5 Key Sections To Include on Your First Pharmacist Resume

Professional Summary

While some people may say a professional summary is outdated, I would beg to differ. A professional summary is a great space to really sell yourself and highlight why you would be amazing for the position. You only have a few sentences to showcase your strengths and desires so choose your words wisely and keep things concise. This is also a great space to thrown in some key words that you found on the job application to better improve your chances of getting pass the AI computer system. 

Organizations

The second category that you should include in your pharmacist resume is a list of organizations that you are (or were) actively a part of during pharmacy school. This is where you want to share how involved you were in each organization and what role that you played. Even if you were just a member, make sure to include it on your list if you actively attended meetings and events hosted by the organization. Feel free to even include organizations or clubs that you were a part of that are unrelated to pharmacy. You never know what may spark a hiring manager’s interests, and it’s a chance to show your future employer that you have other interests and hobbies outside of pharmacy.

For an example, I included in this section my time spent being an active member with the Student National Pharmaceutical Association (SNPhA). I was the HIV/AIDS Initiative chair for a year before jumping over to be a fundraising committee member. Since I spent the most of my extra time with SNPhA, I wanted to be sure that it was highlighted in my resume. I also included that I am a member of Phi Lambda Sigma since it’s a prestigious honor to be admitted into the pharmacy leadership organization.

Experience (Clinical & Non)

As you can imagine, your related experiences should be the bulk of your resume. Depending on whether or not you worked during pharmacy school, this section may look a different from your fellow peers. In the experience section, you’ll want to highlight both your clinical and non-clinical work experience. Both of the sections should showcase your skills and experience in a way that makes sense for the job that you are applying for.

On my first pharmacist resume, I had a separate section for rotation experiences, another for my work experience, and another for clinical skills competitions. Feel free to only highlight a few rotations instead of sharing your entire rooster; you could also share a cool rotation that you learned a lot from or a specific rotation that you had to apply for. Either way you’ll want to be selective on this section of your resume. 

Presentations and Publications

I know that when I was in pharmacy school, research was highly suggested, and it definitely felt like everyone was a part of a research project at one point or another. If you were one of the lucky ones that decided to give research a try, you should absolutely include that on your resume. Presenting a poster presentation or having an article published in a medical journal is a big achievement that you should not only celebrate in the moment but also highlight on your resume. 

Training and Certificates

Throughout pharmacy school, you’re sure to collect a certificate or two that you’ll want to highlight on your resume. From immunization training to a diabetes certificate, nothing is too small or grand to include in the training and certificate portion of your pharmacist resume. Many pharmacy schools even have funding if you want to gain a particular certificate that isn’t offered at your school. Personally, I was really into compounding during pharmacy school so I used every scholarship possible to gain a ton of compounding certificates through the American College of Apothecaries (ACA).

Make sure to include expiration dates if your certificate has one. This includes any diabetic, immunization, CPR or drug therapy-based trainings that change throughout the years. You’ll want to make sure to keep this section up to date and to remove anything that is expired before submitting your resume.

While this is obviously not an all-inclusive resume guide, I wanted to share the sections that I focused on when I was creating my first pharmacist resume after graduation. I know it can be quite daunting at the beginning, but it gets easier with time and you’ll thank yourself later when you land your first job. For those that are struggling to get started, take a look at the Pharmacist CV Template that is perfect for pharmacists and pharmacy students alike. It’ll give you an easy template where you can plug in all of your info and is ready to use. Lastly, remember to keep the information updated and ready to go at a moment’s notice – you never know when someone will ask for a copy of your resume.

You may also enjoy: How to Land Your First Pharmacist Job and the Student’s Guide to Getting Involved in Research 

The post 5 Key Sections To Include On Your First Pharmacist Resume appeared first on Uniquely Mickie.

It can take new grads 3 to 6 months before landing their first job, so don’t feel bad if you don’t have a job lined up before you walk across the stage. Instead of rushing to the real world and adult-sized responsibilities, you can use the time after graduation to enjoy life and your freedom.

12 Ways to Productively Use Your Time After Graduation

1. Travel

Everyone always says that the best time to travel is during college or directly afterwards because your time and freedom is unlimited and unburden with adult responsibilities. While many college students are strapped for cash, don’t let that stop you from living out your Pinterest-inspired travel dreams. You can always go backpacking across Europe or hop into the car for an extended road trip around the states.  

In case you need some travel inspiration, here are a few travel guides that I’ve put together over the years:

• Miami, Florida Travel Guide
• Johannesburg, South Africa Travel Guide
• Richmond, Virginia Travel Guide
• Wilmington, North Carolina Travel Guide
• Asheville, North Carolina Travel Guide

2. Start therapy

If you are ready to change your life and grow as a person, then therapy is a perfect way to utilize your time after graduation. Many students find it hard to handle the harsh reality of losing a part of their identity as a college student. Add in not having a job that you love immediately after graduation can add an extra layer of difficulty. This can cause recent graduates to slide into a season of depression and anxiety that isn’t talked about enough.

The great part though is that this generation have turned therapy into a normal dinner table conversation, and therapy is less taboo than it used to be. I hope that you remember that this period is just another season of your life and it too shall pass.

3. Pick up a new hobby

Remember all of the time that you spent in college saying that you wished you had MORE time to learn a new skill or read more books? Well this gap period before you start your first job is the perfect time to start learning a new hobby or skill. There are endless number of options to choose from such as learning a new language or instrument. If you like learning things by video, then you’ll love the classes on Skillshare. The classes are quick to the point and are easy to follow along.

This past winter, I started taking pottery classes at a local studio, and it’s been really fun to utilize my brain in a different way than I’m used to. I will say that pottery is quite humbling, but I love the endless possibilities of learning and creating.

Some of my recent pieces that I’m obsessed with…

4. Spend time with family

Between school, work, and a social life, it is easy to let time pass you by and forget to spend quality time with your family outside of holidays. During this awkward time after graduation, take a road trip to visit your family members that may not live close to you or your immediate family. It doesn’t have to be a big deal or an elaborate trip. Enjoy the company and the peace while you wait for job offers to come rolling in. 

5. Learn how to manage your time

One thing that I’ve learned this past year is that time management isn’t about long to-do lists, taking no breaks, or pushing yourself to the max on a daily basis. Time management is more about learning how to prioritize your time to fit the goals that you have for yourself, and it’s an important skill to have in adulthood. Once you start your first job after graduation, time just seems to go by in a blink of an eye, and it can be hard to continue to find time to do the things that you enjoy.

Using a paper or digital planner has really helped me schedule out my days to make sure I accomplish everything that I want to that day, week, or month. Another great tip is to time how long it takes you to do certain tasks so that way you have a better idea of how much time you’ll actually need the next time around. If you need more help with learning how to improve your time management skills, then read this guide that I wrote outline all of my tips and tricks around time management.

