|
Interview Tips
and Advice
The following points are just a
guide. Interviews are varied and do not always follow a set pattern. However, your
chances of success are likely to be enhanced if you prepare well in
advance.
The
Typical Job Interview
There
would usually be three people on the interview panel - two
Pharmacy managers and someone from the Human Resources Department.
Most
job interviews follow a standard outline.
(1) Greeting and small talk to put you at ease and break the ice.
The interviewer may give you a preview of what will occur during
the interview.
(2)
If you have been asked to prepare a presentation, then it is likely
that you will be asked to present before the interview commences.
(3)
The employer may give you a brief overview of the position or
additional information about the organisation.
(4)
You respond to questions. If it's a good interview, then
this is
the longest segment and you should do most of the talking.
(5)
You ask questions of the interviewer. Have some questions prepared beforehand.
(6) The interviewer closes the interview and explains the next
steps in the process. Be sure to thank the interviewer for
his or her time.
Hospital Background
Prepare yourself with as much
information about the Hospital, the Pharmacy Department and the role
as possible. Visit the hospital's website as it should provide a
good overview of any developments within the hospital. Some hospitals
also have a website specific to their pharmacy department,
which may be a source of background information.
A visit to the hospital before the
interview is very useful. It shows that you are keen and may give you
chance to meet the interviewers. You may also discover that it is not
the right place for you, and therefore save yourself and the
department the interview procedure. Ask to be shown round the
department by somebody of the same grade as the job you are applying
for. They are more
likely to give you real answers about what the department is really
like.
Back
to top
Location
Find out exactly where it is that you have
to go for the interview and which site you will be working at. Many
hospitals are now merged together within one 'Trust' and your
post may involve working at more than one site. Make sure you have a
map or directions, as well as information on parking or the nearest
railway station.
Back
to top
Punctuality
Ensure you give yourself plenty of
time to get to the interview. It is not a good first impression if
you turn up late. If, due to
unforeseen circumstances you are going to be late, contact the
department to inform them of your expected time of arrival. On
arrival, apologise immediately and explain your reasons.
Arriving 10 minutes before the
interview will help keep you relaxed, give you the opportunity to
read some of your notes and gather your thoughts.
Back
to top
Dress
Dress smart, and ensure that you dress to
impress. Decide what you are going to wear the night before to avoid
making the wrong choices. A well groomed, professional appearance is
very important in creating a good impression.
Back
to top
Body Language
When meeting the interviewer(s) for
the first time, greet them with a smile, a firm (but not
knuckle-crushing!) handshake and be
polite. Look and act alert and interested, and address answers to everyone on the
panel. Maintain good eye contact at all times, especially
with the interviewer to whom you are responding to. Try to mimic the
style of the interviewer, i.e. if they are formal - be formal, if
they are informal - be informal.
Back
to top
Interview Techniques
An interview is a sales situation.
You are selling yourself; therefore it is important that you find
out what the interviewer is looking for. Don't forget however,
that it is also a sales situation for the hospital - your opportunity
to get the information that you want from them.
Ask questions and show a real
interest in the position and the hospital, perhaps based on the
information that you previously received about them. Ensure that you
leave with enough information to make an informed decision on
whether or not you wish to proceed. Aim for questions that indicate
an interest in their specialities, and your enthusiasm and interest
in the role itself, rather than holiday entitlement, pensions etc.
Back
to top
Social Interviews
Social interviews are now a
relatively common occurrence, usually meeting your prospective new
team over a buffet lunch. Talk to as many people as possible and
take the opportunity to ask them questions; this can be a revealing
exercise for them and for you.
Back
to top
Standard Interview Questions
Be prepared with answers for
questions you think that they may ask you. Some standard interview
questions are shown [here]:
Checklist
For the days leading up to the
interview. Click [here]
Back
to top
Make
a suggestion for this page
|
