Virtual Interviewing Tips for the Otolaryngology Match Cycle During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Virtual interviews are planned for the upcoming 2020-2021 residency cycle. This presents a unique challenge for medical students. Due to the importance of the interaction of applicants and interviewers during the interview, medical students should thoroughly prepare for the upcoming virtual interview season. We offer practical and realistic concepts and techniques to optimize their interview experience. Technology and audiovisual equipment should be adjusted and enhanced to minimize video conferencing application errors and interview downtime. The applicant's interview environment should focus on proper lighting, background, camera angles, and minimizing unwanted distractions. Mock interview sessions are invaluable to applicants and provide the opportunity to simulate the interview, refine their technology, adjust their environment, and become more comfortable in a virtual interview setting. These actions will prevent unnecessary disruptions and increase the focus of the interview toward the communication between the applicant and the interviewer.

Virtual interviews are planned for the 2020-2021 residency match cycle following guidelines from the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education.[1] Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic,[2] medical students, residents, and faculty have had increasing use and familiarity with conducting online lectures,[3] meetings, and telehealth visits. However, virtual residency interviews represent a new challenge for medical students to face in the upcoming interview season. There are mixed reports about the satisfaction and success of virtual interview formats among applicants for residency and fellowship.[4-6] Additionally, virtual interviews may have detrimental effects on underrepresented medical students due to implicit bias from the interviewers.[7]

We sought to provide applicants practical, realistic concepts with solutions to optimize their virtual interview experience. As there is little research into this area,[8] applicants in any residency or fellowship specialty could benefit from these recommendations. Particularly in otolaryngology, interactions with faculty during the interview and visit are rated as the highest factor for ranking applicants.[9] Therefore, having the best virtual interview possible should be of particular importance for applicants. We recommend considering the following tools and techniques to enhance their experience.

Optimizing Technology

Technological difficulties on or during a virtual interview can be stressful and detrimental to the overall interview and take up valuable interview time. The applicant should be experienced in the online platform that is going to be used for the interview. One should have the software downloaded well in advance of the interview day and conduct mock interview sessions to become familiar with each platform. This will allow the applicant to feel more comfortable during the interview itself. Furthermore, applicants will be well versed to handle any technical issues that may arise, to maximize their interview time.

Additionally, audiovisual equipment should be tested and adjusted for best performance. Determine whether a laptop, tablet, desktop, or other will be used with the type of camera, microphone, and speaker that is available. For any device, having the camera at or just above eye level will create the ideal positioning. One may even utilize a stack of books under the laptop for better positioning. Having the camera positioned lower than eye level and looking up toward you creates an undesired position ( ).[10,11] While we recognize that every applicant will not be able to purchase a high-definition webcam, microphone, and/or speakers, these are supplemental options that can optimize your audiovisual equipment and virtual interview. Furthermore, ensuring access to high-speed internet is essential to a lag-free interview experience. This should be tested prior to the interview date as well. If needed and financially feasible, consider increasing internet speeds for the 1 to 3 months of the interview season.

Figure 1.

(A) Shadowed face from window being behind and from poorly positioned camera below the level of the face. (B) Inappropriate camera, background, and lighting setup. (C) Properly positioned camera at eye level, neutral background, and proper lighting without shadowing of the face. (D) Appropriate full setup with LED device, neutral background, and higher camera position.

Ensure that notifications on your computer are turned off during the interview session. All devices should be sufficiently charged and the charger immediately available. Phones should be silenced yet charged in case the applicant needs to contact the program about any technological difficulties. Other computer programs that may be running should be closed to optimize speed and remove distractions.

Enhancing the Environment

Virtual interviews should be conducted in a quiet and calm atmosphere, preferably one in which you are already comfortable and familiar. There should be a neutral, light-colored background without distractions for the interviewer ( and ). Other members of the household should be made aware of your upcoming scheduled interview so that they do not inadvertently enter the space and interrupt the interview. Place any pets in alternative locations during the interview to avoid noisy or visual disruptions.

Lighting is another essential consideration for virtual interviews. Avoid windows and bright lighting behind or above you, as this can cause your appearance to be excessively dark and shadowed ( ). Time should be spent trying to optimize the lighting of your face and surrounding area. Natural light provides a great source of light but should only be in front of, or at most 45° away from, your face.[10] Other options for additional lighting include increasing the brightness of the computer screen, moving a shaded lamp, or purchasing ring or LED lighting ( ). Be aware that some bright lighting may create significant reflections for those wearing glasses, so adjust the angle of the lighting accordingly.

The Interview

The importance of mock interview sessions cannot be emphasized enough. Consider recording yourself during a mock session to correct any flaws. One should practice while wearing their professional interview attire and simulate as much as possible the timing and atmosphere of the virtual interview. As previously discussed, lighting, computer angle, and background should be optimized by this time ( ). Ensure that seating is comfortable. Sit up straight, and avoid slouching or leaning back during the interview. Practice looking into the webcam more directly, rather than just the computer screen, to represent better eye contact. There should be adequate distance between the camera and the applicant so that the top of the head up to the waist and elbow are included in the frame, allowing the interviewee to utilize one’s hands to help with body language ( ).

Conclusion

Virtual interviews represent a new challenge for applicants during this year’s residency interview cycle. Applicants should be reassured that all programs have committed to virtual interviews and are thus on an even playing field in that regard. Though these recommendations have some expense, they are relatively small when compared with the cost of in-person interviews. Applicants should take the necessary steps and time to optimize their virtual interviews so that the interaction focuses on communication and messaging between the applicant and the interviewer. While this is the first year of full virtual interviews and it is unknown if this format will be maintained, online lectures and events will likely continue. Successful rehearsal of one’s virtual platform will prepare current medical students well for future virtual events when they are residents.

Author Contributions

Robert T. Cristel, substantial contributions to conception and design, drafted the article for important intellectual content, made final approval of the version to be published, and agreed to be accountable for all aspects of the work; Elliot Y. Koo, substantial contributions to conception and design, drafted the article for important intellectual content, made final approval of the version to be published, and agreed to be accountable for all aspects of the work; Jeffrey Yu, substantial contributions to conception and design, drafted the article for important intellectual content, made final approval of the version to be published, and agreed to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Disclosures

Competing interests: None.

Sponsorships: None.

Funding source: None.