This AMA resource is designed to provide preparation tips for the residency interview.
Who should read: Students in their fourth year of medical school.
Why it matters: The physician residency interview process can be complex and challenging. These top-level tips can help you navigate the time leading up to and including an interview.
Interviews are the most personal aspect of the residency selection process and allow you to demonstrate motivations behind specialty choice, residency program fit and personal resilience. It’s an opportunity to showcase your unique skills and experiences in ways that your application cannot.
What should I do before the residency interview?
Thoroughly research each residency program before your interview. Learn about the institution, its residency program and the faculty and staff to identify topics or issues to explore during the interview. Your research should include the specialty for which you are applying. Are there trends or specific qualities the specialty is looking for in new physicians? Knowing this information can help you emphasize tangible experiences that meet their criteria as well as smarter questions that show interest in the specific training environment.
Residents currently in the program will be additional sources of information to help you prepare. Connect with current residents to ask about topics you might not want to address during the formal interview, such as social opportunities, the city where the program is located or practical issues like how the program accommodates time off.
Some interviewers review social media sites to learn more about their potential residents. Set your accounts so they are private or ensure your public posts only include information you would not mind a potential employer viewing.
How should I practice for residency interviews?
Prior to interview day, be familiar with your application packet and prepare a personal narrative that presents your background. Prepare well-thought-out responses to likely interview prompts. Mock interviews with colleagues, mentors or faculty can hone your answers and help you identify areas to improve, such as body language or filler words. You can also record your interviews to refine pacing, clarity and responses.
Consider the topics that you're most passionate about as well as the relevant leadership, research and volunteer experiences you can highlight to indicate you’re a good fit for the program. For instance, if research is your passion and a major fixture on your CV, be prepared to talk about it by discussing design, results and next steps in a research project.
If you are interviewing for a residency position at your home institution, it’s important to prepare as thoroughly as you would for a formal interview.
How do I manage interview invitations?
Residency interview invitations generally begin in mid-October and extend through January of the fourth year of medical school, though the exact timing depends on your chosen specialty and program. Interviews can be held both in-person and virtually.
To effectively manage residency interview invitations, create a dedicated email account specifically for residency correspondence. Enable notifications on your devices for this account so you can respond quickly when invitations arrive.
Organize your schedule in advance and use tools or calendars to keep track of dates. If you need to cancel or reschedule, contact the program promptly and professionally.
How do I prepare for remote interviews?
Virtual interviews offer certain flexibility, including savings on travel costs. Maintain those same professional boundaries that would if you were interviewing in person. Prepare ahead for the technical aspects of a remote interview:
- Log in to the platform beforehand to check audio/video settings and test your internet speed.
- Set your background to be professional and pay attention to lighting.
- Ensure the camera is at eye level and an arm’s length away.
- Shut off notifications, clear your desktop and close unnecessary programs before logging in.
- Posting a familiar picture behind the webcam can help you feel more comfortable and natural in responses.
- Have a copy of your questions nearby for easy reference.
If technical issues arise, react calmly and flexibly. Have a number to call if you get disconnected.
What are residency interviewers looking for?
Residency interviewers are looking for thoughtful candidates who clearly convey their passions, articulate what matters to them and demonstrate the genuine relevance of their experiences to the program. Communicate clearly, listen actively and reflect meaningfully on your medical journey. When an interview question arises that gives you pause, don’t give the answer you think an interviewer is looking for. Instead, be yourself.
During the residency interview, there will be some questions that are almost certain to come up in one form or another. Be prepared by mastering these common questions, such as:
- Why are you interested in our program?
- Why do you want to go into this specialty?
- Tell me about yourself. Why do you want to be a doctor?
- How have you handled adversity?
- Where do you fit in our program’s mission?
- What are your strengths and weaknesses?
- What are your career goals?
- Do you have any questions?
How do I respond to behavioral interview questions?
Behavioral questions often start with the prompt “Tell me about a time when” and seek insight into your response and adaptability in tough situations. These questions are designed to assess how you think, act and grow. Draw from your past experiences that show a growth mindset and how you handle problem-solving or uncertainty. Have specific examples of times when you navigated a difficult dynamic or how you adjusted your approach in a team-based setting.
Remember that the answers to any question that comes up in an interview should be authentic to your own experiences and in alignment with the program’s mission. Explain not just what you did, but how it shaped your interests and career path.
What should I ask my interviewers?
Interviewers are likely to ask if you have questions for them. The questions you ask will help you gain a holistic understanding of the program you’re considering and make a strong impression with interviewers. As you travel to various interviews, keep a list of questions handy to conduct an effective conversation.
Some questions that medical students should ask program directors or faculty during residency interviews include:
- Which types of practices and fellowships have past residents gone into after residency?
- What formal and informal learning opportunities can I expect?
- How is clinical work and supervision structured?
- Does the volume of clinical work support a balance between service and education?
- What are the basic resident benefits?
- What are a program’s strengths and weaknesses?
- What activities are residents involved in outside the program?
- How does the program support resident well-being and work-life balance?
Be the professional and personable version of yourself when phrasing questions. For example, replace “How many hours will I have to work?” with “What is expected of a first-year resident?”
Many programs offer interviewees a chance to speak directly with current residents on interview day. Some questions to ask include:
- How does your program respond to feedback?
- How does your program handle night shifts?
- What do you do outside of work?
- How are residents treated here?
- What would you change about your program?
- How does this program support resident well-being?
Interview day tips
Remember, the interview process begins as soon as you make contact with the program. Treat everyone you encounter, from support staff to directors, with patience and respect.
On interview day (in-person or virtual), dress in professional business attire. Arrive early to reduce stress. Be mindful of posture, body language, and eye contact. Nervousness is normal—take deep breaths and answer questions in a direct, natural tone.
What should I do after the interview?
As the interviewee, it’s vital to use your experience to gauge whether the environment and culture align with your priorities. After your interview, take a few minutes to capture your initial impressions about:
- The program’s culture
- Strengths and weaknesses of the program
- How well your goals align with the program
This can help you recall details during a busy interview season and inform your rank-order list. While you may wish to send thank you notes, most program directors advise against it.
Final takeaways
Genuine enthusiasm, clear communication and reflective insights have a larger impact than clinical knowledge alone. Approach your residency interview thoughtfully and authentically versus a memorized script or perfect answer. With virtual interviews now common, being comfortable with technology is an essential skill.
For more tips and guidance on excelling at the residency interview, check out the AMA’s Road to Residency Guide.
