35 Pharmacist Interview Questions & Answers

Below is a list of our Pharmacist interview questions. Click on any interview question to view our answer advice and answer examples. You may view 15 answer examples before our paywall loads. Afterwards, you'll be asked to upgrade to view the rest of our 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

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"I enjoy helping people. That said, I believe that as a manager due diligence is imperative in this role. As a leader, I should know my team. I found learning each person's strengths and weaknesses allowed me to train them in a way that would be productive. Setting goals and targets for the team also implemented positive feedback. This benefits both the individual and the company."

Marcie's Feedback

Nice! It's great that you enjoy leading and helping others. The interviewer will be pleased to hear this. Be specific, however, as you talk about your past experience in this area. For example, how big are the teams you've led before? How many years of leadership experience do you possess? How exactly do you determine the strengths and weaknesses of your team members? How do you communicate the goals and targets you have set for them? Have your teams met and exceeded these goals? Also, talk more about what you like about managing others. Do you enjoy watching the folks you train progress and excel? Do you like to motivate and inspire others to do their best? The more details and information you can provide, the better! Excellent job.

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

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"You provide expert geriatric pharmacy services and care. You offer cost-effective benefits and services that support LTC and acute care patients."

Marcie's Feedback

Nice! What about these offerings appeal to you? More specifically, why are you interested in working for this hospital? Don't just spout facts; use them to show your genuine interest in the role and the hospital itself. Also, consider mentioning some facts about the hospital's culture as well (is it known to be innovative? compassionate? and hardworking?) Why do you want to work within this type of culture?

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

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"I would be thinking about what kind of dinner I was going to make and going to the grocery store. I love trying new recipes and cooking."

Marcie's Feedback

Awesome! Can you somehow connect your love of cooking to the role? Does it make you happy when others enjoy eating the food you've cooked just like it brings you happiness to see patients get better because of the medicines you've provided them? Your response will be more powerful if you connect the two in addition to highlighting the qualities you possess (empathy? compassion? detail-orientedness?) that are advantageous in this role.

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

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"I get to know the members of the team, their culture, and their habits. Then I can bring some fruits, biscuits or chocolate. I would volunteer to make tea for everyone."

Stephanie's Feedback

Your response shows your empathy and ability to build connections with your co-workers, even if that's through sharing food or tea! I suggest adding on an additional sentence about why building relationships at work is important to you. For example: "Building meaningful working relationships is very important to me, and I go the extra mile to get to know my co-workers."

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Anonymous Answer

"I usually try to talk friendly with everyone in the pharmacy, everyone from the volunteers to the technicians to our pharmacy managers. Looking at everyone like they are important to providing optimal care is one of the best ways to tell everyone how important they are to our common goal of optimized patient care."

Stephanie's Feedback

It sounds like you have a friendly, collegial approach to the workplace! I suggest taking this response one step further by providing specific examples of how you connect with colleagues (for example, bringing in snacks to share or asking colleagues about their children or hobbies.) A specific example or two here will go a long way!

Anonymous Answer

"Building relationships can be hard when you are a newbie. I would introduce myself and always be friendly. After about a week I would bring in something yummy that the team could snack on. Building comradery takes time and trust."

Marcie's Feedback

Introducing yourself, being friendly, and bringing in a treat for the team are all great ways to build relationships at work. To make your answer more memorable and meaningful to the interviewer, include an example of a time when you were new at work and discuss how you made interpersonal inroads. Talk about the trust that developed between you and your coworkers. Even discuss the relationship you built with your manager by establishing and meeting their expectations, etc. The more details here, the better! Prove to the interviewer that you're capable of building mutually respectful and trusting relationships with others.

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

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"I exercise regularly, whether it be hiking, yoga, or walking. I find exercise clears my mind and gives me clarity. Exercise also helps me sleep. That said, I feel rested and aware when I return to work."

Marcie's Feedback

Nice! The interviewer will be happy to hear that your exercising habits help recharge you. How else do you balance work and your personal life? Do you relax during your daily lunch breaks, communicate your boundaries, say no to avoid overwhelming yourself, ask for flexibility when you need it, make your family and friends a priority, schedule vacations, or delegate? Consider talking about a few of the other ways you successfully balance these different areas of your life. Also, emphasize that you understand the importance of doing this so you remain recharged, rested, and on top of your game at work. Good job!

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

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"Why We Get Sick" by Dr. Ben Bickman. It is a very interesting and well sited book about how insulin resistance is the root cause of many diseases. The well researched concepts are fascinating!"

Marcie's Feedback

Awesome! Your book selection sounds both interesting and related to your target profession, which is great. Did someone recommend the book to you? Did anything you learn from the book change how you live? Can you talk more about the insulin resistance problem and how prevalent it is? Add as many details as you can to build out and strengthen your answer. Great job!

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Anonymous Answer

"A recent book I read was the 5 People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom and I really enjoyed it because it's a book about enjoying the small moments in our lives and learning to not just worry about small things in life but see how they can all be a part of a larger plan in life."

