The Virtual Interview Experience: Advantages, Disadvantages, and Trends in Applicant Behavior

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Surgical Training
• Applicant Recruitment

Background:

• The 2020-2021 residency application cycle shifted to virtual interviews due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• This transition presented both advantages (cost, convenience) and disadvantages (in-person evaluation limitations).

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of virtual interviews on applicant behavior and costs.
• To compare current virtual interview trends with pre-pandemic (2018) data.

Main Methods:

• A survey was distributed to 302 plastic surgery residency applicants from the 2020 cycle.
• Data analyzed included demographics, social media use, and virtual interview experiences.
• Responses were compared to a 2018 survey for longitudinal analysis.

Main Results:

• Seventy-six applicants (25.2%) responded, with 88.2% spending under $1000.
• Applicants increasingly used digital resources (forums, social media, podcasts) for program information compared to 2018.
• The percentage of attended interviews increased, though the average number remained similar to pre-COVID studies.

Conclusions:

• Virtual interviews offer significant cost savings and convenience for residency applicants.
• Applicants increasingly rely on digital platforms to gather information about programs.
• Challenges remain in assessing program fit and nonverbal communication in a virtual setting.