Your interview is happening on a laptop. Prepare like it isn't.

Virtual interviews are the norm this cycle, and I keep hearing people treat them as lower stakes because they're at home. They're not. Same decision, same committee, same seat on the line.

Test your technology before the day. Not an hour before, days before. Know where your camera is, know what your background looks like, know what happens if your internet drops and have a plan for it. Get rid of every possible interruption, including the people and animals in your house.

Dress like you drove there. Full outfit, not just the top half. It changes how you carry yourself, and you will absolutely have to stand up at some point.

What I cover:

• Treating a virtual interview with in-person seriousness
• Testing your tech and having a backup plan
• Setting up your space and background
• What to wear and why it matters
• Eye contact and energy through a camera
• The real pros and cons of the virtual format

Resources:

PA School Interview Guide: https://www.thepaplatform.com/physician-assistant-school-interview-guide

PA School Interview Course: https://www.thepaplatform.com/services/pa-school-interview-course

Mock Interview: https://www.thepaplatform.com/services/mock-interview

Free Application Timeline: https://www.thepaplatform.com/services/free-application-timeline

Mentioned in this episode:

CapYear Training

Get $200 Off CapYear Academy Looking to boost your clinical experience this summer? CapYear Academy offers a flexible, 100% online medical assistant training program with optional externships and CCMA certification included. 🎓 Use code PA200 for $200 off your tuition! 👉 Enroll now at capyear.co

Alright, a hot topic.

This cycle has been virtual interviews.

So today I am breaking down my tips on what you should do and how to be prepared.

Welcome to the Pre PA Club Podcast.

If you want to learn how to become a physician assistant, you're in the right place.

I'm your host, Savannah Perry.

Let's get to it.

I want to thank mypa Resource and PA School Prep for sponsoring the Pre PA Club Podcast.

So mypa Resource is a personal statement editing service that edits only PA school essays, only edited by PAs and most of us have admissions experience, so I am one of the editors.

Definitely check them out if you need help with your content, grammar, flow, making sure that you are on track for turning in your application.

And you can use the code futurepa for a discount on any of their service options.

PA School Prep is an online course that focuses on the anatomy, physiology and med terms that you'll need for PA School to make sure you feel confident going into that first semester and that you are able to handle what PA school throws at you.

So check that [email protected] and also use the code futurepa for a discount there.

Hey guys, welcome to this week's episode of the Pre PA Club Podcast.

Happy December.

All right, before we get into today's episode, I wanted to do a little introduction.

I'm Savannah.

I am a dermatology PA and the creator of the PA Platform which is a website and blog.

We're also on instagram @the PA platform and today's episode I should have done sooner probably, but we had so many great episodes to share and so many even to come that I kind of put it off.

So there has been a blog post posted and a lot of this information came from the blog post.

This information is also found in actually a presentation form in the PA school interview course.

So.

So that'[email protected] at this point.

I don't even know.

I think it's like five or six hours of content.

It's a lot of interview stuff and examples and all kinds of things so that you can find that there.

But we're going to talk about the interview portion and this cycle, how it has been so weird and different and what that holds for the future even though nobody completely knows.

But we'll do that in just a second.

I did want to mention again the pre PA conference which is on January 2nd.

It is an all day event from 8 to 5.

There will be replays available for everyone who is registered.

You can go to prepaconference.com and use the code future pa for $5 off of that registration.

And our last one in May was so much fun.

Actually.

Was it April or May?

I know you remember it was either at the beginning of May or the end of April.

But it was great.

It was such a fun y' all chat, you know what I'm talking about.

But it was great.

This one will be just as fun, I am sure, but we would love to have you there.

So if you're interested in that, definitely sign up.

Make sure you're following on Instagram so you don't miss out on any fun giveaways related to the conference and other things we have coming up.

And yeah, I think that's all that's going on in the PA platform world.

All right, let's talk about virtual interviews all right, let's talk about virtual interviews because this is apparently now a thing when it comes to PA school interviews, and this is so new.

This has never been something even considered before.

So I just want to mention this is uncharted territory for so many programs and applicants.

