30 Pharmacist Questions (with Answers)

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Answer Examples

How would your patients describe you?

Your patient's feedback will say a lot about you as a Pharmacist. Let the interviewer know that your patients would say that you are knowledgeable, kind and helpful. Go ahead and share a brief story about a time you helped a patient and they let you know how much it meant to them.

Heather's Answer

"My patients would say that I'm a very patient person. I pride myself on being a very patient person, especially with my elderly patients. Sometimes just being patient and taking a few extra moments with them means a lot."

Describe a time when you feel you made a difference in a patients care.

Getting a simple 'thank you' from a patient could be all you need to know that you are making a difference in your patient's lives. Tell the interviewer about positive feedback you've received when you made the right call. Share a story about a time that you worked directly with medical staff and monitored the patients progress based on a change that you made in their medication.

Heather's Answer

"I was able to put a stop to a patient's shopping around for narcotics. By bringing the situation to light, I was able to help the patient realize that they were in a bad situation and that they needed to seek rehabilitation."

Are you able to work shift work?

Working shift work might be tempting as a Pharmacist because of the additional pay. If you are the type of person that has trouble balancing your work and family life, sleep, health, and well-being when working shift work you may want to steer clear of volunteering for this during the interview.

Heather's Answer

"I'm available occasionally for shift work but because of my husband's schedule, day shift works best."

How did you balance work and personal life?

Long hours, odd shifts, exhausting patients and hard to work with employees are all part of the job as a Pharmacist. Tell the interviewer how you balance your day and want to get up and do it again the next day. Tell the interviewer you are able to leave your work at work and enjoy your downtime with your family. Tell your interviewer about your mentor and that you bounce ideas off them and get advice and guidance from them on how to be successful without getting burnt out.

Heather's Answer

"I do yoga each morning for 30 minutes before my shift. Yoga is my way of releasing any stress that I may have so I start each day off fresh."

What are your salary expectations?

To prepare for this interview question, do your homework and find out what the average salary is in the location you are looking to be a Pharmacist. Remember this is just the first interview and you haven't been offered the job yet. The first interview is not the time to enter negotiations. Go ahead and give a broad salary range without selling yourself short.

Heather's Answer

"I'm looking for a salary range between 80K and 120K a year."

Describe a situation where you received constructive feedback on your work.

The important thing to relay to the interviewer when answering this question is that you can take correction with a good attitude. Talk about how you listened, made changes and respected the person's criticism.

Heather's Answer

"Once I was asked to re-arrange a medication storage area that I had spent a lot of time on. After listening carefully to the critique, I saw how I could make changes that would strengthen the flow of the pharmacy."

How would your peers describe you?

When answering this question you will want to consider qualities that are relevant to this position. Good communication skills, attention to detail, and technical mindset are all important characteristics for any Pharmacist. Show off your strengths, like having a good attitude when faced with a difficult situation or being willing to go above and beyond expectations to help someone out. Don't be afraid to brag a little, but keep it relevant.

Heather's Answer

"My coworkers would describe me as a hard worker, organized and that I love my job."

If you weren't sitting with me, interviewing for this Pharmacist position, where else would you be?

This is a unique interview question so be careful with your answer. Don't tell the interviewer that you would be sleeping off your hangover from the night before or sitting in your man-cave on hour 12 of playing video games. Share an example of something positive that shows you lead a positive and active lifestyle outside of work.

Heather's Answer

"If I wasn't here right now I would be at home playing catch with my son. His first softball game is this weekend and we've been practicing quite a bit for it."

Do you have any questions for us?

ALWAYS have a few questions prepared to ask the interviewer. Having questions for the interviewer shows them that you are genuinely interested in the position and not just floating your resume. Feel free to take notes after their answers.

Heather's Answer

"Why do you enjoy working here?"

10.

Tell me about a time when you set a goal and achieved it.

As a Pharmacist, you've determined that you are more productive when you sent your own goals versus when goals are handed down to you from above. Tell the interviewer about any personal, Service or staff development goals you have for yourself.

Heather's Answer

"I have the privilege of working with a remarkable team of talented pharmacists, technicians, and interns. I learn from them all the time. But I also want to return the favor by sharing with them some of the unique things I have learned and offering them the opportunity to practice new skills and grow their careers. My goal is to become someone's mentor in my pharmacy."

11.

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

The interviewer can see your qualifications and accomplishments on your resume. Sometimes the interviewer is just trying to learn more about you as a person. There is no need to get caught up in trying to give the perfect response. Talk about a book you actually read and liked. If possible, talk about a book you read that is relevant to the field in which you are applying to. If the interviewer has read it too, feel free to ask their opinion on it. Be truthful in your response. Don't bring up a book title you haven't read just to please the interviewer. You might be asked a question and your inability to answer will show the interviewer that you are not a truthful person.

12.

What is your communication style?

As a Pharmacist, it is important to know which type of communicator you are in order to effectively communicate with your patients, co-workers and other medical professionals. Do you consider your communication style analytical, intuitive, functional or personal? Tell the interviewer that you are able to change your communication style based on who you are addressing and their way of learning. The important thing to relay is that you are an effective communicator. You welcome the back and forth with your patients.

Heather's Answer

"I've found that clear and direct communication works best for my coworkers as well as patients."

13.

How do you stay organized?

Having a system that works for you and being organized is a valuable skill to have as a Pharmacist. Tell the interviewer how you manage your to-do list. Tell the interviewer if you use Outlook Calendars, Take notes during meetings, or simply like to take time each morning to plan your day out. Share the tools that have been most helpful for you. This role requires you to manage a high volume of information using systems and technology. If you have any prior experience with any of the databases or software you know you will be using, share that with the interviewer.

Heather's Answer

"I like to get to work about 15 minutes early just to plan my day. I prioritize my to-do list, review my email to see if I have any new tasks and touch base with my supervisor to see if they have any new requests from me."

14.

What are ways you deal with stress, challenges, or negative situations at work?

We all have work stress, but how you handle it will say a lot about you as a person and as a Pharmacist. Let the interviewer know that when stressed out you sometimes just need a moment to walk away and get a soda and pick up where you left off 5 minutes later. When others are stressed out, do they come to you for advice and resolution?

Heather's Answer

"I do yoga each night with my wife. Yoga helps me relieve work stress."

15.

What do you see as the most critical issues in pharmacy today?

This question is a great way to start the back and forth with the interviewer. Go ahead and turn the tables and encourage them to engage in your feedback. What critical issues do you see and how are you going to play your part to try and change them?

Heather's Answer

"One critical issue that faces the pharmaceutical industry today is the cost of medications. I hate that there are patients that don't have the ability to pay for their medications. I hope that I can be a part of changing this one day."

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