Pharmacists: 10 Questions You Must Ask Before Accepting a Job
It’s a popular time of the year for pharmacists to look for jobs, with many new grads and pharmacy residents finishing up between now and June. Curious about when the best times are to apply for jobs? Click here to read a previous article about this.
Some pharmacists are concerned about not finding the right job in this market and are open to positions outside of what they would normally consider. But being “open to everything” can hurt you when you apply for positions.
Even when the pharmacy job market is tough, having a clear idea about the position you want will help you attract what you want. This will help you target your search and make a positive impression. At the same time, you want to be flexible during the decision-making process, because it is a tough job market, especially if you want to get into a position that leads to your desired career.
A common mistake for new pharmacy grads is primarily considering salary and becoming jaded after a few years. The decisions you make may be influences by the fact that it’s “just your first pharmacist job,” but the decisions you make in the first few years can shape your career path, so it’s worth spending time to pinpoint what’s important to you aside from setting or salar
y.
Before you say “Yes,” to your next position, think about the long-term implications of accepting a position. Here are 10 questions to ask yourself before accepting a position:
- How does the pharmacy/company’s values align with my values?
- Does the geographic area offer me what I enjoy doing in my spare time?
- How is my fit with the management and the pharmacy staff?
- Can I see myself here in 3-5 years?
Here are some insightful questions to ask a pharmacist in the position you will be working in to help you make your decision:
- What’s a typical workday like?
- What do you like best about what you do?
- What do you like least about what you do?
- How independently do you get to make decisions?
- What do you think the pharmacy will be like in one year & five years?
- Does this position set me up for growth in my career the way I want to?BONUS Question to Ask:
What changes would you make about the pharmacy if you could?
Want to find out the best way to approach getting the inside scoop to positions? Learn how to tap into the hidden job market and hear about positions before they come out.
And when you hear about a position, learn how to stand out from other pharmacists with similar background as you.
Listen to the FREE Teleseminar (Instant Access):
“How to Tap into the Hidden Job Market to Beat Your Competition to the Interview” to tap into the hidden job market. This is a prerequisite to the Advanced Hidden Job Market Bootcamp.
NOTE: Even though the live Advanced “Hidden Job Market Bootcamp” dates are over, you may get instant access at the special tuition.
Interview Coming Up? Get the Job!
You’ve done the work to market yourself to stand out from your competition. You’ve been requested for an in-person interview. It’s time to get the job!
Here are a few things to check off from your interview checklist:
1. Prepare for the interview enough that you’re comfortable to ask for the job.
Know the names & titles of everyone you will be interviewing with. This includes key interviewers within the pharmacy, HR, and perhaps people such as the CEO. Prepare for your interview by anticipating the questions that will be asked of you. Decide how you will answer challenging questions. Research and figure out questions to ask that are both important to you and which reflect on your interest in the position that you are applying for. Plan to ask for the job at the end. Asking for the job is something that most pharmacists are not used to doing. There is an art to it and the pharmacists who know how tend to get the job.
Go through the interview process by asking a pharmacist job market expert to do a mock interview with you. This will give you an advantage over other applicants. You will have practiced interview questions being asked in this job market and ace the interview with confidence.
I know a pharmacist who has been able to talk herself into jobs that others haven’t been able to. It is because she is amazing with marketing herself. She will be a guest on our upcoming invitation-only teleseminar “How to Get the Job You Want Without the Experience”. The teleseminar will be useful to pharmacists who don’t have the specific experience for a position, but want to apply for a pharmacist position in a different practice setting. It will also be useful to new pharmacy residents & grads. The first 32 pharmacists who enroll in the “Get the Job” Membership program will be invited to attend.
Many pharmacists are imbalanced on what part of the interview process they are good at. Some are good at getting the interview, but not the job. Others are good at getting the job, but have trouble getting interviews. The good news is that this is something that can be learned. You just need to have a handle on the secret of what works & what doesn’t in this tight job market.
2. Get directions ahead of time. Map it out via Google Maps or Mapquest. I prefer Google Maps because it also gives you the estimated time in traffic. Also, call to request directions. Someone familiar with the area will be able to give you landmarks that make it easier to find where you need to go. Have the phone # of the interview location handy, in case you get lost.
3. Look and feel sharp. Take care in presenting yourself to make a memorable first impression, from brushing your hair neatly, to dressing professionally in colors that complement your skin tone. It is better to overdress one notch than to under dress. When you feel sharp, you radiate confidence and the hiring managers can feel that.
3. Bring a few hard copies of your resume. This offers something tangible for the hiring managers to hold on to. They have it ready and can make notes on it if they wish. Few pharmacists actually do this, so you would be standing out by bringing this to your interview.
What part of the interview checklist have you done in the past and gotten results from? What part do you have challenges with? Share your experiences below.
Good luck at your interview! Remember, give yourself the best chance possible–you only have one shot.