EM Match Advice 49: 5 Keys to Crush Your EM Residency Interview

EM residency interview match advice 49

It’s fall, which means goofy costumes, crisp apples, pumpkin spice latte, and the official start of the Residency Recruitment Season! Programs are furiously reviewing your applications right now, and this is a perfect time for you to start thinking about interviews. In this episode, Dr. Sara Krzyzaniak (Stanford University EM Program Director) provides insider tips on 5 things that you can do now to be prepared to crush your interviews!

1. Consider Your Strategy

Do your homework and review programs’ social media and websites.
Prioritize your program list. You will likely have more interview offers than you can accept, so make your list now and refer back to it to avoid overcommitment.
Decide on the number of interviews you need to maximize your chances at matching. Your advisor can help you choose your target number.

2. Plan Your Interview Schedule

Keep a record of invite decisions on your priority list to keep track of what you’ve heard from each program.
Programs will use various platforms for scheduling – make sure you have all of these in one calendar to avoid double-scheduling.
Write down dates of socials for your top programs. Many programs hold these separately from interviews, so you can reserve these times in advance.
As interview invites start to come in, refer back frequently to your priority list. Drop interviews once you’ve reached your goal. Don’t hoard interviews!

3. Prepare for Interview Day

Basics: Ensure you have good lighting, a simple background, solid wi-fi signal, and minimal distractions.
Check out the CORD Webinar on interviewing in ResidencyCAS, but be ready for many programs to stick with trusty ole’ Zoom.
Consider your response to common questions and jot some notes down (but make them invisible on interview day!)

4. Interview Day!

Be early! Anticipate that Zoom will need to re-load or that your computer will take extra time to boot up.
Plan to keep your camera on at all times. If it’s a longer interview day, there should be an opportunity for a brief break.
Have water/beverage and snacks nearby.
Come with questions, but choose these wisely based on your audience.

5. After the Interview

Congrats! Take a deep breath and decompress.
Immediately jot down some quick notes: Take an inventory of your emotions – how do you feel? What are your initial impressions?

This is an exciting time of year for both students and programs! Enjoy the ride as you explore programs and meet your future colleagues in Emergency Medicine.