Career Services
INTERVIEWING GUIDE
Don’t underestimate the importance of an interview. It is the single most important part of an employer’s
selection process. But there’s no need to get butterflies or sweaty palms if you’re prepared to effectively package
and present your skills and abilities, work and volunteer experiences, academic accomplishments, and career
interests.
Preparing for an Interview
The purpose of an interview is to determine whether you are right for the job and whether the job is right for you.
The job interview is a two-way exchange of information between you and a prospective employer. Equally
important, the interview also provides an opportunity to ask pivotal questions about the organization and the
position. This will help you decide if there is a good match between your qualifications, career goals, and the
position for which you’re interviewing.
YOUR INTERVIEW GOALS

Demonstrate how your experience, knowledge, and capabilities match the qualities and skills the
organization is seeking.

Convince the interviewer of your enthusiasm for their company, that you will “fit in,” and that you will
contribute to the needs of the organization and the position.

Gather information that will help you decide whether you can be successful in the position and whether
the company will give you the opportunity for growth and development.
EMPLOYER’S INTERVIEW GOALS
The employer wants to find out:

Can you do the job? (Skills needed to do the job)

Can you handle the work? (Transferrable skills: manage, communicate, coordinate, etc.)

Does your personality fit the job and the team? (honest, open-minded, flexible, tolerant, team-player)

Do you really want to work there?
IMPORTANT EVALUATION CRITERIA

Appearance: Dress appropriately for the interview.

Greeting/Introduction: Stand to greet your interviewer with a handshake, using their name. Also, make
good eye contact with the interviewer, smile, and be professional.

Body Language: During the interview, be aware of your eye contact, subtle use of hands while speaking,
good posture, etc.

Attitude: Your attitude toward work and working with others is crucial in the hiring process. Be sure to
convey an attitude that is enthusiastic, sincere, and genuine.

Responses to the Interview Questions: Do your research and practice, practice, practice! Know your
goals and be able to express them to the interviewer.

Oral Communication: Speak clearly and concisely. Try to think out your response before answering a
question.

Preparation: Prepare questions for your interviewer and research the position and company.
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The Ohio State University College of Pharmacy  Office of Student Affairs
150 Lloyd M. Parks Hall  500 West 12th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210  614.292.5001
Career Services
Interview Settings
PHONE & VIRTUAL INTERVIEWS
Many employers conduct initial screening interviews or interviews with long-distance candidates, via telephone or
video conferencing software such as Skype. While these are more efficient and cost-effective methods of
interviewing, they come with an additional set of challenges than in-person interviews.
Tips for Phone Interviews

Avoid Distractions: Conduct the interview in a quiet place, where you will be free from distractions and
interruptions. Be sure to turn off the ringer on all phones. Don’t drive during the interview or engage in
any other activities.

Use a Landline: Try to use a landline whenever possible to ensure a higher quality call. If you must use a
cell phone, make sure the battery is charged and you have a strong signal.

Ignore Call Waiting: Do not answer any other phone calls during your interview.

Prepare Notes: One advantage to the phone interview is that you can refer to notes. Write down key
points or examples of success stories you wish to share during the interview. Keep your resume, cover
letter, and the job posting nearby for reference.

Give Focused, Concise Responses: Since you are unable to pick up on the interviewer’s nonverbal cues it
is more difficult to know how you are coming across. End your sentences with definitive stopping points
to avoid confusing the interviewer.

Ask for Time: During phone interviews it is important to communicate your need for more time when
answering a tough question. Failing to do so will create an awkward silence for both you and the
interviewers.

Dress Professionally and Smile: It may be difficult to convey professionalism and enthusiasm over the
phone. To help you get into a professional frame of mind, wear professional attire and sit at a desk or
table. To convey enthusiasm, smile throughout the interview.
Tips for Video Conference Interviews

Test Out Your Computer Equipment: Make sure your software is properly installed and that your webcam
and microphone work a few days before your interview. Do a couple test runs with family and friends so
you can get feedback about how you come across.

