MockQuestions

Pharmacist Mock Interview

35 Questions Created By

Stephanie Baumhover, PharmD, BCPS, drew on her 20 years experience hiring pharmacists in writing these 35 interview questions with advice and answer examples.

First Question

35 Pharmacist Interview Questions

15 Interview Questions With Sample Answers

1.   Tell me about your leadership experience.

How to Answer

A question about leadership is a great way to discuss your leadership roles or projects as well as a way to inquire about leadership opportunities within this company or location. Specific leadership examples, including projects, committees, or initiatives are important to highlight here. You want to make sure to discuss some areas where you have identified a problem and taken the initiative to solve it. Discussing solving issues as well as the value of teamwork are key areas to highlight.

Written by Stephanie Baumhover on February 13th, 2024

Answer Example

"Although I have not had a specific pharmacist leadership role, I have served as President of ____, and team lead for the ____ project. For this project, I identified our objectives, ran monthly meetings with ____, and set a goal of ____ within ____ months. At our last meeting, we had achieved 85% of that goal with a planned full completion by next month. Can you share what leadership opportunities are possible within this company?"

Written by Stephanie Baumhover on February 13th, 2024

2.   How familiar are you with this company?

How to Answer

There is a difference between a person looking for any job and a person looking for this open position. You want to clearly be able to state why this individual position and company appeals to you. This question sounds easy, but can be difficult to answer well. Each applicant should do a deep dive into the company and position to understand key items in their history, quality measures, success of their pharmacy, safety measures, areas of growth, and mission and values. You want to do some homework not only to determine if this is a good fit for you but also to ask the potential employer about some of these items for your own evaluation of the role.

Written by Stephanie Baumhover on February 12th, 2024

Answer Example

"When I first saw this open position, I looked further into this history of ___ and discovered ____. I was impressed with ____ and saw you had earned _____. I feel that your expansion into ____ would offer further opportunities to ___. I would love to be a part of this team that is so successful in not only expansion but safety and quality. What do you feel are future areas of growth for your company?"

Written by Stephanie Baumhover on February 12th, 2024

3.   What types of things do you like to do in your spare time?

How to Answer

This can feel like a tricky question to answer, but this can be another opportunity to share your personality and why you would be a great fit for the team. You are not legally required to share anything about your physical abilities, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, health problems, political positions, or anything considered private and personal. You may share those items if you wish, but this question is not designed to accidentally pull information out of you. The employer just simply wants to get to know you as a person. The best answers are truthful and lighthearted. You can speak on hobbies, travel, or items that you enjoy.

Written by Stephanie Baumhover on February 12th, 2024

Answer Example

"I am glad you asked because I love to talk about food festivals. I am an amateur baker and love to travel to food festivals as much as possible. My goal is to hit at least one festival in each state. So far I have been to 12 states."

Written by Stephanie Baumhover on February 12th, 2024

4.   How do you build relationships when you are new to a role?

How to Answer

It can be daunting to be the new person at work, especially when you are entering into an established team. If the employer is taking this question, likely there may be some team dynamics they are screening for or have had issues in the past with employees who were not able to build effective relationships. It is important to recognize that you are aware you will need to work well with the current team and are happy to learn from those who have been there for a while. You want to remark specifically about building relationships. You can mention that you like to make sure you meet with each team member one-on-one, or that you try to help out anyone who is running behind. You want to pull your weight and help everyone when needed for the sake of the patient.

Written by Stephanie Baumhover on February 12th, 2024

Answer Example

"This is so important as a new person joining the team. I build relationships by first giving and then earning their respect. I like to get to know my coworkers naturally and I am confident my personality can work with almost anyone. A good teamwork atmosphere at work is of utmost importance to me."

Written by Stephanie Baumhover on February 12th, 2024

5.   What is your timeline for accepting a position?

How to Answer

If you are asked this question, the employer is gauging your timeline against theirs. They may be analyzing your flexibility if their first choice candidate doesn't work out, or they may know of future vacancies that are not posted yet. They may be simply asking because they know they will be interviewing for three more weeks and want to see if you will still be a candidate at that time. This question should not be taken personally, healthcare is a business and the employer is keeping the business running. The best answer is to show flexibility and let the employer know you are interviewing other places. This shows you are in demand, but still open to waiting a little bit for the right offer.

Written by Stephanie Baumhover on February 12th, 2024

Answer Example

"I am currently interviewing at a couple of other places, and I hope to make a move within the next few months. I am, however, open to waiting for the right position. The right fit is more important to me than finding another position quickly. I like my current position and can be flexible on the start date."

