Today marks the first day of the National Interview Period for the R-1 residency match here in Canada, and so there's no better time to address a crucial topic for aspiring residents in these unprecedented times: how do I nail my virtual interview?
In a normal year, you'd know the rules. Show up 15 minutes early, carry a pack of mints for last-minute freshening up, and greet the interviewer with a solid handshake. Simple enough. Now that interviews happen from the comfort of your couch, and you're more likely to lose your internet connection rather than your way to the office, it's hard to know what to do. Luckily, we're here with 5 great tips to ace your online interviews this month!
Showing up early still counts
So your interview commute has shortened a bit - that said, just because the interview starts with the click of a button, doesn't mean you shouldn't arrive early! Take the time to test out the interview software prior to the date, and make sure to “arrive” with time to spare for testing audio, flattering camera positions, and the strength of your internet connection.
Keep dressing to impress
I'll let you in on a secret - most people haven't seen their coworkers from the shoulder down in two years! That may not often be the case in the medical field, but it may be quite tempting to do your online interviews in a dress shirt and sweatpants. We advise against this for a couple of reasons. First, even though no one will see you, you won't feel your most confident if you're not as fully prepared as you can be! Second, though it may not happen often, if for any reason at all you need to stand up, well - better safe than sorry!
Make eye contact with... the camera?
While it may feel more natural to address the interviewer when answering a question, because of the way that video calls work, you may actually be looking off to the side when you do this. In order to have a better chance of connecting with your interviewer, eye-to-eye, try to focus directly on the camera when giving your interview answers. This ensures that you look engaged, interested and animated during your call. During moments of listening, feel free to look at your interviewer on screen - all that camera-eye contact can get intense!
Keep it clean
The opportunity to do an interview from the comfort of one's own home can sometimes be a double-edged sword. Though it's lovely to have the convenience, a particularly wide camera angle runs the risk of exposing some slightly embarrassing background. Make sure that the area in which you're doing your interview is clean, uncluttered and out of view of that pile of laundry hanging out in the corner. Bonus points for a neutral background and great lighting, but the key is to make sure your environment looks as put-together as you!
Practice good body language
All the rules of standard in-person interviews apply. Poor camera placement, uncomfortable seating or suboptimal lighting can all contribute to weird body placement, but do your utmost to sit up straight, hold yourself with confidence, and maintain eye contact. This goes a long way as it shows interviewers that you are interested and fully engaged with the call!
We hope these tips can be of use to you, and wish you the very best of success this interview season. With love from the Medshousing Team, we'll see you next week!