So give yourself some grace.

Give the program some grace.

They are still figuring it out.

In the past, Yale Online has been the only program who really participated in online interviews because they had an online program.

But now it's becoming a thing that schools pretty much have to do as a safety measure.

And so if you're freaking out, they are too.

And it's definitely been a huge adjustment.

So just keep in mind that it is okay if this stresses you out a little bit more.

Try to not let it do that.

But know that if you are having issues hearing back from a program or with the setup or something, that they are probably having issues too.

So things look different and who knows if they will stay that way.

So when we are talking about virtual interviews, though, my number one tip is to treat this like it is the real thing.

Consider it an interview as if you were in person, that you were there and you were sitting right in front of the interviewer, even though you are probably looking at them through a computer screen instead.

It is a little different.

It's going to feel a little weird, especially if you aren't used to video chatting.

I think people are becoming a little more comfortable with zoom with classes moving online as well.

But just know that you want to go into this as if it is the real thing.

Even though you're in the comfort of your own home, just present yourself with the same professionalism that you would bring to an in person interview, this is, you know, a different setting, but we're gonna pretend like you are really there.

So some of the pros to this type of interview are going to be that you can do it from the comfort of your own home.

So wherever you're comfortable, and I would say in your comfy clothes, but I still want you to wear a suit, but in the comfort of your home.

Maybe you won't be freezing like my PA program was 100% of the time, but you may need to turn the air down if you're sweating like crazy too.

But you'll be able to do this from your own house, which will save you money.

With traveling and the cost of PA school and PA school applications has been a huge hot topic.

And this is actually one way to work on that and to save cost and save money.

So it could be that that is a huge benefit for you and you're able to participate in more interviews than you would have if you had had to travel to them.

I've heard of people having to cancel interviews because they end up not being able to afford to go to all the programs they received invites from.

So with virtual interviews, you are saving money in that way.

With virtual interviews, there's more flexibility with scheduling and that can be on the side of the program and for you.

So, you know, you may be able.

I've had some people who have been able to do their, their interviews while they're at work because it's, you know, they can schedule it during their lunch break or they can take a break and do their interview.

And so they don't have to take a whole day off of work to do the interview or there are multiple dates available multiple times.

Programs have been doing interviews on the weekends and at nights.

So that can be also beneficial that you may be able to have a little more flexibility in when you schedule it.

Here are some of the cons, and these actually go along with the pros, but technical difficulties, because for a virtual interview, you are relying on technology.

You're relying on your computer working correctly or your phone or the speaker or the Internet, that no one around you is causing problems.

And on your interviewer's side, on the school side, that their technology is working correctly.

And so that can be an issue.

There have been reports of issues this year with not being able to connect mic's not working.

There are some things you can do to kind of help with that ahead of time, but just know that it can happen.

And schools know that they have experienced this either with you or somebody else.

But just know that ahead of time that you may run into some technical difficulties in not being able to travel.

You are missing out on the opportunity to see the program firsthand.

And so that is a little difficult because you're potentially deciding where you're going to live for the next two years, three years.

And so that is a difficult part of not being able to go to the interviews in person.

If possible, you may be able to travel to that area.

So see if they're doing the online or virtual information sessions.

Try to talk to current students or alumni of the program.

If you have any reservations, talk to people who live in that area and try to get a feel for it at the end of the day, PA school goes by so quickly, it flies by.

Your number one priority and focus during school is school itself.

And so unless the location is a huge deal breaker, I wouldn't let that stop you from pursuing a program.

Another con is because of the flexible scheduling.

I would say that we're seeing much shorter notice with people getting interview invites because you don't have to travel.

And I would say that with schools incorporating virtual interviews, the cycle has been moved up.

So we are seeing a lot more interviews early in the summer than we have in past cycles.

And I actually feel like now we're seeing, because we're only halfway through this cycle, more interviews in November and December than we have in the past.

And I think it's because the ease of schools being able to actually do the interviews.

And so that could mean, you know, the whole cycle's moved up and people are accepted sooner.