Written by Heather Douglass

6.   What is the last book you read? Tell me about it.

How to Answer

If you are not a reader, this question may take you off guard, so preparation is key. If you are keeping certifications up to date, you can reference re-certification material. Or you may state that you generally scan key websites daily in your specialty area (Journal of Clinical Oncology, NABP, etc). The employer may just want to get to know you better. Do not feel required to share personal reading that you feel may compromise your candidacy due to colorful or potentially controversial material. If you can pull from a professional example that is always a correct answer. It doesn't have to be a hardcover book, you can reference other reading material that you enjoy.

Written by Stephanie Baumhover on February 12th, 2024

Answer Example

My renewal for board certification is approaching, so I have been consumed in review material in ____. I believe the last module I completed was _____. This module was interesting due to the update of newer studies in the area of _____. I had not read all clinical trials in one place before so this perspective was very helpful in the area of _____ that I rarely see.
Or
I like to read historical fiction, and have just completed a book about Abraham Lincoln. It was written from the perspective of his wife's family, which was unique.

Written by Stephanie Baumhover on February 12th, 2024

7.   What are your salary expectations?

How to Answer

Salary negotiations can be very stressful. This is not a salary negotiation question. This is dipping a toe in the water to find out if you and the employer are in the same ballpark. To prepare for salary discussions, you want to see what the salary range was posted for the position. You also want to do online searches for available salary information. Some state employee salary information is public and can be found in your area. The best approach is to give a range, including a salary higher than what you currently have, but within the posted range of the position.

Written by Stephanie Baumhover on February 12th, 2024

1st Answer Example

"I saw the posted range is between $120,000 and 140,000. This is within my goal salary."

Written by Stephanie Baumhover on February 12th, 2024

2nd Answer Example

"I was making slightly more than the posted range, do you have flexibility on the posted range?"

Written by Stephanie Baumhover on February 15th, 2024

8.   Tell me about a time when you had too many things to do and you were required to prioritize your tasks.

How to Answer

This is the definition of a pharmacist in many different positions. The key is to communicate a logical process that shows you can multitask without bringing the workflow to a stop. Some positions are designed for people who do one task at a time, other positions are for pharmacists who have multiple balls in the air at any one time. You want to understand which you are and be able to speak truthfully about how you function in a multi-task situation, even if it is not your first preference for a working environment. You may say you like to complete critical tasks first and then move to lower-priority tasks. Or you may say you keep notes on all the different calls out to providers so that you are ready for each call as it comes in.

Written by Stephanie Baumhover on February 12th, 2024

Answer Example

"This can be a regular occurrence at my current job. I make sure the most critical items are done first, such as critical care drips, then I move to urgent antibiotics, then finish with batch checking."

Written by Stephanie Baumhover on February 12th, 2024

9.   How do you stay organized?

How to Answer

When a question like this is asked, that is a hint to you that this position will require multi-tasking regularly. This would appear to be a key function of this role you are interviewing for. It is helpful to be familiar with your own processes and routines and be able to speak to them in the interview with specifics. Prioritization, scanning your next-day assignments the evening ahead, or asking for a hand-off from the person the day prior are a few examples of items to weave throughout your answer. You can also refer to certain tools you may use, daily reports, phone reminders, etc that you regularly find helpful in this role.

Written by Stephanie Baumhover on February 13th, 2024

Answer Example

"I review the assignments the day before and ask for a handoff when I am moving into a different area. I arrive 15 minutes early to review my task list and continuously reprioritize throughout the day as new situations arise. I like to use my EPIC task list to keep me up to date on any changes."

Written by Stephanie Baumhover on February 13th, 2024

10.   How do you deal with stress at work?

How to Answer

The hiring manager is aware that stress at work is unavoidable. Learning how you cope with individual challenges at work and the day-to-day stress of the position is important to determine if you have what it takes to succeed in this role. This answer can be pulled from any previous work experience, not just pharmacy. I would suggest bringing real-life examples into your answer. The key here is not to pretend stress doesn't exist, or that you aren't affected by it, but to specifically answer how you don't let stress affect your work performance with helpful coping mechanisms.

Written by Stephanie Baumhover on February 12th, 2024

Answer Example

"Good question. I have worked at the third busiest store in the district/the busiest emergency room/a demanding home infusion business for ___ years/months. I found that I can handle stressful situations best when I recognize I am trying to help people in their most challenging moments. This gives me a different perspective and allows me to not live in the emotion of the moment. I also journal and run regularly on my days off."

