Questions You should ask at an Interview?

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pharmerted

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At the end of every interview, they always ask, do you have any questions, and I usually say no.

Should i be asking questions? Woule that make you appear as a more informed candidate? Should i ask about the prof's area of expertise? should i ask detailed q's about the curriculum?

Thanks!
 
Can you ask for comments or criticisms on your interview performance?
 
pharmerted said:
At the end of every interview, they always ask, do you have any questions, and I usually say no.

Should i be asking questions? Woule that make you appear as a more informed candidate? Should i ask about the prof's area of expertise? should i ask detailed q's about the curriculum?

Thanks!

I always have 2 questions I'm ready to ask. I think it is a good idea to ask a question about something more specific than what is told to you at information days/school website. I wouldn't ask the prof about their research etc (I know its a good idea to do this if you're at office hours of your undergrad professors), but in a pharmacy interview it's not really relevent and hence the prof could easily question your motive behind asking it. I would say anything that is school specific that you know for sure couldn't be answered thru their website, ask it. If there is a student interviewer perhaps even direct a question specifically for them (something about maybe student organizations etc).
 
Let's see.. questions I asked: What do you teach here (along with that.. what do you think of the program)? What sorts of research opportunities are available at this school? What kind of extracurricular opportunities are there and what professional organizations are available on campus.
Some of this info wasn't on any websites, thus it made sense to me to ask them.
 
bananaface said:
One thing you can ask if not told already is when the adcom meets to make their decisions. I'd minimize general questions, as you really should do your research before the interview.

👍 I agree 110%! I asked about housing available (to a student interviewer) and also asked about how full the class was (to the administrators).
 
I asked the prof interviewing me about 1)her area of interest and how she got into in, 2) how she ended up at UIC and 3) her reasons for choosing UIC to teach ie what about the program she liked.
 
YES YES YES! Always ask questions if possible! It shows the interviewer that you are sincerely interested in the school and have done your research for that particular school.

As to asking about the research of the interviewer, I think it is all relevant and use your judgement! I had an interviewer who was VERY friendly and conversational, so it naturally came up and I asked her what made her decide on research after she got her PharmD. However, in a more formal situation, it might be inappropriate. For any situation, I ask about the specific programs they have mentioned on their website and also about how close the classes are etc. etc.
 
Vandykitten said:
YES YES YES! Always ask questions if possible! It shows the interviewer that you are sincerely interested in the school and have done your research for that particular school.

As to asking about the research of the interviewer, I think it is all relevant and use your judgement! I had an interviewer who was VERY friendly and conversational, so it naturally came up and I asked her what made her decide on research after she got her PharmD. However, in a more formal situation, it might be inappropriate. For any situation, I ask about the specific programs they have mentioned on their website and also about how close the classes are etc. etc.

Yeah, i think it's very important you prepare couple good questions show that you cares and did research on their school. Since they often ask what make you a good candidates. I always ask what kind of adv their school offer to their student and what make their different. If school advitise on certain area of their schools. You should ask what make that area special. If you meet some challageing interviewers. Don't be afraid to challenge them back. I think they gave you more respect that way :laugh:
 
If you get interviewed at a pharmacy school with some history, ask them "what are the advantages of going to ________ pharmacy school that has a long history in pharmacy compared to going to a pharmacy school that has recently popped up?" My interviewer commented that I was very introspective and she began to explain that the newer schools may not last for long as soon as the baby boomer generations starts to die off.

It's a pretty good question, I would think the interviewers would love to talk about how great their school is.
 
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