Pharmacist Mock Interview

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

Pharmacist was updated by Stephanie Baumhover on February 15th, 2024. Learn more here.

Question 26 of 35

Tell me about a time when you did not reach a goal at work. What did you learn from it?.

How to Answer
Answer Example
Community Answers

The employer is asking about your ability to learn and self-reflect. Can you recover from failure and assess the situation to be successful next time? Make sure to answer both parts of the question and pull from a pharmacist example. You don't need to overwork this answer, keep it short and simple. You want to identify a key reason or two as to why it wasn't successful and what would be needed to make is successful next time.

Our pharmacy was working to identify a way to improve the number of patients we counseled on anticoagulants. I identified a potential solution but we were not able to execute it due to staffing shortages. I realized I designed the program around doing it perfectly, and as a result we weren't able to do it at all. I re-designed it at a smaller scale as a pilot with smaller goals, and we were able to finally initiate it a year later. I learned not to let perfect get in the way of good. Even if you have to start small, it is better to at least start rather than aiming for perfection and not start at all.

Anonymous Answer

"During the busy Easter period, there were three days worth of prescriptions on the computer waiting to be printed and dispensed. I, therefore, decided, after discussing with the pharmacist, to print at least two days of prescriptions before going home, aside from serving customers and answer phone queries. At the end of the day, I successfully printed two days of prescriptions and a few from the third day."

Stephanie's Feedback

Great example! To strengthen this response, I suggest adding a bit more about how you developed this goal. Additionally, I suggest including a closing sentence along the lines of, "This situation illustrates my ability to achieve exactly what I set my mind to."

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How to Answer: Tell me about a time when you did not reach a goal at work. What did you learn from it?.

Advice and answer examples written specifically for a Pharmacist job interview.

26. Tell me about a time when you did not reach a goal at work. What did you learn from it?.

How to Answer

The employer is asking about your ability to learn and self-reflect. Can you recover from failure and assess the situation to be successful next time? Make sure to answer both parts of the question and pull from a pharmacist example. You don't need to overwork this answer, keep it short and simple. You want to identify a key reason or two as to why it wasn't successful and what would be needed to make is successful next time.

Written by Stephanie Baumhover on February 12th, 2024

Answer Example

Our pharmacy was working to identify a way to improve the number of patients we counseled on anticoagulants. I identified a potential solution but we were not able to execute it due to staffing shortages. I realized I designed the program around doing it perfectly, and as a result we weren't able to do it at all. I re-designed it at a smaller scale as a pilot with smaller goals, and we were able to finally initiate it a year later. I learned not to let perfect get in the way of good. Even if you have to start small, it is better to at least start rather than aiming for perfection and not start at all.

Written by Stephanie Baumhover on February 12th, 2024

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"During the busy Easter period, there were three days worth of prescriptions on the computer waiting to be printed and dispensed. I, therefore, decided, after discussing with the pharmacist, to print at least two days of prescriptions before going home, aside from serving customers and answer phone queries. At the end of the day, I successfully printed two days of prescriptions and a few from the third day."

Stephanie's Feedback

Great example! To strengthen this response, I suggest adding a bit more about how you developed this goal. Additionally, I suggest including a closing sentence along the lines of, "This situation illustrates my ability to achieve exactly what I set my mind to."

Next Question