The Post-Graduate Pharmacist

This episode is a bonus episode about match predictions for 2023:

ASHP Match Statistics

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This episode discuss Phase 2 of the Match and how you should approach it similarly and differently than Phase 1. We also hear a prior conversation with Dr. Legg, who previously navigated Phase 2.

Topics we discuss:

1. Phase 2 introductions and timeline
2. Prior experience with Phase 2
3. What your mindset should be going into Phase 2
4. How you should approach Phase 2 differently than Phase 1

This episode's take-aways:

1. Phase 2 is a very condensed version of Phase 1 (occurs over the period of ~3 weeks). As such, most interviews will be conducted virtually or over the phone.
2. Get applications in ASAP during Phase 2. The earlier the better.
3. Keep a positive mindset throughout. Check out our episodes of what to do if you don't match in Phase 1 and what to do if you don't match in Phase 2.
4. Hear the approach from Dr. Rachel Legg from a prior conversation we had.
5. Consider expanding your geographical limitations and carefully consider the competition of the programs you are applying to
6. Have backup plans during Phase 2
7. If you plan to pursue Phase 2, early and often communication with your mentor or faculty member, as well as reference is critical to your success as you navigate Phase  

Check out our website and sign-up to join the SASO (separate and stand out) squad. Check out our blog. If you like the show, support us by telling your friends or colleagues about it. You can also support us by clicking the coffee button on the website and buying us a cup of coffee or getting yourself some of our premium merch.

Follow us on twitter @PGPharmacist or on Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn @ThePostGraduatePharmacist. What questions did we not answer? What did you think of the show?

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This episode is all about Phase 1 of the Match and how to navigate it.

Topics we discuss:

1. Phase 1 introductions, timeline, statistics
2. Strategies for ranking programs for Phase 1
3. Red flags you should be looking for during your interview during Phase 1 that you should consider during ranking
4. How many programs you should rank
5. What you should do while awaiting Phase 1 match results

This episode's take-aways:

1. Phase 1 of the Match may include virtual interviews, on-site interviews, open houses, showcases, or both. It lasts over the course of months.
2. Deadlines are typically early March for Phase I rank lists being due for applicants and programs. Mid-March is when Match Day results are available and when Phase 2 applications begin. See more information here.
3. The Match algorithm is set up in your favor so rank programs by which ones you like the most (not by how you think they may have viewed you), but don't rank programs you don't see yourself going to. Rank as many programs as you could see yourself going to.
4. Find out more about it in Episode 3 or watch this video on how The Match works.
5. The Match statistics from this past year indicate a trend that favors candidates, but it is still competitive. See more information here.
6. Keep yourself busy after submitting Phase 1 rank lists and talk to your preceptor about potentially being off that day and working out a mutual agreement for make-up work. Be prepared and know if you would want to pursue Phase 2 if you don't match. 

Check out our website and sign-up to join the SASO (separate and stand out) squad. Check out our blog. If you like the show, support us by telling your friends or colleagues about it. You can also support us by clicking the coffee button on the website and buying us a cup of coffee or getting yourself some of our premium merch.

Follow us on twitter @PGPharmacist or on Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn @ThePostGraduatePharmacist. What questions did we not answer? What did you think of the show?

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This episode is all about Interview Science. Joining us is Our guest today has experience in all aspects of hiring as a Talent Leader and award winning principal recruiter.  He has experience as a Job interview coach, Howleader developer and advisor, executive interviewer and he developed the REAP RICH interview science, which I’m excited to know more about.  He has a national presence in media and speaking events, he’s been featured on places like CBS broadcasting and Harvard.  He’s the author of multiple books including The Interview Science and Cracking the Code To A Successful Interview: 15 insider secretes from a top-level recruiter.

Check out Evan's Howleader website

Check out Evans book Cracking he Code To A Successful Interview here

We only discuss one major question:

1. What is the REAP RICH acronym stand for and how is it used in interview science?

With this question we explore the following:

1. What is unique about health care professionals interview prep?
2. What are the "questions behind the questions"?
3. What are ways to turn around an interview?
4. How personal is too personal?
5. What questions can you ask during an interview?

