Should I buy a webcam for residency interviews?

If you are comfortable with your laptop overall, you might still want to invest in a good webcam. Even the best built-in webcams do not give a very high-quality image. There are many webcam options available to select. A wide-angle webcam works best if you do not have a busy background and have a large space.

Should I have my camera on for an interview?

Do Not Turn Off the Camera: Despite being a camera-shy person, you should not get tempted to turn off your camera during the interview call. It is indispensable for both parties to be visible during a virtual call since it can get awkward for your potential employer to be talking to a blank screen.

What do I need for virtual residency interviews?

What is the best lighting for residency interviews?

Place a lamp in front of you and no bright lights behind you. Your face needs to be well-lit. Bright light behind you can cause a silhouette. If you are using your built-in webcam prop your laptop up on something (such as a stack of books) to raise the camera.

What are the best zoom backgrounds for residency interviews?

Most say that the ideal background is a plain colored wall. If you don't have a plain wall, other people suggest virtual backgrounds (with Zoom and many other platforms, you can use any photo uploaded to your computer as a background, which will show in the video instead of your room for the interviewer).

Tips for Virtual Residency Interviews

What is the best color to wear in an interview on Zoom?

Great colors: royal blues, greens, grays, browns/tans, and purples can all work well. Softer colors (such as a pale blue shirt) work well because they convey a bit of personality without being overwhelming. Blue is also one of my favorite colors as it convey feelings of calm, trust and confidence.

Are virtual backgrounds OK for interviews?

Some people might not think having a virtual background for their Zoom interview is a big deal. We highly recommend having a natural environment behind you. Virtual backgrounds can be distracting for viewers. They may feel that they can't focus on what you're saying because there's no visual context.

What should I do the night before my residency interview?

Always go to the dinner the night before if offered. The dinners are often great sources of information and an opportunity to meet some of the residents in the program. Don't order spaghetti! (Travel with an extra shirt or tie in case you spill something on yourself.)

How many interviews do most residency applicants get?

Stay patient. According to data from the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP), the median number of interviews for matched applicants in the 2022–2023 cycle was 14, but getting those interview invites can take time.

What colors to wear for residency interview?

Color: Dark colored suit. Black, charcoal/dark grey, or navy blue. A light, barely-visible pinstripe is acceptable. Fit: Make sure it is tailored and single breasted.

Will residency interviews be virtual 2024?

Interviews will be virtual for the 2023-2024 interview cycle. Early Decision interview invitations go out on 9/1/2023 all other invitations begin in mid- September.

How many interviews is enough for residency?

You want to go on at least 8-10 interviews. You can consider canceling some interviews if you have more than 8-10 scheduled. We recommend that you discuss this with your DOM advisor. Try to give programs as much lead time as possible so someone else can have the interview spot.

Should you take notes during residency interview?

Don't overdo it, as this may turn your notes into a distraction. However, if you're being forced to adapt to doing virtual residency interviews, you might as well take advantage of having some notes to guide you.

How many cameras do you need for an interview?

We recommend strategically placing two cameras in an interview room. The first should be a wide-angle camera positioned in a corner where it can capture the entire room. For the second camera, position a varifocal one to capture both the interviewee's full body and the corner where the first camera is placed.

Why do interviewees look off camera?

Having the interviewee look off-camera and talk directly to the interviewer helps them to feel much more comfortable and relaxed.

Is it OK to use phone for video interview?

However, keep in mind that everything you do in an interview creates an impression about you. So if you're tempted to attend a video interview in your car using your phone, stop right there! Remember that the only two things the interviewer can see are you and whatever is in your background.

What month are most residency interviews?

Residency interviews usually occur October through January of your fourth year, with December and January being the busiest interview months. It is important to note that each specialty, and the residency programs within them, may have their own process and associated timelines.

Can you match into residency with one interview?

The take home is that if you have 1 residency interview – your chances of matching is around 35%. This means there is hope with only interview. But, if you're able to bump that up to 2 interviews or even 3 – your chances jump to 40% and then 50%.

Is it better to interview early or late for residency?

First, as you review and respond to invitations, try not to be anxious about the timing of your interview and whether it occurs early or late in the cycle. Timing is not a factor in how programs rank candidates. Each interview takes some logistics planning and content planning.

What not to say during residency interview?

Don't speak negatively about other programs.

If asked about your experience rotating at another place, or even at your home institution, do not speak negatively about them. You can compare and contrast them, but “bad-mouthing” other residents or programs is a big red flag.

What questions should you not ask in a residency interview?

What should a woman wear to a residency interview?

Women. For your interview day, a suit, whether a skirt suit or pant suit, with low heels is the most common residency outfit.

What is a red flag when doing virtual interviews?

Besides lack of eye contact, other signs of “poor” body language, often stated as red flags during job interviews, could be: fidgeting. not smiling. having a bad posture.

What are the risks of virtual interviews?

Drawbacks of virtual interviews

Risk of tech issues: Virtual interviews put you at the mercy of networks and computer software. Connectivity problems and program glitches could disrupt or complicate interviews, putting affected candidates at a potential disadvantage.

Should I blur my background for a virtual interview?

Use backgrounds effectively

The most simple method is simply to blur your background, as this is a quick and easy way to hide what is behind you while keeping the focus on yourself. If you opt to use a more creative background, keep it as simple and clutter-free as possible.