A pharmacy-related job interview can be a stressful and dreading experience. It doesn’t matter if you’re applying for a job at a retail store, a hospital, residencies, or fellowships, the truth is that you’ll always feel the pressure of being scrutinized.
Moreover, for people like me who come from a different cultural background, it can be even more nerve-wracking. I remember prepping for all of my interviews being afraid of not knowing how to answer most of the questions that would be asked to me.
I also used to wonder if my interviewers would feel a social barrier between them and me. However, I learned quickly that differences are what make people special. In this article, I share a few tips to help you use your differences to shine during your interviews!
1) Do your research and stay calm
Before showing up for an interview, you should know at least 5 main points about the company and position you are applying for. If you know the person you will be interviewing with.
It is also a plus to look through their CV (or background) if you have access to it, or you can always Google them to find something that may help you know them better.
2) Bear in mind your body language and gestures
Be familiar with the differences in non-verbal language between your culture and the American’s. Keep your hands on the desk.
Maintain eye contact, and minimize all ticks and knocks that can be too distracting.
For instance, in my culture, it can be seen as disrespectful to look people in their eyes while in the USA it is quite the opposite. One of my preceptors during my P2 year kindly mentioned to me that I was consistently looking away (which I did not realize) and that it could be perceived as disrespectful.
He figured out that it was not part of my culture and encouraged me to try to maintain eye contact as much as I could. Let’s say it was an EYE opening finding! (See what I did there?)
3) Embrace your different cultural background
During my pharmacy residency and job interviews, I always made sure to mention where I come from. Not only because I was proud but also because it can also spice up an interview. I talked about the differences in healthcare systems between my country and the United States.
I explained how my experience with different healthcare systems could be an advantage to me. This topic always brought more interesting questions that made me feel more comfortable during the interviews.
4) Find what makes you special
If you were called for an interview, it means that your CV or resume was most likely convincing. How about your personality and background?
Do you speak a different language? Have you worked in a different country before? Do you know people working for the same position you’re applying for but in a different country? My first language is French and my father is a pharmacist as well. I had the opportunity to spend a lot of time in his pharmacy back home, which provided me some experiences and stories to share.
If possible, discuss your experiences with people of different cultures.
Those aspects can help you shine during your interview and mark the differences between you and other candidates.
5) Respect other cultural differences
Do not forget to make your origin an asset. However, make sure to embrace your differences while respecting others. Remember that you are applying for a job in the USA therefore you must be familiar with your host country and respectful of its culture.
Do not forget about the differences in non-verbal language between your culture and the American culture mentioned above.
You don’t want to embarrass yourself or others in public by making an inappropriate gesture, that’s suitable in your home country.
6) Always look on the bright side
Remember that you have nothing to lose but everything to gain. Make sure to leave with a positive touch. The goal is to connect your diversity and differences to the job position. You can explain (if you have the opportunity) how your differences will help you succeed in the position you are applying for.
Learn from the interviewer and also the whole interview experience.
A company that recruits somebody from a different culture can appreciate your differences. If you liked this article, you’ll be interested in my upcoming articles about how to prepare for pharmacy job interviews and pharmacy residencies or fellowships interviews.
As always, you’re invited to share your thoughts and comments about this article. If you have any tips or useful advice, please share them! All personal experiences are valuable and leave us something to learn or think about.
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