What a crazy ride this year has been!

As the PNWU Director of Graduate Medical Education, I work with both students and the regional residency programs through WWAMI Family Medicine Residency Network.

The residency interviewing season is approaching quickly. You probably would be surprised to hear that residency programs are experiencing similar stress as you in trying to figure out the best way to present themselves for a successful match in 2021. No one is an expert on either side.

Several virtual residency fairs are scheduled in August that will give you an opportunity to talk with programs of interest. Deadlines, exams, cancellations, rotations, and regulations are changing at a very rapid pace. There are a few things you can control to help prepare yourself for virtual residency interactions.

Determine Your Mission and Values

Do you want to live in a small town or is a big city calling your name? What specialties are you leaning towards? What is important to you in your future career? Knowing these answers ahead of time will help you with the interview questions and writing your personal statement.

Know what you want and go for it. Be malleable to change your thoughts as you learn more about residency programs. Research programs online to find programs that have missions and values that match yours. Programs will be focusing on how you fit with their program and you’ll need to demonstrate that you will be their “best fit.”

Listen and remain curious. In the end, you may discover a new opportunity that you’d never even considered.

Come Prepared with Questions and Be Ready to Answer Questions

This is your opportunity to ask the questions you’ve been wondering about from the people who are living in the world you are about to enter. This is your future, after all; your opportunity to connect with leaders in the field— people who can shape your future path, your career, and your life. The answers you hear may help formulate your own thoughts and ideas about your residency future.

Here are a few examples:

What does a day in the life of a resident in your program look like?
What sets your program apart from others?
What are you looking for in a resident?
Can you program guarantee adequate volume now that the COVID-19 situation has caused hospitals to make cuts due to reduced census?

In addition to standard residency interview questions, you may be asked to discuss your response to the COVID-19 situation. Did you volunteer at a COVID-19 testing site? Collect PPE for the community? Be prepared to share a memorable experience and, as always, don’t hesitate to highlight your “why.”

Make an Impression Through Connection

Some of the most powerful connections I’ve witnessed were born from simple conversations that uncover common connections. If your grandmother is from the town a program is based in, feel free to share memories of that place. If you have a particular passion for pediatrics, let it shine.

Really focus on the personal interaction with the program. That seemingly insignificant story you shared, or the excitement you displayed when talking about your volunteer work at a COVID-19 testing site, may be the thing that gets you remembered and lands you where you’ve always dreamed of being.

In the end, after speaking with a bunch of well-qualified, well-spoken and well-mannered medical students, it is often the small details that leave a lasting impression.

Be Honest

“When you are content to be yourself, and don’t compare or compete, everybody will respect you.” - Lao Tzu

Remember: you are here for a reason. You are exceptional. Show the programs who you are.

Display your passions and showcase what makes you unique. Be respectful, but be genuine. Don’t be something you’re not, because it will all come out in the end. If you somehow land a residency by pretending to be something you’re not, you’ve set yourself up for years of putting on that act.

In residency, you are a member of a tightly-knit team. You’re not competing for a high score — you’re establishing a relationship. When you’re trusting others with the care of your patients, you don’t want to have any hesitation.

Present your true self, and you’ll land in the place you belong.

Be Professional

Simple enough, right?

In this new virtual world, you can’t practice enough to ensure you are presenting yourself professionally and engaged.

Tech

Test your equipment, check your lighting, log in 15 minutes ahead of time, place camera at eye level, minimize background distractions and noise, silence your phone, let others in your area know that you cannot be interrupted, put the dog outside!

Professionalism

Dress professionally, wear your white coat, make intentional eye contact, be aware of nervous mannerisms, speak confidently and with purpose.

You’ve heard this a million times, right? Now is the time to put those fundamental lessons to good use by practicing with your mentor, RAD, RSA or other students.

The virtual residency fairs and interviews are a place to make a great first impression with the people who may forever shape your medical career. The way you present yourself will play a huge part your success. Remember that ALL medical students and ALL programs are trying to figure out how to present themselves and make connections through a screen. Do you best and leave it at that.

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Learn more and practice your skills!

Virtual Interview Tips Webinar on Wednesday, July 22 5:30-6:30 p.m. (PST)
Please send your questions in advance to gme@pnwu.edu

Mock Interviews hosted by the SIM Center will be coordinated during your Regional Didactics starting in September.

Review the PNWU Residency Planning Resources site for more information about residency applications, timelines, LORs, personal statements, CVs and more.

Michelle Chadek, MS

Director of Graduate Medical Education (GME)

Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences

5 Virtual Interviewing Tips: How to Stand Out and Make a Great First Impression