Interview in a week, any tips???

[indipharma]

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I have an interview at Touro,CA in feb and I am really nervous as it is my first interview (kind of late, but yes) and I have another one in march for IPBP program of Western University. I was wondering if you guys have any last tips. I get really nervous and often get blank during practicing. dont know what is gonna happen at the interview. Can anyone please help me? 😕
Thanks....

 

[FredDurst]

I have an interview at Touro,CA in feb and I am really nervous as it is my first interview (kind of late, but yes) and I have another one in march for IPBP program of Western University. I was wondering if you guys have any last tips. I get really nervous and often get blank during practicing. dont know what is gonna happen at the interview. Can anyone please help me? 😕
Thanks....

It's going to be group interview, two people interviewing a group of 4-5 students. It's actually really relaxed. Students seemed to support each other during the interview, no criticizing. Take a few seconds to think before you speak, saw at least one person just start talking her way to a dead-end because she was too nervous. Look at the interview feedback at the top of the website, you'll have a pretty good idea of what they are going to ask.

 

[GwenFuu]

How exactly have you prepared thus far?

 

[pharm B]

Do as many practice interviews as you can, and make sure you can calmly and confidently answer all the questions you know you'll probably be asked. It's hard not to sound like you've rehearsed, but the last thing you want to have happen is:

"So tell us... why pharmacy?"

(crickets) "Err.. well... I, uh... think helping people is good...?"

 

[indipharma]

I have prepared myself for the questions i found in sdn interview feedback and I have a couple of questions for the people interviewing me.. bur i am still ab bit nervous because it is my first interview. i dont wanna be stuttering while i anser. i am even practicing with my sis for it. i am scared because it is a group interview and so answers might coincide.

 

[indipharma]

fred durst, i tried not to go on and on when i get nervous. knowing that students support each other is a good thing..i hope i do good..
thanks..

 

[johnnytinx]

I just got out of an interview today that weighs your admittance on a big chunk of the interview process and how you perform/talk.

My advice is to be able to hold casual conversations throughout the interview day by asking questions and making the initiative to talk and introduce yourself to everyone. This particular school was looking for leaders and people who are not shy and can hold conversations with a diversity of different people.

I wish you luck!

 

[GwenFuu]

Are you aware that you will be writing an essay the moment you get to the school?

Anyways...back to the tips. I learned this from my boss (a Speech professor) the day before my interview. It was the most useful 10 minutes I've ever had lol.

Answer the question in this format:

1. State your claim/answer (be concise about it)
2. Give a real life example that backs up #1
3. Then tie your answer back to why you want to enter that particular school OR why you wanted to become a pharmacist in the first place (It really depends on the question at hand)

I followed this format when I interviewed at Touro, and the reason why it was so helpful because most likely everyone will answer #1 the same to some degree, but by coming up with #2 and #3 will make your answer sound more original and also help make you stand out. You also wouldn't have to worry about answering first or last either (which is something a lot of people are afraid of in group interviews).

I'd also like to add that even when you're not speaking, you should still show that you are engaging in the interview, so your body language definitely plays a role. Look at others as they speak and somehow show that you actually care with what everyone else is saying whether it's a nod or a nice smile. Also, try to learn a proper handshake. A small gesture as this can definitely go a long way, especially if you're a woman and you give an awesome firm handshake. It makes them think "Wow, this little lady is assertive and means business!"

Oh and btw...Touro, CA was my first interview too...and I got accepted. 😀

 

[1TB4RKSB4CK]

Wow, 4-5 people? I'd feel so comfortable and confident. Is it like that in UF, UIC, or NSU? (doubt it) :/

 

[johnnytinx]

There was no essay at my school Interview. OTHER SCHOOLS PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

Look at the interview feedback forum and see if students say if there is an essay or not.

 

[indipharma]

yes gwenfuu..i know we have to write an essay at the interview.. i like your 3 step logic..i hope that works for me too...thanks....

johnnytinx, thanks.. i will keep that in mind

 

[lvspartan]

The feedback on SDN has been very accurate for every school where I have interviewed so I would look at that stuff seriously. If nothing else, make sure you are able to answer these two questions, as they almost always come up in some form or another:

Why pharmacy?
Why [this school]?

 

[Glotan]

Are you aware that you will be writing an essay the moment you get to the school?

Anyways...back to the tips. I learned this from my boss (a Speech professor) the day before my interview. It was the most useful 10 minutes I've ever had lol.

Answer the question in this format:

1. State your claim/answer (be concise about it)
2. Give a real life example that backs up #1
3. Then tie your answer back to why you want to enter that particular school OR why you wanted to become a pharmacist in the first place (It really depends on the question at hand)

I followed this format when I interviewed at Touro, and the reason why it was so helpful because most likely everyone will answer #1 the same to some degree, but by coming up with #2 and #3 will make your answer sound more original and also help make you stand out. You also wouldn't have to worry about answering first or last either (which is something a lot of people are afraid of in group interviews).

I'd also like to add that even when you're not speaking, you should still show that you are engaging in the interview, so your body language definitely plays a role. Look at others as they speak and somehow show that you actually care with what everyone else is saying whether it's a nod or a nice smile. Also, try to learn a proper handshake. A small gesture as this can definitely go a long way, especially if you're a woman and you give an awesome firm handshake. It makes them think "Wow, this little lady is assertive and means business!"

Oh and btw...Touro, CA was my first interview too...and I got accepted. 😀

Fantastic, thank you. 🙂

 

[222pharmD]

I was a bit nervous during my interview myself, but the staff were really friendly and made us feel more relaxed.🙂 There will be an essay during the 1st hour. There were 2 topics to choose from and you must select one. You'll have about 50 minutes to complete the essay. The interview is in such a format where the students will be split up in two groups, each group consists of 5 students, and each group will be interviewed by 2-3 people (I had 2 professors and 1 residency student). Our questions were not like the typical questions given here on SDN. Just think about pharmacy in the long terms aspect and how it might potentially be in the future, many questions MIGHT be about that.
As far as practicing, yes I did practice the SDN questions and recorded myself on the labtop camera to observe how I present myself, it really showed me how many times I said "Ummm", so it helped me out. I also read a book to help increase vocabulary and practiced my writing skills by writing why I want to become a pharmacist in a notebook. These little things helped me out 🙂 Good luck with the interview!

 

[indipharma]

thank you 222pharmD..
i think i am gonna do the same..