6. Start a fitness routine

Fitness always takes a back burner when people get stressed out, but life doesn’t get any less stressed once you start your first job. Start a new habit after graduation and get serious about exercising, eating healthier, and loving yourself thoroughly. You’ll not only feel better but you’ll also feel more confident. Once you’re able to create a new habit of working out, it starts to feel less like a chore and more of a safe place to release all of that negative energy from the day. As a healthcare professional, it is super important to find a healthy outlet that you enjoy. Trust me, it’s a lot harder to take care of your patients if you’re not also taking care of yourself at home. 

7. Update your LinkedIn profile

Before you head off and start applying for every job you see online, you’ll want to take a step back and update your LinkedIn profile. The biggest mistake that people make when it comes to LinkedIn is simply not using it to its fullest potential. As the biggest professional networking platform, it’s an amazing tool to grow your network and connect with future employers outside of a job application.

Some things that your profile should have are: a clear image of yourself, a well thought out bio, and your employment history. A full LinkedIn guide is on the way, but for right now, this will give you a few ideas to get started with. 

8. Apply for jobs

Obviously the most common thing that people do once they graduate from college is start applying for jobs. But the key isn’t to just apply for any and every job that you see with the same basic resume. Before hitting submit on a job application, you should be tailoring and personalizing each resume to fit the description of the job posting. This is the easiest way to get past the computer system outside of directly messaging the hiring manager for the company (which by the way you totally should do!).

9. Invest in your passions

It’s easy to get overwhelmed in college and forget to actually enjoy life. Use the time after graduation to invest in your passions, whatever they may be. and truly put your heart into it. Have fun and be willing to try something new. I started this blog that you are currently reading while I was in pharmacy school. And while it was (still is!) a ton of work, I love being able to write new content and interact with every single reader. If you have no idea what you’re passionate about, don’t be afraid to try out new things and just see how things go. You might very well land on something that you love to do.

10. Take on a seasonal (part time) job

While many new pharmacists think that they have to go right into a pharmacist position, that isn’t necessarily true. Before your career truly begins, you can always use the summer after graduation to take on a seasonal or part time job. You might want to be an au pair for the summer, star as an extra in a movie, or become a social media manager for some extra money during the summer months. Even though these jobs aren’t necessarily in your field, you can still learn valuables skills that you can then use in your next role. 

11. Learn a new skill with online courses

Learning doesn’t have to stop once you graduate from college, and it doesn’t have to be from a boring textbook either. Nowadays there are plenty of online classes where you can learn everything from coding to crocheting to marketing right from the comforts of your own bed. Personally, I’ve used SkillShare to learn more about marketing, LinkedIn, and even how to build a resume (one that landed me multiple interviews from a variety of companies).

Whatever you choose to learn, make sure that it either 1) fulfills a passion of yours or 2) can help you in your career. You’d be surprised what skills can translate to more money at your future job or how a unique skill can help you break into a unique field.

12. Study for the pharmacy licensure exams

After you graduate from pharmacy school, the next logical step in your pharmacy career is to study for the NAPLEX and the MPJE exams. To practice as a pharmacist in the United States, students are required to pass both exams within a certain time period of each other. While these exams are difficult, they are not impossible with proper preparation and a good study plan. You can read more about my study tips on how to pass the NAPLEX and the MPJE here.

You may also like:  How to Land Your First Pharmacist Job, 11 Study Tips to Help You Pass the NAPLEX Exam, and Varsity Tutors Review: My Experience with the NAPLEX Exam

The post 12 Ways to Productively Use Your Time After Graduation appeared first on Uniquely Mickie.

Every few years the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (or better known as NABP) publishes the cumulative pass rate from all of the pharmacy school in the United States. In 2022, the average pass rate for first time test takers was 80%. That means that more 2,500 students did not pass the NAPLEX on their first try.

Failure is a hard pill to swallow, but I promise that you are not alone. There are hundreds of students going through the same thing right now, and things do get better. Instead of hibernating in your bed and crying yourself to sleep, here are 9 ways to move forward and learn from your past mistakes.

Don’t let this failure define you

Remember that failure is a normal part of life and that it’s an opportunity to learn from your past mistakes. You are not the first person to fail the NAPLEX nor will you be the last. From Oprah Winfrey to Walt Disney to Einstein, every amazing person that goes through life deals with ups and downs, struggles, and disappointments. The difference between them and you is deciding whether or not you’re going to get back up and keep trying. Once you’ve come to terms with you failing the NAPLEX exam, you can then start planning your next move. 

Take a break

Failing the NAPLEX can evoke some strong emotions of feeling devastated, mentally drained, and that your life is over. Remind yourself that these feelings are temporary by taking a break and doing something that brings you happiness. Life goes on after a failure, and you have more attempts to try again. It’s not the end of the world even if it may feel like it in the moment. Take a few minutes to read, walk your dog, bake your favorite dessert, or journal to take your mind off things and to reset your mood. Shoot – take a few days or even a week if you need to. The textbooks will be there when you’re mentally and physically ready. 

In case you need some ideas on how to reset your mind and take care of self during this time:

• Start a new hobby like pottery or hiking
• Try out the 30 Day Self Care Challenge
• Get some ideas from this self care routine guide
• Grab my favorite daily gratitude journal

Get the help that you need

Once you accept that you can’t change the past, you can then focus on how to move forward. This includes asking for help if you need it! Reach out to professors, mentors, and anyone that you could think could help you re-strategize and provide some emotional support as well. I also recommend getting a NAPLEX tutor if you need help in specific areas or a study accountability partner.

While getting a NAPLEX tutor isn’t the cheapest route by far, it was the best investment for me personally as I was able to get the help that I needed. But just like all things, tutoring is just one piece of the puzzle, and it is by no means a quick fix. If you are dedicated to passing the NAPLEX, you’ll still need to invest your time into studying and incorporate the other NAPLEX study tips into your routine. 

Dissect what went wrong

Before you jump back into studying, take some time to sit down and figure out what might’ve gone wrong during your first attempt. Once you write down a few things that you noticed retrospectively, you can then form a new plan that focuses on improving your weak areas and solidifying your strengths. Calculations, infectious diseases, HIV, and oncology are just a few areas that are notorious for tripping people up during the exam. Another big one is not finishing the exam on time. If this is something that you struggle with, you’ll want to spend some time working on your speed and time management. 

Make a new plan

Once you figure out your weaknesses and strengths, you can then come up with a new NAPLEX study plan. Since studying for the NAPLEX can feel like a ginormous task, it’s best to reverse engineer your goals. This just means that you break down your big goals into smaller bite-sized goals that are easier to accomplish. This could look like practicing an hour of calculations each day or finishing one chapter of your NAPLEX prep book every single day.

Whatever your plan of attack is, make sure that you’re studying daily and answering practice questions just as often as you are reading from a textbook. You’ll also want to practice speed and stamina because the NAPLEX is a 6 hour exam, which is a lot mentally and physically.