We also discuss a lot about closing the interview which is not as important for those going through the Match, but can be very important for those looking for positions outside the match.

This episode's take-aways:

1. Remember the REAP RICH acronym which stands for Results, Energy, Attitude, Process, Relationships, Interview the Interviewer, Close the Interviewer, and Humanity.
2. Results: 6-10 results delivered very quickly
3. Energy: Say it with enthusiasm and blow people away, "polished passion"
4. Attitude: Don't be negative or say negative things that the interviewer can latch onto
5. Processes: describe how you were able to achieve the accomplishments
6. Relationships: Show that you make connections and you are someone they will want to work with as a colleague
7. Interview the interviewer: Ask great questions
8. Close the interview: See where you stand, address any concerns
9. Humanity: Build rapport

Check out our other episodes on Interviewing:

https://www.postgraduatepharmacist.com/interview-preparation-part-1-perspectives-of-past-residents/

https://www.postgraduatepharmacist.com/interview-preparation-part-2-perspectives-of-a-residency-program-director/#show-notes

https://www.postgraduatepharmacist.com/how-to-handle-clinical-assessments-during-interviews/

https://www.postgraduatepharmacist.com/what-should-you-do-if-programs-offer/

https://www.postgraduatepharmacist.com/what-questions-you-should-and/

https://www.postgraduatepharmacist.com/situational-interview-questions-and-the/

https://www.postgraduatepharmacist.com/virtual-interviews/

Check out our website and sign-up to join the SASO (separate and stand out) squad. Check out our blog. If you like the show, support us by telling your friends or colleagues about it. You can also support us by clicking the coffee button on the website and buying us a cup of coffee or getting yourself some of our premium merch.

Follow us on twitter @PGPharmacist or on Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn @ThePostGraduatePharmacist. What questions did we not answer? What did you think of the show?

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This episode is all about letters of intent and how to develop one that will standout.

Questions we discuss:

1. What is a letter of intent? How is it different from a cover letter or personal statement?
2. What content should be included in a letter of intent?
3. How can you be specific and avoid being generic in a letter of intent?
4. What is "fluff" and how to avoid it?
5. What other things should I consider for my letter of intent?

This episode's take-aways:

1. LOI is a short document that allows you to voice your career goals, experience and leadership that make you a fit for a residency program and also how the program can benefit you
2. Content of LOI should be specific and should include: what interests you in the program, how the program can benefit you, how you can benefit the program
3. LOI should be specific to each individual program
4. Fluff = generic traits a lot of applicants have (hard worker, manage time) - skills you think a resident should have that you just compile a list
5. To avoid "fluff" - provide specific examples as follow-ups when describing your attributes, skills or experience
6. Make sure you LOI showcases that you have done a great deal of self-reflection (about your experiences and skills and capabilities you gained from them) - this is important during residency training
7. Read other examples and use your resources (mentors, preceptors, professional organizations [ACCP, ASHP], books, etc.)
8. Make sure your LOI aligns with your CV and other pieces of your application
9. Develop a checklist of things you want to clearly articulate
10. Don't write it in one sitting
11. Have others read and double check your LOI
12. Address it to the correct program/program director
13. Be yourself!

Check out our website and sign-up to join the SASO (separate and stand out) squad. Check out our blog. If you like the show, support us by telling your friends or colleagues about it. You can also support us by clicking the coffee button on the website and buying us a cup of coffee or getting yourself some of our premium merch.

Follow us on twitter @PGPharmacist or on Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn @ThePostGraduatePharmacist. What questions did we not answer? What did you think of the show?

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In this episode we bring in the experts Brad Pierson, senior director at CareerPharm, and Jessie Hipple Rosario, student forum director at ASHP to talk about Personnel Placement Service (PPS) that occurs annually at the ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting. PPS is essentially a massive job fair in which you can schedule one on one interviews with employers, except only those who sign up for PPS can get access. PPS is very popular with PGY1 residents seeking PGY2's or career positions, but it can also be beneficial for student pharmacists wanting select experiences.