Stephanie's Feedback

This sounds like an interesting book! While you do a good job of summarizing the content, your response would be stronger if you personalized things a bit. You mention that you enjoyed the book, but you don't mention any major takeaways. Can you add a closing sentence to share what you learned from the book?

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 Samantha Brown on February 15th, 2024

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"Because I have extensive skills and work experience, I am looking for a salary of $110-120k."

Marcie's Feedback

It's great that you have provided a salary range instead of pigeonholing yourself. Sell yourself more, though. What kinds of extensive skills and experience do you have to offer? Remind the interviewer exactly why you deserve that salary, what you will provide their company, and why you're perfect for the role.

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

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"The end of the month seems to be the busiest. I had a situation where I had to write a quarterly report, make the technician schedule, and go to 2 meetings in one day. My first meeting started at 8 am. I went to work an hour early that day and was able to put the schedule together rather quickly. The first meeting was mandatory, and the second meeting was not. I was able to have my assistant manager go to the second meeting for me and take notes while I wrote the quarterly report. The result was completing all tasks on time with the help of my assistant manager."

Marcie's Feedback

Excellent! You have used the STAR method well here to describe the situation, your task/actions, and the end result. You come across as proactive, hardworking, conscientious, and an effective delegator. Consider talking more about how exactly you prioritized the tasks. Did you do this based on urgency and importance? Clarify this for the interviewer so there's more visibility into how you prioritize projects. Otherwise, great response!

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

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"I use Outlook and Onedrive for my day-to-day. Having everything all in one place is important for productivity and accuracy. Having files named, dated, and assigned in the proper places allows me to find anything quickly. As a pharmacist, we need to be able to be efficient and accurate at all times."

Marcie's Feedback

Excellent! It's great that you mention specific tools that help you stay organized. Can you include an example of a time when your ability to be organized helped you avoid an error that would have negatively impacted a patient? Remind the interviewer that you're someone who values organization and recognizes how important it is in this field. Consider talking in more detail about how exactly you name your files and what other methods you use to remain organized throughout your day (e.g., to-do lists, daily routines, calendars/planners, delegating, writing questions down, getting rid of clutter, taking breaks, using reminders, managing your time, setting realistic goals, etc.) Good job!

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

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"We all deal with stress at work. I have found the best way for me to deal with a stressful situation at work is to take five minutes of rest to perform some deep breathing. This allows me to come back to my work, feeling less tense and more productive and focused."

Chad's Feedback

Stepping away for five minutes, and breathing exercises, are both effective techniques for managing stress. Good job! The interviewer will be assured from your response that you are able to effectively handle the stress associated with the position.

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Anonymous Answer

"When I am stressed or face negative situations, I take a 5min break at the back and drink some tea to soothe myself. When I come back from work I discuss it with my mom. Talking about it relieves me."

Stephanie's Feedback

Excellent response! It's clear that you have adopted a self-care strategy that works well for you, which is critical when facing stressful employment situations.

Anonymous Answer

"I find that taking a break and being mindful allows me to deal with the stress of work. Being able to walk away for a moment and breathe allows me to bring my thoughts together and reprocess them. I can then return to my post refreshed and ready."

Marcie's Feedback

Great! The interviewer will be happy to hear that you've developed a way to deal with stress at work. To make your answer more impactful, consider giving an example of a time when you successfully dealt with a stressful situation at work. Prove to the interviewer that you can manage challenges so they feel confident you'll be able to do this in the future within the role. Good job!

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

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"What are the challenges you are currently facing within the healthcare organization?"

Marcie's Feedback

This is a good question to ask because it shows that you have an interest in the interviewer themselves. Try to think of one or two more questions as well (having three lined up is perfect). Remember to ask thoughtful questions that show you're genuinely interested in the role but that aren't easily answered by a quick internet search. Good job!

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

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"As a former manager in my last pharmacy role, I would hold huddles each morning. I was able to make sure my team was prepared for the day with updates, schedules, and assigned tasks. It was a great time to answer questions and concerns also. Everyone always felt they had a path set before them to follow for the day."

Marcie's Feedback

Great! So you would bring leadership and interpersonal skills to the role? Mention these skills by name. Then further strengthen your answer by using the STAR method to describe a specific instance when you arranged a huddle, what your task/actions were, and what the end result was (i.e., How did holding this huddle help your team members? Did it eliminate confusion? Did it make them more efficient or available to patients?) Right now there is an example in your response but it is somewhat vague. Including a detailed example will make your answer more impactful to the interviewer. Nice job!

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

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"My 27 years as a pharmacist have been in the retail setting; however, I look forward to engaging in new areas that would allow me to help my patients."

Marcie's Feedback

It's great that you have so much experience as a pharmacist! To further strengthen your answer, discuss any experience or knowledge you have about coumadin and diabetes in particular. Have you ever provided a patient with coumadin before? Do you interact with any patients who have diabetes? Have you learned anything about these topics in school or training? You want to appear as knowledgeable as you can in your response, as well as enthusiastic to learn more (and explain why this interests you). Good job!