Simplify your calendar/work load to improve your focus

From graduation, moving, starting a new job or residency, there may be a lot going on in your life right now. Even though you may think that you can do it all, you don’t have too nor should you. Simplify your calendar and workload so you can focus on what truly matters right now, which is passing your licensure exams. If you can, try only working a day or two a week so you have some money coming in but enough time to focus on studying. Remember to ask your community for help and support during this stressful time. 

Sweat out your emotions

Lace up your sneakers, put on some comfy clothes, and go sweat out your emotions. There are so many benefits of regular exercise for your health, but the most important is the fact that it releases cortisol and endorphins. Both of which will make you feel like less stressed and leave you feeling rejuvenated. 

Find a study group

Sometimes studying alone isn’t the most exciting or the most productive. If you like studying with others, then go online and find yourself a study group to join. You may be able to find one already put together at your own university or organization. Study groups can be an effective study tool because they help each member to learn the material in a clearer way and create a positive environment to work in. Plus you can exchange notes, study guides, and other tools that may help you learn a difficult subject faster than without the additional assistance. 

Take your time

Many residencies and jobs require you to be licensed within a certain time frame, which may lead you to feeling rushed and unprepared prior to your first attempt. This may also be the reason why you failed in the first place beyond other reasons. For the next round, make sure to take your time when studying for the NAPLEX to make sure you feel properly prepared.

The NAPLEX isn’t an exam that you can pass by cramming at the last minute. It takes weeks and even months to feel adequately prepared. After you failed the NAPLEX the first time, you have to wait 45 days before you can re-apply to take it again. I would suggest studying for at least 6 weeks, maybe even more depending on how you’re feeling. You can check out my NAPLEX study schedule if you need some advice on how to tweak your own study schedule.

Best of luck on your next attempt! You got this!

The post What to Do If You Failed the NAPLEX Exam appeared first on Uniquely Mickie.

Take a deep breath and relax

No seriously – Preparing for the NAPLEX is very stressful, and you may not even realize how you’ve let your health fall to the waist side because of it. You’ve been training for this very exam for 3 or 4 years, and you have everything that it takes to pass the NAPLEX exam. So take a few deep breaths, do a few yoga poses, and get yourself to relax as best as you can.

I know that that’s easier said than done, but here are some self care resources to help you build a self care routine and to incorporate self care into your daily routine:

• How to Kickstart Your Self Care Routine
• 30 Day Self Care Challenge to Decrease Anxiety
• 11 Ways to Invest in Yourself this Year

Read the NAPLEX Candidate Registration Bulletin

Just like any other major test, the NAPLEX has its own special website that shares more information about the exam, such as the types of questions you’ll see, a list of topics that you’ll be tested on, and the skills that you’re expected to demonstrate. While it may be an exam to test your minimum skills as a pharmacist, you’ll still want to take a look at the bulletin, so you can be more familiar with the exam beforehand.

Make the final decision on whether you need a tutor or not

If you type in “NAPLEX preparation”, you’ll find plenty of links to study test materials and maybe even a few for a NAPLEX tutor. Before your test date creeps up on you, you’ll need to decide whether or not you want to invest in a NAPLEX tutor. Not everyone needs a tutor, but it can be a useful tool for those that need the additional help and motivation. I’ve already talked about my experience using Varsity Tutors, and I stand by my opinion – I highly recommend them if you’re ready to take the leap.

For those that haven’t ever heard of a NAPLEX tutor, here are a few things that my tutor helped me with when I was studying for the board exams:

• Boosted my confidence and brighten up my day
• Provided me extra support and resources for topics that I wasn’t comfortable in
• Become my accountability partner to make sure I go through all of the chapters before the big day
• Gave me plenty of practice problems and worked through them with me

Block out 2 weeks before your exam to go over the heavy hitters or weak spots

It’s easy to waste away the two weeks leading up to your exam. You may be rushing to finish the dense study textbook, or you might be hyper fixating on the topics that you already know pretty well. Use the last two weeks before your exam to go over the heavy hitters or any subjects that you may not be the most confident in. Trust me, the extra time spent on specific topics are going to make a world of a difference on the big day.

You’ll not only feel more confident with your skills, but it’ll help you feel more relaxed when it’s time to take the exam. Now the big chapters will always change from year to year, but I remember when I was studying for the exam in 2020 that the chapters for HIV, Diabetes, Infectious Disease, Compounding, and Oncology were pretty thick chapters.

Take the Pre-NAPLEX Exam

Some pharmacy schools require students to take the Pre-NAPLEX before you graduate. If you are one of the lucky ones that doesn’t have to do that, then you’ll be blessed with two attempts to take the Pre-NAPLEX. The Pre-NAPLEX exam is the official NAPLEX practice exam that gives you a realistic idea of what the exam is actually like. I 100% recommend taking the Pre-NAPLEX exam about a week before your real test date.

On the practice exam, you’ll get a chance to answer 100 exam questions from previous exams in a 140 minute time limit. Once completed, you receive a total scaled score that is pretty accurate to what you’ll score on the real thing. While the NABP doesn’t say that, I’ve heard that many students, including myself, had similar NAPLEX scores compared to the Pre-NAPLEX. So I wouldn’t blow it off. Definitely try your best and feel free to push back your exam date if the score isn’t passing.

Prepare for the day of your exam in advance

Trust me that you do not want to be searching around looking for the right clothes, documents, and necessities the day of your exam. You’re probably going to be a little scatterbrained, anxious, and probably a little forgetful in terms of things unrelated to the exam. To avoid forgetting something important and to give yourself the best chance possible to do well, here are some pointers:

• Arrive to the testing area early – If you’re driving a long distance to your exam site, plan to arrive to your accommodations the day (or even days) before. This way your chances of getting into a car crash, having a flat tire, or even getting stuck in traffic are decreased.  I also recommend staying at a hotel super close to the testing site, so you don’t have very far to go to get there the morning of.
• Go to bed early – You’re going to be nervous or anxious the day before the exam, and you’ll want to get a full night’s sleep. Go to bed earlier than you normally do to give your mind enough time to shut off completely. Bring your favorite pajamas or comfort tool to help you fully relax.
• Eat a good breakfast and bring snacks – The NAPLEX is a 6 hour exam, and you’re going to eventually get pretty hungry while you’re at the testing site. Before you head on over, stop and eat a good breakfast full of protein and leafy greens. I also recommend throwing a sandwich and snacks in your bag as you’ll get a few breaks in between the long sessions where you can stuff your face quickly.
• Don’t study the night before – I know it’ll be tempting to study the night before, but I promise that nothing you review the night before will stick. Study for the NAPLEX is a long term game and cramming for it just won’t work. Instead of trying to memorize another math equation, take the day before to relax and to enjoy the day.

