Winning the Interview

Darin Ramsey, Pharm.D., BCPS, BCACP Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice Butler University College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences Clinical Pharmacist & PGY2 Ambulatory Care/Education Residency Co-Director VA Medical Center

Learning Objectives • Prioritize your personal career goals in order to select a company that supports these goals.

• Identify resources available for researching available jobs/careers in pharmacy.

• Develop strategies to help student pharmacists stand out during the application process.

• Respond to questions posed during the interview process.

• Identify when and what is appropriate to negotiate during the interview process.

What do you want to be when you grow up?

I want to be a PHARMACIST!!!!!

Career Options for Pharmacy Professionals • Community – Chain – Independent • Institution – Hospital – Long Term Care – Veterinary • Consulting – Clinical – Home Health Care – JCAHO – Long Term Care – Managed Care • Regulatory – State Board of Pharmacy – Department of Health – Medicare/Medicaid • Armed Services – DEA – FDA – Indian/Public Health – Veterans Administration

Career Options for Pharmacy Professionals • Industry – Administration – Business – Research & Development – Technical/Scientific • Academia • OTHER – Association Management – Informatics – Mail Service – Public Policy & Law – Publishing & Communications

Adapting to Today’s Market • Where did all the jobs go?

– 180 o turn from a candidate-driven market to a employer-driven market – Economy – Increase in supply of pharmacists • 8% vacancy rate in 2000 • 5% vacancy rate in 2004 • 5.9% vacancy rate in 2008 “The Adequacy of Pharmacist Supply: 2004 to 2030.” December 2008. U.S. Dept of Health and Human Services.

140 120 100 80 60 40 20 0

Increase in Pharmacy Schools

2000 2005 2010 2014

“The employers are, for once in a long, long time, having the opportunity to be quite choosy with regard to their candidates. They are now really focusing on hiring the best and the brightest.” --James Scanlon, BS Pharm, RPh Pharmacy Manager TARGET; Lowell Mass.

Jill Sederstrom Drug Topics April 15, 2011

“Probably this past year has been the most saturated the market has been.”

--Lindsay Carlson, Pharm.D. 2010 Houston, TX Jill Sederstrom Drug Topics April 15, 2011

Does this translate into a bleak future for a career in pharmacy? Absolutely not • Clinical pharmacy is becoming more prevalent • Think outside the box • What the aging population means for pharmacists

5 Tips to Make the Most of the Current Trends • New Grads: Make Yourselves Stand Out • Polish Up your CV • Brush Up on Interviewing Skills • Consider Getting Additional Certifications and Training • Don’t Let your Clinical Skills get Stale • Look for Jobs in Nontraditional Settings Pharmacy Times June 15, 2010

Pharmacy Specific Resources

Thomas P. Reinders 3 rd Edition

Residency Specific Resources

Websites with helpful tips on interviewing: • Department of Veterans Affairs Performance Based Interviewing – http://www.va.gov/pbi/ • STAR Interviewing Method – – http://web.mit.edu/career/www/guide/star.html

http://www.quintcareers.com/STAR_interviewing.html

• General Tips on Interviewing Conduct – http://www.pohly.com/interview.html

http://www.accp.com/stunet/compass/cv.aspx

Social Networking…Facebook, Twitter…

Pharmacy Students

57% feel it’s unfair for employers to use information posted on social media sites 36% have posted information they would not want potential employers to see 30% believe students should not be held accountable for inappropriate or unprofessional material they post online

Pharmacy Residency Program Directors

89% agree that students’ online profiles are “fair game” for making character assessments 52% uncovered information on social media sites that revealed “unprofessional attitudes” 90% believe candidates should be held accountable for unprofessional behavior discovered through social media Laura Enderle

Pharmacy Times

Spring 2011

Introduction to Job Searching:

Questions to ask yourself

• What is important to you?

• Where do you get your passion or your energy?

