3 Things to Say in a Pharmacist Job Interview to Make a Pharmacy Director Yawn

In the spirit of ASHP Midyear meeting coming up, some of you are sure to be interviewing there (or maybe being the interviewer). Here are some surefire ways to make a potential pharmacy employer yawn in an interview:

1.  Tell them what you’ve done and never talk about the reasons why it would benefit them. A lot of pharmacists are really good at doing this.  They describe their job responsibilities….and then end there.  The average pharmacy job seeker describes their experience in a typical way & expects that the employer will think they walk on water, because they do the same things as everyone else who has similar experience.

If you want to stand out from your competition, go one step further.  Describe what that would mean for the employer. For example, if you’re a pharmacy manager, instead of saying “I manage 14 pharmacists”, say:

“I manage 14 pharmacists and have built a loyal pharmacy staff with the highest retention the pharmacy has seen in the last 10 yrs during my employment there.”

To impress the employer even more, take it a step further & describe the reasons why doing what you did would benefit them:

“I manage 14 pharmacists and have built a loyal pharmacy staff that has seen the highest retention in the last 10 yrs, saving my current employer over $XXX/yr in turnover costs.”

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If you’re a clinical coordinator, instead of just listing your job responsibilities”:  “I have been a clinical coordinator for 7 years.  I’ve been involved with rounding, developing clinical protocols, & medication safety initiatives”,

describe your accomplishments in a nutshell right away: “…..I’ve been involved with medication safety initiatives that have reduced medication errors each year by XX%.  I’ve also helped establish a residency program.”

& describe the reasons why doing what you did would benefit them: “….made the pharmacy department look good by reducing medication errors each year by X%” and “increased the amount of visibility & interest pharmacists had in our institution from establishing a residency program”.  Are you starting to see the power in that?  Change this one thing about the way you interview, and you will leave impressing the interviewer and increase your chances for getting a job you want, vs. someone else who didn’t know better.

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Are you starting to see the power in that?  Change this one thing about the way you interview, and you will leave impressing the interviewer and increase your chances for getting a job you want, vs. someone else who didn’t know better.

2.  Say trite things that other pharmacist job applicants will most likely say. Tell them how you work well with others and that you are hard working.  Be like a broken record that a pharmacy director or hiring manager will have likely heard a million times before.  You can bet that your interviewer will tune out when you say trite things.

Instead, try to describe yourself in a way that relates to the job you will be doing.  Perhaps you could describe your strengths in being a creative thinker who likes to explore alternative solutions to solve problems.  Here’s the key: Back it up with an example, or a story.  When a potential employer hears a story of you doing the great things you’ve done, they can relate to it.  They can think about how that situation can apply to their needs.

3. When asked by your interviewer, “Do you have any questions?”, you say, “No, you went over everything.” Hmm..boring.  Non-creative person.  Probably not really that interested in the job to even have any questions! Hiring managers want to know that you are just as invested in choosing the right job as they are in choosing the right candidate.  By saying that you have no questions about the position, you raise a red flag about your level of interest.  Have some sincere questions ready for when you are asked, such as:

“What are the qualities of people who are very successful in your pharmacy?” (Use this to respond with the similar qualities you have)

“Can you tell me a bit about the long-term advancement opportunities at this hospital?” (This shows your interest in long-term growth and not just “a job”)

“What projects/initiatives are being implemented that I will have a part in if I am accepted for the job?”

The interviewer will be impressed by the questions you ask, and he or she can learn a lot about you by what you bring up during the interview.

Use these valuable strategies in your next interview–stop boring your potential employer(s), keep their eyes wide open & get the job!

Comment below on what you learned from these strategies & what mistakes you’ve made in the past but now you’ve realized.  If you have been an interviewer before, comment on how frequently you hear boring things from pharmacist applicants.

If you’re going to ASHP Midyear, email me–I’m gifting mini resume and interview assessments to PGY2 pharmacy residents and hospital-experienced pharmacists in my community (everything’s confidential).   Apply here for limited available spots. Or if you just want to meet up, email me.  Have a good recruiter know you personally and they’ll put more attention on looking out for opportunities for you.