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Hustle and Tenacity: Creating Your "X" Factor

and Making It Work For YouDr. Stephanie Lukas, PharmD, MPH

Kelli Jo Welter, APhA-ASP National President

© 2019 Lukas and Welter. Please do not reproduce without permission.

Let me tell you the secret that has led me to my goal.

My strength lies solely in my tenacity.

-- Louis Pasteur

• Tenacity1

• Perseverance• Resilience• Self-control •Curiosity•Craftsmanship

•Driven2

• Resilient• Self-aware• Receptive• Self-assured• Informed

EMPLOYABILITY

I’m always doing what I can’t do yet in order to learn how to do it.

-- Vincent Van Gogh

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Defining your X-factor

• It’s a process, not a checkbox

• Constantly ask yourself why• You must believe in it!

• Practice awareness, not judgment

PASSION

SKILL NEED

XFACTOR

PASSION

SKILL NEED

SKILL• Hard-working• Patience• Presenting/performing/

public speaking

NEED• Positivity• Motivation• Vision for the future

of the profession

PASSION• Connecting with people• Working on a fired-up team• Challenging the process

SKILL• Hard-working• Patience• Presenting/performing/

public speaking

NEED• Positivity• Motivation• Vision for the future

of the profession

PASSION• Connecting with people• Working on a fired-up team• Challenging the process

ARADIANT, FEARLESS

CHEERLEADER

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• Involvement before pharmacy school

• Why you chose this profession

• Family dynamics

• Working on a team: organizations, intramurals, class, work

• Study habits

• IPPE and APPEBOTH

IN PHARMACY SCHOOL OUTSIDE OF PHARMACY

Practice authenticity

• What stories and characteristics matter to you?

• Be honest with yourself and with others• Not aspirational; a picture of you today• Revisit often• Don’t force it

• Step back when you need to take a break

• Show gratitude for the process

Put your X Factor to work for you• Your X-factor is your passion. It’s what you love – say it with confidence!

• Once you have identified your X-factor, you need to put it into words• 30-second elevator pitch• Incorporating your X-Factor into your cover letter

Make your X-Factor sing on your cover letter

• Your cover letter is an introduction in paper form• Keep them awake – use your X-Factor as a hook!• Whenever possible, use your X-Factor to paint a picture in your reader’s mind

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Who would you be more likely to remember?

Dear Dr. Smith,

I am interested in your position of global health pharmacist. I have a pharmacy degree and a degree in public health. I have four years of experience in this area. I lived in Tanzania and was a Peace Corps Volunteer. I could bring my skills to your position and make a positive contribution.

Dear Dr. Smith,

I sat in Mama Paulina’s thatched-roof kitchen and a huge smile came over her face. She presented a small paper cone, and as she unwrapped it she said, "ni na sukari qua chai." ("I have sugar for the tea.") It was a luxurious purchase for my rural Tanzanian friend, but it was a special day; I, the “Mzungu” Peace Corps volunteer, had come to her home for the first time. My weekly visits with Mama Paulina moved our relationship from strangers to friends, and through her eyes I watched many in our village struggle – and often fail – to access health care. These experiences are what led me to apply for your global health pharmacist position.

Incorporate your X-Factor into your cover letterParagraph 1

• Lead with your X factor – the short story/fact that will set yourself apart and help them remember you• Try to keep it to three sentences or less

• End paragraph with what position you are applying for so they don’t have to huntParagraph 2

• Describe your experience and skillset related to their positionParagraph 3

• What can you bring to the position (brief and strong – 1-2 sentences; tie back to your X factor if it makes sense)

• Action you would like them to take• Best way to contact you• Thank them for their time and let them know you are looking forward to hearing

from them

Create a 30-second elevator pitch• Who you are?• What you do?

• What skills do you have? (very briefly – could remove this if it’s included in your X-factor)

• What do you want to do?• Remember, this is a pitch!

• What’s your X-factor • Put in your own words (don’t say, my X-factor is)• Make it interesting so they remember you and want to keep talking with you• Say this last as it could serve as a great jumping off point for conversation

• Keep a smile on your face

• This is a statement about you, so make sure you say it in a way that you are comfortable• Practice in front of people you trust and respect• Ask for feedback

• Know your audience• Your pitch will need tweaking depending on

who you are talking with• Have your business card ready!

Elevator Pitch Tips

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References

1. Lucas, B. and Hanson, J. (2016) Learning to be Employable: Lessons from Research Into Character. London: City and Guilds.

2. Impetus (2014). Ready for Work: the Capabilities Young People Need to Find and Keep Work – and the ProgrammesProven to Develop These. London: Impetus Private Equity Foundation.

Questions?

stephanie.Lukas@stlcop.edu

kelli.welter@drake.edu