I am beginning to receive interview requests for the pharmacy schools I have applied to. Would anyone like to share some general tips on how I should prepare? Thanks in advance,
Matt
Matt
Interview Advice
- Thread starter Somma
- Start date
The pre-health advising offices at my university offer mock-interviews. I think those are pretty helpful. Check out the Interview Feedback tab at the top of the SDN website. It's super helpful for insight on specific schools' interviews. Good luck!
- Joined
- Jul 27, 2011
- Messages
- 47
- Reaction score
- 0
The interview feedback on here was really helpful for me. I think the types of questions probably depend on the school, and you should prepare for each one specifically.
From this site, I knew that my school asked mostly situational-type questions and walked out of my interview relieved that it was exactly what I expected. (and I even recognized some of the questions from on here).
I actually was never once asked why pharmacy or why that school. So, make sure you prepare beyond just the obvious questions so you're not caught off guard.
From this site, I knew that my school asked mostly situational-type questions and walked out of my interview relieved that it was exactly what I expected. (and I even recognized some of the questions from on here).
I actually was never once asked why pharmacy or why that school. So, make sure you prepare beyond just the obvious questions so you're not caught off guard.
- Joined
- Jan 7, 2011
- Messages
- 1,132
- Reaction score
- 1,389
In my opinion, a pretty good strategy is to ask questions during the interview. That allows them to see that you have a brain, personality, communication skills, and other non-robot-like characteristics. It also allows you to have some control of the interview tempo and direction. This tends to have a remarkable calming effect when the interview gets stressful.
It helps to tailor your questions to the interviewers. For example, a current student was on my interview panel. That student was a bit older than normal and was wearing a wedding ring (as do I), so I asked about the difficulty in balancing school work with family life for a non-trad student. All in all, it worked our for me.
It helps to tailor your questions to the interviewers. For example, a current student was on my interview panel. That student was a bit older than normal and was wearing a wedding ring (as do I), so I asked about the difficulty in balancing school work with family life for a non-trad student. All in all, it worked our for me.
- Joined
- May 19, 2009
- Messages
- 2,119
- Reaction score
- 3
The only caveat is that you need to make sure you're asking non-obvious / non-trivial questions. I've seen a couple people sink their interview in this manner when it was opened up for questions. I only mention because many students have little interview experience prior to their pharma school interview, otherwise it'd be self-evident.
- Joined
- Jan 7, 2011
- Messages
- 1,132
- Reaction score
- 1,389
True. I suppose what I really should have said is that you should engage in an open (non-unidirectional) discussion with the interviewers instead of simply sitting there and requiring the interview panel to interrogate you.
- Joined
- May 19, 2009
- Messages
- 2,119
- Reaction score
- 3
- Joined
- Jul 27, 2011
- Messages
- 47
- Reaction score
- 0
Just make sure you actually answer the questions asked of you. Don't get so wrapped up in asking questions of them that you neglect their questions.
A lot of times, they will have structured interview questions that they HAVE to ask. Let them ask those, answer them thoroughly, then build your conversation.
If they are reading a question off of a piece of paper, it's safe to say they don't have a lot of control over the core content of the interview and straying too far at that point will complicate things for them, if not irritate them.
You want to sell yourself, but be aware of the way the interview is conducted.
A lot of times, they will have structured interview questions that they HAVE to ask. Let them ask those, answer them thoroughly, then build your conversation.
If they are reading a question off of a piece of paper, it's safe to say they don't have a lot of control over the core content of the interview and straying too far at that point will complicate things for them, if not irritate them.
You want to sell yourself, but be aware of the way the interview is conducted.
Review interview feedback! It helps me alot! Try to relax (which is kind of hard), be yourself, show your interested, smile, and eye contact! Practice interview with your friends that you feel comfortable with!
Similar threads
