2 4-14- mpsa interview workshop ppt
TRANSCRIPT
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MPSA Interview Workshop
Rachel D. GahnUniversity of Minnesota College of Pharmacy
Pharm D. Candidate, Class of 2014
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Agenda
Etiquette
Introductory Questions
Behavioral Interview Questions
Questions to Ask
Correspondence, Other Tips
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Etiquette – Interview Day
Dress to Impress
• What to wear
• Glasses or contacts?
Body Language
• Posture
• Gestures
• Handshake
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Dress to Impress - WOMEN
Dark, solid suit (pants or skirt)
Coordinated blouse
DO wear hose
Comfortable, Conservative shoes (low height, no open-toe)
Hair back
Neutral make-up
Minimal perfume
Simple Jewelry
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Dress to Impress - MEN
Suit (solid, dark color)
Long-sleeved white or subtle color shirt
Traditional tie
Dark long socks
Leather shoes
Minimal cologne
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WHAT NOT TO WEAR!
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Grooming
Hair
Neat
Pulled back if long
Facial hair
Neat
“intentional”
Nails
Trimmed
Classic color or no color
Gum
Do not chew gum!
Breath mints if desired
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Glasses or no glasses?
What you usually wear or feel most
confident
If contacts, bring your glasses just
in case
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Other Non-Verbals
Posture Eye contactFacial
ExpressionsGestures
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Posture
Sit Straight
• Square with interviewer
• Lean In, Do not slouch
• Mimic posture of interviewer
Crossing legs
• Women – Feet together or crossed at ankles
• Men – Do not cross legs
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Eye Contact & Hand Gestures
• Do not stare
• Maintain strong eye contact with interviewer(s)
Eye Contact
• Not too much, distracting
• Should match words/story
Hand Gestures
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Facial Expressions
Normal: When people tell a story, their features should match the emotions they are describing, collectively giving off the signal of a genuine laugh, smile, or gasp.
Not Normal: People who aren't interested in you may seem overly polite and fake: Their smile won't engage their eyes. Liars may be dramatic by smiling or laughing at odd times.
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http://glo.msn.com/relationships/body-language-whats-normal--whats-not-9891.gallery#!stackState=0__%2Frelationships%2Fbody-language-whats-
normal--whats-not-9891.gallery%3FphotoId%3D188454
The Handshake
Stand up Maintain eye
contact
Web to Web
Squeeze firmly,
2 pumps
What not to
do
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What to BRING
Extra hose BandaidsPortfolio with paper and pen
PenOptional:
Briefcase or purse
Business cards
CV copies Breath mint Tide-to-go pen
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INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
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General Tips to Answer Questions
• Give examples
• Avoid short responses
Support answers
• Um, uh, like, you know
• Use pauses
Avoid non-fluencies
• Clarify questions (tactfully)
• Better than guessing what the question was
What did you say?
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What qualities/skills are important?Examples:
Teamwork & Collaboration
Progressive Leadership Drive
Communication Empathy ServitudeStress
Threshold & Resilience
Organization & Time
Management
Problem Solving
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Tell me a little about yourself…
Prepare for this question!
• Tell a story
• Know your CV
• 2-3 minute response is typical
Relate it to today
• Relevant past – explain decisions
• Use a framework
• Highlight important characteristics
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Introductory Questions
Why Residency?
State goals
Short Term
Long Term
Opportunity to learn/grow
Why here?Have you done your research?
Unique aspects of program/job
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What are your strengths?
University of MN students often excel here!
• StrengthsFinder
Explain 2-3 important ones
• Shape it into appropriate context
Give Examples
• Relate it to the job!
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What are your Weaknesses?
• Ability to identify them important
Use 2 weaknesses
• Everyone has weaknesses!
• Use TRUE weaknessesMy weakness is that I’m a perfectionist…
• Only mention what you are improving
• Don’t mention “deal breakers”
How are you overcoming them?
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BEHAVIORAL INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
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Behavioral Interview Questions
S• Situation (Context)
• Very brief
T• Task (Role)
• Very Brief
A• Action (What YOU did)
• Longest part
R• Result (So what?)
• Short
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Behavioral Question Tips
Don’t be thrown off by extremes
• “Best,” “Most Important”, “Worst”
What stories to use?
• Doesn’t have to have a positive ending
• Recent, memorable examples
Give Yourself Credit!
• Include quantitative results
Practice, Practice, Practice!
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QUESTIONS TO ASK AND CLOSING QUESTIONS
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Questions to Ask
Shows if you’ve done your research
Ask questions that you CANNOT
• Find on the website
• Ask every other residency/job
Determine the organizational culture
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Closing Questions
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Prepare a summary statement
• Reiterate why you are a good candidate
• If applicable, add what you haven’t had opportunity to say
• Demonstrate confidence and passion
If not asked a closing question
• Add summary statement after your last question
• Keep it brief (less than 1 minute)
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OTHER TIPS
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Follow-up
• Hand-written letter preferable, professional stationery
• Email if decision process is quick (jobs or scramble)
• What you write most important
Email or Letter?
• Correct title of interviewer or residency director
• Sparked your interest or connected with interviewer
What to include
• One to residency director is sufficient
• Not each person you meet
Who to contact?
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Correspondence
Use a standard signature on your email
Important contact
information
Don’t list every position
you hold
Voicemail message
Short and sweet
Name, Position if applicable
Sending communication
Use complete sentences
Have it proofread!
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Other tips
Interview starts when you walk in the facility
• Including (Especially) time with residents
Research who you will meet ahead of time
• Even recent publications
Do not speak negatively about bosses/preceptors or sites
After the interview day
• Write down impressions of program
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Questions?
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Rachel Gahn
Resources
• Course material (Pharm Care Skills, John Grygelko)
• “Seven Essential Questions to Ask in an Interview”, Michael Kingston
• Sorensen T, Philbrick A. Roadmap to Post-Graduate Training in Pharmacy. Ch. 10 “Interview Process”
• ASHP Interview Preparation: An Overview (http://www.ashp.org/DocLibrary/MemberCenter/StudentForum/Interview-Preparation-handout-2010-09-15.aspx)
• UCSF Office of Career and Professional Development (http://career.ucsf.edu/pharmacy-students/internships-jobs-residency/interviewing-effectively)
• Michigan Pharmacists Association: Preparing for and Mastering a Pharmacy Interview
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