Virtual Interview Resources for Residents

Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing accommodation for any part of the residency, fellowship, or AFC trainee application process may contact, in confidence, Learner Experience.

Resident Support Resources

As you are approaching the next chapter in your training and careers, we understand that you are facing unprecedented times due to COVID-19.  Many of you at your stage in training may be planning for upcoming professional virtual interviews.  PGME wants to share with you some excellent resources to help support you with your evolving virtual education and professional needs. Please review the available resources outlined below to support you with your virtual professional development needs.

Western Career Education Website 


Helpful Interview Prep Materials

You will find helpful practice information on preparing for interviews including possible question types and strategies. These resources are updated regularly and there is a surplus to best support you in your desired area of development. 

e-Learning Module (20-30 min)

You will find a short interactive development module that covers how to best prepare for an interview and also arms you with various effective response strategies.

InterviewPrep

You can create a personal account to InterviewPrep using your Western Identity and virtually practice interviews from home.  You will find many valuable resources to assist you with your interviewing virtually. Make sure to view the InterviewSuite that feature expert tips and advice on all things interviewing and also review the User Guide and best practices handbooks. Once ready, you can then conduct interviews and receive feedback from anyone with an email address.

Mock Interview Opportunity (45-60 minutes)

We have collaborated with Western Career Education on your behalf to create a personalized, virtual, mock interview professional development opportunity. You are welcome to set up your own personalized virtual Mock 45-60 minute interview with a qualified Career Education Staff. This will be a video recorded virtual Zoom interview session with Medical Education/Training specific questions. Please complete foundational virtual interview preparation in advance of booking to ensure you receive the most from this session beyond the basics in feedback.  *Book your personalized mock virtual interview session today!  

*Mock Interview Requests can be made by filling in this form
We anticipate you will find these available resources will be helpful and supportive for your interview preparation. Please let us know if you have any additional questions.

You can reach us by email: postgraduate.medicine@schulich.uwo.ca 

Helpful Resources

Good First Impressions

From the minute you arrive at the interview location, you are making an impression with each person you meet. What are first impressions made up of?

7% is WHAT we say

38% is HOW we say

55% is our BODY Language

A good first impression involves more than just your appearance. How you conduct yourself before, during, and after your interview plays an important role in creating a lasting impression. (source. career.uwo.ca)

Preparing for Virtual Interview Success

AAMC Excellent Resources

Prep for Success in your Virtual Interview 

What technology do I need?


What is the interview platform?


Where will I complete a virtual interview?


What is the interview process?


How do I prepare for the interview questions?


 

AAMC Video - Preparing for your Virtual Interview Success (17:49)

AMFC Virtual Resources

 A virtual interview handbook for applicants is now available to assist with the transition to virtual interviews for the 2021 residency match. The AMFC handbooks were created by a working group of the AFMC Resident Matching Committee (ARMC), which included learners, PG deans and Program Directors.

AMFC Virtual Interview Applicant Handbook

Virtual Interviews

Top 5 Video Interviewing Tips for Residency and Fellowship Programs

  1. Optimize your interview environment.
  2. Test the technology beforehand.
  3. Proactively remove potential distractions.
  4. Appearance is everything!
  5. Go with the Flow

 

Article Link

Zoom Interviews: 8 Tips for Your Video Interview

  1. Get rid of distractions
  2. Wear your background like an accessory
  3. Pay attention to lighting
  4. Wear headphones
  5. Be right on time (set an alarm)
  6. Don’t interject
  7. Wear pants
  8. Test your tech

Review practical tips that can help you prepare and nail your interview.

Testing your Technology

Join a Zoom Technology Meeting Test

Test your internet connection by joining a test meeting. You can test your interment connection and review you lighting and visible background. In addition you can test your audio to ensure you are ready for your virtual interview.

If you are unable to join the meeting, visit Zoom Support Center for useful information.

AAMC Virtual Interview Guide (Applicant Perspective)

AAMC VIRTUAL GUIDE LINK HERE

This guide includes topics on:

Typical Format/Typical Questions
Preparing for a Virtual Interview
Identify Sample Experiences
Identify a Suitable Environment and Technology
Practice Describing Your Experiences & Technology
Responding to Questions

CMA: CaRMS interview prep program

As a member of the CMA and your provincial or territorial medical association, you have access to a free program where you can practice your interview skills and hear tips and tricks from residents who were in your shoes not that long ago. They will ask you questions, give you constructive feedback and provide you with the knowledge you need to ace your interviews. Programs runs September to January.

Preparing to Answer Interview Questions

Practicing and preparing is an important part of interview success. Below are some possible strategies for you to practice and utilize for your interview.

Behavioural Questions

These questions are designed to elicit information about how you have performed in the past because past behaviour is a good indicator of how you will perform in the future. Questions generally access the traits, attributes and competencies necessary for succeeding the role.

These questions often begin with phrases such as: Tell me about a time when you; describe a situation in which you; recall an instance when you; give me an example of...

How to Answer

Behavioural questions ask for you to tell a story from an experience in your past, which highlights a specific quality or competency you possess. A good story has multiple parts and doesn’t omit important details. The STARS acronym enables you to structure your response and outlines the key points that you should highlight, in the order they should be addressed. When using the STARS acronym, pull examples from work experiences, volunteer, activities, school projects, internships, etc. Remember to not use the same experience for every response!

S
Situation
Setting the context for your story.
T
Task
What was required of you?
A
Action
What specifically did you do? And why?
R
Result
What happened? Good or bad? Can you quantify the result?
S
Summary
Did you learn anything? Is there a strength you possess that was a highlight in the story? How is this story relevant to the job you’re interviewing for? 

NOTE: Be careful when talking about other people in your stories, speak to specific actions as opposed to your judgements (e.g. instead of saying your co-worker was lazy, explain what gave you that impression – would show up late for meetings, wasn’t meeting deadlines for tasks, etc.).

(Source: Western Career Education)

Situational Questions

These questions establish how you would react to real-life situations. This type of question tends to assesses your problem solving and critical thinking skills (e.g. You have a conflict with someone who is senior to you and is not your supervisor. Describe how you would handle it.).

How to Answer

It’s really important that you share/say out loud the dialogue that would normally just happen inside of your head. How you think about the situation can be just as important as what actions you might take. Actually imagine yourself in the situation you’ve been presented with, detail what you would do and explain why. The RACED Model will help you do that.

R
Restate
Restate the situation briefly. This will give you a chance to think and re-organize your answer. It will also allow you to imagine yourself in the situation.
A
Analyze
What is the dilemma here?  Talk about both sides if you see them.
C
Cause/Outcome
State possible causes of the situation (best case scenario vs worst case scenario). Make assumptions if necessary. What would be the outcome for picking one side or the other in a dilemma? Think about impacts: to yourself and others and the person involved.
E
Experience
See if you have a similar experience that shows qualities you possess/how you’ve worked through a similar situation in the past (you can apply the STARS Acronym here). 
D
Decide
Make a decision.Talk about the possible actions and WHY you’d do it. Talk about the implications of your decision. Try to show as many positive qualities here - this is your chance to shine!

NOTE: It may be tempting to answer based on what you think the interviewer wants to hear or to focus on “best case” scenario. This can be risky. The interviewer is looking to understand if you have a reasonable strategy for dealing with challenging issues, so don’t avoid the conflict! The interviewer is also looking for genuineness and consistency in your views.

(Source: Western Career Education)

Additional Helpful Resources

PREPARE + PRACTICE + BE YOURSELF
GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR INTERVIEWS!