Pharmacy Fellowship Application Timeline

Summer

• Update or write your CV/resume. The Career Development Center can assist you with revising and editing your CV/ resume. It is highly recommended to have your CV/ resume proofread. Bring at least 50 copies to Midyear. CV/resume should be printed on professional resume paper which can be purchased at office supply stores.
• Create or update your LinkedIn account.
• Practice writing letters of intent/cover letters.
• Prepare your references.
• Ask three (3) individuals who know you academically or professionally (preceptors, managers, and/or professors) to write your letters of recommendation. You should give them a copy of your CV/resume. Although letters of recommendation are not usually needed at Midyear, have a typed list of references available. This list should include your contact information at the top (formatted the same as your CV/résumé) and the name, title, company, email address, and phone number of the references.
• Bring business cards. See Student Business Card handout.
• Take advantage of the networking opportunity when completing industry rotations. Prepare questions and ask for tips and advice, set up one-on-one meetings with supervisors, and request referrals to other people. This is a great time to conduct research and learn about the various departments and positions within the industry.

September

• Update or write CV/resume and have it reviewed by a Career Development Center staff member and assigned mentor.
• Continue to identify faculty and preceptors for professional references.
• Utilize campus IPhO (Industry Pharmacy Organization) for more guidance. Attend events held.

October

• Sign up to participate in ASHP Midyear Clinical Meetings and Personal Placement Services (PPS) – see above.
• Update PPS profile and start distributing your CV/resume through ASHP PPS portal
• Think about areas you would be interested in pursuing (Regulatory Affairs, Medical Affairs, Clinical Development, Health Economic Outcomes Research, Pharmacovigilance)
• Start scheduling interviews as soon as it is possible via PPS (these may be available as early as late October)
• Draft letter of intent/cover letters for each program for which you are applying.
• Order transcript from the Registrar’s Office. Not all positions require submission of an official university transcript; however, it is helpful to have should it be requested.
• Make hotel and flight reservations. You may want to consider arriving on Friday as some interviews begin on Saturday. Allow for ample travel time; build in time for delays.

November

• Give information to people writing letters of recommendation: CV/resume, program application deadlines, why interested in the program, any special application requirements to focus on in letter, etc. Let them know the recommendation letters are typically due the 2^nd week of December.
• Prepare professional attire for your interviews and make sure you have enough outfits to wear during the conference. You may be attending interviews as well as company receptions.
• Practice interviewing (take advantage of Big Interview through the Career Development Center). Ask other people to interview you. The more you practice interviewing, the more prepared you will be during the interview. Know your CV/resume inside out, as anything on this document is fair game for interviewer to ask.
• Research companies and positions prior to the interviews. Make sure to focus on company/ program mission statement, current drug products, and what is in their pipeline. This is the time that many companies provide updated brochures and listings of the positions for which the companies will be recruiting.
• Prepare questions to ask during interviews.
• If possible, schedule interviews prior to Midyear. Some programs will schedule interviews in advance of Midyear. By October, PPS should have the list of available positions. Once this list is available, contact the companies directly through the PPS portal and schedule an interview. It is important to constantly check the PPS portal as interview slots can fill up quickly. Some fellowship programs require candidates to schedule interviews at Midyear, which is another reason to arrive at the conference early.

At Midyear

• Bring snacks and water. There may be very little time to eat between information sessions and having snacks and water can help you make it through the day. There is food for sale but the lines can be long.
• Depending on the company, there may be multiple rounds of interviews and you may be asked to return in a short amount of time. Be prepared to spend the entire day at the conference hall as programs can invite you back for follow-up interviews. Additionally, wear comfortable shoes as you will be on your feet much of the day.
• Company receptions are part of the interview process. Although this phase of the interview takes place in a more social setting, candidates are still interviewing for the position. Make sure to keep your name tag visible, shake hands, and exchange business cards. As with the interviews, dress appropriately in business attire.

After Midyear

• Write thank you letters/cards to everyone with whom you interviewed, including current fellows. Writing thank you letters/cards can be done at the Midyear conference as many of the companies have mail bins. It can also be helpful to write the thank you note immediately after the interview while it is still fresh in your mind.
• Finalize your online applications and make sure all required materials are submitted before the deadline date including reference and transcripts. For many companies, it is recommended that online applications are submitted as soon as the interview is complete so the next steps in the interview process can take place. It is appropriate to ask about the application process and the timeline for submitting materials.
• Onsite interviews can begin as early as the week following Midyear.
• Send thank you letters following your on-site interviews.