Do something relaxing the week before the exam

Being stress and anxious obviously makes you pretty tense, especially when you know an important date is looming in the distance. The week before the NAPLEX exam, do something that makes you feel relaxed such as a massage, facial, or a long soak in the hot tub. While it may not be much, you’ll feel so much better and ready to take on the day. Plus you deserve it. You’ve finally at the big finale that you’ve been working so hard for, and you deserve every ounce of happiness. Grab it and hold on to it as tightly as you can!

The post NAPLEX Prep: What to Do Before the Exam appeared first on Uniquely Mickie.

Outside of video content, podcasts have quickly grown to be a huge platform for both entertainment and informational purposes. Even in the healthcare sector, you’ll find plenty of pharmacy-related shows for just about any topic that you’d want. Whether you’re looking for insight on non-traditional roles, financial advice, or even a fun interview with industry leaders, here are 12 pharmacist-led podcasts that you don’t want to miss out on.

Brown Skin Stories: Representing Women Pharmacists 

Dr. Ijeoma Ekeocha, PharmD started her pharmacy journey in 2003 and quickly started her exceptional pharmacy career. From being the first and only non-traditional pharmacy resident at John Hopkins to becoming the lead pharmacist at New York-Presbyterian Hospital, you can easily see how much there is to learn from her. Her podcast, Brown Skin Stories, highlights up and coming black women pharmacists.

Their experiences and stories provide value for all pharmacists, especially those thinking about a career change or recent graduates. Brown Skin Stories explores various career paths, transitioning into entrepreneurship, moving up the leadership ladder, and creating one-of-a-kind positions for themselves.

Your Financial Pharmacist

If you’re ready to transform the way you view and handle your personal finances, then you need to bookmark this pharmacy podcast. Created by Tim Ulbrich, PharmD, Tim Church, PharmD, BCACP and Tim Baker, CFP, YFP focuses on empowering and providing pharmacy professionals the tools necessary to take control of their finances in a way that is easy to follow. You’ll find insights on paying off debt, side hustles, student loans, investing, and so much more. YFP is probably one of my favorite healthcare podcasts to listen too plus I love that it’s from a pharmacist’s perspective.

The Burnout Doctor Podcast 

Hosted by Dr. Jessica Louie, PharmD, APh, BCCCP, The Burnout Doctor Podcast focuses on helping pharmacists and other healthcare professionals reset their lives after burnout and get rid of the clutter in their lives. If you struggle with feeling overwhelmed, burnt out, and filled with constant stress, then this is the podcast for you. You can find new episodes each week, and you’re sure to walk away with something useful to transform your life.

As a critical care pharmacist, Dr. Louie is no stranger to burnout and working in a high stress environment. In her podcast, she shares her story of transforming her life into one that is simplified and decluttered after learning about the KonMari Method, which she discusses further on the podcast.

The Public Health Pharmacist 

Created by Dr. Christina Madison, the Public Health Pharmacist is a pharmacist-led podcast dedicated to discussing timely issues on public health and keeps the audience informed of any recent events. Many pharmacists have an opportunity to make a difference, and Dr. Madison shows you exactly how important it is to have pharmacists in the public health sector. This podcast is particularly good if you’re interested in making a difference in the community. 

RxRounds 

If you have an interested in learning more about healthcare outside of the US, then the RxRounds may be a great resource for you. Dr. Alandra Mitchell, a Trinidadian pharmacist, started her podcast and website to be a healthcare resource for the Caribbean community. You’ll find that RxRounds provides evidence-based information on overall wellness hoping to inspire and empower West Indians to be a more actively involved in their own healthcare.

The Pharmacist’s Voice

As a weekly, journey-style podcast, the Pharmacist’s Voice is a unique podcast that focuses on sharing Dr. Kim Newlove’s career change to a voice actor as well as highlights other unique pharmacist’s stories. If you’re looking to hear stories from a variety of people, such as entrepreneurs, medical writers, career coaches, and even pharmacists in the military, then you’ll want to add The Pharmacist’s Voice to your listening rotation.

Pharmacy Podcast Network

The Pharmacy Podcast Network was started in March 2009 by Todd Eury, and over the years, the network was grown to encompass over 30+ shows and over 40 different co-hosts. From public health, compounding, law, and so many other options on the PPN website. As the largest network of podcasts dedicated to the pharmacy world, you’re sure to find a podcast that you enjoy and stay up to date on its specific subject matter.

RxRadio

You might have heard about the RxRadio podcasts from their hilarious memes commonly seen on their Instagram account under the same name. Hosted by Dr. Richard Waithe, PharmD, the RxRadio podcasts hopes to inspire pharmacy professionals to take a more innovative approach to healthcare while also getting a good belly laugh in between.

Real Life Pharmacology

Once you graduate from pharmacy school, it gets harder with time to remember every drug detail that you learned in school. The great part about the Real Life Pharmacology, hosted by Dr. Eric Christianson, is that you can get quick refreshers on your way to work if you want too. In 15 minutes or less, you can learn about a drug’s mechanism of action, side effects, drug interactions, and how all of that can affect a patient in real life. I wish I would’ve known about this resource before I took the NAPLEX last year as this would’ve been a great resource to use as a review.

The Elective Rotation

Published every Monday and Thursday morning, Dr. Joseph Muench is the host of the number 1 ranked Hospital Pharmacy podcast titled The Elective Rotation. His podcast provides unbiased, fact-based critical care and hospital pharmacy content. If you’re a pharmacist or pharmacy student looking to expand your knowledge in the critical care or intensive care, then you’ll want to stay updated on the Elective Rotation. Each episode is only a few minutes long, so you’ll only need a few minutes to learn something new from Dr. Muench, a Board Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist.

The Business of Pharmacy 

For those interested in learning more about the business of pharmacy, then this healthcare podcast is the perfect option. The host, Dr. Mike Koelzer, owns his own independent pharmacy in Michigan and shares a very entertaining weekly discussing the behind the scenes of pharmacy. You’ll find episodes covering things such as DEA audits, legislation changes, artificial intelligence use in pharmacies, and so many other topics that most people don’t see.

Life On the Pharm Podcast 

The final pharmacy podcast on this list is one created by Dr. Mehr Virk, a PGY1 acute care pharmacy resident at UC Davis Health. She started this podcast at the beginning of her P4 year as a way to document her life and journey to becoming a clinical pharmacist. This podcast is great for anyone interested in pursuing residency and want more of an insider look of what life is like during residency. While the podcast doesn’t have a set schedule right now (due to I’m sure the demands of the program), it’s definitely one to bookmark!

What’s your favorite healthcare podcast to listen to?

You may also like: Seminar Presentation Advice You Need to Hear, How to Use LinkedIn Effectively as a Pharmacist, and How to Kickstart Your Self Care Routine

The post 12 Pharmacist-Run Podcasts that You Aren’t Listening too (But Should Be) appeared first on Uniquely Mickie.

