Virtual Interviewing Tips for the Otolaryngology Match Cycle During the COVID‐19 Pandemic

Abstract

Virtual interviews are planned for the upcoming 2020-2021 residency cycle. This presents a unique challenge for medical students. Due to the importance of the interaction of applicants and interviewers during the interview, medical students should thoroughly prepare for the upcoming virtual interview season. We offer practical and realistic concepts and techniques to optimize their interview experience. Technology and audiovisual equipment should be adjusted and enhanced to minimize video conferencing application errors and interview downtime. The applicant’s interview environment should focus on proper lighting, background, camera angles, and minimizing unwanted distractions. Mock interview sessions are invaluable to applicants and provide the opportunity to simulate the interview, refine their technology, adjust their environment, and become more comfortable in a virtual interview setting. These actions will prevent unnecessary disruptions and increase the focus of the interview toward the communication between the applicant and the interviewer.

Virtual Recruitment in Surgical Residency Programs

“…In the past, these students would have been unable to attend as many interviews as their peers, who may be getting financial support from family [11]. There is, however, concern that students who are unable to pay for highspeed internet or expensive camera and audio equipment will make a poorer impression on a virtual interview, an issue that they would not have in person [26]. Additionally, applicants with children, particularly single parents of young children, are at a significant disadvantage interviewing virtually during a pandemic.…”

“…Additionally, applicants with children, particularly single parents of young children, are at a significant disadvantage interviewing virtually during a pandemic. It is generally recommended that applicants who cannot control background noise perform their interviews from the medical school library [26]. However, with remote learning and pandemicrelated issues in obtaining childcare, asking an applicant to separate themselves from their children may not be straightforward.…”

PGY1 Resident‐Led Mock Virtual Interviews to Prepare for the 2022 Otolaryngology Residency Virtual Interviews

“…Feedback was provided to each applicant's background and camera setup. 7 The mock interview day was made as realistic as possible. We felt it was important that applicants experience the disconcerting wait at their computers in the moments prior to the interview and understand relaxation techniques to use in this period.…”

Applicants' perception of fit to residency programmes in the video‐interview era: A large multidisciplinary survey

“…3,12,13 Video-interviewing might also exacerbate inequities due to implicit bias based on applicant appearance or their surroundings. 11,14,15 Disadvantaged applicants might lack the technology for videoconferencing, whereas applicants caring for family might find it impossible to find private, quiet spaces with professional backgrounds for videointerviews. 6,10,[14][15][16] Without in-person interviews, programmes might find it more challenging to perform holistic application review and increase their reliance on metrics such as the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) scores.…”

“…11,14,15 Disadvantaged applicants might lack the technology for videoconferencing, whereas applicants caring for family might find it impossible to find private, quiet spaces with professional backgrounds for videointerviews. 6,10,[14][15][16] Without in-person interviews, programmes might find it more challenging to perform holistic application review and increase their reliance on metrics such as the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) scores. 3,12,17 Virtual interviews might also make it more difficult for applicants to assess their fit to the residency programmes at which they interview.…”