How to Survive Interviewing for Residency

The Low Down on Virtual Interviewing for Residency

Are you nervous about applying and interviewing for residency? Read to learn what I found to be important, with emphasis on virtual interviewing. Since 2020, most interviews have been virtual for residency. I am not sure if there are plans to change this, however. 

I am applying Pediatrics and just got through my interviewing season. All my interviews were virtual with some programs offering in-person second looks. It was intimidating having to talk through a screen, but you get used to it with time. I found it was hard to judge over the computer whether the program was genuine, how the residents interacted, and the appearance of the facilities. For this reason, my number one recommendation is to DO AUDITION/AWAY ROTATIONS! This is important regardless how your interview set-up is because programs get to see your work ethic in action. It is particularly important if interviews are virtual though. This allowed me to see how the programs operated, visualize the facilities in person, and work with the residents directly. My audition/away rotations gave me great insight into what I was looking for in a residency program.

Application Tips

1. Do NOT overapply– this is going to be somewhat individualized based on board scores, type of student, and what you are specializing in. With interviews being virtual it is so easy to just mass apply to programs across the country. I recommend against this unless you individually just must do this. You need to know what you are looking for in a program. Then, only apply to programs that fit what you are looking for.
2. Take time to research programs– this goes hand and hand with the tip above. Really think about what you are looking for in a program. Go to each program’s website and thoroughly look over what they offer. The research is time consuming, but worth it in the long run. FREIDA and Residency Explorer are great sites to begin your research with.

Interview Tips

1. Attend virtual meet and greets– all programs offer these as a way for you to talk directly with a handful of residents. Interviewing for residency can be stressful. This is a great way to ask questions you could not find through your own research. Most residents are very honest with their answers. This is where I received the most information about the programs.
2. The perfect background isn’t key– some students stress themselves so much about the lighting and their backgrounds for interviews. This is not necessary. Of course, you do not want a sloppy background or to be sitting on your bed during your interview, but that is common sense. Aside from that, no one is going to judge you for not having the perfect landscape behind you. A ring light can be helpful depending on lighting, but it is also not necessary. Since I wear glasses, I found the ring light more distracting because the reflection of the light could be seen.
3. Be prepared– you need to know your application up and down because most of my interviews focused on the application entries. One of the most helpful things I did was look up common interview questions ahead of time and have answers mapped out in my head. You do not want to sound overly rehearsed, but this prevented any long, awkward pauses. 
4. Take notes– there were a few interviews that I decided not to write anything down for fear that someone would think I was not paying attention, and I regret it. You will remember very little from interview day. The notes I did take on programs were helpful when it came time for me to make my rank list.

Takeaways

There are pros to virtual interviewing for residency including less travel, less expense, half-day interviews for the most part, and being in the comfort of your own space. There are a few cons as well including not getting to see the facilities in person, hard to judge how residents interact, and staring at a screen for hours getting tiring. I hope the tips above will help you get through the nerve-wracking times of trying to get into residency. If you have gone through the same process, leave me a comment below with something that helped you out. If you are navigating the process, ask me any questions in the comments.

If you are not in your fourth year of medical school yet, check out my other posts for surviving the first two years and conquering rotations.