interview etiquette

[tomrocks]

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two questions:
first, i bought an outfit for my interview, but i've been told it may look too busy. its a stripped tie on a patterned shirt. the pattern on the shirt isn't strong but not exactly subtle. here's a pic:

do you guys think its too much?

and second, i have a problem with havin a really dry mouth after speaking for awhile (side effect from a medication). would it be horrible to bring in a bottle of water with me and take a sip once in awhile?

any feedback would be appreciated!

tom

 

[iamhungry]

two questions:
first, i bought an outfit for my interview, but i've been told it may look too busy. its a stripped tie on a patterned shirt. the pattern on the shirt isn't strong but not exactly subtle. here's a pic:

do you guys think its too much?

and second, i have a problem with havin a really dry mouth after speaking for awhile (side effect from a medication). would it be horrible to bring in a bottle of water with me and take a sip once in awhile?

any feedback would be appreciated!

tom

i'd go with a solid white shirt. but that's just me.

at an interview i went to, they provided water, but i think it's fine if you bring your own water.

 

[bananaface]

I have a funny story. 🙂

A pharmacist I used to work with interviewed at UCSF about 30 years ago. He had long hair, but cut it for the interview, because he was convinced that if he went to the interview with long hair that he would be rejected for looking like a hippie. It turned out that he was worried over nothing, because his interviewer had long hair. He replaced one worry for another and left the interview thinking that he came off as "a total square" and kicking himself for cutting his hair. Despite his cleancut look, he did get in to the school. My point is that you shouldn't feel that you have to be a clone.

Personally, I like the outfit. It says something about your personality, it makes you memorable, and it's not "over the top". If you are comfortable in it, wear it. As long as you are wearing dress clothes, without any informal pieces mixed in, I think it's cool.

Maybe some people who currently go to UCSF have opinions to offer. They probably know the AdCom's tendencies better than anyone else here on SDN.

 

[skp]

nice threads and pic!
go for it, looks nice
take the water in and sip with confidence 👍

 

[cangara]

if you think you can feel good during the interview with the "busy" outfit you have, then go for it. I think that if you can exhibit a confidence that can separate you from the rest, do it. I actually wore a pink shirt and pink tie with small stripes of white, purple and gray. The color is not something that guys would pick, but then pink is the style right now. Even Trump is wearing it. I took a risk and got many complements. I bought an expensive shirt that can also go with my pink tie, but many of my friends told me that it looks too "busy". I decided to go for a plane pink shirt rather than a white shirt with stripes of redish pink. Just don't stress on outfits. Good luck with your interviews.

two questions:
first, i bought an outfit for my interview, but i've been told it may look too busy. its a stripped tie on a patterned shirt. the pattern on the shirt isn't strong but not exactly subtle. here's a pic:

do you guys think its too much?

and second, i have a problem with havin a really dry mouth after speaking for awhile (side effect from a medication). would it be horrible to bring in a bottle of water with me and take a sip once in awhile?

any feedback would be appreciated!

tom

 

[DrugDealer]

I think it's perfect. You don't want to be too conservative in San Francisco.

 

[tomrocks]

sorry, but i have another question....

about thank you notes...

how did people go about doing this? i would prefer sending e-mails but what if i don't have their information? should i ask for their info after the interview? i'm assuming finding the e-mail for the professor may be simple, but i'm more worried about the student interviewer.

it was also suggested that i being cards and then fill them out after the interview and leave them with the secretary after. is this a good idea? it seems a little too soon for me.

i'm interviewing at ucsf if it makes any difference. thanks. sorry for all the annoying questions. i think i'm ready for the interview itself but i want everything else to be perfect!

 

[Lexian]

It looks fine. Most of the male students wore dark suits, light shirt underneath, or something to that effect (myself included, except I didn't go with black, but a very dark green that almost looked black. It was subtle). But basically we all looked the same, so I think you will stand out, which is a good thing, and as long as you feel comfortable I think it will be fine. People who aren't comfortable in what they're wearing usually show it, and that's the only reason it's noticeable.

 

[Apteka]

hi, tom: (sorry, we've been in the middle of projects & midterms, w/ 2 more coming up)

re: thank you letters...
I don't recall sending a thank you letter (paper) personally to them, but I did receive a business card of the pharmacist who interviewed me, and the student pharmacist wrote her contact info on the back of it, with a message that I should email her with any ?s.

I think I sent a quick email to both to thank them, but that was about it. Their office gets pretty cluttered with paperwork and notes, so I didn't want to add to their workload..

