Pre-Reg Interview HELP!

[edmo2]

Hi, Im a pharmacy student and have my first pre-reg interview with a community pharmacy chain in Northern Ireland in a few days.

I've never had an "proper" interview before, so i've no idea what to expect.

if anyone has experience with pre-reg interviews please let me know what you think i should be preparing! any sample questions and answers would be seriously appreciated. thanks x

[shan]

Student Sction/ Pre-reg thread please !!!!

Shan

[minisini]

Pre-reg interview tips

There are quiet a few attributes pharmacist look for in a pre-reg, the most important include:

1) Flexibility - make sure that you relay that you are flexible and willing to work unsociable hours. Even if it is impossible say that you are WILLING to do so.

2) Appearance - "don't judge a book by its cover?", forget it. If the interviewer has only 15 minutes to assess the capabilities of someone they are going to spend a year with, they will use all input from that person and assess them on it.

3) Language - try speak like a professional and avoid any slang. An excellent tip is to think of something funny before you walk into a room and have half a genuine smile when you walk through the door. Create good eye contact with everyone in the room

4) Body posture - make sure you are stand upright and have good posture. There are myriad books which profess the importance of peoples posture. Its debatable, but better to have it then not!

5) Clinical knowledge - in general you will not get tested on this but make sure that you know the important ones such as diclofenac, furosemide, carbemazepine, valsartan, fluoxetine, etc. Hospital interviews can be somewhat more difficult make sure you know your BNF back to front.

6) Show you can work hard - pharmacy can be one of the most stressful jobs there is. Make sure the interviewer knows that you can work under pressure and do not crumble.

7) Be amiable - the interviewer is not just looking for professional skill but also interpersonal skills. This is one of the most important factors of being a pharmacist. If you do not work on rappor with your fellow workers or customers you are not going to get very far.

8) Blow them away with your CV - interviewer generally do not pay much attention to what school you went to. They will mainly look at where you got your degree and what class 2:1 is a good start but not the end of the world if you have below this. If you "acheived" a 2:2 then make sure that you bulk your CV with lots of relevant experience. The best experience comes from already working in that environment and lots of it!

9) Location - Be willing to move closer to where you are employed, this shows commitment and willingness.

[WindsorLR]

edmo2,

minisini has given you sound advice, and little is left to add. I would however stress point 7! During the interviews I have with Pre-Reg students, I do look out for inter-personal skills.

If the Pre-Reg is to succeed and both parties to value and enjoy the experience, there must be scope for a sound relationship of trust to develop. Though it is difficult to assess during a short interview, I always ask myself if the Pre-Reg in front of me is teachable and will I be the one fortunate enough to do the teaching. If there is no 'gel' between you and your tutor, your year is going to be hell and you run the risk of failure. Remember, if your Pre-Reg year goes off well, the tutor will have learnt as much from you as you have from him/her. And even after you had registered, you would still maintain contact and the store staff will be happy to have you back as a locum.

Lastly I would advise you to relax, just be yourself, but be prepared.

Good Luck and let us know how you got on.

[Kadio]

I have mine with paydens on 5th august and lloyds a week after, the replies so far have helped.

Thx

[studentnm]

URGENT......
I have a sainsbury's pre-reg interview in a few weeks time and its the only interview I have had. Can anyone tell me what they ask? or give me any tips? this might be my only chance.

[Chingyee88]

I have my NES intervies a few days later. May I know what questions that they might ask?