Sunday, October 26, 2008

Preparing

My first residency interview is in a very short 8 days. It's both exciting and terrifying. I think I'm ready. I need to think of a good, marketable weakness that isn't so cliche as "I work too hard" or "my standards are too high." (Internets? What are my marketable weaknesses?) My suits are clean, well-fitting, cute, and hemmed. I have a variety of shirts that say "Professional! But fun! And good at pelvic exams!" And...I may have bought new shoes. Because I want to be tall but still have intact nerves in my feet at the end of the day. Sofft claims that they can accomplish both goals with arch support and cushy insoles. And, look! Cute!

Did I really need new shoes? No, probably not. I could have just had my suits hemmed to work with flats. But then I wouldn't have had an excuse to buy new shoes.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wow, I want one of them shirts. So versatile! (though not 100% true in my case)

Those are very cute shoes. If Jenny sees them, she may decide to go to medical school just to justify the interview clothes.

Practice walking in the shoes, and make sure they aren't slick on tile floors. It is not professional to end on your bum because your shoes slipped out from you, as I know from experience. Luckily, I already had the job.

Weakness - buys too many shoes? Seriously, I'm not sure it is that important what you choose, as long as you demonstrate having an action plan against it to prevent it from being a limiter. Too often when I am interviewing potential employees, they just tell me the (yes, often cliche, but sometimes surprisingly bad) weakness and leave it laying there like a smelly sock on the table.

I bet Jan will have a few things to say, too.

Anonymous said...

I think I meant "lying".

Anonymous said...

Patience...that's a great one and likely true too since you come from this family. And, BONUS, for many employers, your lack of patience reads as "won't tolerate laziness or lackluster performance in co-workers," so it's really a plus. You can really spin it by saying it interferes with personal relationships and therefore has made you even more devoted to work. (Snark!)

(Frankly, the "laying" made the comment far more interesting.)

Tam said...

I need those shoes, I have been dying for some comfortable heels to wear to work. Please let me know if you heart them.

Anonymous said...

Karen - I have a pair of Sofft boots and they're maybe the best thing ever. Cute and extraordinarily practical. Yay!

Delores said...

I love to read the comments...so enjoy the great sense of humor and play on words skill your whole family seems to excel in :o) You definitely can't list them for your weaknesses!
Cute shoe choice! I bought a pr of SOFTT shoes two yrs ago(not quite as cute and somewhat lower heel) and have worn them a lot in general and also for dancing and they have been very comfortable and I have MUCH OLDER feet than you have.
Sending you warm thoughts and a big air hug!!

Tam said...

Oh and for the weakness you might be able to speak to the cognitive dissonance caused by balancing your intense desire to reduce unwanted pregnancies and your dedication to respecting a woman's right to choose. Sometimes they go hand in hand, and as you said in your email..sometimes they don't.

Anonymous said...

i like that even the rubber skid pads on the soles of your new shoes are cute!
it was nice to see you today at knitting :-)