Intern here, who went through the process and is going to be doing interviews for our program in the near future. Chances are for virtual interviews you will have 3-5 interviews that are 15-20 min each, about 4-6 questions plus time to ask your own. You should be able to confidently and fluently provide an answer to these questions (don't memorize a speech):
1. Tell me about yourself
2. Why this speciality?
3. Why this program?
4. What strengths do you bring? What weaknesses do you have?
5. What do you do in your spare time / for wellness?
Getting an interview means you have met the basic requirements, and that something about your applications interests the program. Interviews are about determining how good a fit a candidate may be for the program, so your job is to show (not tell) that you are someone who will work out great as a resident there. I think the fitting in part is very important - remember, a residency class is a relatively small (5-10, rarely more than 20, as few as 1-2) group of people who will be working together as doctors for long hours / nights / weekends and vacations, for at least 3 years. You want to convey that you're someone who will work well with others, is hardworking, eager to learn, and committed to professionalism and being the best physician you can be. No pressure I know, haha.
Some specific tips:
#1 is unique to you, it should be a story. Not too long, telling the interviewer where you're coming from, and usually why medicine. The 'elevator pitch' version of why you became a doctor.
#2 Again a story, but with specific examples that make clear your interest and passion for the field. Patient encounters, rotation experiences, interactions with an attending, all these things can be used, but make sure your application backs it up!
#3 This is where you show you've done your research - talk about experiences you had doing a rotation there (best), ties to the local area, desire to practice in that area, specific aspects of program like training sites, faculty, patient populations.
#4 Sell your strengths, and be specific; reassure about your weaknesses. This is tricky, make sure whatever you mention is something that you are actively working to improve on. Weaknesses are things you're not as strong at and are working to improve, do not give the impression they are inherent flaws!
#5 Residency is stressful, they want to see you won't burn out or melt down under the pressure. Now, I answered this question in a way that also emphasized the things I like to do with other people; in my mind I thought it might be a bad look if all your spare time looks like it's spent isolated from others. You probably don't want to give the impression of being someone who, when all the other residents decide to go out to do something fun after work, will never join along. I mean, if you are that person, that's who you are, but better that you don't come off like it.
Good luck!
