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I Guess That's Why They Call It The (Pre-registration) Blues
By Sadia Naeem
28 Sep 2011
What a whirlwind of a month! I started my fourth and final year of the MPharm, went berserk over pre-registration applications, got a new-old car (as it's new for me, but not so new in reality!), picked my final project choices and read three rather long novels in less than two weeks. After worrying that something was slightly wrong with me, I put my head down to concentrate on the four pre-reg interviews I had acquired (two community, two hospital). As some of you may know, hospital pharmacy is where I wish to work. However, as most of you also know, Manchester hospital pre-regs are notoriously difficult to obtain. 3 northwest schools of pharmacy + 1 big university city + relatively few positions (compared to the region's area) = BIG competition.
After the
elation of receiving a community pharmacy pre-reg offer, I was hit with the bombshell
that I was extremely close to but in the end failed to secure a hospital
placement in the first round. I've been told that there was nothing majorly
wrong in my answers to most of the interview questions and that I was just
unlucky. Now that I'm somewhat, but not completely, over this initial setback I
have decided to re-apply in the second round. Having had a flavour of the
interview process I am positive that I know of areas in which I can improve, which
can only mean I'll be better prepared next time. However, it doesn't make me feel any better when nearly everyone I know has theirs sorted.
I would advise those in future
to be flexible with location (goes without saying I guess!) and, as Ashwin said
in his blog, just be yourself..otherwise stress will ensue! Reading the PJ and
other sources for pharmacy-related news and views, as I had been doing
practically every day in the run up to my interviews, also helps a bundle.
To all those
reading this blog but in particular the third years who are going to begin
their pre-registration year in 2012, I would love to hear your opinions and
thoughts. I have had to decline my community offer as I'm set on re-applying in
the hospital second round, which opens in three weeks. Although the person who interviewed me for my community position didn't pressurise me to accept or decline by a certain date, countless people I know have been forced by multiples to accept or decline, which is preposterous in my opinion. What are your opinions on this? Have any of you also had pre-registration blues? Any advice on how to do better in hospital interviews? On a
lighter note, any secured offers?!
Reply
I think the whole process is unfair and needs to be regulated properly! We need a date that students have to accept offers by rather than being forced by other pharmacies.
Luckily I have managed to secure a place Barts and the London. I had 4 interviews and I made a ton of mistakes! I'm going to write a blog post soon about the mistakes that I made so others can benefit from it. The whole process is so stressful!
Hospital Pre-Reg
There was also a good article on the PJ. It was written by three hospital pre-reg tutors - Angela Burgin was one of them I think. I'll have to re-find it.
With regards to technique, I don't really know too much about it. I done more than adequate prep and then just went in as myself (probably not the smartest move). On reflection, I smiled a lot, made eye contact as much as possible, didn't take things too seriously only when discussing a serious topic, and tried to reflect my answers using specific situations I had been in e.g. what this meant to me as a person and how it fit in with the question being asked.
I also didn't shut up talking. That was nerves and anxiety but I was also aware of the risks and implications of the interview so in a way I had no choice but to blast them with everything. I was genuinely honest. If I wasn't sure of something, I asked them. I interrupted one of the interviewers at one point whilst they asked a question and immediately apologised and smiled.
So I don't really know...
Good luck with everything though.
Thanks
Rukeya and Brendan, thanks for your comments.
Rukeya, congratulations on your offer from Barts. Hard to get into those big London ones, even with the many places they offer.
Brendan, thanks for the advice, will definitely be taking it all on board in future! Have you got your pre-reg sorted now then? Hospital or community?
Pre-reg
Hey Sadia,
Yeah, I managed to obtain a hospital pre-reg. I'm thrilled to bits. However, I feel sorry for some students who didn't get what they wanted. It's harsh to say it but were all competing against each other aren't we?
I've been talking to a few students about it recently. The introduction of the new 5 year pharmacy course may change the way things are with the pre-reg competitively but it's not something i've looked into just yet.
Hope things go well for you.
Pre-reg interviews
Hello Sadia,
I'm really to sorry to hear about your hospital interview and good luck for the second round. It's a bit shocking to hear how competitive hospital (and community) pre-reg placements are. I know of a few in my year who have not secured any pre-reg placement.
When I was preparing for my hospital interviews I read countless articles on the PJ. However, I don't think that just memorising the PJ helps. In my interviews I was asked many situational and competancy questions. The kinds of questions where I had to remember when I did something that showed team work, professionalism etc.
Those questions are not easy to answer. So I reflected on my work experience and uni experience and identified some good examples where I showed these qualities. Having some prepared answers helped me!