Strategies to ace
your interview
Lourdes M. Cuellar, M.S., RPh, FASHP
Director of Pharmacy and Patient Safety Officer
Memorial Hermann – TIRR
Houston, Texas
A Skilled Interviewer Will:
• Create an atmosphere that
makes candidates feel
comfortable and important.
• Ask open-ended questions
• Ask questions that focus on
behaviors
• Use a rating system – for
fairness (first candidates are
not forgotten)
• Listen well
A Skilled Interviewer Will:
• Conduct a fair assessment of
candidate’s skills, experience
and fit for the position
• Be open and honest- convey
the organization’s and
department’s goals, values,
mission, vision and culture.
• encourage the candidate to
ask questions
Skills to Master
•Communication
• Will be evaluated in your
resume and interview
–Concise writing
–Careful listening
–Effective speaking
•Professionalism demonstrates maturity, code
of conduct, responsibility,
fairness, integrity, etc.
Skills to Master
•Analytical – The Ability to
see the big picture, assess a
situation, gather information
and apply sound judgment
•Adaptability - Be able to
demonstrate willingness to
learn new skills and assume
additional responsibilities
Skills to Master
•Leadership – Willingness to
take the lead or solve a
problem will get you noticed
•Problem-solving Creativity is important at all
levels of the department;
document your best examples
for your interview
Winning Advice
• Research the organization in
advance of the interview
• Define your career goals – be
prepared to discuss your
strengths, weaknesses, skills
and abilities
• Be enthusiastic – listen well
and convey interest during
the interview. Be flexible. Do
not be late for interview
Winning Advice
• Integrity is a must – never lie
during an interview or on
your resume. Learn how to
deal with perceived
weaknesses before the
interview
• Evaluate – don’t accept a
position that is not the right
fit. The job should be a winwin for organization and for
you
General rules: interviewing
• Unless you are asked to provide
more details keep your answers
brief – 2-3 minutes per question
• Prepare at least two or more
stories that reflect your
strengths and skills
• Image is important – gestures,
physical appearance, and attire
• Ask questions - what you ask and
how you ask them can leave a
lasting impression.
General rules: interviewing
• Maintain a comfortable
conversation flow (use body
language and voice
intonation to create a
conversation)
• Repeat your strengths at
least three times –be
confident and explain how
your strengths will relate or
benefit the department.
Practice questions
Communication skills
–Tell me about a situation when
you said something that was
misunderstood. What did you do
to resolve the situation? What
was the end result?
Interpersonal skills
–Tell me about a time you helped
solve a problem within a group.
What precipitated the problem?
What action did you take? What
was the outcome?
Practice questions
Motivation
–Tell me about your job search
strategy. What actions have
you taken?
Initiative
–What was the most difficult
task/course you had to learn?
What did you do to learn?
–Tell me about a recent
responsibility you have taken
on? Why did you assume this
responsibility?
Practice questions
Stress
–What kind of pressure do you
feel at school or work?
–Give me an example where your
work was criticized. What was
wrong and how did you deal
with it?
Leadership
–What has been your most
difficult experience in giving
others direction? How did you
handle it? What was the
outcome?
Practice questions
Give me an example when you
set a goal and were able to
achieve it.
Can you describe a situation
when you had to conform to a
policy with which you did not
agree.
Tell me about a time when you
had too many things to do and
you were required to
prioritize your tasks
Practice questions
How do you deal with
conflict? Give me an example.
Why are you interested in
working for us?
Do your grades accurately
reflect your ability?
What job related skills have
you developed?
In which college activities did
you participate?
Your Turn
• Can you please describe the
duties of this job?
• What is the most difficult
part of this job?
• What skills are especially
important for someone in this
position?
• How do you feel about
creativity and individuality?
• Is this a new position or am I
replacing someone?
Your Turn
• What is the largest single
problem facing your staff
now?
• What makes a successful
candidate?
• Do you fill positions from
outside candidates or
promote from within first?
• What characteristics do
achievers within the
department seem to share?
Your Turn
• Will I be interviewing with
others within the
department?
• Will I have an opportunity to
do research or work on
special projects?
• What is the next course of
action? When should I expect
to hear from you or should I
contact you?
FINAL IMPRESSION