & disinterested without those non verbal cues Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
damha Posted March 14, 2015 Report Share Posted March 14, 2015 I don't have an mmi, but I have practiced on one occasion a few weeks ago with an individual who actually does MMI's for one of the medical schools in Ontario. This individual was very very non responsive and expressionless during the practice interview, not even a smile when you smile at them! But afterwards when they discussed my answers with them they said they were great and loved them. So I think judging their behaviour while you are answering is not necessarily indicative of your actual performance for the most part, or what they think of your response. Of course if you say something totally offside then they may look at you weird, but I do agree they are trained to be unresponsive for the most part. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Organomegaly Posted March 14, 2015 Report Share Posted March 14, 2015 Interesting Damha - I think it goes to show that having "nice" interviewers doesn't mean much, and "mean" interviewers doesn't mean much. At the end of the day they are both criticizing you! Probably shouldn't feel as good about my last interview then...I thought it wen't really well because they were so nice to me but I should probably re-think that judgement lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fluoxetine Posted March 14, 2015 Report Share Posted March 14, 2015 So it seems like MMI interviewers are assigned a certain persona to play during the interview. Then, if you're able to somehow break that character (make them laugh, etc.) that'd be a good sign? Or perhaps they've been also instructed to do those things periodically... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Organomegaly Posted March 14, 2015 Report Share Posted March 14, 2015 So it seems like MMI interviewers are assigned a certain persona to play during the interview. Then, if you're able to somehow break that character (make them laugh, etc.) that'd be a good sign? Or perhaps they've been also instructed to do those things periodically... LOL instructed to laugh periodically that sounds diabolical I think we may be overthinking it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nino Posted March 14, 2015 Report Share Posted March 14, 2015 I'm totally okay if the interviewer remains poker face, that's a big part of the interview process. But if they're downright rude then I would probably directly say something about it...no one deserves rudeness especially when interviewing at a reputable school. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SunAndMoon Posted March 14, 2015 Report Share Posted March 14, 2015 I'm totally okay if the interviewer remains poker face, that's a big part of the interview process. But if they're downright rude then I would probably directly say something about it...no one deserves rudeness especially when interviewing at a reputable school. *cough* French schools *cough* Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
haps Posted March 16, 2015 Report Share Posted March 16, 2015 Would it be not appropriate to clarify by saying something like "did I say something to offend?" If they reply with 'no, please continue' just ignore the non-verbals. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bearded frog Posted March 16, 2015 Report Share Posted March 16, 2015 Would it be not appropriate to clarify by saying something like "did I say something to offend?" If they reply with 'no, please continue' just ignore the non-verbals. Do not do this. Comes off as antagonistic. You are debating with yourself, not the assessor. Don't say anything that could be at all construed at offensive in the first place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
haps Posted March 16, 2015 Report Share Posted March 16, 2015 Do not do this. Comes off as antagonistic. You are debating with yourself, not the assessor. Don't say anything that could be at all construed at offensive in the first place. Noted, thanks! Just feels so odd because as a healthcare professional, you would want to react to non-verbals to clarify the situation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bearded frog Posted March 16, 2015 Report Share Posted March 16, 2015 Again, in theory, you are not interacting with the assessor. MMI's could theoretically be done to an empty room with audio/visual recording equipment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
futureGP Posted March 19, 2015 Report Share Posted March 19, 2015 Do not worry. Don't be thrown off by the interviewers. People are people, and some are nice, some aren't. Smile, speak your mind, be polite, answer questions, maintain eye contact, use body language (lean forward, use your arms/hands, facial expressions). Don't even worry about what they're thinking. you can almost imagine the person is not there and you're just staring at a wall or a volleyball with a face painted on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fluoxetine Posted March 21, 2015 Report Share Posted March 21, 2015 Do not worry. Don't be thrown off by the interviewers. People are people, and some are nice, some aren't. Smile, speak your mind, be polite, answer questions, maintain eye contact, use body language (lean forward, use your arms/hands, facial expressions). Don't even worry about what they're thinking. you can almost imagine the person is not there and you're just staring at a wall or a volleyball with a face painted on. Cast Away w/ Tom Hanks reference? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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