Preparing for a Travel Pharmacist Interview
The interview for a travel pharmacy position may be different from a regular interview, but you should take it just as seriously. Preparation is the key to having a confident, successful interview.
Before the Interview
The best thing you can do to improve your chances of getting the job is to prepare for the interview. There are six steps to doing so: research the company, prepare for typical questions, pick your outfit the day before, get ready for a video or in-person interview, and close the interview with appropriate questions. Let’s take an in-depth look at each of these steps.
Research The Company
When you’re interviewing with a staffing agency or travel company, research them first to learn more about the company. Read reviews from other people who have used the agency to find work, and compare them to other staffing agencies. Note any questions you have.
Although less common, you may interview with the assignment pharmacy where you will be working. In this case, you should research both the staffing agency and the destination pharmacy, as both will be essential to your work moving forward.
When doing research, make sure that you look into the pros and cons of being a travel pharmacist and the job responsibilities you will have. Working as a travel pharmacist is a great opportunity, but it’s not for everyone. Take the time to figure out how well the role will fit you.
Prepare Answers for Typical Questions
While you can never be sure what questions you will have to answer in an interview, some common questions come up, and preparing for these can make you feel and sound more confident.
Some of these common questions are:
● What do you know about working as a travel pharmacist?
● Why did you want to be a pharmacist?
● Do you feel that your education prepared you for this role?
● What did you like most or least about your previous employment?
● How would you deal with a difficult customer or patient?
● What do you do if you notice a patient is taking medications that interact?
Pick Your Outfit Out The Day Before
Wearing the right clothes to an interview is important, whether you’re meeting in person or through a video conference. This will not only give you more confidence, but it will also show the interviewer that you are taking the interview seriously. Dress professionally by wearing a nice shirt or blouse, tie, jacket, or blazer. Even if you are doing a video interview and the interviewer won’t see you from the waist down, you should still dress up as if you were going to the interview in person.
Phone or Video Conference Preparation
Phone or video interviews are becoming more and more common, especially for travel positions, but they come with their own steps for preparation. Before the interview, make sure you have a secure, stable, and fast wifi connection and are able to connect properly to the video conferencing platform. Head to a quiet location with decent lighting and test your microphone and webcam to ensure everything is working. Give yourself enough time so that, if something is wrong, you have time to make alternate plans.
In-Person Interview Preparation
If you’re getting ready for an in-person interview, plan the travel route the night before. You should know where you’re going, how long it takes to get there, and where to go when you arrive at the interview. Is there a specific parking lot you’re supposed to use? A specific door of the building you have to go in? Allow plenty of extra time and plan on arriving at least 15 minutes early.
Closing The Interview
Closing the interview with questions is a good way to show the interviewer that you’re engaged and interested in the company. Ask about the next steps in the interview process and when you can expect to hear from them. Some questions you might want to ask include:
● What are your goals in filling this position?
● What are the biggest challenges of this role?
● Do you anticipate this assignment being any longer than anticipated?
● What is the pay rate?
● Are there any other benefits for travelers?
Final Thoughts
Preparing for a travel pharmacist interview is important, but it doesn’t have to be hard. Follow the steps above to make sure you’re ready when the time comes. If you’re interested in working as a travel pharmacist, many opportunities are available across the country. Contact RPh on the Go to get started on the next exciting phase of your career.