Implementation of an interviewing skills workshop for pharmacy students

To describe the implementation and effect of an interviewing skills workshop (ISW) on student confidence on various interviewing techniques.

A student directed ISW was offered to student pharmacists of all years within the doctor of pharmacy curriculum. There were five stations that student pharmacists rotated through every 12 min: a panel interview, group interview, teleconference interview, video conference interview, and a case station where student pharmacists were given a clinical or ethical case. Stations were staffed by faculty, alumni, and pharmacy residents. Student pharmacists completed a survey directly following the workshop to rate their confidence with the stations prior to and after the activity. Feedback on the activity was solicited from the student pharmacists and those who participated as interviewers.

Twenty-eight student pharmacists participated in the ISW with an 85.7% response rate to the survey (n = 24). All students reported wanting to pursue a career requiring a residency and found the ISW to be beneficial. Average student confidence improved significantly from neutral to confident. Students reported positive themes of feedback and practice while requesting more time for each session and practice with group interviews and ethical situations. Interviewers noted building positive relationships with students and other faculty members. Opportunities for improvement included timing and providing more background information about the student pharmacists.

A student-led ISW was found to be beneficial in improving confidence in student pharmacists. Student pharmacists' confidence increased in all types of interviews and with the clinical case.