While there’s plenty of complex hacks and tricks online, I’ve learned from personal experience that the best way to stay organized is to keep things simple and efficient. You’ll want to find a method that works for your lifestyle and easy for you to implement, which will most likely look a little different from your fellow pharmacy classmates. If you’re ready to learn how to stay organized in pharmacy school, then let’s dive right into the organizational tips.

Use a planner

The easiest way to stay organized in school is to keep a planner, either a paper or electronic version. It’s pretty difficult, no matter how good your memory may be, to remember everything that has to be done in your personal life and for school. Throw in a part-time job, and it’s nearly impossible to keep everything straight in your mind.

This is where keeping a planner comes in to clear out the clutter and help you stay organized. In your planner, write down all of your future exams, assignment due dates, work schedule, and any other events you don’t want to forget about. My favorite planner right now that I’ve been using the last few years is this customizable one from Cloth & Paper. It’s pretty luxe (aka pricey) for a college student, but I’m obsessed. If you need a more budget friendly planner, then check out the Recollections planner from Michaels. It’s a complete dupe for the Erin Condren planners for half of the price.

Keep your class schedule visible

With a constantly changing schedule, it’s pretty easy to forget when and where you have class each day. At the beginning of the semester, place your class schedule in a visible location for easy access and help keep yourself organized during a busy morning. I always used to keep a copy of my schedule in the back of my agenda, where I could easily flip to it before I headed off to campus for the day.

Plan your days

At the beginning of each week, sit down and look at what you already have written down in your agenda for the week and make sure to update it with anything new. Once you have an overview of how your week is going to look, you can start to plan out your individual days. Lately, I’ve been using this method called the Top 3 Method, where you write down the top 3 most important tasks that need to be done for the day.

The goal for the day is to get those three tasks done, and if you have time or energy later, then you can work on the other items on your list. With the Top 3 Method, it helps declutter your mind and helps you focus on the tasks that actually matter, instead of wasting time on items that won’t make a difference. Use this idea whenever you feel like you’re getting overwhelmed and just need to cut through the mind clutter.

Break down long-term projects

It’s so easy to feel overwhelmed or stress when you have a complex project or a task that is due months down the road. Instead of letting procrastination to get the best of you, try breaking up your big project into smaller, more manageable tasks. Posters, manuscripts, and seminar presentations are all examples of large projects that usually take a few weeks to complete and can be quite stressful.

By breaking up your long-term project into bite-size tasks, it tricks your mind into thinking that the project is less intimating, and it’s easier for your mind to stay focus on the task at hand. Depending on what the project is, you may be able to break down the task based on categories, due dates, or some other method that works best.  

Use the right tools

Having the right tools and equipment in your arsenal is an easy way to stay organized in college plus it’s easy to keep up with.

• Zebra Pen G-450 – These are my favorite pens right now. The ink that Zebra Pen uses is super quick drying and doesn’t smudge, which makes it perfect for note taking.
• Highlighters – Highlighters are a must for your school supplies. I went through so many of these during pharmacy school. I use them to highlight any important details in my notes, so they stand out when I’m studying.
• To Do List – I always keep a running to do list, either on paper or in my phone. If I don’t write it down, then it most definitely won’t get done as I can be quite forgetful. I love any lined notepad, but this one on Etsy is especially cute.
• Binders – These are self-explanatory, but I used to keep my notes in one binder during pharmacy school.
• Binder Dividers – You’ll need these to divide up your binder and make it easier to keep your classes separate from each other.

Complete one task before moving on to the next

Yep, you heard me right. If you want to learn how to stay organized in pharmacy school, then the first step is to learn how to complete one task before moving on to the next. Distractions can happen so easily, especially when you allow your mind to wander from the task at hand and lose focus. When you’re constantly hopping from one task to the next, you may find at the end of the day that you haven’t gotten much done on your to-do list and have left a huge mess in your workspace. Instead of jumping up right away when your mind wanders, write a quick note to remind yourself to do it later.

Don’t be afraid to declutter

My favorite hobby is the art of decluttering. Whenever I feel like I have nothing to wear or my space is getting extra messy, then I know it’s because I simply have too much stuff. When you’re in college, it’s so easy to feel overwhelmed with the amount of stuff that you have in your small dorm room or off-campus apartment.

From the free stuff that everyone gives you to the stuff you brought from home, it can all add up and make you feel even more anxious than you already are. Organizing your life doesn’t have to be an overwhelming task nor does it have to be a long process. Whenever I’m about to start to declutter, I always pick one thing to declutter at a time, such as my closet or kitchen, to break it up.  

Use your wait time

When you have a full schedule, it’s imperative that you use your time wisely including your wait time. This may look a little different for everyone depending on where you are and what you need to get done throughout the day. One example of how to use your wait time is to wash some dishes or clean up the kitchen while you’re cooking or waiting for your food to warm up. You’d be surprised about how much you can get done or learn with those few extra minutes throughout the day.

Clean up before bed

Right before bed, take a few minutes before you go to bed to clean up your space. Trust me that your future self will thank you later and you’ll feel so much lighter. Seriously you’d be surprised by how much better you’ll start to feel when you start doing this right before bed. It doesn’t have to be a deep clean or anything either. Take 5 or 10 minutes to pick up your clothes, wipe down your counters, and a few other things to get ready for the following day. 

Listen to your body and sleep!

Pharmacy students are notorious for not getting enough sleep, but I promise that nothing is more important than sleep, your mental health, and your physical well-being. There are so many studies that show how important sleep is for happiness, memory, and so many other things. While I won’t dive into the science behind it, you should be shooting for 7 to 9 hours a sleep a day to stay alert and happy throughout the day.

What is your favorite organization tip that has helped you in pharmacy school?

The post 10 Easy Ways to Stay Organized in Pharmacy School appeared first on Uniquely Mickie.

Send them encouraging messages

Sometimes just a simple, “You got this!” can make a world of a difference in someone’s day. When being stressed out and studying for hours in a day, a text is a nice reminder that there are people out there that care about you and are thinking about you. Unless you are studying for the same exam, I wouldn’t ask how the study is going as that can be anxiety producing for some people. Feel free to ask how they are feeling overall or send a funny TikTok for them to laugh the stress away. 

Cook them food or send them a meal via delivery

You know what they say – the fastest way to someone heart is through their stomach. And it can’t be truer especially during times of stress and long study sessions. When you’re feeling anxious or stressed, it’s can be easy to fall into a habit of not eating regular meals. To show your support to your friend taking the NAPLEX exam, drop off a homemade cooked meal at their house. Or if you can’t cook, send their favorite meal via a food delivery app like DoorDash (sign up using my link to get $30 off your first three orders).

