VIRTUAL REALITIES
SUCCEEDING IN THE VIRTUAL WORLD: ONLINE INTERVIEWING BEST PRACTICES Alexandra Nordberg, MD; Allison Beaulieu, MD; Viral Patel, MD; Richard Church, MD; Jennifer Carey, MD on behalf of the SAEM Education Committee Whether you are interviewing for medical school, residency, fellowship, or your next job, an interview is invariably part of the process. This is a key opportunity for you to show your personal strengths and learn about the position. In this piece, we will review a variety of best practices to consider when preparing for your interview.
Preparation
Do your homework on the program and have several thoughtful questions ready for your interviewers. You can look at your list of questions between interviews, but do not focus on your list during the interview. This is a critical way for you to decide if this position is right for you, so use your time wisely and effectively! On the flip side, be ready to answer questions the interviewer may have for you. In general, you should be prepared to answer the following questions: • Who are you? (Describe yourself) • How did you arrive at this point in your career? • Why are you interested in this position? • What are your goals going forward? • What questions do you have about the program? • What would you bring to the department as a faculty member? If you know ahead of time the names of the individuals who will be interviewing you, find time to read up on them so that you will understand their respective roles and can direct your questions to the most appropriate person.
Keep it Classy
Always look professional at an interview. This means dressing in appropriate attire and appearing well-rested and wellgroomed. You may have attended other virtual lectures or meetings in a dress shirt and your pajama bottoms, but don’t do that for an interview!
The Set Up
Crafting an appropriate set up for virtual interviews is essential. Select a location you are comfortable with and a place where you will be able to have a private, uninterrupted conversation. Review these five tips to ensure a successful interview day: 1. Lighting. Have a light source in front of you and avoid a light source behind you. Underlit spaces can make it difficult for an interviewer to see you, and lighting from behind can create a washed-out appearance.
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"YOU MAY HAVE ATTENDED OTHER VIRTUAL LECTURES OR MEETINGS IN A DRESS SHIRT AND YOUR PAJAMA BOTTOMS, BUT DON’T DO THAT FOR AN INTERVIEW!" 2. Noise. To the best of your ability, control the ambient noise around you. If someone else is in the vicinity where you are interviewing, let them know so they won’t unknowingly disturb you. You can also place a “do not disturb” sign on your closed door or find another way to communicate “please no interruptions.” Be conscientious of your pets; move them to somewhere they will not interrupt you. 3. Background. There are varying opinions surrounding this topic. Some individuals opt for a blank, neutral background, while others prefer to employ backgrounds that display their personalities and interests. If you are interviewing from your home or office, keep it tidy. Close your closet doors and put away that laundry on the bed behind you! If you do need to interview in a space such as your bedroom, consider positioning your camera so that your bedroom furniture is not visible. If you are unable to do so, you may consider selecting a virtual background. Test out virtual backgrounds ahead of time and ensure the background is not overly busy or distracting. 4. Audio. Test your audio with a practice interview session. If you are using earbuds or headphones make sure your Wi-Fi connection is secure and have a backup option available in case of malfunction. Make sure your headphones are fully charged prior to the interview. If you are unable to get your audio to work, message your interviewer and/or hold up a note with your phone number so you can continue the interview in a slightly different format.