Questions we discuss on this episode:

1. What is PPS?
2. What can you expect at PPS?
3. What are the benefits of PPS for a student pharmacist?
4. What are the benefits of PPS for residents and graduates?
5. How do you sign up for PPS and what can you expect?
6. Who should sign-up for PPS?
7. When can you sign-up?
8. How does the PPS interface work and who can reach out to who about interviews?
9. How should a candidate best prepare for PPS?
10. Where can you find more information about PPS?

This episode's take-aways:

1. PPS condenses the travel and time it takes to interview at multiple places into one convenient location.
2. The earlier you sign-up the more time you will have to prepare your materials that employers will see
3. Students wanting a general PGY1 residency may not get much benefit out of PPS; however, it may be beneficial to residents wanting combined PGY1 & PGY2 programs, administrative programs, or industry fellowships to name a few.
4. When scheduling interviews, give yourself at least 30 minutes between interviews to travel and prepare for the next interview.
5. Do your research and prepare questions to ask the program you are interviewing at.

What should you do now?

1. Check out the PPS website
2. Check out the PPS Tips and Tricks
3. Consider signing up for PPS and start doing your research.

Check out our website and sign-up to join the SASO (separate and stand out) squad. Check out our blog. If you like the show, support us by telling your friends or colleagues about it. You can also support us by clicking the coffee button on the website and buying us a cup of coffee or getting yourself some of our premium merch.

Follow us on twitter @PGPharmacist or on Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn @ThePostGraduatePharmacist. What questions did we not answer? What did you think of the show?

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This episode is all about curriculum vitaes and what things you should do to polish yours.

Questions we discuss:

1. What is a CV vs a resume?
2. What goes into your CV?
3. What are some ways to make your CV pop or give it some CV flare?
4. What should the substance and focus of the CV be?

This episode's take-aways:

1. CV is much more than a resume. There is no page limit, and it's going to highlight your entire career when it comes to a certain profession.
2. Your CV may only be 1 to 2 pages starting off, but it will expand.
3. Your CV should be organized with clear transitions from one section to another. Section headers that stand out (bold, underlined) help people navigate your CV easily.
4. Have your CV tell your story about your experience and education.
5. Put things in reverse chronological order and label things, specifically dates, similarly throughout
6. NO COMPLETE SENTENCES! Avoid walls of text, you want this to be easily scanned and overall summarized.
7. Don't go overboard with flare, but it is ok to add some color to make it stand out more.
8. Consider having an online CV or online portfolio where you can show pictures or expand on elements in the CV. You can link the hard copy of the CV to the website with a QR code using a free QR code creator
9. Check out some CV prep tips from ACCP and ASHP
10. Check out Episode 14, "Items to include on your CV" for more details on what to include and remove from the sections of your CV.

What should you do now?

• Pull out your CV or resume and make the skeleton with the area's we talked about in the episode
• Schedule some time every 3 months to update the CV
• Create a to-do list of things to add to your CV and keep it

What should you do later?

• Get others to review your CV, mentors, peers (peers you trust!)
• Continue to update
• Create plans for filling in gap areas

Check out our website and sign-up to join the SASO (separate and stand out) squad. Check out our blog. If you like the show, support us by telling your friends or colleagues about it. You can also support us by clicking the coffee button on the website and buying us a cup of coffee or getting yourself some of our premium merch.

Follow us on twitter @PGPharmacist or on Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn @ThePostGraduatePharmacist. What questions did we not answer? What did you think of the show?

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Dr. Steuber and Dr. Smithgall talk about creating a time-line for post-graduate application.

It’s time to create your personalized time-line in this episode of our PGP Fundamentals Series. 

In this episode we will review what to do leading up to your APPEs followed by what to do During APPEs. 

