Adam Loyson
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Sunday, April 06, 2014
I hope everyone has been staying warm these past few winter
months and ready for spring! Since last writing
about my rotation with the U.S. Indian Health Service, I find my rotation
experience taking a twist. I am currently in the pediatric emergency department, preparing
applications for postgraduate opportunities and beefing up my interviewing
skills. As an attendee of the recent American Society of Health-System
Pharmacists (ASHP) Midyear Clinical Meeting, I’d like to share my tips to help
those who are pursuing residencies and fellowships and planning to attend next
year’s meeting. For those with postgraduate training, entry-level job, and
summer internship interviews looming on the horizon, I also provide valuable
advice on networking skills and how to prepare for an interview.
Successful networking
As a student pharmacist looking
into nontraditional career paths, I found great networking communication skills
a cornerstone for discovering unique opportunities and resources. The primary
tool I used when reaching out to individuals outside of the college and at ASHP
Midyear was my elevator speech as a personal introduction. I found that creating
a 30-second summary of who I am, what I can contribute, why I wanted the position,
and my future goals, was a very time-effective way to share my interests with
others. It also gave those listening a helpful backdrop for providing advice.
After creating an elevator speech, practicing with my pharmacy preceptors was a
great way to receive valuable feedback and perfect my initial
presentation.
You’ve introduced yourself using an elevator speech; now what?
I preplan my conversations by researching the individual’s background and
outlining specific points I want to cover. After an elevator speech, I remember
to keep the person I am talking with engaged in genuine conversation to show
that I care about what he or she is saying. I do this by making good eye
contact, using professional language, and periodically confirming I am
listening by asking thoughtful questions. At the end of the conversation, I offer
to exchange business cards for follow-up later. I receive the person’s business
card with both hands and express my gratitude. This act displays respect, since
in some cultures business cards serve as an extended representation of the
person.
ASHP Midyear
The networking skills I described above
definitely helped me out at ASHP Midyear. At a conference where more than
20,000 attendees from more than 80 countries are competing to talk with
representatives of postgraduate programs, every second of communication counts.
Whether you attend the residency showcase, interview through the Personal
Placement Service for residencies and fellowships, or seek entry-level
positions at the exposition, the single most important thing is being prepared.
Research the programs you are most interested in, find out
where and when the program representatives will be available to talk to
interested students, and bring a few copies of your updated CV. Don’t forget to
dress business professional and prepare a few intelligent questions to ask of
your own. Remember, you are also trying to find out if they will be a good fit
for you.
Preparing to interview
The key to getting an interview is an
excellent CV. However, after you get the interview invitation, what do you do?
My best advice is to be prepared (sense a theme?), be on time, and be
professional. Based on my own experience, I can tell you that practice makes
perfect. During an interview, demonstrate your interest in the position, show
enthusiasm, be confident, and relax. Be yourself—the interviewers just want to
get to know you better. Searching online for commonly asked interview questions
beforehand can give you a feel for what to expect. If behavioral interview
questions are asked, my recommendation is to answer using the STAR approach:
describe the Situation, the Task, the Action, and the Result. After the
interview, don’t forget to follow up by acknowledging your appreciation, your interest
in the position, and reaffirming your qualifications with your
interviewer.
The next step
Following the nontraditional pharmacy career
pathway, I am seeking positions within the U.S. Public Health Service after
graduation. After reaching out to individuals at FDA and Bureau of Prisons,
reflecting on completed rotation experiences, and reviewing past shadowing
opportunities, I have decided to apply for entry-level positions within both
agencies. As future interviews approach, I will be following my own advice and
hope my recommendations are useful for you as well.
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