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

16. Why are you interested in leaving your current position?

How to Answer

This is a frequent and obvious question for any position other than one straight out of school or residency where you must find a starting position. Honesty is the best course of action here since this answer can influence other questions, however, you don't want to emphasize personality conflicts if they were a reason for leaving. Some possible areas to discuss are lack of growth opportunities, downsizing, spouse/partner moving, and ethical concerns. In the situation where you love your current job but you saw an opportunity for a dream job you couldn't pass up, it is best to state that honestly and clearly.

Written by Stephanie Baumhover on February 13th, 2024

1st Answer Example

"My current role is a good position, however, I would like to advance my career into a specialist role. I intentionally took my current role to gain experience and I have volunteered for every extra opportunity possible. I have reached the peak of what this position can be and would like a new challenge in my specialty area. My employer has been trying to expand into this area, however consistent budget cuts have eliminated the advancement each time. My boss is aware of my desire for advancement and would understand if I moved to another opportunity."

Written by Stephanie Baumhover on February 13th, 2024

2nd Answer Example

"I enjoy my current position and would not be interviewing unless a position like this came along. My boss is aware I am interviewing and is supportive if the opportunity works out. This is the type of position I have wanted my entire career."

Written by Samantha Brown on February 15th, 2024

17. Can you describe what you think a typical day in this role would be?

How to Answer

This can be a hard question, but a little preparation will help you give a polished answer. This is designed to see if you have an idea of what you are getting yourself into with this role. Not every retail job is the same, and not every hospital job is the same. If your answer matches what the job is really like, most likely the job will work out for both employer and employee. You want to review the job description prior to the interview, which should list some key tasks of the role.

Written by Stephanie Baumhover on February 13th, 2024

Answer Example

"Depending on the assignment of the day, I would start my shift by _____, I would complete some batch checking, answer phone calls as needed, attend rounds, complete pharmacokinetic consults and dosing consults, check in with ____, and close out my daily task list. I may attend a meeting if needed."

Written by Stephanie Baumhover on February 13th, 2024

18. Do you have any barriers to getting to work on time and meeting all scheduling expectations of the position?

How to Answer

The employer is asking these questions to look for any potential problems with scheduling. It is important that the employee and employer are clear up front whether or not overnight shifts will be required, and that if it snows you understand you must get to work, etc. Someone who lives 40 miles away from work may look like a risky hire. You want to assess your ability to fulfill your staffing requirements against their expectations. If you can work any shift, you want to reassure the interviewer that you understand the commitment and are ready for this type of scheduling.

Written by Stephanie Baumhover on February 13th, 2024

Answer Example

"No, I do not have any barriers. I am able to work all three shifts as needed and have previously done evenings, weekends, and holidays at my prior job. You have explained the evening, weekend, and holiday requirements and it is in line with what I was expecting."

Written by Stephanie Baumhover on February 13th, 2024

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

How to Answer

The employer wants to know how flexible you are and if you have a good attitude and can adapt when needed. This is a great question to highlight your belief in teamwork, and your desire to see things from a big picture outlook. You want to describe a situation where you did your best, but another perspective added value. Everyone tries their best and feels like they have seen items from all angles. But more opinions and different viewpoints generally make for a stronger outcome. The employer wants to know if you can thrive with that mentality.

Written by Stephanie Baumhover on February 8th, 2024

Answer Example

"I was working in the IV room and had set up my batch checking counter from top to bottom. I described this flow to the technician, and we agreed and started working. When my manager came through, they noticed I wasn't working left to right. They mentioned that doing it from left to right can minimize the potential for error due to the pass-through angle. I had not considered that before and agreed with them that I would make it left to right. My manager appreciated my ability to change on the spot and recognize another opinion with more experience."

Written by Stephanie Baumhover on February 7th, 2024

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"When I first started working in a hospital pharmacy, one of my tasks as a decentralized pharmacist was to dose vancomycin. I remember a particular incident when I was dosing vancomycin for a patient who had a history of acute kidney injury. Being that the patient's renal function during that admission looked stable, I set them up on a standard regimen. A day later, their serum creatinine began to spike and I received a call from my clinical supervisor. He asked me why I had chosen to give the patient a full dose of vancomycin being that they had a history of AKI. I explain to him that the labs from the current admission looked fine (with exception of today's blip in serum creatinine). My boss emphasized how crucial it is to go back into a patient's chart if possible to look at historical serum creatinine values. Being that I was so new to the art of Vanco dosing, I had not done this. I thanked my boss for his feedback and we continued our discussion with the next steps to follow up. From that point on, I worked closely with my supervisor when I encountered complex patients like this one. We even worked together to revise our company's policy and procedure for dosing vancomycin."

Chad's Feedback

Excellent! It can certainly be difficult to receive negative feedback on one's work, but your response is exactly what the interviewer will be looking to hear - that you recognized your mistake, accepted the criticism, and took it as a learning opportunity to improve your own process, and contribute to the revision of the company's dosing procedure.

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Anonymous Answer

"While doing patient education outreach calls, I was moving down the list in order rather than grouping together patients getting the same medication. This was taking me a significant amount of time since I had to switch gears on my counseling points every time I called a patient. I noticed a colleague was moving a lot faster through her list so I asked her advice. She pointed out that I should group patients together that are getting the same medication and counsel on only one medication a day. I switched to doing it this way in order to streamline my process. I was able to double my call volume from her honest feedback."