Introduction to Job Searching • Networking – Get involved professionally • Career Day Events – Butler, Purdue, & Manchester • Placement Services (PPS) – ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting • Residency Showcase – Local Showcase & ASHP Midyear Showcase

Internet Sources for Position Listings

Organization URL

American College of Clinical Pharmacy www.accp.org

American Pharmacists Association American Society of Health-System Pharmacists www.aphanet.org

www.ashp.org

Career Builder Health Care Jobs Online Indiana Pharmacists Alliance National Association of Chain Drug Stores Pharmacist Jobs PharmacyWeek Rx Career Center United States Food & Drug Administration United States Public Health Service Veteran Affairs www.careerbuilder.com

www.hcjobsonline.com

www.indianapharmacists.org

www.nacds.org

Pharmacistjobs.com

Pharmacy week.com

Rxcareercenter.com

www.fda.gov

www.usphs.gov

www.VAcareers.va.gov

THE INTERVIEW: BEFORE, DURING, AND AFTER

Not Knowing Anything About the Company

Getting Ready for the Interview • Do Your Homework – Location – Type of facilities – Organizational structure – Reputation – Personnel demographics – Scope of products or services provided – Strategic Plan – Financial position

Getting Ready for the Actual Interview • Practice, Practice, Practice • Conduct Mock Interviews • Develop a List of Questions • Remember Your Manners • Prepare for Presentations • Dress for Success

The Most Common Interview Mistakes

Dressing Inappropriately

Professional Dress

Conservative…but not Mr. Rogers style

Arriving Late

The Interview

• Bring Applicable Documents • Arrive on Time • Use Nonverbal Communication Cues – Make eye contact, smile, and give a firm handshake – Maintain an enthusiastic and confident attitude

Not Paying Attention

Bringing a Drink with You

The Interview

• Remember Mealtime Etiquette • Control Nervous Habits – Avoid slang expressions: “awesome” or “yeah” • Use Effective Interpersonal Skills

Using Your Phone During the Interview

Interview Etiquette:

The Cell Phone

• Do NOT interrupt your interview to take calls from others • Turn your cell phone OFF before you enter the office or building of the interview • Don’t turn it on again until you are in your car

Fuzzy Resume/CV Facts

Not Being Prepared to Answer the Questions

Badmouthing Past Employers

Topics to Avoid During the Interview • Discussing salary and benefits early in the process • Making references to the superiority of the institutions you are associated with • Speaking negatively about current or past employers, faculty, or colleagues • Displaying a “know-it-all” attitude • Discussing religion, politics, or other highly controversial topics • Seeking special treatment because of your connections

After the Interview…….

After the Interview

• Assess the Experience • Send a ‘Thank You’ Note

Things to Consider

• Geographic Location – Cost of Living – Housing Availability – Relocation Expenses – Climate • Lifestyle Issues – Work Schedule – Commute Time – Opportunity for Social Activities

Things to Consider

• Compensation – Salary – Overtime Pay – Performance Bonus • Benefits – Retirement Plan Options – Medical/Dental/Vision Plans – Disability Insurance – Long-Term Care Insurance – Tuition Waiver Plan – Flexible Spending Accounts – Child Care – Stock Options – Vacation – Holiday Time – Sick Leave

INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

Interview Techniques Used

• PBI – Performance Based Interview • Encourages candidates to discuss past scenarios and examples • STAR method – Situation – Task – Action – Results

Accomplishments

• Tell me about yourself.

• Tell me about your most satisfying accomplishment in life.

• Tell me about a time when you completed an assignment that was well received by an employer.

Career Development

• What are your short-term career goals?

• What are your long-term career goals?

• How do you plan to achieve your goals?

• Describe the ideal position based on your long-term career plan.

Coping with Change

• How do you handle change at work?

• How do you deal with individuals who resist change?

Communication Skills

• Tell me about a quality presentation you delivered. What made it successful?

• How would you compare your oral presentation skills to your writing skills?

Dealing with Conflict

• How do you handle conflict?

• Tell me about a time when you had to deal with an irate patient {physician, nurse, student}. How did you handle the situation?

• Tell me about a time when you needed to work closely with someone you routinely disagree with. How did you deal with the situation?

