Interviews

[lee0539]

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Please provide any website information you used to prepare for the interviews. Looking for more information about things like Plan B or other issues pertaining to pharmacy. Also what kind of questions would you ask the interviewers? I feel asking a question about their school would look more like I didn't do enough research about them. A question about them personally may affend them. So I would like any advise as to what kind of questions you asked your interviewers.

 

[Farmercyst]

Please provide any website information you used to prepare for the interviews. Looking for more information about things like Plan B or other issues pertaining to pharmacy. Also what kind of questions would you ask the interviewers? I feel asking a question about their school would look more like I didn't do enough research about them. A question about them personally may affend them. So I would like any advise as to what kind of questions you asked your interviewers.

Have you looked at the Interview Feedback yet? It's the "I.F." link at the top of the page. I'd start there. Also you can do an advanced search for "Interview" Narrow your search down to Pre-pharmacy forum. It should make it a little easier to filter. (actually this is all I used for my interview prep.)

 

[lee0539]

Have you looked at the Interview Feedback yet? It's the "I.F." link at the top of the page. I'd start there. Also you can do an advanced search for "Interview" Narrow your search down to Pre-pharmacy forum. It should make it a little easier to filter. (actually this is all I used for my interview prep.)

Yes I.F. has been helpful in preparing for questions asked by the interviewers.. the advise was to ask a few questions to the interviewers, but I don't believe there were anything pertaining to exactly what to ask interviewers. I'm not asking a questions about what interviewers ask me and what I should say, but more about what I should ask interviewers at the end of the interview.

 

[Farmercyst]

Yes I.F. has been helpful in preparing for questions asked by the interviewers.. the advise was to ask a few questions to the interviewers, but I don't believe there were anything pertaining to exactly what to ask interviewers. I'm not asking a questions about what interviewers ask me and what I should say, but more about what I should ask interviewers at the end of the interview.

Ok, different answer then. Still, advanced search is good here. We had about 4+ threads running between December and February (maybe march) each asking this question. I'd look some up and post links, but I've got some errands to run. If no other answers are here when I get back, I'll do some searching. (Though it'll be more helpful if you search yourself, it makes the answers stick with you.)

 

[StringTheorist]

I looked on sites for typically asked interview questions for grad schools and pharmacy colleges. I then had my boyfriend mock interview me for a week until I had almost memorized perfect answers.lol. I dressed very professional and appropriately. That is very important. I saw some people at my interview wearing church clothes versus business atire. There was even someone with a floral print one piece dress... yeah....
SO ...
just practice and dress correctly.

 

[lee0539]

I looked on sites for typically asked interview questions for grad schools and pharmacy colleges. I then had my boyfriend mock interview me for a week until I had almost memorized perfect answers.lol. I dressed very professional and appropriately. That is very important. I saw some people at my interview wearing church clothes versus business atire. There was even someone with a floral print one piece dress... yeah....
SO ...
just practice and dress correctly.

hmm interesting because one of the interview advise was that they don't look for complete buisness attire and that just khakis and golf shirt would be fine. Although I probably will be a bit better dressed then that.

To Farmercyst: if it has been asked before i'll try and look for it, but there are so many and most are asking the basic question about what to do at interview... i'm just not sure what to do to end the interview well by asking good questions to the interviewer.

 

[brasilia01]

hmm interesting because one of the interview advise was that they don't look for complete buisness attire and that just khakis and golf shirt would be fine. Although I probably will be a bit better dressed then that.

Look up interview attire when interviews roll around again. I would not wear anything but a suit, otherwise you'll feel underdressed. Thats just my opinion from the interviews I've been to though.

 

[StringTheorist]

OH, i forgot to address the questions at the end... you should always have questions for the interviewees... it shows that you are very interested. Ask them what percent of their student pass the NAPLEX exam, what is their retention rate, do they have a field in ______ ? Make sure you show interest beyond what is necessary.

edit:
and send a thank you note! and shake their hands!

 

[brasilia01]

OH, i forgot to address the questions at the end... you should always have questions for the interviewees... it shows that you are very interested. Ask them what percent of their student pass the NAPLEX exam, what is their retention rate, do they have a field in ______ ? Make sure you show interest beyond what is necessary.

edit:
and send a thank you note! and shake their hands!

Some schools will not let you contact the people who interviewed you, even if it is a thank you note. I know that Temple said that our application would be withdrawn if we contacted our interviewer.

 

[omnione]

hmm interesting because one of the interview advise was that they don't look for complete buisness attire and that just khakis and golf shirt would be fine. Although I probably will be a bit better dressed then that.

At the three interviews I attended, I don't remember seeing anybody wearing plain khakis and a golf shirt. Most people, including myself, were wearing business attire complete with the jacket.

i'm just not sure what to do to end the interview well by asking good questions to the interviewer.

My philosophy with the "Do you have any questions for us?" question is to use that question to interview the school through your interviewers. Since I applied to multiple schools and I didn't have the money to formally visit each school before the interview, I asked critical questions about the direction of the school and the school's pedigree. Of course, I worded these questions in a gentle manner like "If there was one improvement I should be excited about, what would it be?" After all, the interviewers don't want to regret choosing you, but you don't want to regret going to the school either.

 

[guestxyz]

Also what kind of questions would you ask the interviewers? I feel asking a question about their school would look more like I didn't do enough research about them. A question about them personally may offend them. So I would like any advise as to what kind of questions you asked your interviewers.

A good "end of the interview" question is "What kinds of extracurricular student activities or organizations are available for pharmacy students at the school?" This always generates some excitement in the interviewers because they can readily answer it, and it shows that you would like to be an actively involved student. Ask this question even if you already know the answer.

And yes, wear a business suit including the jacket. Trust me, that's what most people wear.

 

[binghamkid]

A good "end of the interview" question is "What kinds of extracurricular student activities or organizations are available for pharmacy students at the school?" This always generates some excitement in the interviewers because they can readily answer it, and it shows that you would like to be an actively involved student. Ask this question even if you already know the answer.

And yes, wear a business suit including the jacket. Trust me, that's what most people wear.

Yea, you definitely don't want to be that one candidate who shows up to the interview in jeans and a tshirt and having the other candidates staring at you (mentally checking you off the list).

Also, act naturally, but make sure you are very professional and courteous. I've heard of interviewees screwing up because they interrupted an interview by just drinking water out of their water bottle without excusing themselves first. You don't want to irk your interviewer, so don't take any chances. A simple "May I?" will do the trick. They won't say no, but they appreciate the courtesy.

 

[pharmacyanalyst]

There is always a difference in what you "can" wear and what you "should" wear. You wouldn't dress down for a job interview so why would you for any interview? (not "you" OP just using it as a general you)

If you want to read a debate about Plan B check out the Pharmacy thread. There is one over there.

 

[DrWhoFan85]

http://share.studentdoctor.net/interviewpharm/interview_enter.asp

just look at the school you want here... i found it helpful when i was preparing for my interviews... they may not be the exact same questions but it will give you an idea what to expect

 

[CaliCPhT]

Other good questions are: what got you interested in pharmacy? Ask about extracurricular activities? 🙂