Give them a call to let them know you’re thinking of them

While phone calls are definitely not as popular as they used to be, it can still be a nice change of pace from the constant notifications of social media and text messages. It’s also a great alternative if you don’t live close to your pharmacist friend and still want to chat. Sometimes just hearing a familiar voice can lift your spirits and get you in a better mood. Don’t worry if they don’t answer. Leave them a sweet voicemail letting them know you were thinking of them and wishing them the best of luck.

Provide resources for them

If you’re also studying for the NAPLEX exam, don’t be shy with sharing any and all resources that you think your friend could use as well. The NAPLEX textbooks are pretty dense, and anything that can help your friend understand the material will not go to waste. Only send over resources if they ask for them or if you see they are struggle with a particular topic. Does your friend need more help than you can give? Send them this post about my experience with a NAPLEX tutor because it may be something that they need to pass.

Ask if they need anything

When studying for a big exam, it’s easy to forget to do the simple things in life like eating, exercising, and interacting with the people that you love. An easy way to check in on your pharmacy friends is to see if you can help them with anything. It can be as simple as doing a joint study session or grabbing some groceries for them while you’re at the store. I promise that it’ll mean so much and ease their mind just little bit with one less task to do.

Surprise them with a massage or something self care related

Before a big exam, it’s so important to be in a positive mindset that is relaxing and calm. For some people, including myself, they need an outside force to help them reach a calm and relaxed state. Gift your pharmacist friend a massage or another self care activity, such as a pedicure or facial, to help them relax. I wouldn’t recommend doing anything new right before a big exam so make sure they schedule the activity two days or more before the actual test date.

Give them some slack in domestic duties

Studying for a major exam like the NAPLEX is tough enough, and it can be challenging to balance daily life with hours of studying. If it makes sense in your relationship, allow your friend to slack some in the domestic duties. Taking a chore off their to do list is something that is easy to do and so helpful for the person who’s studying.

Let them vent or explain something to you

Let’s be clear: the NAPLEX exam is not an easy exam to pass. Screw anyone that says otherwise. It takes a lot to memorize and understand the material enough to pass it. So when things get tough, the best way to be a supportive friend is to allow your pharmacist friend to vent to you or even let them explain a study point to you. Sometimes you just need a listening ear to vent to or to let out some frustration. Be a listening ear and let them know that you are there for them regardless of what they need. 

Make sure they get exercise and fresh air

For most people, big exams = little to no exercise, rest, or fun activities. While it’s definitely not the healthiest way to go, it’s a pretty common occurrence among students studying for a career changing exam like the NAPLEX. Create a set routine with your partner or friend that gets them outside in the fresh air doing an easy, chill activity such as walking around the lake or take a yoga class. Ask their opinion and figure out a way to make it a pleasant part of their day that they look forward to.

Send them a care package

For friends that are a little farther away, think about sending them a care package with their favorite snacks, movies, and some other nit knacks that will make them feel loved and cared for. There’s really no limit on what you include in a care package or how you decorate the box. Have fun with it and make it extra special for your friend. Make sure to not forget the good luck card to add a little encouragement to their day as well.

Before you leave, leave a comment down below your favorite way to show your friends that you support them, and don’t forget to share this post among your inner circle to give them some directions in how you want to be supported during this tiring season. 

You may also like: How to Study for the MPJE, 11 Study Tips to Help You Pass the NAPLEX exam, and How to Kickstart Your Self Care Routine for Burnt Out Pharmacists

The post 10 Ways to Support Your Friends Who Are Taking the NAPLEX Exam appeared first on Uniquely Mickie.

Whenever I’m going through the job search process, a dedicated LinkedIn tab was always open on my MacBook as I networked and applied for open positions daily. In addition to networking and expanding my career, I also enjoy using LinkedIn to share my own blog posts about pharmacy and work-life balance. It’s a great platform for anyone looking to grow their career and increase their network if you know how to use it appropriately. Instead of spending hours connecting with random people on LinkedIn, here are 8 ways to use LinkedIn more effectively.

Make a compelling and effective profile

This may seem obvious, but your profile is your digital resume 2.0. It’s your profile that tells a recruiter or future colleague everything that they need to know about you professionally, which means that its arguably the most important thing you can improve on LinkedIn.

Two easy ways to improve your profile immediately is to add a professional photo and a banner image. For your professional photo, you’ll want to make your image showcases you at your best. Good lightening, a clear background, and a genuine smile will do wonders for your page. Even adding a banner image that showcases either your passion or profession will help you stand out among the crowd.

Post updates that your audience would appreciate

Build quality relationships within the pharmacy profession starts by being an active contributor and voice in the community. Consider posting relevant content that your network would find useful or valuable. This could include a new study or drug that was released, an engaging story, a quote that resonated with you, and updates on your journey. By being active on the platform, you’ll not only increase your visibility, but you’ll also gain some new friends along the way.

Network

The unique part about LinkedIn is the opportunity that you have to connect and network with people you wouldn’t normally get a chance to. You can connect with industry leaders, potential mentors, and even people with unique career paths. But before you add a ton of random strangers on the platform, try to only connect with people who you have a genuine interest in.

The goal isn’t to have the biggest network on the app. It’s to build a meaningful network that pushes you to grow in your career and to find people that inspire you. To get started, try reaching out to a few people that you’re interested in within the profession and ask them for a virtual coffee date or a quick phone call. You’d be surprised with how much you’ll learn from others, and you might even find a new aspect of pharmacy that you had no idea even existed. I’ve found some really great mentors by doing this!

Use LinkedIn courses to expand your knowledge

A hidden gem that many LinkedIn users miss is the opportunity to take some of the courses that LinkedIn offers on its website. If you take a look, there’s a good mix of both free and paid courses available to expand your knowledge in just about anything you could imagine, such as digital marketing, excel, and even cyber security.  The different courses vary in length, but once completed, those certificates can be added to your profile for everyone to see.

Write an informative summary

Probably the hardest part about perfecting your LinkedIn profile is the part where you have to write a successful and informative summary. It can be hard to narrow down what you should include in your summary while proving your point. Do you include things such as your current role, how long you’ve been there, and where you hope to go?

While there is no right answer, I think it depends on the goal that you have for your summary section. Are you trying to level up in your career or are you happy in your current position? With the summary section, focus on telling your story, what makes you different, where you want to go, and a few fun facts about your life outside of work. I love sharing that I love to travel, blog, and anything pitbull related!

Add rich multimedia

The really nice part about LinkedIn is the ability to make your resume come alive with the addition of multimedia. Under each of your job descriptions, you can opt to add samples of your work. This is such an easy way to use LinkedIn more effectively, but don’t go crazy with this section by adding every project you’ve ever worked on. I would only include the projects or work that you are particularly proud of or that show your work abilities.

For an example, I’ve included some marketing campaigns that I’ve worked on through my blog as well as articles that I’ve been included in. By adding in multimedia to your digital resume, you’ll give the hiring manager or recruiter to see a visual representation of the quality of the work you provide as well as the extent of your skillset.

