RACGP Candidate Interview Toolbox

Due to the current COVID-19 situation, the 2021 RACGP selection interviews will be conducted online.

MCCC will be holding RACGP interviews via Zoom on:

• Sunday 26 July
• Wednesday 29 July
• Thursday 30 July.

On 16 July 2020, interview bookings can be made via a portal on the MCCC website.

MCCC will contact applicants by email on the 16 July with a link to the portal and further details about the interview booking process.

It is important to choose a quiet space for your interview, with no interruptions from others or pets.

Your background is to be uncluttered as much as possible so it can be confirmed no other people are in the room with you.

Your desk space should be free of all reference material and devices. The only things available to you should be:

• Your ID to present to the interview host
• A fresh notebook or paper and a pen to take notes
• A glass of water or a clear bottle of water with no labels
• Your mobile phone (on silent) so that you can be contacted/contact your host if you experience technical issues.

General principles

The interview process is structured and standardised so that all applicants are asked the same questions, in the same way and scored against the same criteria.This ensures you are assessed on individual merit.

The questions

All candidates will be asked five questions relating to the Domains of General Practice. These questions have been set by the RACGP.

You are to join the Zoom interview at the time stated in your confirmation booking email. Do not join the interview early.

You will be in the lobby for 10 minutes before the host connects you to the meeting for the candidate briefing, so do not worry, you haven’t been forgotten.

During the 10 minutes before the the briefing starts, please check:

• Internet connectivity is strong
• Audio and video is working correctly
• Camera is positioned on a head and shoulder view
• You don’t have a virtual background enabled and your background is visible and in good light
• Speaker view is selected as the Zoom view option.

The host will then accept you into the main meeting room and the 15-minute briefing will begin. Note: Failure to be ready at this point may mean your interview is cancelled.

You must provide your identification when asked by holding it up close to the camera.

If you have any queries, you must ask the host at this point.

Two interviewers will then join the meeting and the interview will begin.

There are five questions in total – each question will remain on screen until the following question begins.

You have two minutes to read a question and take notes.

To signal the two minutes is complete, the host will say, ‘TIME’.

The interviewer will then read the question to you.

You have eight minutes to answer the question, referring to your notes as needed.

To signal the eight minutes is complete, the host will say, ‘TIME’

If you run out of things to say, you can indicate to the interviewers that you have finished and the next question will be presented.

Tip: make sure you have fully answered before you move on – use the full eight minutes to answer the question to the best of your ability.

The next question will then appear on the screen and the process repeats for questions 2-5, where you have two minutes reading time and eight minutes to answer the question.

You will be notified when all five questions have been completed and when to exit the meeting.

• Make sure you are well presented, as if for a job interview
• Listen carefully when the host gives the candidate briefing, this will cover how the interview will run and what to do if you experience technical issues
• Look straight at the camera when responding to the questions
• If you experience audio or visual issues during the interview, you must let your interviewers and host know as soon as possible.

IT/system requirements for your virtual interview

In order to join your interview via Zoom, you will need to ensure you have the following:

System/network: A device with Windows, iOS or macOS operating system, a high speed internet connection and Google Chrome installed – this is the preferred browser for Zoom connections.

Video/Audio: A webcam (internal or external) and a headset (preferably with a jack or USB connection). Wireless headsets can be used but Airpods and similar are strongly discouraged as they can cause audio issues.

Prohibited items during your virtual interview

Dual monitors are not to be used during your interview. If have multiple monitors set up, the screen must be switched off.

No program or browser tab other than Zoom must be open on your computer during the interview. This includes email etc.

You must not record the interview using Zoom, your computer or another device (eg mobile phone, tablet, video camera, digital camera).

No virtual backgrounds are to be used; your host and interviewers must be able to see you and the room you are in at all times.

You must not be connected to a VPN.

Testing your device for Zoom compatibility

Before your interview, visit the link below to join a test meeting to ensure that your set-up at your chosen location meets the technical requirements.

Zoom test meeting instructions

On the day of your interview you must also check your audio and video connections when you first join Zoom using your invite link, before you are admitted to the interview by the host.

Technical issues during your interview

If you encounter technical issues during your interview, try to reconnect to the Zoom meeting via the invitation link.

For further details, please see the ‘Incidents during the interview’ section, below.

Identification

Candidates will need to establish their identity to their Zoom host prior to beginning the interview.

Candidates will be asked to:

• Provide a verbal confirmation of their name and date of birth
• Hold a valid form of photo identification (driver’s licence, passport or other suitable photo ID) up to their web camera.

The integrity of the interview is paramount to ensuring a fair and transparent process for all candidates.

For this reason, the following rules apply:

• Interviews need to be conducted in a secure and private setting
• Candidates are to ensure there is no one else in the room with them
• No materials are to be referred to during the interview, only notes taken during the two minute reading time of each question
• No virtual backgrounds or images are to obscure the visual of the room and the candidate must remain visible to the panel for the duration of the interview
• The interview is not to be recorded by either MCCC or candidates
• Strict confidentiality must be adhered to regarding questions asked during the panel interview; questions or answers are not to be disseminated by the candidate during or post-interview.

Any breach of interview rules may be reviewed under the RACGP Educational Misconduct Policy.

Notes taken during interviews

Candidates may take notes during the two minute reading period for each interview question. Any notes and/or copies of questions written during interviews are to be destroyed by the candidate.

Visit the link below to join a test meeting to ensure that your set-up at your chosen location meets the technical requirements.

Zoom test meeting instructions

The Zoom website Help Centre also has tips and how-to guides if you are unfamiliar with Zoom.

If you still feel you need additional Zoom advice for queries not addressed by the Zoom website Help Centre, please contact MCCC.

It is vital that you test your audio and video connection in Zoom BEFORE your interview.

However, we understand that unforeseen issues can occur on the day. We have expert assistance available to provide technical assistance but in many cases, the issues will be able to be resolved promptly by you and your host.

In the case of the following interruptions, the interview timer will be adjusted and you can continue your interview where you left off.

Please follow the following advice if you encounter issues on the day:

Temporary disruption

If you are disconnected from Zoom during your interview, rejoin the meeting by clicking the invitation link again and following the prompts.

If you are unable to reconnect, please text or call your host to let them know you’re having problems.

 Connection is unable to be re-established

If you are impacted by frequent technical issues and/or the Zoom connection is unable to be re-established, the interview panel will make a decision as to whether to continue by phone or reschedule your interview.

If the interview needs to continue by phone, use the Zoom phone number provided in your interview invitation email.

If this occurs, the interview will start where your interview ended; you will not be permitted to make a second attempt at a question you have already answered.

Interview is rescheduled

If you have been significantly impeded by issues and your interview rescheduled, the interview will start where your previous one ended, with the remaining time of the current question honoured.

Incidents

Should you have an incident during your interview that you believe has impacted on your ability to answer the questions, you may submit an Incident form which is available from the Selection Coordinator  at jenny.smith@mccc.com.au.

Letters of offer for training places will be issued in August.

ACRRM candidates will receive their offers on Monday 3 August
RACGP candidates offers will be issued Monday 10 August.

Remember, to be eligible to commence training in a GP clinic in 2021, you need to complete a Hospital Experience Assessment (HEA) by 14 August at the latest.

The HEA will indicate if you are practice ready (and therefore able to participate in the Registrar Placement Process) or if you need to complete additional hospital rotations.

Complete the HEA on our website.