>it was also suggested that i being cards and then fill them out after the interview and leave them with the secretary after. is this a good idea? it seems a little too soon for me.

Sounds like a good idea initially, but it would be nicer if you could reflect on the interview and mention something about it if you were to write a handwritten notes.

best of luck to you on your interview! we'll be thinking happy thoughts!

 

[Apteka]

and, I think your outfit is great, esp. if you are comfortable in it. You'll be in it for at least 4-5 hours (tour, writing assingment, interview, etc) so as long as it breathes and you are feeling comfy, that's good.
The colors work out well- not dullsville!

 

[Glycerin]

sorry, but i have another question....

about thank you notes...

how did people go about doing this? i would prefer sending e-mails but what if i don't have their information? should i ask for their info after the interview? i'm assuming finding the e-mail for the professor may be simple, but i'm more worried about the student interviewer.

it was also suggested that i being cards and then fill them out after the interview and leave them with the secretary after. is this a good idea? it seems a little too soon for me.

i'm interviewing at ucsf if it makes any difference. thanks. sorry for all the annoying questions. i think i'm ready for the interview itself but i want everything else to be perfect!

I sent thank you cards to interviewers at each of the schools where I interviewed, and I sent them within a day or two after returning from my interviews.

 

[WVURxGal]

*so confused*

So... um... are these thank you notes common practice? Before this thread, I never heard of them, and I certainly wouldn't have thought to do it myself. Is that normal in some parts of the country, or for some schools, or universally? Aaaaaaaaaah!!!! Should I go buy blank that you cards tonight? Do I drop them off myself? Mail them in, even though I'm in the building every day? Will it look bad if I don't send cards? Is that normal in West Virginia?

😕 😱

^That's basically how I feel right now. Heeeelp meeeee! This is a variable I didn't expect! Aaaaaah!!!!!!!

(Actually, ignore me. I don't do well in formal interview or speech situations. I've fainted infront of a crowd of 3 before. Literally. It's kinda pathetic.)

 

[Laferno]

*so confused*

So... um... are these thank you notes common practice? Before this thread, I never heard of them, and I certainly wouldn't have thought to do it myself. Is that normal in some parts of the country, or for some schools, or universally? Aaaaaaaaaah!!!! Should I go buy blank that you cards tonight? Do I drop them off myself? Mail them in, even though I'm in the building every day? Will it look bad if I don't send cards? Is that normal in West Virginia?


(Actually, ignore me. I don't do well in formal interview or speech situations. I've fainted infront of a crowd of 3 before. Literally. It's kinda pathetic.)

I havent heard of them either, but that didnt stop the school I interviewed at from sending me an acceptance letter, so don't worry about that too much. Also, you might want to take a public speaking class or two if you are having trouble in that respect. It wouldnt be too much of a bright spot if you were interviewing in front of a panel and fainted.

 

[doubleup144]

*so confused*

So... um... are these thank you notes common practice? Before this thread, I never heard of them, and I certainly wouldn't have thought to do it myself. Is that normal in some parts of the country, or for some schools, or universally? Aaaaaaaaaah!!!! Should I go buy blank that you cards tonight? Do I drop them off myself? Mail them in, even though I'm in the building every day? Will it look bad if I don't send cards? Is that normal in West Virginia?

😕 😱

^That's basically how I feel right now. Heeeelp meeeee! This is a variable I didn't expect! Aaaaaah!!!!!!!

(Actually, ignore me. I don't do well in formal interview or speech situations. I've fainted infront of a crowd of 3 before. Literally. It's kinda pathetic.)

It's common business practice to follow up a meeting of a customer or someone you had an interview with to send a thank-you note. Every single person I visted at various pharmacy schools, I sent a thank you note. This included deans, professors, etc. After my interview at UOP, I also sent a thank you note to the professor who interviewed me since I knew who he was.

It makes you as a candidate look good and an individual the school should accept to the school of pharmacy. Pharmacy is all about being professional, so why not start off with sending a thank you note. A typed letter is better than an email since it's more personal. If you don't get accepted to that school of pharmacy, you know you've established a positive foundation.

Pete

 

[flyer]

two questions:
first, i bought an outfit for my interview, but i've been told it may look too busy. its a stripped tie on a patterned shirt. the pattern on the shirt isn't strong but not exactly subtle. here's a pic:

do you guys think its too much?

and second, i have a problem with havin a really dry mouth after speaking for awhile (side effect from a medication). would it be horrible to bring in a bottle of water with me and take a sip once in awhile?

any feedback would be appreciated!

tom

Since these interviews are formal, your suit should be fine. Only you are missing one thing......shoes. Make sure you wear those awesome slippers from your logo (avatar).

