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Interview Process

  • Will you be conducting on-site interviews this year?
  • I won't be able to interview on the dates listed. Can I arrange an interview on another date?
  • What do you look for in a resident?
  • Who interviews the candidates? Do each of them get a vote including the Residents
  • When and how are the candidates notified if an interview is requested?
  • What is involved in the interview? Do I need to complete a presentation?
  • May I bring examples of projects and presentations I have completed to show during the interview?
  • How can I prepare for the interview?
  • How are Residents chosen?
  • How should I rank your institution?
  • Is it fair to let you know that I really would like to match with your Program? Will it increase my chances?
  • When will I find out if I have matched with your Program?

Will you be conducting on-site interviews this year?

We are currently planning to conduct in-person interviews. If needed, we will practice all safety protocols including wearing face masks and social distancing.

I won't be able to interview on the dates listed. Can I arrange an interview on another date?

Unfortunately, no. Members of our Resident Interview Committee are clinical pharmacists and managers that have been scheduled off service and/or clear their meeting schedules months in advance to interview candidates. We cannot make arrangements for different dates other than listed.

What do you look for in a resident?

Each year the needs of the Residency Program changes so we look for different qualities. But overall, we look for leadership experience, strong clinical skills, great communication/written skills, great time management skills, good presentation/teaching skills, and have some project experience. The candidate must also be independent, a self-starter, motivated, enthusiastic, and confident. We are especially interested in a candidate that is creative, innovative, and assertive in order to initiate or revise a service, policy or project. We expect our resident to make a contribution to our program, department, and institution. Every year we strive to find the “best fit” for our institution and Program.

Who interviews the candidates? Do each of them get a vote including the Residents?

The Resident Interview Committee consists of the Residency Program Director, Residency Program Coordinator, select preceptors and managers, and the current residents. Each member has equal voting power (please see Frequently Asked Questions: Application for information on Resident Selection Committee).

When and how are the candidates notified if an interview is requested?

We try to notify candidates if they have been selected for an interview by mid January. It is usually by email so please check your spam folder.

What is involved in the interview? Do I need to complete a presentation?

Our current in-person interview format will consist of six 45-minute interviews with a tour of our main campus, First Hill. There is no presentation required. We reserve the right to switch to virtual format. If interviews are switched to virtual, all interviews will be conducted through Microsoft Teams. Links for each interview will be provided to the candidate along with a video tour for viewing.

May I submit examples of projects and presentations I have completed?

Yes but it is not required. If at some point during the interview a question has been posed that can be answered with an example of your work, you may later submit it to the interview team.

How can I prepare for the interview?

Our interview process is utilized to get to know the candidate and see if we are a good match for them and if they would be a good match for our program. Candidates should be prepared to speak about their interests and goals and how Swedish can specifically meet them. Candidates should also speak about their strengths and weaknesses to work on during the residency year. Candidates must also be able to answer general clinical questions.

How are Residents chosen?

After all interviews are completed, the committee meets to discuss and rank the candidates in the ability to meet the institution’s and program’s needs, and the ability of the institution and program to meet the candidate’s needs. The list is then submitted to the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) Resident Matching Program by the March deadline. The ASHP Resident Matching Program web site can be found at National Matching Services Inc.

How should I rank your institution?

If you are very interested in becoming a resident at Swedish, then please let us know! It will greatly help us in our decision making process. We want a resident who wants to be in our program, not simply matched to our program!

When will I find out if I have matched with your program?

In March, the ASHP Resident Matching Program will report all matching results for both the candidate and Residency Program through email.