Ask for recommendations

Similar to multimedia, recommendations provide an additional layer of creditability to your LinkedIn profile. Recommendations are statements or testimony from people you are connected with on LinkedIn that can showcase more about your professional work ethic. It’s a great place for a former boss or co-worker to explain why they enjoyed working with you in detail, such as why you were a great leader or how you improved the team dynamic. Don’t forget that you can also leave recommendations on other people’s profiles, which is a double win-win for you. You get to increase your profile’s visibility and help boost a co-worker’s career too.

Practice consistency

Just like Rome wasn’t built in a day, your network also takes time and consistency to grow. As you get more comfortable being on the platform, create a new habit of checking in once a day to like, comment, and share content from others. If you’re looking to land a new job in the future, you’ll need to be consistent to get noticed by hiring managers and recruiters. While a great profile will help you stand out for sure, the real magic happens when you plug in into the pharmacy community on LinkedIn. Consistency is probably the most important tip or way to use LinkedIn more effectively.

What are some ways that you are using LinkedIn more effectively this year?

You may also like:  The Key to A Successful Job Interview, How to Kickstart Your Self Care Routine, and Johannesburg 2 Week Travel Guide

The post How to Use LinkedIn Effectively as a Pharmacist appeared first on Uniquely Mickie.

With the competitiveness of the pharmacist job market, it’s so important to learn how to market yourself and showcase your abilities to the hiring team. A skill that is often overlooked in pharmacy school for whatever reason. In this blog post, we’re going to be discussing some tips on how to stand out and land your first pharmacist job after graduation.

Before we dive right into the meat of this post, let’s first clarify that searching for a job is not only time consuming it’s also emotionally and mentally draining. Make sure to take care of yourself during this tiring time with self care and positive enforcements. Finding your first pharmacy job is going to take a lot out of you, but it’ll be so worth it in the long run. 

Practical Tips on Finding Your First Pharmacist Job 

Build Your Professional Network

Have you ever heard the saying, “Your network is your net worth”? Turns out that the saying has a lot of truth in it. Networking should always be in your professional plan because it could be the difference between landing your dream job versus not even knowing your dream job even exists.

The rule of thumb that you should follow when it comes to networking is to start building the relationship and trust with your network before you need to use it. If you have no idea how to grow your network, here are some tips to get started:

Use platforms like LinkedIn or Facebook Groups

These are great places to find like-minded people who share similar interests. The goal with social media is to network with others, share your ideas, and to explore emerging fields within the pharmacy profession. When I was on my job hunt, I was able to connect with other pharmacists that were able to give me career advice and guide me into unique fields that could potentially interests me.  It’s okay to put yourself out there by messaging people that you admire or who have the pharmacy job that you want for advice. Ask for a zoom meeting to take the conversation even deeper!

Continue the conversation

Once you start building your network, don’t leave them high and dry! Just like real life friendships, you’ll want to check in every few months to keep the relationship strong and healthy. Also don’t forget to connect with your former classmates, alumni groups, and even friends who have their own network that you can tap into.

Research Potential Companies

As you’re considering future employment, take time out to learn all that you can about these potential companies. You’ll want to read reviews, learn about the culture, and anything you can find in the media so you won’t be surprised in the future.

Researching your potential employer also allows you the chance to see what the company is about and tailor your resume to fit the type of person they are hoping to employ. You may also want to consider looking up the company on LinkedIn to see if you are connected with anyone who has worked or currently works for the company. If you are connected with someone, reach out to ask some more questions about the company the position.

Reach Out to Recruiters

If you want to get a leg up on the competition, consider networking with a recruiter that either works with the company that you’re interested in or for a staffing company. Recruiters are paid to find the perfect candidate for a role. So if you can showcase to them why you’re a good fit, you’re can usually get an interview with them and increases your chances of moving to the next round.

If you have no idea what to say to a recruiter, here’s an example that you can work from:

Hey (insert name of recruiter),

I’m (insert your name), a pharmacist based in (City, State). I was reaching out because I think I would be a great fit for the (insert job title), and I would love to chat more about the position if possible. Thank you and have a great day!

Sincerely,

(Your Name)

Gather Relevant Experience

As a new pharmacist grad, you’re likely not going to have the years of experience that many entry-level positions require. Don’t get discouraged by this fact! When applying to positions that aren’t looking for new grads, highlight the skills, experiences, and background that you do have that could help you in the position. Employers may be willing to make an exception if they see you as a good fit for the position and for the team.

If you aren’t lucky enough to land your dream job right out of school, don’t be afraid to take a job that isn’t exactly what you were hoping for. The experience of working at any job as a pharmacist is super valuable and will help you in the future to transition into something that you do want. The best time to look for a new job is when you’re already employed at another. So think about that before turning down any offers that you may receive as a new pharmacist.

Create a Stand Out CV or Resume

Before you begin your job search, the singular most important that you can do is to create a stand out CV or resume that highlights your abilities to the max. You can’t have a good application if you don’t have a good resume that is visually appealing and showcases exactly what you have to offer to the employer. If you need help crafting your CV, you can buy my CV template to help you get started, which is what I still use to this day! Typically you have about 20 seconds to grab the recruiters or hiring manager’s attention and convince them to invite you to an interview. This means that your resume needs to be concise, highly effective, and attractive. 

As a guideline, your resume shouldn’t exceed more than 2 pages and should be tailored to each job that you are applying for. You’ll want to only include information and keywords relevant to that pharmacist job position otherwise you risk your resume getting tossed out by the computer system. When you’re going into details about your past jobs, you want to make sure you try to quantify your accomplishments as much as you can. An example of this could be “increased revenue by $5,000 each year through xyz”. 

Maximize Your Social Media Prescence

In pharmacy school, students are told to be mindful of your social media presence and to keep it private if you don’t want your college or future employers to see what you post. While this isn’t completely wrong, you lose the benefit of having your employer see what you post and for them to learn more about you as a person. It’s a catch 22 because it could go either way.

Before turning your accounts to private, assess your accounts and see if your online presence could hurt or support your job search. You’ll want to delete any comments or posts that are heavily political or inappropriate. On LinkedIn, choose a professional headshot as your profile picture and make sure your profile includes the same information as your resume. If you need some inspiration, you can check me out and even follow me on LinkedIn and Instagram! 

Be Geographically Flexible

Being geographically flexible opens up a lot of doors for job positions, especially as a new grad. Many people, including myself, want to move to bigger cities or cities with pharmacy schools, which can make it harder to find a job. If you are able to move and be more flexible on location, you’ll find yourself in a better chance of landing your dream pharmacist job sooner rather than later. Shoot for small towns that have the role that you want and less competition shooting for it.