 

[Krismeese]

Hmm, I have never heard of it either. Maybe it would have helped when I was interviewing for jobs ...
I am a ways away from interviewing, but can't hurt to get more info 🙂
Do people normally pick up small commercially made thank you cards or just type up a short professional looking letter in Word?

Thanks, you never know when you are going to learn something new lol

 

[adventurer]

On the thank you note subject, I didn't want to "clutter up" the office either, (but that could have just been my excuse. 😉 ) I think that is a great way to sepparate yourself from the masses. And-we should all get in practice doing that anyway!

I did send emails, and I got responses (positive) although they didn't tell me what I really wanted to hear, so I guess it was kind of torture!

 

[WVURxGal]

I havent heard of them either, but that didnt stop the school I interviewed at from sending me an acceptance letter, so don't worry about that too much. Also, you might want to take a public speaking class or two if you are having trouble in that respect. It wouldnt be too much of a bright spot if you were interviewing in front of a panel and fainted.

Public speaking classes won't do anything for me (especially considering that my interview is on the 2nd). I've had the equivalent at the high school level (the aforementioned speech was for Academic Decathlon; we had communications teachers come in to lecture on technique and such) and that sure didn't help, lol. I'm not as worried about this interview as I am about giving a speech. At least in this instance, I'm either going to know my interviewers or at least know who they are and what they do (I work at the School of Pharmacy, so I might get lucky and have one of my supervisors as a interviewer... even better, I might get someone whose work I've read.)

Still, I can't help but be nervous in advance.

It's common business practice to follow up a meeting of a customer or someone you had an interview with to send a thank-you note. Every single person I visted at various pharmacy schools, I sent a thank you note. This included deans, professors, etc. After my interview at UOP, I also sent a thank you note to the professor who interviewed me since I knew who he was.

That seems so bizarre to me... I don't know, I guess I'm not business-minded. Maybe it just seems weird to send letters to people I see on a daily basis... I don't know. Does the fact that I know a decent amount of the faculty already make it weird to send them letters... since I'll see them a few times before they'd ever get a letter from me?

 

[Requiem]

*so confused*

So... um... are these thank you notes common practice? Before this thread, I never heard of them, and I certainly wouldn't have thought to do it myself. Is that normal in some parts of the country, or for some schools, or universally? Aaaaaaaaaah!!!! Should I go buy blank that you cards tonight? Do I drop them off myself? Mail them in, even though I'm in the building every day? Will it look bad if I don't send cards? Is that normal in West Virginia?

😕 😱

^That's basically how I feel right now. Heeeelp meeeee! This is a variable I didn't expect! Aaaaaah!!!!!!!

(Actually, ignore me. I don't do well in formal interview or speech situations. I've fainted infront of a crowd of 3 before. Literally. It's kinda pathetic.)

If this post wasn't a complete joke, I think you need to calm down. Literally freaking out over a simple thank you note is ridiculous, get a grip!

 

[luv2BPharmD]

I like the suit combo too! very stylish.

I also sent thank you notes. I don't know if it made a difference and it wasn't "necessary", but I appreciated the time spent my interviewers and wanted to express that.

 

[tomrocks]

thanks everyone for their responses! i'm off to the interview tomorrow so wish me luck!!!

tom

 

[touchfish]

I think sending thank you notes is a good idea...but should we include anything else beside thanking the interviewers for their time? should we mention something specific that we talked about during the interview?

Thanks!

p.s. I really don't know how I did at my first interview...I felt that I didn't present the best part of me!

 

[faradayampere]

I think sending thank you notes is a good idea...but should we include anything else beside thanking the interviewers for their time? should we mention something specific that we talked about during the interview?

Thanks!

p.s. I really don't know how I did at my first interview...I felt that I didn't present the best part of me!

I think at pharmacy interviews, none of my interviewer provided me w/ his/her contact info. Furthermore, they introduced themselves using first names, so it's hard to find their emails on the directory. I ended up sending general thank-you note to office of admissions, thank everyone for their time to interview me, etc.... Not sure how it's going to turn out though, but it's the best I can think of right now.

 

[xcvbvcfgh]

nice suit

 

[cycloketocaine]

nice suit

Yeah, 2 and 1/2 years later..............?? 😕😕

 

[lee0539]

did he get in?

