Pharmacy Residency Timeline | Career Development Center

Summer

The Career Development Center can assist you with revising and editing your CV/resume.
Have someone proofread your CV/resume.
Your CV/resume should be printed on professional resume paper, which can be purchased at office supply stores.
Bring at least 50 copies to midyear.

Create or update your LinkedIn account.
Practice writing letters of intent/cover letters.
Begin to identify personal and professional references to use for your application.
Create business cards.
Take advantage of the networking opportunities as you complete industry rotations. This is a great time to conduct research and learn about the various departments and positions within the industry.

Prepare questions and ask for tips and advice.
Set up one-on-one meetings with supervisors and request referrals to other people.

September-October

Research residency programs on ASHP directory.
Review online information about the Match.
The ASHP Resident Matching Program (the “Match”) places applicants into pharmacy residency training positions in the United States. The Match includes both postgraduate year one (PGY1) and postgraduate year two (PGY2) pharmacy residencies.
Register for PhORCAS and Match when available.
Prepare your references.
Ask three individuals who know you academically or professionally (preceptors, managers, and/or professors) to write your letters of recommendation.
Give them a copy of your CV/resume to refer to.
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/resume) and the name, title, company, email address, and phone number of each reference.

November

Make hotel and flight reservations.
Consider arriving on Friday so you are at the conference when it begins on Saturday.

Ensure you have the proper professional attire for the meeting—suit, clean shoes, and portfolio.
Research and identify which programs you want to talk with at the Residency Showcase—write down booth locations and times.
Develop questions for each residency program. Include questions for residents and questions for the program director/representative.
Order transcripts for PhORCAS from all schools you have attended.

At Midyear

Bring snacks and water. You may have few opportunities to eat between information sessions; having snacks and water will help you make it through the day. Food is available for sale, but the lines can be long.
Write thank you letters/cards to the people you spoke with at the Residency Showcase.

Plan to send this correspondence within 48 hours of the showcase closing.
Taking brief notes after each conversation will help you to write these letters.

After Midyear/December-January

Finalize your online applications and ensure that all required materials are submitted before the deadline, including references and transcripts.
Review all application materials and deadlines for programs to which you are applying and upload the documents to PhORACAS.
Provide information to people writing your letters of recommendation. CV/resume, program application deadlines, statements describing why you are interested in the program, any special application requirements you wish them to focus on in the letter, etc.

January-February

Practice interview question responses—take advantage of the Career Development Center’s Big Interview resource.
Ask other people to interview you for practice.
Research what you like about the program and plan questions you have about the program ahead of time.
The more you practice interviewing, the more prepared you will be for the interview.
Know your CV/resume inside out, because anything on this document is fair game for interviewers to ask about.

Pharmacy Residency Application Timeline