Key take-aways about time-lines:

• It's never too early to start the application process
• The Fall is not too late to decide you want to do residency
• The earlier you start preparing, the less anxious you will be and the more prepared you will feel.

Breaking it down into two separate segments:

1. Prior to your APPE year

2. During your APPE year

Prior to your APPE year:

This is when you should really be thinking about how to be a standout candidate and your short and long-term career goals and how you will achieve those.

Think about post-graduate training as an option.  You don’t have to settle on it now, just whether or not it’s worth looking into.  If the answer is yes, then start going through the steps as if you were applying.  Most of the steps will benefit you in pursuing ANY career in pharmacy, so it’s definitely not a waste of time.

Let’s break it down by year assuming you are in a 4 year program with year 1, 2, & 3, being the classroom experience and the forth year being APPE’s. 

Year 1:  First, take a moment and give yourself some credit for starting so early, and then take a deep breath, because there is absolutely nothing to stress about at this stage in your education.  This also goes for those who didn’t even fathom Post-grad training at this stage.  This is your year to get involved in organizations and really focus on setting a foundation for your academics. Don’t get overwhelmed with organizational involvement, pick 2-3 organizations to join, and try to get involved in at least 1 by helping plan an event, or applying for a low level leadership position.  Start trying to form relationships with your mentors, these can be assigned or unassigned.  Just take some time to talk to them, let them know how you are doing. 

Year 2: If you’re in more than 2 organizations, feel free to let one go so you can focus more in your top 2.  Try to get more involved, planning one or more events and applying for a leadership position.  Start making a plan with your mentors to get scholarship or research, ask them what they are working on and if you can help.  Don’t let academics plummet, but at the same time the second year can sometimes be more difficult and it’s ok to not perform as well as your first year.  Think about applying for a summer internship or working 1-2 weekends a month if your academics can handle it. Work experience is wonderful to have. 

Year 3:  This is your last chance to really focus on leadership and service to an organization. If you don’t have a research or scholarly project, try to establish one here.  You’ll want to present a poster or or have something of substance from your work by this year or by Fall of your APPEs, 4th year.  Try to get a mock interview done with either career services or with one of your faculty.  It’s been a long time since then. 

Check out Episode 8 about completing Research as part of your post-graduate training pursuits.

During your APPE year:

SUMMER:

• Keep track of significant moments and jot them down to use later when thinking of answers to situational questions. Here's a source of some of the questions you may get on residency interviews.
• Start securing reference writers by asking "will you be willing to write me a positive letter of reference" during your end evaluation or sometime towards the end of the rotation. Don't be shy, ask them all, they should hopefully be honest and tell you if they would write you one.
• Evaluate programs: We recommend scheduling a re-occurring time, 1-2 hours a week and putting it on your calendar where you can work on application materials and review potential programs
• Update your CV
• Review your draft LOI and update it with general verbiage

FALL:

• Continue to track significant moments and secure reference writers
• Register for showcases (see our episode on showcases)
• Continue evaluating programs
• Have someone review your CV and LOI
• Determine your financial capabilities going into application season
• Create a PhORCAS account
• Start building your PhORCAS profile. YES you need to copy everything from your CV into the fields on PhORCAS
• Consider Mock interview prep

December:

• Think about attending ASHP Midyear. 
• Requests Transcripts
• Send reference writers PhORCAS applications and communicate your plans to them
• DON"T MISS DEADLINES FOR APPLICATIONS

January- February: This is general interview season

• Continue to practice interview skills
• Discuss your plans with preceptors, keep good communication with them

Follow the schedule posted on the Match site for deadlines pertaining to the Match.

Check out our website and sign-up to join the SASO (separate and stand out) squad. Check out our blog. If you like the show, support us by telling your friends or colleagues about it. You can also support us by clicking the coffee button on the website and buying us a cup of coffee or getting yourself some of our premium merch.

Follow us on twitter @PGPharmacist or on Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn @ThePostGraduatePharmacist. What questions did we not answer? What did you think of the show?

