By the time you interview for a residency or your first “real” job, you will most likely have already participated in several interviews in your life. Maybe you did one for your first job in high school or for pharmacy school. However, an interview for a professional position can be slightly different from any other interview you may have done.

Your first professional position will forever change your life, may change the course of your career, and can lead to long-lasting friendships and professional contacts. As such, it can feel like the whole world is riding on the interview for this position. How can you relax and ace the interview? Here are some tips for both in-person and virtual interviewing for your best first job.

Prepare, prepare, prepare.

You cannot overprepare for a professional interview. Spend time learning about the hospital and pharmacy department. Spend time learning about the people in the pharmacy and the residency preceptors and past residents.

• Learn as much as you can about the preceptors: Where did they do their residency? What have they published? What have past residents gone on to do?
• For the facility itself, much of the information should be available online. What accolades and awards has it been granted? What are its Healthgrades scores? What are its census and core patient care areas? How does your skill set complement these areas?

Practice how to answer behavioral questions.

The general rule is to keep your answers brief, less than 2 minutes but more than 30 seconds. When people are nervous, they often keep talking to fill the air with words or to oversell themselves. As a consequence, their true answer gets lost in the extra words and prevents them from answering all the other questions employers want to ask. So set a timer and practice answering questions thoroughly and succinctly. It can be harder than it sounds. Also, make sure to give enough information to appear well rounded and thorough. Answers that last less than 20–30 seconds can feel too brief and seem as if you are withholding information.

Know how to interview virtually.

Interviewing in a pandemic is challenging for several reasons. Seeing the jobsite in person and reading body language are both key to assessing a position for the best fit. If virtual is the only option, here are a few tips to make it as personable and informational as possible.

• Practice the interview with a friend. Wear the same clothes as you will wear on the interview day. Some designs can appear distracting in a virtual environment and cause visual effects that may be unintended, depending on the resolution of your computer screen. Fine lines in a jacket or top can appear as if they are moving, and bold prints can overwhelm a small screen. Make sure the computer distance is appropriate. Too far away and you can seem aloof, and everyone can see you are actually wearing sweatpants with your suit jacket. Too close and your face may fill the entire screen. Enough said. A good rule is to place your computer screen about an arm’s length away.
• Ensure a neutral backdrop. A plain wall or limited visual background will ensure the interview focuses on you, not on what’s going on outside the window behind you.
• Have good sound quality. Use an attached headset or earbuds for the interview. An interview using computer audio can have poor sound quality and pick up every environmental noise around you. Put the dog outside, and send your roommates for a jog outside. Keep the interview focused on you, not your house.
• Make eye contact with the computer camera, not the screen. Make a Post-it note and remind yourself to smile at the little black dot, not just your computer screen.

With preparation and practice, you can ace your first professional interview. Employers want to use the interview to get to know you as a person. With a few tips, you can allow your skill set to shine and, in so doing, find the best job fit for you.

About the author: Stephanie Baumhover is an Oncology Clinical Pharmacist at Duke Raleigh Hospital. She completed her PGY1 training at The University of Virginia Health System in Charlottesville, VA and has worked in both pediatric and adult oncology.  She has served as a Residency Program Director and values mentorship as a  fulfilling professional part of her practice. Oncology holds a special place in her heart for many reasons, but especially for the continuing  research developments and dedication of all Oncology practitioners.  She enjoys most all outdoor sporting events and spending time in the mountains with family and friends.