Learn How to Market Yourself

The one thing that I wish pharmacy schools focused on more on is teaching students how to market yourself. You may have a good looking resume, a completed application, and an enticing cover letter, but if you don’t know how to market yourself, you won’t get very far in the interview process. Before going into your next interview, get comfortable with talking about your accomplishments, achievements, and the skills that you can bring to the table. While you don’t want to be bashful, you do want to be direct and confident in your skillset.

Prepare For Your Interview

Every successful interview starts with the prep work beforehand. You don’t want to go into an interview without the slightest clue of what job you’ve applied for and what the company is looking for. If you’re confused, then the hiring manager is probably going to be too. A day or two before your interview, spend a few hours researching the company and practice answering commonly asked questions. I like to write down the company’s mission statement, values, specialties/departments, recent media coverage, and other things that may be important for me to know. When you’re practicing your interview answers, try to tailor your answers into the STAR Method, which stands for Situation, Task, Action, and Result.

Ask for Feedback if You’re Not Successful

You’re not going to get a job offer for every position that you interview for, but that doesn’t mean that you should take a “No” and leave it be. The best way to improve how you interview is by asking for specific feedback afterwards. Ask them what they liked about your application or resume and what are things that you could improve in the interview. You’ll not only gain valuable feedback but also get to highlight to the hiring manager that you are willing to improve in areas where you may lack.

Next time you have an interview, take a peek at the feedback that you’ve received and use it to improve your technique. You can’t expect to improve in something if you have no idea what you need to focus on. If you want to more of a live action, ask a friend or mentor to do a mock interview where you can practice your skills and tailor your answers to the specific job you’re looking for.

Finding a pharmacist job after graduation won’t be an easy feat for new graduates. It’ll push you to your limits and provide the opportunity for growth, one way or another. Don’t be afraid of taking a job outside of your comfort zones or in something that you may not enjoy. Every job opportunity that comes your way is a chance to gain experience, further your career path, and learn something new about yourself.

You may also like: How to Prepare for a Job Interview, 11 Tips to Surviving 12 Hour Shifts, and Ways to Invest In Yourself This Year

The post How to Land Your First Job as a New Pharmacist appeared first on Uniquely Mickie.

Why It Matters

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, then you know that right now there are over 15,000 new graduates every year. The pharmacist job market is very competitive right now because essentially everyone looks the same on paper: a decent GPA, organizational involvement, work experience, and maybe even a certificate or two. The only way to stand out in the job application process is to nail a job interview, which can only happen through the proper prep work.

How to Prepare for a Job Interview

Develop Your Narrative

One of the most common mistakes that job candidates do is allow the job interviewer to guide and direct the conversation. While you may think that you only need to answer the questions that you are given, you should be guiding the conversation to showcase why you are the perfect candidate for the role. In order to do that, you need to have a strong grasp of what the role entails and how that role fits within the company. 

Research the company and the position

The first step in preparing for a job interview is to research the company and the position in detail. You’ll want to understand how the role fits into the overall company, what department or specialty you’ll be working in, and other deciding factors. This is also the time to understand the job description, inside and out, so you can understand how your skills correlate to the necessary tasks.

Some of the questions I like to answer before the interview are:

• What kind of company is it? (hospital, clinic, insurance company, etc)
• What is the mission and values of the company?
• What services do they offer?
• What kind of patients do they see? How many beds (if it’s a hospital)?
• Any recent accomplishments or news?

Connect the dots

Once you feel comfortable with the job description and the company, you can now start to understand and connect the dots of what skills you can bring to the table. At this point, print out the job description and write on the side any skills or accomplishments that could relate to what they are asking for. Continue doing this until the sidelines are full with details. Nothing is too small or large to be included in this exercise.

After finishing this up, you’ll start to notice some things standing out and some skills seem to be a better match for the position than others. Turn those accomplishments or skills that you picked out and turn them into stories that your interviewer can understand. Not all interviewers are going to have a background in pharmacy, so you may need to tailor your story to your audience.

Rehearse for common questions

An easy way to prepare for a job interview is to rehearse your answers to common interview questions, such as the dreaded “tell me about yourself” and “tell me about a time when…”. While they may not be your favorite questions to answer, they are highly likely to be asked of you so it’s better to prepare ahead of time.

When answering interview questions, try to utilize the STAR method as much as possible. The STAR method is an interview technique that helps you answer behavioral questions in a way that discusses the specific situation, task, action, and result. Instead of rambling about a story, use the STAR method to structure your story that allows you to get across the point quickly and effectively. Something that I like to do is to is rehearse the different stories that could answer the most common questions that I’ve thought of. An example of this could be practicing a story that showcases your leadership style, a story that showcases how you manage angry customers or even a blurb of how you handle work stress.

Brainstorm your potential questions

When the interviewer asks you if you have any questions at the interview, you should always say “yes”. I say this because your interview is also your opportunity to scope out your potential new employer as well. Whatever questions that you ask should be tailored to the things that matter to you the most, such as PTO, work-life balance, etc. Brainstorming your questions beforehand is such an easy way to prep for a job interview. 

Some good questions that you may want to consider asking are:

• What is your ideal candidate for this role?
• If I were hired, what would a typical day look like?
• What makes someone successful in this position?
• How do you measure success in this role? How often are employees evaluated?
• What are the next steps? When can I expect to hear from you?
• What is the best part of your job and the hardest part?
• What are the opportunities for advancement here?
• What do you love about [Company Name]?

Showcase your personality

Don’t forget to showcase your personality despite your nervousness! People want to hire people who they can either relate too, so you’ll want to let your personality shine during the interview. You can easily do this by adding in jokes, smiling during the interview, and being excited about the overall conversation.

Wear the right outfit

Regardless of whether your interview is virtual or in-person, first impressions are very important and can be a deciding factor during the interview process. To leave a good first impression, I would suggest dressing to impress by wearing proper professional attire, such as a blazer and button up. Depending on what kind of role that you’re applying for, you may be able to get away with sprinkling in your personality with accessories or patterns. But be mindful and tasteful so you don’t go overboard.

Practice!

Just like anything, practice makes perfect, and nothing is different when it comes to your interview. Practice answering common interview questions in front of a mirror, a friend, or even a career coach. Because here’s the tea: when you practice enough times, your stories and narratives flow easily, and you end up being more relaxed during the interview. Another side effect of practicing is that instead of worrying about your answers, you can be more engaged in the conversation, which is something that interviewers look for.

As you prepare for a job interview, I hope that these tips help you land your dream job at your dream company. Don’t forget that you deserve happiness in your life, including in your professional career. What is your #1 interview tip that has helped you in landing a new job?

You may also like: How to Survive a 12 Hour Shift, My Favorite Pen for Work, Life, and Business, and finally the Best Mobile Apps for Pharmacists

The post Interview Prep: The Key to A Successful Job Interview appeared first on Uniquely Mickie.