Written by Stephanie Baumhover on February 12th, 2024

11.   Do you have any questions for us?

How to Answer

This is a natural way to transition into your part of the interview to ask questions. If the employer doesn't open the door for you to ask questions, you want to ask them if you could ask a few questions. Having a list of at least 5-20 questions ready is expected for almost any pharmacist job interview. There are many questions you can ask and within many categories. Role-specific questions, salary and compensation, benefits, scheduling, PTO allowances, areas of expansion and concern, accreditation results, upcoming leadership or staffing changes, organization flowchart, relationships between staff, department goals, etc.

Written by Stephanie Baumhover on February 13th, 2024

Answer Example

"Do you see any downsizing in the future? What is your management philosophy? What are the department goals for the next year? How does the scheduling work? How are the holidays staffed? What are some of the current leadership projects? How is the department morale? How do the pharmacists and technicians get along? What safety metrics do you track each month?"

Written by Stephanie Baumhover on February 13th, 2024

12.   What is the most important skill you would bring to this role?

How to Answer

This would be one of the biggest opportunities to sell yourself. You want to highlight areas of strength that you have been told in prior evaluations, and what unique traits you have that can help them succeed. Ideally, this question comes after you have had a chance to ask about ongoing projects or areas of concern for the department. Discuss some of those issues they are currently having with ideas on how you can help with those items, or mention a general willingness to assist with department goals. The employer can already read your resume and is aware of your years of experience. You want to offer something meaningful that may be on your resume, but bring it to life as a strength you offer over other candidates.

Written by Stephanie Baumhover on February 13th, 2024

Answer Example

"I worked as a technician for four years before becoming a pharmacist and am very comfortable directing many different areas of the pharmacy. I can multitask well and would be comfortable running the triage position. I have filled in almost every role in the pharmacy and am confident I can handle any challenge that comes my way. The most important skill I can bring is an ability to understand the critical processes and multitask in order to keep the pharmacy running safely and efficiently."

Written by Stephanie Baumhover on February 13th, 2024

13.   What experience do you have working in ambulatory care?

How to Answer

This is an example of a specific and unique question that is role-specific. If you are interviewing for a specialized role like this one, you want to speak specifically on what experience you have in a specialty area, this may include pharmacy school rotations if a new graduate, and why your skills match this unique role. This question is not designed to ask about your skills as a general pharmacist, it is to highlight your specialty training and specific qualifications within a defined scope.

Written by Stephanie Baumhover on February 13th, 2024

Answer Example

"I have completed three pharmacy school rotations as well as two months in my PGY1 residency. My PGY2 ambulatory care residency prepared me for this position by running our own anticoagulation clinic for the entire year of the program. I have recently received my board certification in ambulatory care pharmacy as well as becoming a licensed provider within the state of _____. Overall I have almost 18 months of experience specifically in an anticoagulation clinic."

Written by Stephanie Baumhover on February 13th, 2024

14.   Can you tell me about a time when you were faced with an ethical dilemma and how did you handle it?

How to Answer

This is a behavioral type of interviewing question. The interviewer wants to see how you have behaved in the past as the best indicator of how you will behave in the future. You want to identify a specific scenario and briefly describe it. Ethical dilemmas can be complex and the key is to answer this question within 2-3 minutes. You want to describe how you became aware of this situation, how you determined the correct course of action, and how you resolved this dilemma. You do not need to get into deep detail or share information that would compromise anyone else by name.

Written by Stephanie Baumhover on February 13th, 2024

Answer Example

"In my first position, a coworker signed off an expiration date checking checklist for several months in a row without actually completing the task. I became aware of it when they asked me why I was spending so much time on my section. They volunteered the information and said they only check it about once a quarter and look for dates three months in advance. I mentioned that medications may rotate in that they miss, and they said it wasn't necessary. I became concerned about patient safety and mentioned it to my manager. This coworker was upset with me and made working a little complicated for a few months, but the coworker eventually left the company."

Written by Stephanie Baumhover on February 13th, 2024

15.   How would you describe your past working relationships with your manager?

How to Answer

The employer is searching for any red flags that may exist from your last role and anything that might happen in the future. You want to answer this honestly and convey your desire for a productive working environment. This is a time you can advocate for yourself and bring in examples of prior work evaluations. A strong employee-manager relationship will almost always lead to good outcomes with the employee, and a negative one will almost always lead to a separation for either the manager or employee. The employer wants to catch this early if there is a potential issue.

Written by Stephanie Baumhover on February 13th, 2024

Answer Example

"My manager and I had a very positive and collaborative working relationship. We met regularly and I really enjoyed getting consistent feedback. I had a good understanding of when and why something needed to be changed. I feel that the employee should make sure to be open and receptive to feedback, then both the employee and employer will reach their own goals. I understand there are reasons for changes and why we can't change certain processes but I appreciate my manager working as a liaison and on my behalf."

Written by Stephanie Baumhover on February 15th, 2024

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