As the fellowship application process is moving forward beyond initial interview screens, one of the critical steps during your interviews can frequently be overlooked. You’ve researched the company, polished your elevator pitch, and nailed the behavioral questions. You’ve demonstrated your skills and proven your fit. But as the interview winds down and the interviewer asks, “Do you have any final questions for me?” a crucial opportunity arises—one that many candidates miss. This is the moment to transition from being a qualified applicant to demonstrating your desire to join their team!
It’s time to ask for the position.
Many candidates hesitate, fearing it sounds too aggressive or presumptuous. The reality is, a confident and comfortable well-phrased “ask” demonstrates genuine enthusiasm, strong initiative, and the self-awareness to know you have earned the right by responding credibly to the interviewer’s questions. The interviewing technique of “asking for the business” (AFTB) with a professional close distinguishes you as a top-tier candidate.
Here are three practical, powerful tips to make “The Final Ask” effectively:
Rene Rabaza, PharmD AbbVie, Inc. Associate Director, US Regulatory Affairs Advertising and Promotion
What was your motivation to pursue the pharmaceutical industry as a career path?
During my fourth year of pharmacy school, I completed a rotation at a pharmaceutical company, which became a pivotal moment in my career. I was fascinated by the vast opportunities available to pharmacists within the industry and the variety of roles where we can apply our skills and training. During this rotation, I had the chance to shadow someone in Regulatory Affairs Advertising and Promotion (Ad Promo) at a meeting commonly referred to as collab, promotional review committee (PRC), or Medical Regulatory and Promotional review (MRP)—where representatives from Marketing, Medical, Regulatory, and sometimes Legal and Compliance gather to discuss promotional materials. With my background in both dance and pharmacy, I was instantly drawn to these discussions because they struck the perfect balance between science and creativity. After attending just one meeting, I knew Ad Promo was the area I wanted to pursue—and the rest is history.
Talk about diversity, equity, and inclusion in the pharmaceutical industry; what should companies be doing to continue making progress?
The pharmaceutical industry should continue to cultivate safe and inclusive environments where all employees can thrive. I believe that it is essential to celebrate and support employee resource groups, as they often provide a sense of community in the workplace. Fostering an environment that encourages open exchange of ideas enables employees to learn more about one another and appreciate different cultures. Listening with the intent to understand, rather than simply to respond, further strengthens these connections. Embracing diversity of both people and perspectives sparks new ideas and drives innovation, laying the foundation for effective collaboration. When a company can prioritize diversity through its culture with diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, it can lead to higher employee retention rate, increased engagement, and enhanced business performance. Leadership can also play a role. When leadership embraces and shows their commitment to DEI, such as building into the company's strategic objectives, they set a positive tone for the entire organization.
As you prepare for the fellowship application and interviewing process in today's competitive market, your first impression will not be a handshake, but most likely a scheduled call or a login link. Companies are increasingly using phone screens to vet candidates!
Think of the phone screen as the rapid-fire checkpoint. It’s typically short—often 15 minutes—and is usually conducted by a current industry fellow. The primary goal for the company is efficient, high-volume screening.
Congratulations to student pharmacists at the University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus, the newest addition to our growing student chapter network. IPhO now connects them to a national network of 100+ chapters and thousands of industry-minded student pharmacists with similar interests, as well as a national network of hundreds of industry fellows and thousands of industry pharmacists.
During the Saturday session of this year’s IPhO Annual Meeting (IAM), we were proud to recognize the top five IPhO student chapters nationwide for their outstanding dedication and impact. These chapters stood out across these major scoring categories of our Recognition of Chapter Annual Program (ReCAP): membership recruitment, social media engagement, professional development, VIP Case Competition participation, fundraising, and community service.