But there are likely also programs waiting to do interviews in the spring and possibly waiting to see if they can bring people in in person.

So, yeah, when it comes to shorter notice, that is why it is so important that you prepare ahead of time.

So my recommendation is to start preparing for the interview the day you submit your application.

Go ahead and start preparing.

This cycle, we have had multiple people contact us and tell us that they have received an interview invite the night before the actual interview, because schools want those interview sessions to be full.

First of all, they want to have full sessions because they want to interview as many people as possible or at least hit their numbers that they're looking for to fill up the class.

And so they want to have people in those interviews.

And so it's going to be a huge benefit and look really good if you are flexible enough to move into one of those spots.

If you were contacted the night before an interview, but you know, you may get a week, two weeks, a month notice.

But it could come less than 24 hours ahead of time, which sounds crazy, but it happens 100% happens.

Okay, so here's some tips that we're going to go over to make sure that you are as prepared as possible and that you can avoid some of these issues, at least from the logistics sides of things.

Number one, test your technology.

You want to make sure that you have a strong Internet connection and a working camera and microphone.

If you're planning on using AirPods, make sure they are fully charged.

I have had some people ask about whether they should use AirPods or headphones.

That's fine.

I think as long as your sound quality is good enough that they can hear you, that's great.

But I would make sure you have tested it ahead of time.

So how are you going to test it?

Try to do a video call with a friend or family member from the same platform you're going to use during your actual interview.

You're aware of it.

So a lot of programs are using Zoom, some are using Microsoft Teams, Google Meet.

You may want to try all of them, but go ahead and see if you can double check that everything is compatible.

I do recommend trying to use a laptop if possible versus a phone.

But if a phone is what you've got, make sure it's fully charged and ideally plugged in because I mean you shouldn't really need to go out and buy any new equipment.

But you can use, use what you got.

While you're testing it, try to become familiar with where the controls are, the mute unmute button, the video on off button, just in case you needed that during the interview.

And also know that during your interview.

From what I've heard, a lot of programs are requesting to record the interviews, so don't be surprised if they do request to record during your interview.

Alright, Next, be professional.

So even though this is a digital virtual interview, you can still be professional.

And you probably have seen like all of the fun backgrounds in Zoom and all of that.

I would discourage that.

Possibly in this case I would try to have just a normal setting where there's not really anything behind you.

You could have a blank wall or a minimally decorated wall.

One thing to be aware of with your decorations is if you have anything like a picture or a book, be prepared for them to bring it up and ask you about it.

I have heard this happening in multiple situations this year, so unless there's something you specifically want them to talk about, then you may not have anything really behind you or Stick with something very neutral.

You also want to make sure, like maybe you were doing a Zoom call with friends and you had a funny background on.

Like if you're like me earlier, you had some Tiger King action going on.

Make sure those are turned off because that may or may not be a great conversation starter.

If you have something funny or even inappropriate come up when you start the session.

Usually for these sessions you can sign on early and they can see that you are signed on early and that may be something good just to make a good impression, show that you're prepared, show that you're ready.

I've had some people say that their interviewers actually commented on that on, hey, we noticed you were signed in early and that was great.

So that's something else that you can do.

Alright, so get the background distractions out of the way and then make sure that you are minimizing noise around you as much as possible as well.

You want to sit up straight, make sure that you have good posture, you appear engaged, you're not lounging, you're not sitting in your bed.

You would be surprised when I was talking to Jim Van Rees from Yale Online.

He's so funny, but he was talking about how he has had people do their PA school interview from their bed.

Y', all, that is inappropriate.

So don't be that person.

Wear your interview attire at least from the waist up, please.

You know, I would still wear a blazer, a nice shirt, minimal jewelry, pull your hair back, have a nice haircut, that type of thing.

So you want to appear as professional as possible, even in this different setting.

Also in Zoom or wherever you are, make sure that your name is actually your name.

So sometimes you can have a different display name or if you're signing in under somebody else, it'll have like a screen name or email address.