Creativity

• If you were planning a trip to the moon and could only take three things, what would you take?

• If you were a drug, what drug would you be? Why?

• Describe a time when your personal creativity helped solve a problem at work.

Knowledge of Issues Facing the Profession • How do you see the role of the pharmacist changing in the next 5 – 10 years?

• What single greatest challenge does the profession face in the next two years?

• What does the term “pharmaceutical care” mean to you?

Personal Attributes

• What makes you different from other pharmacists (students)?

• How do you motivate others?

• How do you unwind in your spare time?

• How would your best friend describe you?

Questions you should NEVER be asked • How old are you?

• Who do you live with?

• Where does your spouse work?

• What are your plans for starting a family?

• Do you have any health conditions that would compromise your attendance record?

JOB NEGOTIATION

YOU CAN’T ALWAYS GET WHAT YOU WANT…..BUT SOMETIMES YOU CAN

Would you rather have a job that pays…..

$100,000 or $120,000

Salary Difference over 5 Years

3% Raise 1 st Year out 3% Raise 2 nd Year out 3% Raise 3 rd Year out 3% Raise 4 th Year out 3% Raise 5 th Year out

$ 100,000

$ 3,000 $ 103,000 $ 3,090 $ 106,090 $ 3,183 $ 109,273 $ 3,278 $ 112,551 $ 3,377 $ 115,927

$ 120,000

$ 3,600 $ 123,600 $ 3,708 $ 127,308 $ 3,820 $ 131,128 $ 3,934 $ 135,062 $ 4,052 $ 139,114 Difference: $ 23,187

Evaluating Salary & Benefits

Vacation Weekends Holiday

$ 100,000

3 weeks Professional days NONE Off all major holidays 5 days per year Vacation Weekends Holiday

$ 120,000

2 weeks Professional days Every other Work one major holiday per year NONE A few extra bucks will never turn a BAD job into a GOOD job

401k/403b Retirement

$ 100,000 Yearly Salary 5% + 10% Match

$ 100,000 $ 103,000 $ 106,090 $ 109,273 $ 112,551 $ 115,927 TOTAL $ 15,000 $ 15,450 $ 15,914 $ 16,391 $ 16,883 $ 17,389 $ 97,027

$ 120,000 Yearly Salary 6% + 3% Match

$ 110,000 $ 123,600 $ 127,308 $ 131,128 $ 135,062 $ 139,114 TOTAL $ 9,900 $ 11,124 $ 11,458 $ 11,802 $ 12,156 $ 12,520 $ 68,960

Scenario 1

Salary

• A range of $100,000 - $120,000 is advertised, and HR offers $100,000. • You feel you are worth $120,000.

• How would you negotiate?

Scenario 2

Support for meeting attendance

• You have a passion for research and would like to continue to present posters at the ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting. • How would you negotiate for yearly meeting attendance?

Principals of Negotiation

Develop a win-win situation where each party gets more than what they want Cooperation (form a partnership) Separate yourself from both the problem and your ego Assess interests of opposing sides as well as your own Develop creative options (give up the little things in exchange for the big things) Be fair and make sure all parties are treated equally Healthcare Purchasing News. 2010;34(5):64

Common Mistakes of Pharmacy Job Seekers • Waiting too long • Ignoring minimum job requirements • Narrowing the search too much • Doing it alone • Winging the interview • Appearing unprofessional • Answering questions vaguely • Displaying poor nonverbal communication • Disparaging past colleagues • Forgetting to follow up White CA.

Am J Health-Syst Pharm

. 2011;68:294-296

Words of Advice

• Treat every rotation experience as if it is a job interview • Find a pharmacy mentor • Get involved in local pharmacy organizations • Have a ‘Plan B’ in place • Rejection is OK • Be persistent…..but not annoying

Recipe for Success

“What is the recipe for successful achievement? To my mind there are just four essential ingredients: Choose a career you love, give it the best there is in you, seize your opportunities, and be a member of the team”

Benjamin F. Fairless, Author

Talking Too Much