This year’s top performing chapters are:
Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of Pharmacy (First Place)
Rutgers University Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy (Second Place)
Temple University School of Pharmacy (Third Place)
University of Maryland School of Pharmacy (Fourth Place)
Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences and Saint Joseph’s University Philadelphia College of Pharmacy (Tied for Fifth Place)
Ridhi Sharma, PharmD Gilead Sciences Global Medical Strategic Operations, Medical Information
What was your motivation to pursue the pharmaceutical industry as a career path?
My motivation to pursue a career in the pharmaceutical industry stems from a desire to drive transformative healthcare innovations that directly advance global health equity, inspired by my experiences volunteering in clinical settings and witnessing the impact of access to life-saving medications. I am passionate about combining my clinical expertise as a pharmacist with the opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking therapies and strategic initiatives that improve patient outcomes on a global scale. The dynamic, collaborative environment and focus on scientific innovation within the industry align perfectly with my commitment to making a meaningful difference in patient care and public health.
Talk about diversity, equity, and inclusion in the pharmaceutical industry; what should companies be doing to continue making progress?
Pharmaceutical companies should drive meaningful progress in diversity, equity, and inclusion by embedding DEI accountability into leadership, setting measurable goals for diverse representation at every level, and fostering inclusive company cultures where all employees and patients feel valued. To advance health equity, companies must prioritize inclusive clinical trial recruitment, partner with communities, and transparently report outcomes to ensure treatments work safely across populations. Sustained commitment—from flexible hiring and ongoing education to innovation in outreach and unbiased advancement opportunities—will empower the industry to better serve global health needs and unlock greater innovation.
What was your motivation to pursue the pharmaceutical industry as a career path?
My motivation to pursue a career in the pharmaceutical industry came from wanting to combine my pharmacy training with opportunities to improve patient outcomes on a broader scale. I was drawn to the idea of shaping strategy, education, and access in ways that influence healthcare beyond the individual level.
Talk about diversity, equity, and inclusion in the pharmaceutical industry; what should companies be doing to continue making progress?
Companies should continue embedding diversity, equity, and inclusion into recruitment, leadership development, and clinical trial design. It’s also important to create fair growth opportunities and foster an environment where different perspectives are not only represented but also actively valued in decision-making.
Samia Baig, PharmD, MPH Senior Data Scientist Johnson and Johnson Innovative Medicine LinkedIn Profile
I’m a Senior Data Scientist (Data Engineer) in an R&D Data Science and Digital Health team, where I implement pipelines to extract data from various sources to develop data solutions for clinical trial teams and ML/AI use-cases. My role blends subject matter expertise from my pharmacy and public health background and technical skills in data science and software development that I have gained over the years through prior roles in hospital pharmacy, public health and academia.
We're diving into a fundamental skill that underpins success in any field but is particularly crucial when navigating the dynamic and highly competitive landscape of the pharmaceutical industry: goal setting and achievement.
Whether you're a recent graduate eyeing your first role in the pharmaceutical industry or an experienced pharmacist considering a transition into this health care segment, having a clear roadmap and the strategies to reach your destination is paramount.
The pharmaceutical industry thrives on innovation, precision, and a long-term vision. Your career pursuit should mirror these principles. Simply having a vague aspiration to enter industry isn't enough. You need to move beyond generalities and cultivate specific goals that can be monitored, measured, and achievable within a reasonable timeframe. For example, your goal may be to secure a fellowship in medical affairs (MA) this coming fall application cycle.
The 2025 Industry Pharmacists Organization (IPhO) National Fellows Council (NFC) Kick-Off Meeting was hosted in July, in person at the UCB campus in Atlanta, GA. The event brought together fellows, preceptors, directors, and members of the IPhO leadership team to network, exchange insights on the pharmaceutical industry, and emphasize the vital contributions pharmacists make within the field.
This year, 25 attendees joined us in person, while another 10 tuned in virtually!
The meeting featured networking sessions, educational seminars, and professional development panels. The day opened with welcoming remarks from Nicole Thompson, Vice President of the IPhO Fellows Community. Nicole provided an overview of IPhO, highlighting its impact on students, fellows, and industry professionals.