Marcie's Feedback

Nice! This is a good example that shows you're open to making changes to your processes per feedback. How about a time when you didn't seek out feedback yet someone (like a manager) gave it to you anyway? Consider including this kind of example as well and describe how you responded to the feedback. The interviewer will want to know that you can handle receiving unexpected feedback and then use it to make improvements that will benefit the company. Good job!

Anonymous Answer

"I had a patient who was taking warfarin at home and the physician had asked the pharmacy to dose his warfarin for use inpatient. While I had a dose that I verified with him and his pharmacy, he didn't mention to me or the nurse or physician that he had been eating a lot of spinach salads which can interfere with this drug. His diet in the hospital was different and his values were very high, so later after some investigation, I found out why his values were high and got some feedback from my supervisor about making sure to look at all aspects of the patient and their lifestyle, especially those that can affect these medications."

Stephanie's Feedback

This is a great specific example, but I suggest taking this one step further to show what the outcome of the feedback was. What did you do with this feedback? How did you incorporate this feedback into your work for the future? Adding a few additional details will help to round out your response!

20. How do you stay up to date on current issues in the pharmacy field?

How to Answer

The interviewer is looking for very specific steps you are taking to stay relevant and up to date on legal developments, recent literature in your area of practice, or evolving treatments and new drug approvals. You want to comment on any journals you scan monthly, any email blasts you receive, any regional or national meetings you attend, and any professional organizations you belong to. If you precept students or residents and attend any journal clubs these are also good items to add to your answer.

Written by Stephanie Baumhover on February 8th, 2024

Answer Example

"I keep up to date in pharmacy in a few different ways. I belong to ASHP which sends out daily, weekly, and monthly updates in the area of pharmacy law and practice changes. I scan the table of contents of JAMA and NEJM monthly. I also attend my regional oncology meeting and I am a regional representative for ---- Pharmacy School. I precept students three times a year and attend virtual journal clubs monthly."

Written by Stephanie Baumhover on February 7th, 2024

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"I continue my pharmacy education by attending local, state, regional, and national conferences to listen to CE presentations. As a pharmacist at your organization, I will have the opportunity to learn from other pharmacist and residents during committee meetings, journal club presentations, and CE meetings. I will also continue my pharmacy education every day by researching topics that I am unfamiliar with. We have access to numerous resources that can help fill in any gaps of knowledge. Also, I plan on precepting students in the future, so I will make sure that I am up-to-date with new therapies to provide my students with the best education."

Rachelle's Feedback

Terrific response! You have many wonderful resources and ideas to ensure that your education and knowledge remain fresh and up-to-date. Well said, and highly enthusiastic.

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Anonymous Answer

"I have continued my pharmacy education by doing certification programs through ASHP, such as the medication safety certification program, and the diabetes certification program, and last year I completed a leadership in an exponentially changing world certification program through MIT."

Stephanie's Feedback

That's great! It sounds like you've really prioritized continuous learning and professional development. To round out your response, I suggest adding a closing sentence, such as "Continuous learning is really important to me, and I am always looking out for new opportunities to advance my pharmacy education."

21. What do you enjoy most about being a pharmacist?

How to Answer

This question is for the employer to find out if you will be happy working in the position they have. This answer should be personal, heartfelt, and detailed. The employer does not want to hear standard responses like "I enjoy helping people." You want to take the answer a step further. This question is not about your performance, it is about how you feel about your career.

Written by Stephanie Baumhover on February 8th, 2024

1st Answer Example

"I enjoy helping a patient understand how their medications treat their blood clots. I feel like I am playing an important role in keeping them out of the hospital."

Written by Stephanie Baumhover on February 7th, 2024

2nd Answer Example

"I enjoy teaching physicians about a new medication and how it can offer a different option than the patient had before. Providing education is really fulfilling."

Written by Samantha Brown on February 15th, 2024

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"The patient interactions and working with my health care team! I love being an accessible resource to my patients and my team members."

Rachelle's Feedback

These are excellent and heartfelt reasons to enjoy your work as a pharmacist. If you have a story to weave into this response - one that will highlight a memorable patient interaction, for instance, that would be a nice addition to your response.

22. If you felt a customer was using prescribed drugs for the wrong reasons, what would you do?

How to Answer

This question is to assess your problem-solving and risk-assessment skills. You want to give a real world answer if you have one. You want to let the interviewer know you can assess this effectively, can take appropriate action, and offer ideas for this situation in the future. This is a recurrent issue and the employer is aware you will face this situation. You also want to remark that you will learn their policies and procedures and adapt to their preferences as needed.

Written by Stephanie Baumhover on February 8th, 2024

Answer Example

"I had this happen to me before, I was concerned about____, so I ____, and then we implemented a new process based on this situation which involved ------. Each time I encounter this I find it to be a challenging situation, but one that pharmacists play a vital role in keeping patients safe. I know there may be different policies and procedures at each company and I am open to learning different and better ways to tackle this ongoing issue."