Sign on Early: Sign on 15- 20 minutes ahead of time to be sure you are available when the interviewer
calls to reach you.

Remember, They Can See You: This means you should dress and groom yourself as you would for an inperson interview.

Prepare Your Backdrop: Be sure to set up your webcam so it faces a professional-looking background.
Rearrange things if necessary or choose a location where there is only a wall behind you.

Speak Slowly and Clearly: Be sure to speak slowly and clearly since you may have to deal with technical
interference or noises.

Don’t Forget to Smile!
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The Ohio State University College of Pharmacy  Office of Student Affairs
150 Lloyd M. Parks Hall  500 West 12th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210  614.292.5001
Career Services
ON-SITE INTERVIEW
The on-site visit may be your first contact with the prospective employer, or it may be the final step in the process.
The on-site interview gives you a chance to tour the facility, interact with staff at all levels, learn more about the
organization’s products and services, and experience the work environment and its employees.
An initial on-site interview will generally last 45 minutes to one hour. If things are going well, it may last several
hours. It is not uncommon for follow-up interviews for entry-level jobs to consume an entire day. An important
point to keep in mind is scheduling. Do not schedule more than two initial interviews in one day. When you
receive an invitation to a follow-up interview, try to clear your schedule for the entire day so that you do not have
to cut short your opportunity to present your qualifications and obtain a job offer. On-site interviews may include
multiple interviews, meals, a tour, and require you to give a presentation.
Interview Settings
TRADITIONAL
The traditional interview is what most people think of as an “interview.” It is directed by the interviewer who
typically speaks about 25% of the time and the interviewee speaks 75% of the time. A traditional interview relies
upon a question and answer session and has a structured format with a formal introduction and a closing.
NON-DIRECTIVE
This is a very unstructured interview style. It is more like a conversation than an interview. The interviewer may
do all of the talking or very little. The best way to handle this type of interview is to make opportunities to talk
about your skills and how they fit the position and to ask questions. Prepare for this type of interview by having
five to ten points you want to make about your skills and how you can contribute to the company.
BEHAVIORAL
Since research has indicated that the interview is not always the most effective means of selection, more and more
companies are using this method. Behavioral interviews assume that past performance is a predictor of future
behavior. Therefore, questions are targeted to measure your potential in several critical areas, such as leadership,
problem-solving, and decision-making, by asking you to reference specific examples of your past performance in
each of the designated areas.
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The Ohio State University College of Pharmacy  Office of Student Affairs
150 Lloyd M. Parks Hall  500 West 12th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210  614.292.5001
Career Services
Behavioral interview questions usually start with the following prompts “Tell me about a time when,” “Describe a
situation when,” or “Give me an example of.” Strong responses to behavioral interview questions use the STAR
technique.
S - Situation - Describe the problem, decision, project, etc.
T - Task - What were the major tasks involved?
A - Action - What did you do?
R - Result - What were the outcomes of your actions?
Responses to these types of questions are difficult to create on the spot and should be prepared ahead of time.
Think about various situations from work, classes, or student organizations and use the STAR technique to identify
key pieces of information.
Interview Settings
The interview is your chance to really shine. Interviewing is a skill; strong interview skills are the result of practice.
Careful preparation and knowing what to expect are critical to conveying a polished image.
BEFORE THE INTERVIEW
Know Yourself
The best preparation is to know yourself: your skills and abilities, your talents and your values. Begin by taking
time to assess yourself.

Think of five to seven skills or qualities that you possess that you would use to describe yourself. You may
be asked, “What three words would you use to describe yourself.” If you are, you have a set of five from
which to choose.

Look at the job description and the requirements of the job. What skills do you have that directly match
the position? If they are looking for someone with teamwork or leadership skills and you have developed
those skills, emphasize those skills in the interview.

Take some time to think about your past. How did you develop the skills you have? What did you do in
college that made you who you are today? Did you learn teamwork from a student organization? Did you
learn problem solving through jobs you’ve held or group projects?

