Building a rapport with residents during the Residency Interview Day
Building Connections with Residents on Residency Interview Day

When you're in the process of selecting a residency program, it's not just about the facilities and the curriculum; it's also about the people you'll be working with. Building connections with current residents can provide valuable insights into what life will be like during your training. Here are some questions you can ask to get to know the residents and the program better:
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1. Culinary Exploration:
  • "How diverse is the food scene in the area, and do you have any favorite restaurants you'd recommend?"
2. Social Life:
  • "How often do residents in the program hang out or socialize outside of work?"
3. Leisure Activities:
  • "What do residents do for fun when they're not in the hospital?"
4. Program Highlights:
  • "Could you share what you find most appealing about this residency program?"
5. Program Choice:
  • "What were the factors that led you to rank this program specifically?"
6. Patient Diversity:
  • "Can you describe the diversity within the patient population that the program serves?"
7. Feedback Mechanism:
  • "How is feedback provided to residents within the program?"
8. Resources Access:
  • "Do residents have free access to resources like UpToDate?"
9. Housing Advice:
  • "Any recommendations on neighborhoods for living around here?"
10. Cost of Living: - "What's the cost of living like in this area?"
11. Resident's Residence: - "Could you share where you personally reside and how far it is from the hospital?"
12. Commuting Insights: - "Is commuting to the hospital typically done by driving, or do most residents use public transportation?"
13. Faculty Dynamics: - "How would you characterize the relationship between the faculty and the residents?"
14. Teaching Involvement: - "Are faculty members actively involved in teaching residents?"
15. Educational Opportunities: - "Is there a journal club as part of the program?"
16. Elective Experience: - "What elective rotations did you undertake during your time here?"
17. Future Changes: - "Are there any upcoming changes in the program that we should be aware of?"
18. Favorite Field: - "Do you have a favorite medical field within your specialty?"
19. Case Exposure: - "Do you believe the program provides sufficient cases for residents to work independently after graduation?"
20. Mentorship Availability: - "Is one-on-one mentoring available within this program?"
21. Family-Friendly Insights: - "If you have children, could you share insights about local schools and related resources?"
Asking these questions will not only help you gather information about the program but also enable you to build a rapport with current residents, which can be valuable in making an informed decision about your future residency. Good luck with your interviews!

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