PPS Interviews - Fellowships (The Binge Interviewing Experience of a Lifetime)
During the meeting, fellowships interviews normally take place in a large hall through “PPS”. Interviews conducted at PPS during midyear, start on Saturday and end on Tuesday. Typically candidates will have to go through 1-3 rounds of interviews, depending on the company and the program.
Depending on your progress during the interview cycle, you may or may not get called back for additional interview rounds. If the company shows interest in you, they will typically call you back to meet different colleagues in their company through multiple rounds. Additionally, they may also call you for a company reception dinner. The farther you go the better your odds are off closing a fellowship opportunity.
Pre-Interview Preparation (IMPORTANT)
During PPS and Midyear is important to make yourself noticeable and to set yourself apart from everyone. This can be through being personable, expanding on past experiences, hobbies and skills.
DO NOT get noticed for the wrong reason! While there are the occasional candidates who do this, make sure you are not one of them! Poor/inappropriate attire, poor hygiene, carrying too many items on your person, and keeping your cellphone are examples of things that may hurt you. Remember, during your 4-5 days at midyear, you are always “on-stage” and can be noticed because this the largest meeting for pharmacist. So keep this in mind throughout the meeting, even if it is not directly at PPS.
Learn about the company! Check out FiercePharma.com or FierceBiotech.com which is a great resource to get the latest information about specific companies and to find out the latest trends in the industry.
Buy thank you cards to hand out at the end of your interview!
While it is not necessary, you can purchase business cards to handout with your contact information! This seems to be becoming standard practice through interviews.
During the meeting, fellowships interviews normally take place in a large hall through “PPS”. Interviews conducted at PPS during midyear, start on Saturday and end on Tuesday. Typically candidates will have to go through 1-3 rounds of interviews, depending on the company and the program.
Depending on your progress during the interview cycle, you may or may not get called back for additional interview rounds. If the company shows interest in you, they will typically call you back to meet different colleagues in their company through multiple rounds. Additionally, they may also call you for a company reception dinner. The farther you go the better your odds are off closing a fellowship opportunity.
Pre-Interview Preparation (IMPORTANT)
During PPS and Midyear is important to make yourself noticeable and to set yourself apart from everyone. This can be through being personable, expanding on past experiences, hobbies and skills.
DO NOT get noticed for the wrong reason! While there are the occasional candidates who do this, make sure you are not one of them! Poor/inappropriate attire, poor hygiene, carrying too many items on your person, and keeping your cellphone are examples of things that may hurt you. Remember, during your 4-5 days at midyear, you are always “on-stage” and can be noticed because this the largest meeting for pharmacist. So keep this in mind throughout the meeting, even if it is not directly at PPS.
Learn about the company! Check out FiercePharma.com or FierceBiotech.com which is a great resource to get the latest information about specific companies and to find out the latest trends in the industry.
- You should be aware of the reasons behind your interested in the company itself (“Why our company vs. our competitors?”)
- Familiarize yourself with a few of the company’s products, therapeutic areas of interest, products that are in the pipeline (currently in development and may be in clinical trial phases 1 to 3, or pending FDA approval)
- MOST IMPORTANT – PRACTICE YOUR INTERVIEW QUESTIONS! We will review the situational/behavioral style interview questions within a STAR format !
- It is important to know the answers for typical interview questions, but be ready for bombshells. Next, look back on your experiences and choose one that highlights or showcases your abilities, this will aid you throughout a number of questions.
- Create 5-10 different questions you want to ask the interviewer at the end of your interview. You are not expected to ask all of them, rather 2-3 questions. It is important to create this list because it helps you to be prepared. Interviewers are expecting questions at the end of your interview (last 5-10 minutes). So if you do not ask any questions, it may reflect poorly on you and give the interviewer the impression that you are not interested.
- Additionally, if you ask questions which are non-relevant or very obvious, it may seem that you are asking questions just for the sake of asking. You want to seem intelligent and prepared, so think about this carefully! We’ve covered some examples in the interview section
Buy thank you cards to hand out at the end of your interview!
While it is not necessary, you can purchase business cards to handout with your contact information! This seems to be becoming standard practice through interviews.
Company/Fellowship Program Receptions during ASHP PPS (Saturday through Tuesday nights)
As we stated earlier, the whole week at ASHP PPS is as an extension of your interview. This includes the reception. This means that your behavior will be very critical! You should have questions and answers ready.
During your fellowship interview process you might be asked to participate in more than one function of the programs you’re taking. When this situation arises, try to multi-task amongst functions by spending short periods of time at each. Secondly, when communicating with people from a particular company be truthful about your interest, don’t just tell them what they want to hear. They will know. Prior to this when asked to participate in multiple functions, choose the one you are most interested in.