Finally, look over your resume and see if it adequately includes words and descriptions that will convey
your skills to an employer. Write outlines for your answers to anticipated questions, and then rehearse
them out loud for practice. This can increase your confidence
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The Ohio State University College of Pharmacy  Office of Student Affairs
150 Lloyd M. Parks Hall  500 West 12th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210  614.292.5001
Career Services
Know the Employer
Before each interview, take time to research the company. Researching the company or institution show genuine
interest in the career or educational opportunity and it allows you to gain valuable information as well. By learning
about the company or institution, you are able to see if it is a place where you would like to find employment.
Also, this time spent will help generate questions to ask the employer during the interview process. You should
know the answers to the following questions for each company with which you interview:

What is the company’s culture, values, and history?

What are the services, products, and programs this organization provides?

Who are their competitors?

What size is the company?

Where are they located?
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Is it expanding or downsizing?

What kind of training programs does it use?

What new things are happening?
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What is the recent history of the company?
DURING THE INTERVIEW
You have done your research on yourself, the company, the industry, and how to interview, now you need to focus
on the delivery of the information during the interview.

Shake your interviewers hand at the beginning and end of the interview.

Stress the positive points about yourself in a confident, factual, and honest manner.

Be concise and specific when representing yourself.

Monitor your non-verbal communication (i.e. eye contact, voice projection, posture, nervous habits).

Convey enthusiasm about the position.

If you get stuck on a question, it is okay to pause. Often, you can say, “That’s a very good question; let me
take a minute to think about that.” Although a short pause is okay, try to avoid a lengthy one.

Avoid speaking negatively about yourself or others.

Know and use the interviewer’s name.

Politely ask for clarification if you do not understand a question.

Raise questions at the appropriate time. Coming prepared with three to six questions to ask the
interviewer shows interest in the position.

Before you leave, know the next step after the interview.

Be sure to thank the interviewer for their time and consideration.
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The Ohio State University College of Pharmacy  Office of Student Affairs
150 Lloyd M. Parks Hall  500 West 12th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210  614.292.5001
Career Services
FOLLOWING THE INTERVIEW
Always send a thank you letter following an interview. It is a professional courtesy and demonstrates your
consideration, enthusiasm, and appreciation for the opportunity to interview. A brief, to-the-point letter can be
the difference between getting the job or not. Check the letter carefully for grammar and spelling, and make sure
you have the interviewer’s name and title correct.

Thank the interviewer for their time and interest in meeting with you and explaining the position.

Emphasize the skills, strengths, and ability you can bring to the position.

Express your interest in the position.
Sample Thank You Letter
William J. Smith
123 Main Street, Columbus, OH 43210 • 555-123-4567 • buckeye.1@osu.edu
March 1, 20XX
Ms. Joanna Gray
Human Resources
WM Pharmaceuticals
111 Sunny Avenue
Columbus, OH 43212
Dear Ms. Gray:
I want to thank you for giving me the opportunity to meet with you and discuss the pharmaceutical sales
position. I enjoyed speaking with you and learning more about WM Pharmaceuticals, the department,
and the position.
My enthusiasm for the position and interest in working for WM Pharmaceuticals has been greatly
strengthened as a result of our interview. As I mentioned, my interests in the pharmaceutical industry
began long before my academic program. I hope that my skills, experience, and enthusiasm reflect what
you seek in a candidate. I am certain that my strong work ethic will support your staff and patients alike.
I am confident that my academic background and work experience provide a good fit with the
requirements of this position.
If there is any additional information you need, please do not hesitate to contact me. I look forward to
hearing from you. Thank you again for the interview and for your consideration.
Sincerely,
William Smith
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The Ohio State University College of Pharmacy  Office of Student Affairs
150 Lloyd M. Parks Hall  500 West 12th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210  614.292.5001
Career Services
Common Interview Questions
TRADITIONAL INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

Tell me about yourself.

What are your career objectives? What factors did you consider when making those objectives?

Why did you choose to go into pharmacy?

Why are you interested in pharmacy/specific area of pharmacy?

What are your most significant work/non-work accomplishments?

What do you feel are your strengths and how do they relate to the position?

Why are you a good candidate for this position?