Written by Stephanie Baumhover on February 8th, 2024

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"I would have a conversation with my patient to make sure they know why they are taking the medication and know what types of side effects could occur if taken incorrectly. I would then contact their provider to make sure they know strange filling patterns and address my concern."

Rachelle's Feedback

Solid answer. It's clear that you would address this situation with professionalism, putting the patient at ease while also opening communication lines with their provider.

23. How would you handle a patient or physician yelling at you?

How to Answer

Answer Tips: This is unfortunately a realistic situation and you want to pull from a real-world example if possible. If you do not have an example, you want to discuss your approach to this situation. A good answer involves discussing ways to de-escalate the situation, employ empathy with the person, and work towards an efficient resolution while protecting yourself and following policy.

You may consider adding that you are aware of what to do if you are threatened (call security or a manager), and also if you need to hand off a situation to another pharmacist if possible to de-escalate the situation further if needed. The most important tip is to recognize that engaging in the dispute is not appropriate and rarely leads to resolution.

Written by Stephanie Baumhover on February 8th, 2024

Answer Example

"I would tell the patient I am sorry they have to wait, and I know they must be uncomfortable. I would ask them if we could have the medication delivered to them. I would communicate that this is the current process and I understand this is not currently working for them. I would let my manager know about this in the hopes of it being better in the future and am sorry they are dealing with this.

Written by Stephanie Baumhover on February 8th, 2024

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"I try to maintain a calm demeanor and try to listen to what the real issue is. Most of the time, it's not a pharmacy-related issue, and they need someone to vent to. I address the situation and their feelings and offer solutions to their problems if possible."

Rachelle's Feedback

Good response. It is evident that you care about others and understand that heated situations can be misdirected frustration. If you have a story-based example of a time when you used this approach to diffuse a patient-related situation, this question is a great time to include some storytelling.

24. What type of position would you hope to have in 5 years?

How to Answer

This question is merely trying to learn more about you as a person and your expected longevity within this role. The employer wants to know how long you will be with them and if you want to grow in this organization. Can this job make you happy for at least five years? The best answer is an honest answer while allowing some room for flexibility. Recognize and communicate what you want and that you know things change and you are willing to adapt and look for opportunities within the company.

Written by Stephanie Baumhover on February 8th, 2024

Answer Example

"I have found a few different areas in pharmacy that I really love. My immediate goal is to find a position with growth potential so that I can ultimately reach my goal of being a student preceptor/lead pharmacist/regional trainer/clinical pharmacist in an outpatient anticoagulation clinic. I realize I need more experience in -----, and that is why this position is so appealing to me."

Written by Stephanie Baumhover on February 7th, 2024

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"My long-term goal is to pursue a career as a clinical specialist and instructor at an academic teaching hospital. I have a strong interest in academia and would love to see myself as an instructor after a few years of practice as a clinical specialist."

Rachelle's Feedback

Fantastic! You have a lot of direction, and you sound very confident in your ability to reach your career goals. To strengthen your response, consider including some action steps you plan to take to see these goals to fruition.

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Anonymous Answer

"My goal is to live and work authentically in a role that adds value not only to my company but to the patients that I serve."

Marcie's Feedback

Great! That's a wonderful goal. Do you have aspirations to one day lead other people and oversee the daily operations of a pharmacy? If so, consider mentioning that you'd like to move into a management role after some time. You could also talk about your desire to continue learning throughout your career. Be detailed and specific about your long-term goals so the interviewer can feel your passion and dedication to the industry. Good job!

Anonymous Answer

"One of my long-term goals is to go into a leadership position so I have a chance to see the impact of some of the changes and improvements we make across a broad spectrum and be able to work together with other healthcare providers to optimize healthcare for our patients."

Stephanie's Feedback

Entering into a leadership role is a great aspiration to have, but I suggest developing your response more. What type of leadership role are you seeking? What is your approximate timeline for achieving this? Providing a few additional details will help your response feel more clear and more actionable.

25. Describe a difficult work experience, and what you learned from it.

Tips

The employer is looking to see how you handle conflict. You want to describe a pharmacy work experience if at all possible. If you need to pull from a prior job not in pharmacy that is fine as well but try to use a pharmacist example.

This is a two-part question, so make sure you answer both parts. You want to briefly describe the situation without assigning blame, just the facts. The best scenarios are those with misunderstandings, or two different parties having different priorities. If you don't have this example, just use something that happened to you. The employer wants to see a moment of effective communication and conflict resolution while being able to look for ways to minimize this situation in the future.

Written by Stephanie Baumhover on February 7th, 2024

Answer Example

"I was working the evening shift and Dr. Smith, a cardiologist, called wanting ---- for his patient for ----. This is a REMS medication and off-label for the reason he wanted. I explained the limitations and why I could not obtain that for him tonight. He was extremely upset stating I would be responsible for delaying his procedure tomorrow morning. I told him I understood the urgency and I would make sure to pass along this situation to my manager for resolution in the morning as soon as possible. I suggested trying ----- as it was immediately available and labeled for this reason. He declined this option but appreciated me trying to find a solution. He said this was a home medication and he was trying to keep it going. I suggested a stat consult with ---- who could find an alternative."

