Hello, what is your money tool? Our money tool today is the skill you need for a successful interview. I started my career in 2014 as a pharmacy manager for a Rite Aid store in the high desert area of Southern California. Since then, I have worked for at least six other Rite Aid locations, one long-term care pharmacy, and three acute care hospitals. I have participated in both sides of the interview process: a candidate and a manager.
Here are my top 7 tips you should look into if you want to be hired as a pharmacy technician.
1. Recruiter will scan the resume before forwarding them to me
As a manager, I have to let the recruiter know my expectations. If I don’t, they will send over anyone they think is a good fit. It will work out on some occasions. But If I have something in particular that I look for in a candidate, I have to let the recruiter know to avoid wasting everyone’s time.
One crucial expectation is the experience. In the past few years, it has been challenging to get pharmacy technicians because of the low entry-paid rate. A typical starting rate for a technician with no experience is around $15. To get more candidates to interview, I often lower expectations on years of experience. I told my recruiter that I would accept new graduates as well.
2. Really know how to create a resume.
A bad resume turns me off immediately.
The resume is one of the most important things during the interview process. It is my first impression of the candidate. If the resume is terrible, I will likely ignore that candidate.
What makes a good resume:
- Clear and easy to read. I don’t want paragraphs but only highlights and bullet points.
- Only list relevant experience to the job you apply for. I don’t want to read about your experience as a cook 12 years prior.
- Personal information on top: Full name, Address, email, and phone number. I want an address because it will be a problem if the candidate lives 2 hours away from work.
- References aren’t important. If I have any doubt about your experience, I will contact the recruiter to get the references and check them for me. And if I have doubts, I wouldn’t hire you anyway. I want complete honesty.
- Make sure to explain all the gaps in your career.
3. I hire a lot of per-diem first before promoting them to part-time or full-time.
It is a safe method that a lot of managers choose to do. I don’t want to be stuck with a bad full-time employee right off the bat. There is only so much I can tell from an interview. It takes time to understand an employee’s work ethic and interaction with other staff members. If an employee is not what I am looking for, at least they are only per-diem.
4. It isn’t all about the experience.
It is more about personality. If I had to choose between 2 employees with the same experience level, the one with a great personality would get my pick. It is easy to train a person on workflow, tasks, and techniques. But it is much more difficult to change one’s personality. A bad employee will suck up all your time.
5. Need to practice your answers prior to the interview.
Please don’t head into any interview unprepared. You can practice at home by talking in front of the mirror. Look for examples of interview questions and practice answering those. Try your best to eliminate unnecessary vocabulary such as: “uh”, “like”,… During the interview, it is ok to pause and think about the question before answering them.
6. Virtual interview tips for employee
With Covid, there are more meetings and interviews happening virtually through Zoom, Teams, or other applications. For best results:
- Log in on time or at least 5 mins early
- Dress professionally because we can see you
- A good quality webcam and microphone help
7. Pharmacy is a small world
Everyone seems to know each other. If you have a bad reputation at one place, good luck getting a job at another location. There were a few times I received poor reviews about a candidate who applied because my staff knew that candidate from previous employers. So please don’t burn bridges.
In conclusion
Preparing for an interview for a pharmacy technician position is an important step in your career. Being prepared, organized, and confident can make a huge difference in the outcome of the interview. Make sure to research the company, practice common interview questions, and dress professionally. Additionally, remember to be friendly and open to answering questions, and emphasize your skills and qualifications. With the right preparation and attitude, you can make a great impression and land the job of your dreams.