To student pharmacists navigating your path, let's dive into a crucial conversation about the future of pharmacy. A recent article in Drug Topics (1), brings to light a vital topic: how pharmacy education must evolve to genuinely prepare you for the realities of the modern workforce, particularly concerning the pervasive issue of pharmacist burnout.
This article highlights a Pennsylvania survey (2) where most pharmacy students observed significant burnout across various practice settings, with community chain pharmacies frequently cited. This observation profoundly influenced their career choices, leading many to prioritize roles that promise better work-life balance and flexibility. It's a clear indication that the next generation is acutely attuned to the pressures within the field, and rightly so.
For many aspiring pharmaceutical industry fellows, the application process can feel like a high-stakes puzzle; CVs are polished, research projects highlighted, and industry rotations and/or internships, if available, are meticulously detailed. Yet, one critical piece often goes underemphasized: a student pharmacist’s direct patient care experience. While it might seem counterintuitive for a role focused on drug development, medical affairs, regulatory affairs, and other common industry fellowships, patient care is the foundation of expertise that sets industry pharmacists apart from other non-pharmacy professionals.
Believe it or not, this year's Annual Meeting is less than two months away, on September 4-7, 2025! We're giving registration away for free to five contest winners!
What was your motivation to pursue the pharmaceutical industry as a career path?
I have always been interested in working in the pharmaceutical industry since undergrad. I enjoyed learning how medications were created and wanted to be in a career that would serve patients on a broader scale. I loved the various roles that came with industry and how they blended well together.
It's summertime—or as I like to call it “Fellowship Preparation Pre-season”—which means a busy time of the year for our IPhO coaches, as proactive industry-interested students begin the process of identifying and selecting their functional priorities and continuing to develop and complete their CVs and cover letters in preparation for submitting fellowship applications in the late summer and early fall. Year after year, the competition for these coveted positions keeps increasing.
Back in the fall of 2023, in the Coach's Corner, I described how challenging it can be for students to select an Industry Career Coach, now that there are more choices than ever. When I created the IPhO Coaching Service in 2013, not only were we surprised how popular it had become, but we also never expected the current quantity of options.
Namareq Musa, PharmD US Medical Information/Publications Fellow Pfizer / Howard University
When I first started my fellowship journey, I knew I had to do more than just apply—I had to truly understand what I was getting into. I wanted to learn everything I could, not just about the functional areas, but also about the therapeutic space and the role of a fellow within these pharmaceutical companies.
So, I started reaching out to current fellows, former preceptors, classmates, and anyone willing to share their experiences. There were moments when the process felt overwhelming. I found myself constantly refreshing my inbox, second-guessing whether I had prepared enough, and wondering how I’d ever manage to stand out in such a competitive field. But looking back, fellowship season turned out to be one of the most fulfilling times in my professional life.
Early bird pricing for the 2025 IPhO Annual Meeting (IAM) ends TONIGHT (Monday, June 30) at midnight! If you've been waiting to register, your time is almost up.
Now is your last chance to sign up and save. We will not offer pricing lower than it is today!
To help spread the word about your attendance and encourage your peers to join you, we've created social media graphics and suggested captions you can feel free to use on your Instagram and LinkedIn accounts.
There are separate graphics for P4 and P1-P3 students, and also a cover image for P4s to use on LinkedIn for an extra boost to let prospective employers and meeting sponsors know they're attending. Be sure to tag IPhO if you post so we can like and share your notes!
Congratulations to student pharmacists at Washington State University, the newest addition to our growing student chapter network. IPhO now connects them to a national network of 100+ chapters and thousands of industry-minded student pharmacists with similar interests, as well as a national network of hundreds of industry fellows and thousands of industry pharmacists.
Congratulations to student pharmacists at Roosevelt University, the newest addition to our growing student chapter network. IPhO now connects them to a national network of 100+ chapters and thousands of industry-minded student pharmacists with similar interests, as well as a national network of hundreds of industry fellows and thousands of industry pharmacists.
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