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Okay, now that ranks are all in, here's a 
of my personal thoughts about what went well and what didn't go as well during #doctoral #psychology #internship interviews. Fellow applicants, please feel free to weigh in below!!
#virtualinterviews #APAGS #AcademicTwitter
of my personal thoughts about what went well and what didn't go as well during #doctoral #psychology #internship interviews. Fellow applicants, please feel free to weigh in below!! #virtualinterviews #APAGS #AcademicTwitter
I'll start by saying that I'm SO impressed by the creativity & flexibility that every site I interviewed at displayed! It validates the fact that virtual interviews are a viable approach! The financial burden that it alleviates makes it far more preferable to in-person interviews
Different interview formats:
1) 30-40 min 1:1 interviews, general Q&A
2) 4-5 rotation info sessions, formal 1:1 interviews
3) 2-3 structured 1:1 interviews, "office hours" w/ other faculty for remaining time
All approaches worked well as long as interviews were at the beginning!
1) 30-40 min 1:1 interviews, general Q&A
2) 4-5 rotation info sessions, formal 1:1 interviews
3) 2-3 structured 1:1 interviews, "office hours" w/ other faculty for remaining time
All approaches worked well as long as interviews were at the beginning!
All interviews also made time for an overview, "meet the current interns," and a general Q&A. These were really helpful in "getting a sense" of the site. Quick tip- it's better to not schedule informal meetings during a lunch, even if it's "non-evaluative." We need a full lunch.
Different interview platforms:
1) Zoom
2) Webex
3) Teams
Zoom was far easier to navigate. It also seemed to alleviate interviewer burden when applicants were able to join breakout rooms themselves (w/out having to be assigned).
Easier to have one link for the full day.
1) Zoom
2) Webex
3) Teams
Zoom was far easier to navigate. It also seemed to alleviate interviewer burden when applicants were able to join breakout rooms themselves (w/out having to be assigned).
Easier to have one link for the full day.
General tips for future interviews:
1) Accommodate all timezones- start interviews later
2) Fewer breaks + shorter day >> several breaks + longer day
3) Standalone lunch break with video off and muted is necessary
4) Provide detailed agendas with all video links in one place
1) Accommodate all timezones- start interviews later
2) Fewer breaks + shorter day >> several breaks + longer day
3) Standalone lunch break with video off and muted is necessary
4) Provide detailed agendas with all video links in one place
5) One site played music during the breakout room transition time- it was awesome!!
6) End of day "happy hour" or Q&A is helpful for overflow questions!
7) 30-40 minutes is long enough for an interview. More than that starts to feel awkward. 20 minutes is very short.
6) End of day "happy hour" or Q&A is helpful for overflow questions!
7) 30-40 minutes is long enough for an interview. More than that starts to feel awkward. 20 minutes is very short.
8) Front-load evaluative portions. Don't save those for the end of the day when everyone is already fatigued
9) Rotation info sessions can be helpful, but keep them short. Some sites created videos beforehand that was a good alternative to using interview time for that info!
9) Rotation info sessions can be helpful, but keep them short. Some sites created videos beforehand that was a good alternative to using interview time for that info!
10) Reassure candidates that they will not be penalized for tech, home, or background issues. Most, not all, sites did this! It was important to hear. Also, acknowledge current events (e.g., interviewing on the day after an insurrection) and the stress of this new experience.
Finally, some diversity- and COVID-related feedback:
1) Provide demographic data of patient AND healthcare (faculty, staff, interns, etc.) population
2) Avoid phrases like, "mostly white but still diverse" and "ethnic pockets"
3) Provide accommodations info, incl for interviews
1) Provide demographic data of patient AND healthcare (faculty, staff, interns, etc.) population
2) Avoid phrases like, "mostly white but still diverse" and "ethnic pockets"
3) Provide accommodations info, incl for interviews
4) When students ask about "diversity," try not to focus only on racial/ethnic diversity
5) Hearing, "we don't have a plan for COVID if the numbers go up again" is NOT reassuring
6) Please share details about COVID plans- vaccinations, WFH, alternatives for at-risk students, etc
5) Hearing, "we don't have a plan for COVID if the numbers go up again" is NOT reassuring
6) Please share details about COVID plans- vaccinations, WFH, alternatives for at-risk students, etc
I think that's it for me for now. Again, I was so impressed by all of the sites!! I'm also so proud of everyone who applied and interviewed this year! Navigating an entirely new system is not easy. We all did it!