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Check out our website and sign-up to join the SASO (separate and stand out) squad. Check out our blog. If you like the show, support us by telling your friends or colleagues about it. You can also support us by clicking the coffee button on the website and buying us a cup of coffee or getting yourself some of our premium merch.

Follow us on twitter @PGPharmacist or on Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn @ThePostGraduatePharmacist. What questions did we not answer? What did you think of the show?

Music | "Sweet" by LiQWYD

Watch: https://youtu.be/eIYlaVPdNYM

License: https://www.liqwydmusic.com/how-to-use

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This episode is all about imposter syndrome and professional identity formation and how they can impact your pursuit of post-graduate training opportunities.

Questions we discuss:

1. What is imposter syndrome? Is it restricted to just student pharmacists
2. What is professional identity, how does it relate to imposter syndrome?
3. How can you identify if your imposter syndrome fears aren’t actually true things?
4. What are some strategies to build confidence and limit imposter syndrome?
5. How can you develop and market your professional identity into your self-branding?
6. What advice would you give pharmacy educators to support professional identity formation and curb or limit imposter syndrome?

This episode's take-aways:

1. Imposter syndrome: feeling of inadequacy or doubting your capabilities. This feeling is not restricted to just students or residents. In fact, it is commonly felt by everyone, even those who are seasoned in their careers, especially when they have new experiences. This is an ongoing phenomenon you will encounter throughout your career.

2. Professional identity: thinking, feeling, and acting like a given profession (i.e. pharmacist). The “feeling” component of this can be difficult and can take a long time to develop the core values and behaviors of the profession. It takes a lot of time and experience to “feel” like a pharmacist.

3. Relationship between imposter syndrome and professional identity: not having fully developed a professional identity can lead to feelings of inadequacy (i.e. imposter syndrome). Professional identity formation goes through periods of growth, expansion, and reconstruction over the course of one’s career which can lead to feelings of imposter syndrome during those changes. Normalizing these feelings and embracing these new, but sometimes uncomfortable, experiences is fundamental to overcoming them.

4. Strategies to overcome feelings of imposter syndrome:

1. Normalize the feeling
2. Be transparent and discuss it with mentors
3. Share experiences with one another
4. Reflect on experiences and think about what they mean to you in your career journey
5. Lead with who you are,ow n it, and be unapologetic about it
6. Recognize all the hard work and accomplishments you’ve had to get to where you currently are and be proud of it

5. Marketing your professional identity: think about your personal identity and how it makes you unique (your personal beliefs and values and why those are your beliefs and values) and how they overlap with your professional identity. These make you unique and can help you brand yourself. Consider communicating those with your potential employers either in your interview, through your letter of intent, etc.

6. Pharmacy educators’ role in professional identity formation and curbing imposter syndrome:

1. Recognize importance of relationships and mentorship – take the steps to initiate those relationships and build trust
2. When providing feedback, frame it in a way that is not demeaning but meant to help them develop. Incorporate positive affirmations.
3. Encourage students and learners to seek feedback and mentorship from multiple people to get unique perspectives
4. Model the process of not knowing something, help them see you’re still learning and growing in your own journey of professional identity formation and imposter syndrome.
5. Consider new ways of sharing your story and your journey with learners

Professional Identity paper discussed in today’s episode:  

• Johnson JL, Arif S, Bloom TJ, Isaacs AN, Moseley LE, Janke KK. Preparing pharmacy educators as expedition guides to support professional identity formation in pharmacy education. Am J Pharm Educ. 2022 Feb 4; Article 8944. [online ahead of print] Available at: https://www.ajpe.org/content/early/2022/02/03/ajpe8944

Check out our website and sign-up to join the SASO (separate and stand out) squad. Check out our blog. If you like the show, support us by telling your friends or colleagues about it. You can also support us by clicking the coffee button on the website and buying us a cup of coffee or getting yourself some of our premium merch.

Follow us on twitter @PGPharmacist or on Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn @ThePostGraduatePharmacist. What questions did we not answer? What did you think of the show?

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