What weakness would you want to improve? How would you go about improving it?

What was your least favorite class/rotation? Why?

Why should I hire you?
BEHAVIORAL INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

Give an example of a time when you had to make a difficult decision.

Describe a situation when you had to defend a position or decision.

Give me an example of a recent ethical decision you made.

Describe a time when other members of work team disagreed with your ideas. What did you do?

Give an example of when you had to arrive at compromise or guide others to a compromise.

Give an example of a time when you were assigned to a complex project. Specifically, what steps did you
take to prepare for and finish the project? What would you have done differently if given a second
chance?

Describe a situation in which you had to adjust quickly to changes over which you had no control. What
was the impact of the change on you?

Describe a particularly stressful time you faced? How did you manage your stress during this period?

Have you ever disagreed with a rule or procedure? What did you do?

Give an example where you pushed yourself to do more than the minimum?

Tell me about a time when you had to go above and beyond the call of duty in order to get a job done.

How do you determine priorities in scheduling your time? Give an example.

Describe a situation where you had to do a number of things at the same time. How did you handle it?
What were the results?

Tell me about a time where you had to be assertive?

Give an example of an important goal which you set in the past. How did you reach it?

Give an example of time when you had to work with someone who was difficult to get along with. Why
was this person difficult? How did you handle the situation?

Have you ever given feedback to someone what did you do?
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The Ohio State University College of Pharmacy  Office of Student Affairs
150 Lloyd M. Parks Hall  500 West 12th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210  614.292.5001
Career Services
JOBS IN ACADEMIA

What are your research and/or teaching interests?

Describe your previous research/teaching experience.

What is your personal philosophy towards teaching/research/service?

What are some characteristics of good faculty members and researchers that you admire?
RESIDENCIES

What areas of pharmacy most interest you?

Where do you see yourself after a pharmacy practice residency? What is your ideal position in five years
in all barriers were removed?

What is your definition of pharmaceutical care?

What was your favorite/least favorite rotation?

Why did you attend pharmacy school?

What is your experience with research? What are your thoughts about completing a research project
during your residency?

Describe the most significant contribution you made to a patient’s care this past year.

If I were to ask your preceptors to describe you, what words would they use?

Describe your favorite and most memorable patient?

Describe or discuss the most recent medical journal article you have read recently.
PHARMACY & GRADUATE SCHOOL

What have you done to prepare for pharmacy/graduate school?

What factors influenced your decision to attend pharmacy/graduate school?

Why do you want to be a pharmacist?

What will you do if you do not get into pharmacy/graduate school? What is your second career choice?

What is a current issue in pharmacy that interests you? Why?

How did the pharmacists you volunteered/shadowed/worked with influence your outlook on the field of
pharmacy?

Explain the discrepancy between your grades and your PCAT/GRE scores.
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The Ohio State University College of Pharmacy  Office of Student Affairs
150 Lloyd M. Parks Hall  500 West 12th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210  614.292.5001
Career Services
QUESTIONS TO ASK EMPLOYERS

Where does the position fit within the organization?

Who are the primary people with whom I would be working?

What are some examples of the best results produced by people in this job?

What are the opportunities for growth?

What areas need the immediate attention of the person you hire?

What skills are most valuable in this job?

What are your plans for new products or services?

How would you define your organization's management philosophy?

What are you looking for in the person who will fill this job?

Describe a typical day.

What kind of training would I receive?

How much input will I have in requesting certain assignments or projects?

What activities could I engage in now that might help me on the job if I'm hired?

How is one evaluated both formally and informally?

What is the retention rate for people who have been in this position after one year? After two years?

Why do you like working here?

What types of support services are available for families?

How important a role does teamwork play in your company?

What opportunities for advancement exist in your company?

What makes people want to stay here?

How open are managers/supervisors to different viewpoints?

Does your company offer a mentoring program?

What role does diversity play at this company?

What are the next steps in the interview process?
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The Ohio State University College of Pharmacy  Office of Student Affairs
150 Lloyd M. Parks Hall  500 West 12th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210  614.292.5001