 

[nerv12345]

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showpost.php?p=4925332&postcount=518
yup. UCSF

 

[wigwam]

is it necesary to have the jacket along with the suit, or is it ok to just wear the shirt and tie?

 

[binghamkid]

is it necesary to have the jacket along with the suit, or is it ok to just wear the shirt and tie?

At the very least, I'd bring it. The suit jacket just complements it nicely. If it's a hot or humid day, go ahead and take the jacket off.

 

[sdn1977]

is it necesary to have the jacket along with the suit, or is it ok to just wear the shirt and tie?

I think by definition a suit is a combination of pants & jacket, but I'm not a guy.

Since suit pants are cut differently & look different than a pair of dress slacks which are meant to be worn with just a shirt & tie or with a sports coat - yeah, I think you need to wear the jacket. But, again, I'm not a guy (but, I wouldn't let digital boy do that nor would drsdn think to do that).

You can be interviewing in a swamp in Florida or the panhandle of Texas & they will have the air conditioning running, so put your jacket on. I think its fine to take it off for the tour though. The same applies to women as well.

Take your lead from the people you're with from the school. If your student tour guide is dressed casually, take the jacket off & loosen your tie. If he/she is dressed up, keep it on & sweat it out.

Good luck! Be sure to have fun & smile a lot.

ps - thats funny stuff above about the interviewer from UCSF. I think I know him....he was a professor & still will occasionally teach a class or two. He had beautiful hair & now its silver grey & its still in a small pony tail, although not as long.

 

[fatevsdestiny]

u're not a guy? I've been reading your posts and keep imagining you are a guy. What a suprise!

 

[sdn1977]

u're not a guy? I've been reading your posts and keep imagining you are a guy. What a suprise!

nope! You must have missed the old ones on skirt lengths...there was lots to say about that!😉

So, when you read my posts ......just think great legs, white coat....😛

 

[Jitaka]

So, when you read my posts ......just think great legs, white coat....😛

...should we imagine you in heels or flats 😕

 

[sdn1977]

...should we imagine you in heels or flats 😕

Are you kidding????? Heels - me & Tussionex!!!!😀

 

[wigwam]

does the jacket have to be blue or black? i have a wool grey one, i don't want to look old though....

 

[pharmacogenomic]

does the jacket have to be blue or black? i have a wool grey one, i don't want to look old though....

OK - some of the men really need to chime in here. I'm only married to one (drsdn) & have a grown son of my own, but....as noted earlier - I'm no man so cannot speak with authority.

However, over 30 years of being married to drsdn....a suit is a matching (note the color/fabric/style) pants & coat. A coat (jacket) which is "coordinating" is normally called a sport coat (gentlemen - please correct me if I'm wrong!) & the color/fabric/style coordinates with the pants.

Generally, a sport/coat combination is less "formal" than a suit. Depending on where your interview is, it might work fine - but the pants must "coordinate" - not match - just coordinate.

Have you asked your Dad for advice? Better yet - ask your mom - we tell our spouses they can't go out looking like "that" all the time. However, a man in business, particularly if he is used to dressing for all kinds of business situations from the everyday to the daytime meeting to the nighttime meeting will give you good advice.

I cannot reiterate more - the consultants at Macy's were tremendously helpful when my daughter went thru the process (medicine, not pharmacy). I asked if the same service was available for men & she said yes. You are not obligated to purchase anything, but the advice is great, if you have no other source (or don't trust what your mom or dad say).

Good luck!

 

[humbleRx]

two questions:
first, i bought an outfit for my interview, but i've been told it may look too busy. its a stripped tie on a patterned shirt. the pattern on the shirt isn't strong but not exactly subtle. here's a pic:

do you guys think its too much?

and second, i have a problem with havin a really dry mouth after speaking for awhile (side effect from a medication). would it be horrible to bring in a bottle of water with me and take a sip once in awhile?

any feedback would be appreciated!

tom

You should not be that paranoid! All you need to do is try to concentrate on the question and answer with the best of your ability. Don't try to impress them that much. I had my own story, I went to the school interview. During the flight the airline lost my luggage, so I had to come in the interview with jeans and T-shirt. The first minutes was kinda weird, but I told them right away that the airline had lost my luggage. I went through the interview and get along with them well. We talked, jokes, laugh and everything went well. Just be yourself, professors are human too. Just don't try to impress them too much. Focus on the question and answer with your best ability. Make sure you add in some humor because it will ease the situation. Good luck!

