The Complete Guide to Residency Interviews and Virtual Networking: Your Path to Match Day Success

The journey to match day for residency is one of the most pivotal moments in medical education. As virtual residency interviews have become increasingly common and networking opportunities have shifted online, medical students need a comprehensive strategy that combines traditional interview preparation with modern digital networking techniques.

This comprehensive guide draws on the expertise of Dr. Nicholas Elwert, Assistant Professor of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation and Stroke Rehabilitation Program Director at the University of Kentucky. Dr. Elwert brings a unique perspective to residency preparation, having successfully navigated his own journey from a small college in Ohio through osteopathic medical school to his current leadership role in academic medicine.

In this in-depth session on residency interview strategies, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about residency interview preparation, common residency interview questions, and questions to ask during residency interview sessions, all while building the professional relationships that will support your entire medical career.

Goals of the Interview

The program you are interviewing at is looking for a candidate that is aligned with their mission, which could involve serving underserved populations, promoting careers in research, or even creating a diverse workforce. To gain a better idea of what this looks like, research the program’s website to see if they are looking for someone with your unique characteristics.

Your goal of the interview is to identify programs that will get you where you want to be in your future career. Some things to consider include mentorship opportunities, research opportunities, clinical exposure relevant to your specialty, and fellowship opportunities. It is also important to find a program where you feel the directors will really support and advocate for you. Be sure to consider the program’s culture, personality, and location. For the best source of information, consider having discussions with the residents currently enrolled in the program or people in your medical school that attended that program. 

Preparing for Your Residency Interview

People often inquire about when in the interview season (beginning, middle, or end) is the most optimal time to interview, but the data indicates no correlation between the timing of the interview and the likelihood of being chosen for residency. Before your interview, consider logistics like travel time and arrangements. Stay on top of your emails and complete all paperwork in a timely manner. If you have any questions, reach out to the program coordinators.

Remember, the most important pre-interview tip is to research the program. Look at every page of the program’s website. If you happen to know who will be interviewing you, look them up as well and familiarize yourself with their work. This shows the program you are interested and motivated and it really does pay off. Prepare your questions ahead of time. While general questions are acceptable, you will want to have specific questions ready. 

Do at least one mock interview before interview season starts. This is especially important if you are doing virtual interviews. Mock interviews help ease anxieties by providing practice in answering common questions..

Everything on your application is fair game for the program to ask you about, so remember to take the time to review every word of your CV. They may ask you questions about something on your CV from years ago, so be thorough in your review.

Common Residency Interview Questions

• “Tell me about yourself.” This question is your chance to go beyond what’s written on your resume. Program directors want to hear what drives you: why you chose medicine, why you’re drawn to your specialty, and what makes you unique. Share your experiences and what you’re passionate about in a way that highlights both your personal story and professional goals.
• “What are you most proud of?”
• “What do you think your biggest challenge during residency will be?” Your answer should be authentic, upbeat, and realistic.
• “Where do you see yourself in 10 years?” Think about your answer in terms of where you see yourself practicing. You might see your future in community practice, a large academic medical center, as a physician-scientist, or in a role as a clinical educator. Whatever you choose, be clear and intentional so your long-term goals align with your specialty and program.

Behavioral Questions

Not all programs will ask these types of questions, but it is important to be prepared to answer them.Tell me about:

• A stressful situation and how you handled it.
• A time you made a mistake and what you learned from it.
• A time when you had conflict with someone and how you handled it.
• A time you were disappointed in your performance.
• A time when you failed at something.
• An experience with a difficult patient.
• A time you were upset with someone’s behavior and how you handled it.

Virtual Residency Interview Advice 

Be sure to prepare for the questions above. Interact with as many residents as you can and see how the residents treat one another. Use the checklist below to make sure you are fully prepared for virtual interviews.

• Prep and practice – do mock interviews.
• Test your internet connection.
• Lighting – make sure the lighting looks good and there aren’t shadows on your face.  
• Your background – keep it distraction free.
• Test your camera and sound.
• Clothing – dress the same as you would for an in-person interview.
• Limit background noise.
• Pets and children – have a plan for keeping them out of the interview area.

Post-Interview Considerations

• Write Formal ‘Thank You’ Notes: If you decide to write thank you notes, be sure when writing to multiple people that they are individually prepared. DO NOT cut and paste your thank you notes.

• Post-Interview Outreach: Post-interview communication policies will be given to you or can be found on the program’s website. Unless told otherwise, some programs do not allow direct communication after the interview. Programs are not allowed to compel you to tell them where they rank from your choices, but you may tell a program they are your first choice if you’d like.  

• Keep Track of Your Interviews:  After the interview, keep a document going with your first impressions on each interview. It may be hard to remember details of each program if you wait until after all the interviews are over. Having your thoughts all in one place will help you when it’s time to rank the programs.

• Don’t Read Too Into It: Programs are not supposed to be vague when they communicate with you. If they say you are ranked to match, they can only say that if you are in their top 10. Take any other vague communications with a grain of salt.

The Evolution of Residency Interviews in the Digital Age

The landscape of residency program interviews has changed dramatically. Virtual interviews are no longer just an emergency response to global circumstances—they’ve become an integral and enduring part of the residency selection process. This shift challenges medical students to adapt their strategies for both networking and interviewing in a digital environment.

Understanding the different types of interviews available today is crucial:

• Live In-Person Interviews: Traditional format where candidates visit the institution
• Live Virtual Interviews: Conducted entirely through video platforms like Zoom
• Hybrid Interviews: Combining virtual interviews with in-person components or open houses
• Asynchronous Virtual Interviews: Pre-recorded responses to standardized questions

Each format presents unique challenges and opportunities that candidates must navigate strategically.

The Road to Match Day Success

Success in residency applications requires a multi-faceted approach combining traditional preparation with modern networking strategies. Virtual residency interviews and online networking aren’t just temporary adaptations, they’re permanent features of medical training that require dedicated attention and strategic planning.

Remember that you’ve earned your place in the interview process. Your application got you there, and your preparation and authentic presentation during interviews will help you succeed. Confidence, combined with thorough preparation and genuine enthusiasm for your chosen specialty, creates the foundation for match day success.

For even more insights on interviewing such as a complete interview strategy, addressing any red flags, and questions you should be asking during your residency interviews, watch the full webinar with program director, Dr. Nicholas Elwet. Be sure to stick around till the end of the video for a valuable Q&A session. Best of luck on your journey to finding the perfect match for your future endeavors!