Interview process description: |
In lieu of an in-person interview, the selection committee will invite applicants being considered for ranking to a) submit a work sample and b) participate in a competency-based online interview.* We offer online interviews in lieu of phone/video or in-person interviews to provide convenience to our applicants and allow applicants the opportunity to be reflective in their responses. We also conduct interviews in this manner to reduce potential bias in the selection process, while enabling individuals to participate in the interview process regardless of socioeconomics (i.e. ability to fund travel to interviews). We want the competencies and qualities of the interns to be what is reviewed within the interview process rather than interviewing skill, degree of charisma, or other variables that are not relevant to being a quality professional psychologist. Candidates are given a two week window (end of December) in which to complete the online interview at their convenience.
In addition, those applicants being considered for ranking are invited to attend an optional open house (all current VAPIHCS interns and the majority of the psychology staff participate in this event). For the 2022-2023 selection process, we will be hosting this event virtually. If people are going to be on Oahu and want a tour, we are happy to provide. However, in upholding our value of equity, we have transitioned our formal open house to be fully virtual. The open house is scheduled to take place on Thursday, January 19th, 2023. We schedule the open house at the end of the application season in order to reduce potential conflict for applicants with other interviews and to also enable applicants to experience a little aloha after the emotional marathon of selections. The purpose of the open house is to assist applicants in deciding how to rank our program by providing greater insight into the training program, talk with our current interns, have questions answered, and meet some of our psychology staff. Perhaps most importantly, it provides an opportunity to experience the atmosphere and attitude of the program. Please note that our ranking of candidates is based on the written application packet, work sample, and online interview. An applicant choosing to not participate in the open house is not a factor in our ranking of candidates. Regardless of attendance at the open house, we offer internship candidates the opportunity to be connected with psychology training staff and current trainees to better learn about the site.
* Applicants requesting accommodation due to disability for the online interview or virtual participation in the open house are asked to request such assistance by contacting the Training Director at Shiloh.jordan@va.gov.
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