Try to change the settings so that it actually says your name because that will help them to know who you are, remember your name and then if you do have any group things or parts where you're with other applicants and it won't be confusing to see somebody else's name up there.

So try to double check that as well.

All right, then we want to find a good setting.

So we've talked about the background already.

I kind of jumped ahead.

But let's talk about lighting.

And if you have not ever done much video stuff, which most people haven't, lighting makes all the difference.

So some ways to affect lighting, number one, natural lighting is best where it is facing you.

Like, like saying in front of a window where it's coming onto your face, that is ideal.

Not like sunlight, like kind of cloudy day is best, but you can't control that.

So you know, you don't want direct sunlight, but just light coming in the window.

If that is not an option, other options would be you can use a light.

You can.

I would not go out and buy a ring light for this, but you can turn your computer monitor light all the way up that can help.

Or get any type of light lamps that you can put in the room, something to give it a nice light appearance as much as possible.

And then I would tell anyone that you're living with or who's in your home that you are going to be doing an interview and ask them to keep it down, not slam doors, that you're going to be doing this for however long.

If you have any animals, make sure they're somewhere where they're not going to need you and they're not going to be heard so that there are no distractions during your interview.

And listen, if some of these things happen, it's okay, I promise your interviewer has heard and seen it all and so it is okay.

Other thing is close the door.

You don't want someone walking by, maybe on their way out of the shower.

Have also heard of that happening.

And so just make sure you're aware of those types of things as much as possible.

All right, next, just be prepared for anything.

If you run into any of these technical difficulties or you have issues or they have issues, just go with the flow and, you know, make sure that you are trying to appear as unstressed as possible.

You're going to be nervous, you're going to probably be shaking and all that.

But try to make it seem like you are cool, calm and collected as much as you can.

One question that we have gotten a lot this cycle about these virtual interviews is can I take notes or can I have my notes in front of me that of things I want to say or points I want to make.

I'm going to go back to that first point of treat this like the real thing.

And in a real interview setting where you are doing the actual interview portion, you would not be able to have or take notes while they're actually interviewing you.

If it's during an information session, yeah, for sure.

Like you can definitely take notes then or whatever.

But if it is when they are doing Q and A, you do not want to take notes.

That can be a huge red flag.

It might look like you're trying to write the questions down you can't necessarily cheat in an interview, but it just, it comes off as weird.

We've actually had a few people try to do that during mock interviews and we can always tell that we're like, what are you doing?

What are you doing?

Like, you aren't paying attention.

You don't seem engaged because they're distracted by their notes.

So I would not recommend using or taking notes during the actual interview.

Again, if there's anything that you could not do or have during a real interview, you would not want to do it then.

So what is the big question?

Will virtual interviews stick around forever?

No one really knows at this point and I don't even think the programs know.

It is definitely a possibility, though.

I think that this experience has shown programs that they can do it and shown them that maybe for some of them it's easier than doing in person interviews and that it's easier on applicants.

So that could be a benefit.

Maybe some schools will offer it as an option and that may be definitely helpful for people who don't have flexible schedules or are trying to travel across the country.

For some of the stories I've heard of people plane hopping to get to multiple interviews are crazy.

Like four interviews in three days and they're just flying all around or something crazy.

So just, I think, you know, prepare this cycle for it possibly to be virtual and know that in the future it could also be virtual.

But these, I hope these tips kind of help you with if you are faced with a virtual interview, that you feel a little more comfortable, a little less stressed out and you know how to proceed.

So hope that helps.

Alright, if you want to hear more about virtual interviews, make sure you check out the [email protected] and we'll have that linked in the description as well as everything we've mentioned in the episode.

And thank you so much for tagging along.

I wanted to try a secret podcast giveaway.

Okay, if you stuck with me this long, I want you to screenshot the podcast and post on social media and tag at the PA platform.

And we will choose one person to win a copy of the PA school interview guide and a free admission to the conference in January.

So we will do that.

We'll choose a winner by Christmas, December 25th.

So this is a secret.

You can tell people if you want, but people will see who really listens.

All right, see you guys.

Next week.

We're going to hear from an interview with a great PA student.