Written by Stephanie Baumhover on February 7th, 2024

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"During a summer placement in a pharmacy, I had difficulties answering the phone as I had no experience and it made me anxious. I was constantly avoiding the phone when it was ringing and I eventually came to realize that I could not indefinitely run away. I, therefore, decided to make it my responsibility to answer the phone in order to get some practice and build my confidence."

Stephanie's Feedback

Great example! Interestingly enough, talking on the phone feels uncomfortable for many people; I'm glad you overcame this discomfort. To improve your response, I suggest adding a couple of additional sentences explaining what you learned from this experience and/or how it improved your work going forward.

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Anonymous Answer

"I had a nurse who didn't understand how to give a certain medication and rather than ask for help was just trying to give it how she thought was right. I saw it was incorrect, pulled the nurse aside, and told her it shouldn't be administered that way but should be given over more time than she thought. I learned that patient safety and optimization of care is the most important thing and being professional and educating others in a professional manner can help educate them."

Stephanie's Feedback

This is an excellent response! You provide a compelling example and clearly illustrate how you navigated through a challenging situation.

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."

27. What do you find most challenging in your current role?

How to Answer

The employer is curious as to why you are leaving your current role and if that issue will be present in this position. They are also looking for what makes you happy and if this position is a fit for you. They are wondering if you are adaptable and if you get upset about minor details. You want to answer this question honestly and with balance. You don't want to throw individual people out as reasons why you are unhappy or challenged. That would sound as if you cannot get along with different personalities. The best types of answers involve a lack of potential for growth, or a change in responsibilities from your current role, or a desire to improve on a different skillset for you. It is best to avoid talking about schedule unless you are on third shift and need a dayshift position.

Written by Stephanie Baumhover on February 8th, 2024

Answer Example

"I really love most aspects of my current position. The people are wonderful and I love my patients. I really want to become a pharmacy preceptor in an outpatient clinic setting and I believe this position will give me the experience and opportunities to meet that goal."

Written by Stephanie Baumhover on February 7th, 2024

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"Being on my feet all day long can be very tiring sometimes and painful for my feet. I make sure I have comfortable shoes and have two minutes sitting break every 3-4 hours."

Stephanie's Feedback

You do a great job of showing how you work to mitigate the aspects of the role that are challenging (example: comfortable shoes, breaks, etc.) Any time you are presented with an interview question like this one, which focuses on challenges/aspects of your work that you dislike, I always suggest closing with a more positive note (for example: "Although the physical demands of my work are tiring, I enjoy being a pharmacist and feel fortunate to have a career that allows me to help people.")

28. What is it about this role that appeals to you?

How to Answer

First, thank the interviewer for the opportunity to interview. Then comment on some characteristics about the job that you like as well as why you want to be a part of the larger organization. The main goal of this answer is to convey your excitement about this position and why you think this role is a good fit for you. You want to also let the interviewer know what specifically you will bring to their department.

Written by Stephanie Baumhover on February 8th, 2024

Why the Interviewer Asks This Question

The interviewer is wondering if your pre-conceived understanding of the role fits with what they are looking for. "I saw online that you are offering a new program in -----. I did a rotation in this area during pharmacy school and I would love to see this at work."

Written by Stephanie Baumhover on February 7th, 2024

1st Answer Example

"Thank you for the opportunity to interview for this role. I think it is a great match for me as I have steered my career towards working in -----, since my last year of pharmacy school. I have completed three rotations in -----, and my last position was in -----. I believe these two experiences prepared me for this role.

Written by Stephanie Baumhover on February 13th, 2024

2nd Answer Example

"I read that ----- has recently expanded into home health and I worked in that area in my last position. I find it both challenging and rewarding to help patients transition from the hospital to home."

Written by Samantha Brown on February 15th, 2024

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"I became interested in pharmacy in my last position. I noticed that many patients had issues taking their medications correctly or taking medication for an incorrect length of time. I saw a need, decided to step up to the plate, be the patients' advocate and help them received the benefit from the medication that they are supposed to receive."

Rachelle's Feedback

You have a very noble reason to pursue a career in pharmacy! It's an important cause. What makes you want to be a pharmacist with this specific employer?

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Anonymous Answer

"I want to utilize my 15 years of clinical pharmacy skills and experience to directly impact and improve the health of patients by helping them to find ways to afford their medications, make sure they are able to take their medications as intended, and finding solutions to whatever barriers they may have to take their medications (cost, too many doses per day, side effects, lack of understanding, etc)."

Stephanie's Feedback

This is a really well-rounded response that showcases your depth of experience in the pharmacy profession. You don't address, however, why you're interested in this specific employer. Adding a sentence about why you're interested in joining this specific organization will take your response up a notch!

29. Describe a time when you feel you made a difference in a patient's care.

How to Answer

This is a great question to let you shine. You want to deliver this answer with some level of excitement and passion for your job. There is really no downside to this question, the employer wants to see how much enjoyment you get out of work and learn a little more about your personality and dedication. This question is designed to let you tell the employer something that is not on your resume, and something that you are proud of. Everyone should have one of these examples in their pocket. This can also be from pharmacy school if you are a recent graduate. If you have been in practice for a while, try to pull something within the last year.

