Although the COVID-19 pandemic has forced many programs to move their interviews for PA school to be done virtually, you can still prepare to ACE your interview and leave a memorable impression. Here are a few considerations of how your experience may be a little bit different this year. These are all tips that we incorporate into our mock interviews, which are a great way to simulate a virtual interview experience.
My biggest tip is to treat a Zoom interview like the real thing. (Be sure to head over to Youtube to check out my video where I discuss more Zoom Interview Tips for a Virtual PA School Interview) Even though you’re in the comfort of your own home, you should present yourself with the same professionalism that you would bring to an in person interview. Being able to stay home is one benefit, along with saving costs on travel for interviews, but it also means that you don’t get to see the program and facilities in person to truly judge whether a program will be the best fit for you. We are seeing more interview invites and acceptances go out earlier than in previous cycles, which is likely due to the ease of scheduling interviews sooner with less logistics to plan. Don’t worry, there are still plenty of programs who haven’t started interviewing as well!
To see an example of a virtual interview with the directors of Yale Online and Frostburg State University, sign up for the PA School Interview Course.
Test Your Technology
Make sure you have a strong internet connection, a working camera and microphone. I would try to video call a friend (using the same platform, i.e. Zoom, if possible) to make sure that they can see and hear you clearly before the big day, and so you can become familiar with where the controls are. Technology can be intimidating, and technological difficulties can happen! The interviewers know this and will be understanding of something that is outside of your control.
Ideally, using a laptop versus a smart phone will be a better choice if available. Make sure your device is fully charged or plugged in if possible. Don’t feel like you need to go out and buy any new equipment though. The question of headphones or AirPods versus no headphones keeps coming up as well. Choose the option that will give you the best sound quality for your interview.
Be Digitally Professional
With so many social activities going virtual in these past few months, I am sure you are familiar with the fun backgrounds Zoom offers. Make sure all of these are turned OFF before your interview! Instead, your background should be clean and clear of any distractions that will take away from your interview. Ideally, the best background is a blank wall or something neutral. If a book or photo is seen in your background, be prepared for your interviewer to bring it up.
On another note, make sure that your name is actually YOUR name and not a screen name to avoid any confusion for your interviewers. Check the settings beforehand when testing out your set-up. I’ve received questions about taking notes during the interview or having some “notes” posted on a wall in front of you during the interview. Anything you would not do or be able to do during a REAL interview should also be avoided in a virtual interview. It’s fine to take notes during an information session portion, but not the actual Q&A.
Dress for Success
Time and time again, we have talked about the importance of professional dress for your PA school interview. I always say a suit is the way to go. Your hair needs to be well groomed, your suit free of wrinkles and you should dress the same way you would dress as if the interview were in person. Even though your interviewers will only see the upper half of your body, I would still wear professional bottoms (not PJs!) just in case you have to stand up for some reason.
Good lighting also makes a big difference in how professional your set-up looks. Natural lighting from a window is best, but if there’s not a good spot for that in your home, choose a brightly lit room or bring in some lamps to shed some additional light on the situation.
Be Free of Distractions
Everyone is aware how difficult it can be to rid yourself of distraction, especially when at home, but there are some things you can do to avoid noise. Turn off the TV, turn off your phone, skip the Apple watch, close the door, shut off any notifications on your computer, keep pets out and make arrangements for your children. Let everyone in your household know the times of your interview and that you’ll be unavailable for a set period. Even put a sign on the door if needed as a reminder.
Monitor Your Body Language
Since you can’t greet your interviewers with a hand shake, it is extra important that you convey confidence through your body language. Be sure to make eye contact with your interviewers by looking at your camera and not at yourself on the screen. Keep your shoulders back, sit up tall and be sure to smile and pay attention! No slouching or lounging during the interview.
The interviewers know these are truly unprecedented times for everyone, and they are also trying to get adjusted to this new format. If you are worried about how COVID-19 will affect the 2020 cycle, be sure to read this blog post, check out my IG story highlights and most importantly, check your program’s website for updates.
Will Virtual Interviews Stick Around?
No one really knows the answer to this, but programs like Yale Online have been doing virtual interviews for years now, so it’s possible that they will continue to be an option moving forward. Watch our interview with the Yale Online director and admissions director for their inside information on how to make a great impression at a virtual interview.
What questions do you have about virtual interviews? Leave them in the comments below!
