This document provides common questions that may be asked during residency or job interviews in pharmacy. It separates the questions into different categories such as introductory questions about goals and interests, behavioral/situational questions about past experiences, common questions about strengths and weaknesses, and questions the applicant should ask the interviewer. The document is intended to help applicants prepare for a variety of questions they may face in an interview.

1. Common questions at residency/job interviews
1. Introductory Questions
a. What makes you a good candidate for a residency/this role?
b. Tell me about your short-term and long-term goals.
c. How did you find out about this residency/job?
d. Why are you interested in a residency?
e. Where do you expect to be after finishing this residency?
f. Where do you see yourself practicing in 5-10 years and how will this residency help to
get you there?
g. Are you interested in completing a PGY2/ fellowship?
h. What do you look for in a residency/career?
2. Behavioral (Situational) Interview Questions: Tell me about a time when you…
a. Made a mistake
i. Gave the wrong drug to patient (or drug to wrong patient)
b. Were given negative feedback/criticism for your work
c. Were involved in a conflict
i. With another healthcare provider
ii. With a coworker/peer
iii. With a difficult customer
d. Were involved in a miscommunication
e. Felt stressed
f. Provided leadership
i. For a new initiative
ii. On a team
iii. To complete a task
g. Worked in a team to accomplish a goal
h. Challenged a preceptor/boss
i. Received praise for something you did
j. Made a difficult/important decision
i. Made a quick or poor decision
k. Faced an unexpected circumstance
l. Made a positive change for a patient’s therapy/care
m. Had to work with someone who
i. Didn’t respect you
ii. You didn’t get along with
iii. Disagreed with you
iv. Irritated you
3. Common Questions:
a. What areas are you strong in and where are you looking for more experience in?
i. May be case questions related to these (residencies)
b. What is the best advice you got from a mentor/preceptor?
c. What would you like to change about yourself? (weaknesses)

2. d. What are your expectations for day-to-day schedule for this job/residency?
i. What do you think you will do one a given day here?
e. How does this job/residency compare to the other jobs/residencies you have looked at
or applied to?
f. What do you want your colleagues to miss about you when you retire?
i. What will people remember you by at a retirement party?
ii. Who would you like to attend your retirement party?
g. What background do you have in
i. Teaching?
ii. Research?
iii. Community pharmacy?
iv. Inpatient pharmacy?
h. What is one area/project you would like to work on to improve this organization?
i. What decisions do you find easy/difficult to make?
j. What was the most valuable experience you had in pharmacy school?
k. What advice would you give to a student who is just starting pharmacy school?
l. Describe your ideal boss/preceptor. (This question tests your personality. People
typically want to work with people that are more similar to them)
i. Tell me about a mentor or other person you look up to.
m. What was your favorite rotation and why?
i. Least favorite?
n. What other places are you interviewing at?
o. What do you think is the biggest challenge facing pharmacy/pharmacy practice today?
i. What can you do to help resolve it?
p. How do you think the Affordable Care Act/Healthcare Reform will have is biggest effect
on pharmacy practice?
i. In a negative way
ii. In a positive way
q. How do you handle stress?
r. Why are critical thinking skills important for clinicians?
s. How would you define pharmaceutical care?
t. How would you define a clinical pharmacist?
u. What process do you use when making decisions? (ie Are you comfortable making
decisions?)
v. Describe your experience in pharmacy professional organizations.
i. What role do professional organizations play in pharmacy practice?
ii. What pharmacy organizations are you involved in?
w. If you weren’t a pharmacist, what profession would you be in and why?
x. Why should we hire you over the other candidates?
y. Tell me about your leadership/teamwork skills
i. Do you prefer working alone or in a team?
ii. Do you prefer giving directions or following a set of instructions?

3. z. What is the most recent article you read that relates to pharmacy?
i. Or journal club
aa. What are you like outside of academic/clinical settings?
i. What is the most recent non-academic book you read?
ii. What do you like to do in your free time?
bb. Describe your ___ skills. (Time-management, organization, communication)
cc. How would others describe you?
i. In 1-2 words
ii. How would a friend describe you?
iii. How would a preceptor describe you?
dd. If you were a ___ what would you be and why?
ee. Why should we hire a University of Minnesota graduate?
4. Questions to Ask (jobs OR residencies):
a. I know why I’m interested in working here. Tell me why you work for this company? (If
this catches them off guard, it could be a bad sign. Alternatively, it gives you insight to
the culture of the company/site).
b. What is the company culture like (to determine fit)
c. What successes have your top talent brought to this company/health system?
d. What does success look like in the first 2 months? (to see if expectations are high and
realistic)
e. What challenges is the company/health system facing?
2. Questions to Ask (Residencies):
a. What positions have your current or former residents have taken (or sought) after the
residency?
b. What elective choices are available for the residency rotations?
c. In your view, what are the greatest strengths of the residency program?
d. Do you anticipate any significant changes to the residency this coming year?
e. Tell me about your [the preceptor’s] teaching philosophy.
3. Questions to Ask (Jobs):
a. What is the typical turnover rate for your employees? (Or, why is this position
open/how do you retain your top employees?)
b. Look at current news for the company (negative or positive), and ask how the company
is managing the change or problem.
Compiled by Rachel Gahn
Adapted from:
• Course material (Pharm Care Skills, John Grygelko)
• “Seven Essential Questions to Ask in an Interview”, Michael Kingston
• Sorensen T, Philbrick A. Roadmap to Post-Graduate Training in Pharmacy . Ch 10 “Interview Process”
• Michigan Pharmacists Association: Preparing for and Mastering a Pharmacy Interview
• UCSF Office of Career and Professional Development
(http://career.ucsf.edu/sites/career.ucsf.edu/files/PDF/Pharmacyresidencyinterviewquestions.pdf)
• (http://www.ashp.org/DocLibrary/MemberCenter/StudentForum/Interview-Preparation-handout-2010-09-15.aspx)