Take time to talk to the 1) fellows and 2) mainly the preceptors. There will be other candidates there, but be friendly to everyone there, because you never know how these things may play out in the future. (See F.O.R.D. method below, if you may be nervous to strike up a conversation)
For program receptions during Midyear it is important to be polite. If you have prior engagements and can’t attend functions let them know ahead of time. The way you converse at functions could make or break you. Don’t be too anxious, and just go with the flow of the conversation.
At functions socialize with those whom you are familiar with, then get to know others amongst the group. Don’t have any too many items on your person or bags getting in the way. Be sure not to criticize the reception to any capacity (e.g. food, decorations, drink selections, etc.) The coordinator of the function could be standing next to you and overhear and worst of all be offended. “Don’t wait for others to open the door”. Keep cell phones off!
When it comes to eating at functions, stick to finger food as they are less likely to cause a mess. Apply basic table manners like not talking with your mouth full. When it comes to drinking, you can have one drink. Keep in mind that if you have multiple receptions, which is likely, you don’t want to have one drink everywhere. You will easily feel a few cocktails or wines by your second reception and this could easily compromise all your efforts. Seltzer water, coke, and even water are perfectly fine. Of course you should lay off the alcohol.
Now after functions it is suggested you send a small thank you note about seven days later to people who you socialize with the most, as well as to affirm your program choice. In addition, if you are no longer interested in their program kindly let them know. Don’t waste their time.
As we stated earlier, the whole week at ASHP PPS is as an extension of your interview. This includes the reception. This means that your behavior will be very critical! You should have questions and answers ready.
During your fellowship interview process you might be asked to participate in more than one function of the programs you’re taking. When this situation arises, try to multi-task amongst functions by spending short periods of time at each. Secondly, when communicating with people from a particular company be truthful about your interest, don’t just tell them what they want to hear. They will know. Prior to this when asked to participate in multiple functions, choose the one you are most interested in.
Take time to talk to the 1) fellows and 2) mainly the preceptors. There will be other candidates there, but be friendly to everyone there, because you never know how these things may play out in the future. (See F.O.R.D. method below, if you may be nervous to strike up a conversation)
For program receptions during Midyear it is important to be polite. If you have prior engagements and can’t attend functions let them know ahead of time. The way you converse at functions could make or break you. Don’t be too anxious, and just go with the flow of the conversation.
At functions socialize with those whom you are familiar with, then get to know others amongst the group. Don’t have any too many items on your person or bags getting in the way. Be sure not to criticize the reception to any capacity (e.g. food, decorations, drink selections, etc.) The coordinator of the function could be standing next to you and overhear and worst of all be offended. “Don’t wait for others to open the door”. Keep cell phones off!
When it comes to eating at functions, stick to finger food as they are less likely to cause a mess. Apply basic table manners like not talking with your mouth full. When it comes to drinking, you can have one drink. Keep in mind that if you have multiple receptions, which is likely, you don’t want to have one drink everywhere. You will easily feel a few cocktails or wines by your second reception and this could easily compromise all your efforts. Seltzer water, coke, and even water are perfectly fine. Of course you should lay off the alcohol.
Now after functions it is suggested you send a small thank you note about seven days later to people who you socialize with the most, as well as to affirm your program choice. In addition, if you are no longer interested in their program kindly let them know. Don’t waste their time.
When in doubt - use the F.O.R.D. method
While you do want to show your interest for the program, try to connect with individuals based on interests outside the program. If you are not sure of how to do this, check out the easy "FORD technique", where you talk about 1) Family 2) Occupation 2) Recreations 4) Dreams
This is the first and best place to make a strong impression - make the most of it.
Main Rutgers Reception - Tuesday night
Rutgers typically hosts their main reception on Tuesday night during Midyear PPS (similar to other programs) in which they invite all their candidates. If you are being pursued by a few companies, you may have gone to the company-only event. This is a great opportunity for you to close the deal and leave a good impression with the fellows, but mainly the preceptors for the programs you are interested in.
While you do want to show your interest for the program, try to connect with individuals based on interests outside the program. If you are not sure of how to do this, check out the easy "FORD technique", where you talk about 1) Family 2) Occupation 2) Recreations 4) Dreams
This is the first and best place to make a strong impression - make the most of it.
Main Rutgers Reception - Tuesday night
Rutgers typically hosts their main reception on Tuesday night during Midyear PPS (similar to other programs) in which they invite all their candidates. If you are being pursued by a few companies, you may have gone to the company-only event. This is a great opportunity for you to close the deal and leave a good impression with the fellows, but mainly the preceptors for the programs you are interested in.