How would this make you feel?

[b*rizzle]

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At Career Day several months back, I established a good relationship with the clinical coordinator at one of the local hospitals because I was interested in potentially switching from retail to hospital after graduation. We exchanged a few pleasantries via email and s/he said to be sure I dropped him/her line when I submitted my online application.

In February, several full-time positions opened up. I submitted my application and also let the clinical coordinator know that I had done so, per his/her suggestion. I got a very polite email in response letting me know that s/he would be sure to let me know if they expanded their search to new graduates, but at the moment were seeking experienced pharmacists and residents and would be in touch.

Last week, I noticed on the hospital's website that a part-time clinical staff position had been posted. Because I had become more serious about hospital, I submitted a new application. I also sent the clinical coordinator an email, as I had done previously, reiterating my interest in this hospital.

I got a reply that stated that (s)he was unaware of the part-time opening I had applied for but would be sure to look in to it and let me know. A day or so went by and I didn't hear anything back, so on a whim I checked my application status and it said that I was "not selected for an interview" and they were "pursuing other candidates for interview." Not surprisingly, I never heard anything back from the clinical coordinator.

I was a bit taken aback, since I conducted myself appropriately and professionally throughout the entire process (as I always do) and thought I'd established a positive relationship with this person (not that I expected that unto itself to buy me an interview). It felt a bit undignified.

How would this make you feel?

 

[MountainPharmD]

**** happens! Learning how to deal with rejection is a part of life. Sounds like you did everything right. Sometimes things do not go your way.

 

[J ROD]

It's business. Most people are fake. Learn and deal.

 

[StaviZFingerZ]

If someone else was chosen due to better qualification, then there's not a thing I can do about it. It's my own fault for not being competitive.

If they chose someone less qualified, then I'd be pissed but that's life.

 

[UBCmicrobi]

Disappointed that I didn't get the job, but I don't see anything unprofessional or wrong with the situation.... It simply sounds like you didn't meet the qualifications.

 

[Jetninjin]

That does suck. Reminds me of an experience from my past.

Back when I was in college, I interned with a manager at a large company. She got a promotion to VP in a different department and another manager was hired in her place. The next summer, I re-interviewed for the intern position with the new manager, whom the VP had called on my behalf. Being a new manager, she wanted to bring in her own people, and she gave the job to someone else. Annoyed me deeply.

A year later, I graduated college and got hired by the VP who liked me. Within a year, I had worked my way up to a managerial position myself and was given an award for revenue-generation at the annual banquet.

... and guess who was on stage playing Vanna White and had to hand me my plaque and bonus check with a fake plastic smile on her face . Best revenge ever 😀😀😀

 

[KARM12]

Unfortunantly, with how the profession is going, they are looking for people with experience. If you were this interested in hospital, it would have been a good move to gain experience in this setting as a student.

 

[cascones92]

I would say this is the exact reason I am working in a hospital setting while in school. I figure getting that experience now is invaluable since it appears as though hospitals are more and more leaning towards experience if not a residency. I know I talked to our pharmacists that hired and he said of the 8 people that applied for a hospital position 4 had absolutely no experience. He even added that when he asked one of the applicants about experience with IVs, their response was "I had a one hour lecture on it in pharmacy school". It really sucks that this happened to you and if doesn't sound like you did anything wrong during the process. However, if you don't have any experience in the setting (which you never mention) then it simply could boil down to qualifications. Best of luck because I know that I am hoping to get a job in the hospital setting as well.

 

[PharmaTope]

It's business. Most people are fake. Learn and deal.

agreed. most people smile to your face and **** all over you behind your back. the older you get the more you become aware of these things

 

[Nupe954]

sheez it is 10x worst in the corporate arena...some people do ANYTHING to get ahead..what happened to go ol' fashioned hard work???

 

[johnconner]

...

 

[b*rizzle]

Unfortunantly, with how the profession is going, they are looking for people with experience. If you were this interested in hospital, it would have been a good move to gain experience in this setting as a student.

You are assuming I never tried. It's always easier said than done...especially in this particular geographical location. I tried all 4 yrs of school to "cross over." But I ran into the same problem then that I did now.

 

[b*rizzle]

sheez it is 10x worst in the corporate arena...some people do ANYTHING to get ahead..what happened to go ol' fashioned hard work???

I'm sorry -- and your perspective on my work ethic comes from where?

 

[Nupe954]

I'm sorry -- and your perspective on my work ethic comes from where?

It wasn't a direct attack on your work ethic, if anything I was implying you had great work ethic but just got screwed over...

 

[21PharmD]

I know how you feel, I am running into the same problem of finding experience, since most places only want to hire people who already have experience. In any case, I hope things work out for you in the long run.

 

[spacecowgirl]

Something similar happened to me during my residency and I felt hurt and even betrayed. In the end I got a much better job in a better location and I make a lot more money than the job that "got away" So while it sucks, it could be an opportunity for something better to come along. Good luck.

 

[Tom Applewood]

Anything worth having, is worth fighting for.

Keep fighting. Call. Email. Resubmit applications. Fax CV's. Make them so sick of you that they'll have to hire you to shut you up 🙂

All I've been hearing on issue of experience vs. residencies is that residencies are a joke, unless you truly want to specialize. Even then, 2-3 years of actual work experience is more valueable to your practice, your employer, and your bank account than a residency.

 

[Garfield3d]

I think it's good that you feel a bit slighted, and perhaps even insulted, that you were not selected for the position. It shows that you still have an internal sense of drive and ambition, and it shows a certain degree of confidence in your skills and qualifications.

I feel the same way when I have been denied from positions. At the same time, while I think such emotions are healthy, I feel that it is also important to restrain yourself and to keep those emotions in check. There may be legitimate and honest reasons as to why they cannot bring you on at the moment. So, be sure not to vent your dissatisfaction with the recruiter or with human resources.

sheez it is 10x worst in the corporate arena...some people do ANYTHING to get ahead..what happened to go ol' fashioned hard work???

I'm sorry -- and your perspective on my work ethic comes from where?

Nupe was criticizing the hospital and, concomitantly, sympathizing with your position. He was lamenting that hospitals don't seem to value a motivated hard-worker very highly anymore. Instead, hospitals would rather take on a pharmacist with prior work experience.

--Garfield3d

 

[joetrisman]

Just my 0.02, but it sounded like you made a slight acquaintance at best. Its like the russian saying of you need to eat a pood of salt together to really know someone. You need the same to have the kind of assurances that would secure a job without doubt.

 

[crazybob]

Did other applicants have more connections?

 

[thedrunkenpharm]

Are you working in NC?

 

[Jun411]

This doesn't seem like a qualification problem, the other applicants definitely had connections.