10 Of The Most Asked Pharmacy Interview Questions and How to Answer Them

10 Of the Most asked Interview Questions for Pharmacy Jobs

Ready to ace that interview? Here are the most asked questions for pharmacy jobs and how to answer them.

So, you got an interview – that’s great! But so did 3-5 other people, probably. How are you going to conduct yourself knowing that you’re all similar in experience and quality?

You have to ace your interview to set yourself apart as a candidate. Your letters of recommendation and resume have already impressed them. That’s how you got the interview in the first place.

Now its time for your personality and knowledge to do the heavy lifting. You’ll obviously be nervous, but you can’t let your nerves get in the way.

That’s what preparation is for – ace your pharmacy jobs interview with our tips and personalize your answers to commonly asked questions below.

General Interview Tips for Pharmacy Jobs

Like any interview, there are a few steps you want to take. Those include looking sharp and showing up on time – but there are a few extra steps.

The first is to do your research on the company. When a recruiter asks you “Do you have any questions for me?” the answer needs to be yes.

Say something like – I read that your company values this, how do you see that in everyday interactions? So many people show up to the interview just because they want the job. Any job.

You need to show the recruiter that you want the job at that company. Use keywords from their value and mission statement when you answer questions.

You can usually find these on about us pages, on the company website. Scour them and take some light notes. Create your question off of those notes and you’ll be good to go.

Ask if You Can Bring Anything

When you get an interview (if it’s not too late) ask the recruiter if you need to bring anything. They should have a copy of your resume, but they may want to see relevant coursework. Or your diploma.

It’s really up to them. Ninety percent of the time you won’t need to bring anything, but asking shows you’re thorough and planning ahead.

Showing Up

Hopefully, we don’t have to tell you that you need to look sharp for your interview. You know that dress clothes are an appropriate choice. But what about the details people frequently miss?

We’re talking about your hair and your hands. Women, you don’t need a manicure, but your nails need to be clean and it helps if they’re soft.

Men, clean the dirt from under your nails and give your fingers a good scrub. You can put on some lotion too, it won’t hurt.

Everyone needs to make sure their hair looks presentable. Get a haircut if you’ve been putting it off and brush your hair the day of.

Finally, make sure your clothes are ironed and stain-free before you head out. You don’t want to sit down at the interview to realize your white shirt has visible stains.

Frequently Asked Interview Questions

Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s talk about the scariest part of the interview – the questions. Recruiters usually have the same list of questions that they ask everyone.

Luckily for you, that means we can tell you what questions they’ll likely ask. We can’t guarantee they’ll be the same or that your recruiter will mention them – but it doesn’t hurt to try.

Learn what each interview question really means and the answer they’re looking for below.

1. Tell Me About Yourself

Technically and grammatically, this isn’t a question. But it’s something most interviewers start out with to open the interview.

They don’t want to know the names of your best mates or your favorite color. They want to know what will differentiate you as a person from the other candidates.

You want to keep it professional but not recite your resume. They’ve already read it. Here are a few points you should hit:

• A brief and relevant work history
• How you’d describe yourself as a worker
• A quick example of a time that proves what you said about yourself as a worker
• What your goals are in general and what drives them

That was a lot of information and it’s a lot of things to cover. To help you, we’ve created an example below. It’s just an example, so please don’t take it word for word. You need to put thought into your answer and personalize it.

Example

“I’ve always loved medicine and medical type shows since I can remember. I pursued that by doing these classes and have worked as a pharmacy aid since 2016.

I’m a dedicated worker and I’m willing to work on a problem until I figure out a solution. For example, we had a group project in school and no one could figure out the answer. They were willing to miss one question and give up.

Instead, I reread the entire book that night and finally found what we needed. We ended up getting it right. I know that I can apply that dedication to my next workplace.

Looking forward, I would like to see myself as the head technician by the time I’m 30. I want to work hard and get as much experience as I can, so I can provide the best service when I reach my goal.”

2. Why Do You Want This Job?

We all want a job for one main reason: money. At least that’s the main reason for most of us, we have to survive. But that’s not the answer the recruiter is looking for.

They’re really asking you – why do you want to work here, in this pharmacy? This is where your research you did before the interview comes into play.

Your answer needs to cover the following points.

• How this position will help you achieve a goal
• How this position will help you help others
• How your values line up with the company’s values: why it’s a good fit

3. How Would You Handle Trouble With Coworkers?

You won’t always work with techs or pharmacists you like. Sometimes they’ll get on your nerves or they’ll handle a situation in a way you don’t agree with.

You can’t let that shake your performance. Unless you’re their manager, it’s not up to you how they conduct themselves.

The interviewer is looking for you to show that you have

• Management skills
• Patience
• Conflict resolution

A thorough answer would look like this:

“If a coworker was bothering me, I’d try to distance myself from them in the room. Then I’d complete my tasks and job duties. I’d forgive that person and assume it won’t happen again.

If it did, I’d bring it up to my manager during my next shift, at the end of the day. I’d describe the situations, why they bothered me, and describe how I think their actions conflict with company values/rules.

Then I’d ask my manager for a recommendation on how to proceed and go from there.”

4. How Would You Handle an Unhappy Customer?

The recruiter is looking for the same things in this question as they were the last, but with an extra tactful touch. You want to show them you can be polite but also firm if a customer is acting out of sorts.

It’s okay to tell a customer you don’t know something, as long as you follow it up with “but I’ll find out” or “I can ask someone”. Offer to give them a call if you can’t answer their question or fill their request while they’re there.

The recruiter will likely give you a more detailed situation but remember they’re all looking for the same thing. Patience, respect, conflict resolution skills, and the ability to think creatively.

5. A Customer Says Their Medication Didn’t Work – What Do You Do?

Since pharmacists and techs are on the front line of medicine, they get to actually talk to patients. Patients may only see their doctor once or twice a year.

If they had a problem with a medication and they tell you about it, they’re looking for help. You can suggest they call their doctor and take notes of their complaint at the very least.

Let them know you’ll write down the issues they had in their file so no one tries to prescribe them the same thing again. If their complaint had to do with side effects, you can troubleshoot ways to make them better.

In this imaginary scenario, you need to be empathetic and kind. You’re not a doctor, so don’t make any promises about their condition or changing medication.

Pharmacy Jobs: The Last Few Pills

When you’re in an interview, it’s okay not to answer right away. Show the recruiter you’re thinking about the question. Try to figure out what answer the recruiter wants – not the first one that comes to your head.

With these interview tips for pharmacy jobs, you should be set to go at your next interview.

We want to wish you could luck – and remind you not to forget your research!

Want to widen your search? Contact us today using the button below, and then look through our job postings here.