 

[UES Girl]

You should not be that paranoid! All you need to do is try to concentrate on the question and answer with the best of your ability. Don't try to impress them that much. I had my own story, I went to the school interview. During the flight the airline lost my luggage, so I had to come in the interview with jeans and T-shirt. The first minutes was kinda weird, but I told them right away that the airline had lost my luggage. I went through the interview and get along with them well. We talked, jokes, laugh and everything went well. Just be yourself, professors are human too. Just don't try to impress them too much. Focus on the question and answer with your best ability. Make sure you add in some humor because it will ease the situation. Good luck!

Lol, that post is from 2 years ago, that guy is already a 2nd year I believe at UCSF, I think I know him too, but your advice is very nice.🙂

 

[CaliCPhT]

does the jacket have to be blue or black? i have a wool grey one, i don't want to look old though....

I agree with what pharmacogenomic has said about suits vs. sports coats. If all you have is a sports coat with slacks, then wear that. But, if you can possibly buy a suit - fairly conservative, then it can last a long time. If you have a Men's Wearhouse near you, their consultants are very helpful and they have good prices on suits. I'd recommend getting a quality tie. My husband has over 50 ties, and I can really tell the difference between a high quality and a lower quality tie - even if they're all 100% silk. Macy's Club Room (I think that's their store brand) makes decent quality ties that are affordable. Good luck on picking out your interview attire!

 

[rxliteguy]

2 button or 3 button jacket? does it matter?

 

[UES Girl]

2 button or 3 button jacket? does it matter?

I don't think it matters as long as you look hot😀, or that's what I have been told on this forum .🙂😉 I have always thought that it''s your accomplishements and experiences, but apparently looking hot is now a major pre-req for getting into pharmacy school. So whatever jacket you pick - make sure you emitt hotness with your every breath. JK🙂 I know I got nothing to worry about but even then - I think I am going to splurge and buy a Theory or a MJ suit. 🙂

 

[rxliteguy]

I don't think it matters as long as you look hot😀, or that's what I have been told on this forum .🙂😉 I have always thought that it''s your accomplishements and experiences, but apparently looking hot is now a major pre-req for getting into pharmacy school. So whatever jacket you pick - make sure you emitt hotness with your every breath. JK🙂 I know I got nothing to worry about but even then - I think I am going to splurge and buy a Theory or a MJ suit. 🙂

i'm interviewing for pharmacy school, not Playgirl.

 

[UES Girl]

i'm interviewing for pharmacy school, not Playgirl.

I was joking and being sarcastic of the above posters, do people not understand any humor anymore especially when it's full of smiley faces ?

 

[CaliCPhT]

I was joking and being sarcastic of the above posters, do people not understand any humor anymore especially when it's full of smiley faces ?

I found it funny!! LOL. 🙂

To RxLite - I think that whatever you choose will be fine, but I prefer a 3 button suit. Recommend you speak with a clothing consultant at a men's suits department/Men's Wearhouse. OK... I'll stop beating that horse now.

 

[hopefullyfall08]

Okay, I know this thread is more about what to wear to the interview...but etiquette is also in how you act...so I will ask this...

I was told by the faculty woman that interviewed me upon stopping to realize that I had not given her much room to ask questions that "No, it is fine...we love when enthusiastic ppl like you come through, it makes our job easier"...how would y'all take that...at first I took it in a good way...but now I don't know?!?!?

 

[Farmercyst]

Okay, I know this thread is more about what to wear to the interview...but etiquette is also in how you act...so I will ask this...

I was told by the faculty woman that interviewed me upon stopping to realize that I had not given her much room to ask questions that "No, it is fine...we love when enthusiastic ppl like you come through, it makes our job easier"...how would y'all take that...at first I took it in a good way...but now I don't know?!?!?

I have a few thoughts on this one.

1st: USC interview grading does involve your level of enthusiasm, so it could be a good thing.

2nd: You want to give an answer long enough to give the question it's due, but short enough to allow them to ask enough questions to get a bigger picture of who you are.

3rd: As long as the interchange flows smoothly, it doesn't have to be a formal get a question/give an answer. Some people's interviews seem more conversational, and it's not a bad thing. It tends to make the interviewee more relaxed, allowing them to be a more normal version of themselves.

 

[omnione]

I have a few thoughts on this one.

1st: USC interview grading does involve your level of enthusiasm, so it could be a good thing.

Good thing that I didn't apply to USC😳