Written by Stephanie Baumhover on February 8th, 2024

Answer Example

"A patient was in the aisle looking for something for -----. I noticed them in the aisle for quite a while and went to the floor to ask if they needed help. They were confused on ----- and needed some suggestions for ----. While cautioning them about drug interactions I noticed they were also taking -----. On further discussion I discovered they were actually experiencing a drug interaction side effect. I called their two physicians and made alternate recommendations. The patient avoided adding another unnecessary medication, felt better, and saved money. They thanked me so much and it was one of my best days at work last year!"

Written by Stephanie Baumhover on February 7th, 2024

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"I received a phone call from a patient who would run out of her inhaler over the weekend and as it was a Friday. She panicked and was in distress as she thought the GP was not going to issue a prescription until the following week. I reassured her and told her I would try my best to get her prescription by the end of the day. I sent an email request to them. I called the GP surgery explaining the situation. A few hours later I received the prescription and I called the patient who was relieved and thankful."

Stephanie's Feedback

This is a great example of how you went the extra mile to care for a patient. I suggest including a conclusion sentence to wrap up your thoughts and tie your response back to the question (Example: "Any time I have the opportunity to make a difference in a patient's care, I will always go the extra mile to do so."

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Anonymous Answer

"We had a patient in the ED who was seeing multiple doctors with multiple medications and didn't understand any of them. I was able to clarify which medications they were actually taking, make an easy-to-read and understandable medication list, and put the indication for each medication on this list so they clearly understood the medications and what they were for. It also helped them when they went to see each provider so the multiple doctors could clearly see what they were taking to avoid any duplicate therapies or drug interactions."

Stephanie's Feedback

This is a great example of going above and beyond to meet the needs of your patients. It sounds like any team would be really lucky to have you onboard!

30. Are you available for shift work?

How to Answer

This question is designed to quickly determine if you are a true candidate for this position that may require evenings, midnight shifts, weekends, and holidays. Shift work is primarily 24/7 work, and the employer needs to clarify if you have any scheduling restrictions. This is a time to mention any schedule restrictions that are absolutely essential for you. The employer needs to confirm they can freely schedule you. If you suggest scheduling challenges may exist for you, or suggest that you cannot work variable hours you may lose candidacy in this position. It is recommended that you confirm your potential scheduling during this part of the interview.

Written by Stephanie Baumhover on February 8th, 2024

Answer Example

"Yes, I am prepared to work all shifts as required. Can you explain the current staff pharmacist scheduling?"

Written by Stephanie Baumhover on February 7th, 2024

31. How would your patients describe you?

How to Answer

This is a very specific question for a certain type of practicing pharmacist with recurrent patients. This may be used in an ambulatory clinic position or a small retail setting. If this type of question is used, it is being used to determine how well you communicate with patients, and how engaging you are with patients. In this type of position with pharmacist and patient regular interaction, it is important that the right personality is placed in the role. The employer is looking if you are appropriate, dependable, a good communicator, and can develop important relationships. If you are a recent pharmacy graduate and have not yet built these relationships you can discuss positive patient interactions from rotation.

Written by Stephanie Baumhover on February 8th, 2024

Answer Example

"I love my patients. I really enjoy interacting with my regular patients and seeing the results of my counseling and suggestions. I believe my patients would describe me as caring, dedicated, and professional. I make extra calls to them at home to make sure they understood my teaching, and I call each person personally who misses any appointments."

Written by Stephanie Baumhover on February 7th, 2024

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"Patient and helpful. I encountered patients who had difficulties explaining their issues because of a language barrier. I take my time to understand them and help them. As well as the elderly patients who need some time to speak."

Stephanie's Feedback

This answer really captures your core values and how you go about meeting your patients exactly where they are! Patience goes a long way, and your patients are truly lucky to have you.

32. Describe a conflict with a preceptor or attending physician.

How to Answer

This can be a tricky question to answer. This is a question to practice answering ahead of time to master the correct tone. The employer wants to assess if you have any issues with anger management, conflict resolution, and communication. In addition, the employer wants to discern your honesty and ability to interact in many different situations. I would make sure to find an example you can highlight. If a candidate answers that they can't think of anything, that tells the employer they have not yet worked enough to have those experiences, or they have something they do not wish to share.

Written by Stephanie Baumhover on February 8th, 2024

Answer Example

"In my first professional role, I was on rounds with a surgeon. I recommended a change to the patient's antibiotic regimen. The surgeon did not agree due to the anaerobic coverage he wanted. I felt like it was an education issue and attempted to describe the benefits of a change. The surgeon expressed his frustration that day on rounds in a group setting and refused to change it. I decided to leave it alone and try again the next day. When I returned to work the next day, the surgeon had already changed it to my suggestion."

