Success to finding an internship?

[Ayuka001]

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Hi guys.
I've just finished my 1st year in pharm school. For the past month or so I've been applying everywhere but haven't heard a thing. I'm mostly looking to intern in a hospital but retail will do as well. I'm not sure what's wrong with my application or CV or just bad luck. I speak three languages and have a ton of volunteering at clinics and other places. The only thing I'm missing is that I'm not an officer of any organization.

Can you guys give me advice on how to be more successful in getting these internships?

Thanks!

 

[pearljam5a1]

Do you have any work experience preferably in a pharmacy? You've got to remember that an internship is a job and if there are more qualified applicants out there with work experience then it will be much harder for you to find one. I doubt many employers look to see if an applicant was the social chair of a school fraternity to determine if they are a good candidate so I would worry more about that to pad your CV for a residency spot.

I think your best route to take is to get some networking action going. Get with some upperclassmen who are going to be starting rotations and see if you can snag their vacated internship. I think just being persistent is key.

 

[Ayuka001]

^thank you for your advice. I don't have any paid work experience in a pharmacy only volunteering in pharmacy and ippe.

Has anyone ever just emailed different directors asking to intern for no wages? Maybe if they let me then I can gain experience that way and once a spot opens up it would be easier to be accepted for the intern position. Though I'm not sure if any directors would allow me to intern for free.

 

[Corpseman]

Do you have any work experience preferably in a pharmacy? You've got to remember that an internship is a job and if there are more qualified applicants out there with work experience then it will be much harder for you to find one. I doubt many employers look to see if an applicant was the social chair of a school fraternity to determine if they are a good candidate so I would worry more about that to pad your CV for a residency spot.

I think your best route to take is to get some networking action going. Get with some upperclassmen who are going to be starting rotations and see if you can snag their vacated internship. I think just being persistent is key.

Exactly.

 

[TheBlaah]

I agree about asking your fellow classmates about openings.

Also, how have you been "applying"? At least for retail, I'd focus on calling district managers first, and then if that fails, call the pharmacies themselves and ask it there are any positions available. Usually they'll tell you when recruiting would start or know of nearby pharmacies that are in need of help.

 

[Ayuka001]

I agree about asking your fellow classmates about openings.

Also, how have you been "applying"? At least for retail, I'd focus on calling district managers first, and then if that fails, call the pharmacies themselves and ask it there are any positions available. Usually they'll tell you when recruiting would start or know of nearby pharmacies that are in need of help.

How do you get the contact number of district managers?
I've just been applying online :/

Thank you

 

[TheBlaah]

Yeah, applying online for an internship almost never works, from my experience, unless you're applying for a government job.

As for getting the contact number of district managers, they'll either be at recruiting meets at school or you can just call a pharmacy in their district and they usually have it nearby.

 

[Corpseman]

How do you get the contact number of district managers?
I've just been applying online :/

Thank you

You ask any of the working pharmacists

 

[Stilltrying1288]

Yeah, applying online for an internship almost never works, from my experience, unless you're applying for a government job.

As for getting the contact number of district managers, they'll either be at recruiting meets at school or you can just call a pharmacy in their district and they usually have it nearby.

It works sometimes...except my preceptor liked me so much that she put in a good word for me when contacted for reference.

I've only ever applied online since I wasn't actively searching and got contacted in both occasions. Of course that probably isn't the norm.

 

[Ayuka001]

It works sometimes...except my preceptor liked me so much that she put in a good word for me when contacted for reference.

I've only ever applied online since I wasn't actively searching and got contacted in both occasions. Of course that probably isn't the norm.

How close to someone should I be before asking to put their name as reference? For ex is asking a prof that I've only had one class with okay? (As long as I participated a lot in class)

Also I heard going to conferences was a good way to network. Since they are kind of expensive do u guys recommend going?

Thanks!

 

[Stilltrying1288]

How close to someone should I be before asking to put their name as reference? For ex is asking a prof that I've only had one class with okay? (As long as I participated a lot in class)

Also I heard going to conferences was a good way to network. Since they are kind of expensive do u guys recommend going?

Thanks!

I don't know how long would be a good amount of time to wait, I had my IPPE site for about 4-5 months before I asked.

 

[Ayuka001]

Thanks everyone for the advices so far!

I actually heard back from CVS today 🙂

Can someone give me some tips for the interview? what type of questions they ask?

Thanks again

 

[Stilltrying1288]

Thanks everyone for the advices so far!

I actually heard back from CVS today 🙂

Can someone give me some tips for the interview? what type of questions they ask?

Thanks again

Don't be stiff and try to avoid being overly generic on responses. I'm sure other people probably have different advice.

 

[TheBlaah]

Thanks everyone for the advices so far!

I actually heard back from CVS today 🙂

Can someone give me some tips for the interview? what type of questions they ask?

Thanks again

Ohhh...CVS...well. Know you've just finished P1 year, it's doubtful they'll ask any in-depth pharmaceutical questions.

They'll probably ask which area would you focus on more, your work or your academics.
Also, if the patient population in the area has a high ethnic patient population, and you happen to speak one of their languages, that's a huge plus (I would research the area a little bit).