Written by Stephanie Baumhover on February 7th, 2024

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"When I was working at the cancer center, I would review treatment plans for patients receiving chemotherapy to ensure that their labs were sufficient to safely receive treatment. I remember a particular situation with an oncologist who had signed (approved) treatment for a patient whose kidney function was not ample to receive a full dose of cisplatin. When I called the oncologist to voice my concern, he quickly disagreed saying "I have used cisplatin plenty of times in my career in patients with similar renal function." I calmly responded with my recommendation to at least reduce the dose and cited the literature to support my proposal. The oncologist replied favorably and thanked me for taking the time to help him care for his patient. After this incident, the oncologist and I would communicate on a regular basis and he would even ask for me when calling the pharmacy for advice."

Chad's Feedback

Great! You make good use of the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) framework to organize your response, and the story-based example you chose clearly demonstrates your ability to remain calm and communicate clearly when in disagreement, and come to a positive end result. Nice job!

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Anonymous Answer

"I had a situation with a GP receptionist who told a patient that we did not send any request for his medications when we did. The patient was unhappy with the pharmacy. Usually, we send hard copies but that time an email was sent as it was urgent (what we usually do). I phoned the GP reception and told them that a request was sent by email but she said nothing has arrived. I found the email that was sent earlier and gave her the time it was sent. In the end, I just sent another email on the spot and made sure they received it before hanging up the phone. There was probably an issue with the system."

Stephanie's Feedback

In the "Revised Answer" suggestion, I've suggested a slight rewording of this response, with a closing sentence to relate back to the question.

"I had a situation with a GP receptionist who told a patient that we did not send any request for his medications when we did. The patient was unhappy with the pharmacy. Usually, we send hard copies but that time an email was sent as it was urgent, which is our usual protocol. I phoned the GP reception and told them that a request was sent by email but she said nothing has arrived. I found the email that was sent earlier and gave her the time it was sent. In end, I just sent another email on the spot and made sure they received it before hanging up the phone. There was probably an issue with the system. From this situation, I learned the importance of active communication and follow-through; I truly believe that all workplace conflicts can be resolved through communication."

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

How to Answer

This is an open-ended question with no true correct answer. The employer is trying to assess how aware you are of the current issues regarding pharmacists as a whole. There may be situation-specific answers that are unique to home health, retail, and hospitals. I would answer in a way that highlights one or two specific issues you are aware of. Maybe these are items you have seen while in school, issues in your past role, or issues you see in your Board of Pharmacy FAQs on their website. This is a good opportunity to ask how this potential job or organization addresses these issues.

Written by Stephanie Baumhover on February 8th, 2024

Answer Example

"I am personally concerned with -----. I have seen the evolution of ----- and would like to see -----. I have also experienced ----- and would love to help find a resolution to ---- in my career."

Written by Stephanie Baumhover on February 7th, 2024

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"The shortage of medications. Due to the pandemic going on and Brexit, we realized that many essentials medications are out of stock for a long time. For example, Pregabalin now that several patients are taking is out of stock. We have to request alternatives from GP and sometimes we lose patients that go to other pharmacies."

Stephanie's Feedback

This shows your clear understanding of critical issues facing the pharmacy industry today--good job!

34. What is your communication style?

How to Answer

This is a classic question that is designed to gauge your own interpersonal insight and to make sure you will fit in with the existing team. The employer also wants to make sure they can communicate with you effectively. They are looking for any red flags that could point to future issues between staff or with patients and caregivers. This question may require you to do some preparation and practice answering. This question is one of the most important for hiring managers.

Written by Stephanie Baumhover on February 11th, 2024

Answer Example

"I really enjoy working with a variety of people and I try to adjust my communication to the issue of the moment. I am an empathetic person and look for ways to create win-win situations for people. I have been told I am a clear and effective communicator."

Written by Stephanie Baumhover on February 11th, 2024

35. How would your peers describe you?

How to Answer

This is another opportunity for you to celebrate your skills. You can reference examples from previous positions, or past comments from prior managers. You want to highlight your strengths while allowing your unique personality to shine through. It is best to answer this question as honestly as possible but be confident in how you interact in a professional environment. Ultimately you want to find the right fit for a position, and allowing the hiring manager to really see your personality will increase your chances for success.

Written by Stephanie Baumhover on February 11th, 2024

Answer Example

"I have been lucky enough to work with some great people and had wonderful mentors. I have been described as outgoing, dedicated, and a team player. I make it a point to get to know my coworkers and look for common ground with my peers. My prior manager described me as passionate about patient care and willing to go the extra mile for a patient while still balancing the workload effectively."

Written by Stephanie Baumhover on February 11th, 2024

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"They would describe me as hardworking and attentive to details."

Stephanie's Feedback

Being hardworking and detail-oriented are very positive qualities, but I suggest developing this response a bit more. What sets you apart from others who identify as hardworking and attentive? Is there a specific example of how these qualities show up in your work?

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Anonymous Answer

"They would say I am dedicated, driven to deliver, and mindful. There are many times I would stay late to finish a task or help someone out because we got very busy. Making sure the needs of the business are taken care of. I am also mindful of my team members."

Marcie's Feedback

Nice! Has there ever been a time when a peer has complimented you directly? If so, consider mentioning this. You might also bring up any positive reviews you've received from managers. Be sure to align some of the descriptions you cite with the qualities mentioned in the job ad so the interviewer can easily see that you're a perfect fit for the role.