What do you dislike the most about being a Pharmacy Technician?

"While not a dislike, the biggest learning curve I will have when I start is learning the cost coverage and insurance side of the business. I know that in a retail setting like this, it will be important to understand the types of coverages that customers have, and I look forward to learning this aspect of the business."

This is an excellent opportunity to discuss the challenges you face as a pharmacy technician. Giving an example involving customer service is a great place to start. Show that you understand the reality of the job and that you accept the challenges. Be sure to end your response positively, showing the interviewer that you like your job more than dislike certain aspects.

"I know that it can be hard to handle customers when they get upset because I've dealt with these situations before. However, I feel confident in my ability to handle all kinds of personalities. I am good at staying calm in these situations and calming the customer."

"I hate seeing a patient struggling to pay for their medication. Having worked in a retail setting for many years, I have been heartbroken many times seeing a patient unable to pay for their much-needed medication."

"It's hard to deal with angry customers sometimes, but I know I can deal with that, and it helps me to get more experience and feel more confident in my ability to resolve problems."

"While I don’t work directly with patients, I do sometimes come in contact with irate nurses & doctors, usually, they’re upset about a late medication, or a medication that wasn’t transferred with the patient when they came up from the ER. I’ll sympathize and try to resolve the issue as soon as possible."

This concludes our interview. Do you have any questions for me?

"Thank you for asking. Yes, I do have a couple of questions. First, when would you like to have this position filled? And second, are there any required qualifications you do not see on my resume?"

The interviewer wants to ensure that all your questions about the company or job role are answered during the interview. It is best to ask at least a question or two, showing the interviewer your eagerness to learn all you can. Of course, you want to review the job announcement and research the company beforehand so you are not asking questions that could be found during your research.

"Yes, I do have a few questions. Thank you for asking. Could you please describe the company culture? Also, do you have any hesitancy in offering me the position?"

"Yes, I have a few questions, and I appreciate you asking. First, is there anything from my background and experience that I can clarify for you? Also, what do you see as the most significant change in this industry over the next three years?"

Where do you see yourself in five years?

"My career goal is to pursue a doctorate in Pharmacy. I plan to work full-time as a Pharmacy Technician and work towards my bachelor's degree over the next four to five years. From there, I will look to pursue my doctorate. It is important for me to find an employer where I can learn and grow and hopefully remain employed once I become a pharmacist."

Think about your career goals before your interview. You will likely be asked a question similar to this. Be prepared to talk about how your role as a pharmacy tech will fit into your five-year plan. Don't have a plan? Take some time to look at your options. Research the career path of a pharmacy tech. You could work as a lead pharmacy tech or decide to go to pharmacy school. The options are endless!

"In all honesty, my job search is solely due to me looking for a long-term, stable employer that I can eventually retire from. I love my career as a Pharmacy Technician and I really like everything that I have heard about your organization. Five years from now, I hope to be working here as a tech."

"In five years, I'd like to have the opportunity to be in a leadership position in one of your pharmacies in this facility. I am currently in a leadership role in my position in retail and fully realize that I will have to start over as a general technician if hired here. You'll find out quickly if you hire me that my experience and leadership skills will be invaluable to the team."

"I will like to be working as a lead tech in this company and maybe attending a nursing or PA program."

"I want to continue to work for the NHS as a pharmacy technician. With the opportunity to gain promotion to a lead pharmacy technician role."

How would you describe your communication skills?

"I have worked hard on my verbal communication skills over the past few years as I used to be extremely shy. I took public speaking courses and now feel very comfortable communicating with others. My written communication skills have always been strong, and now my verbal communication skills are as well."

The interviewer asks this question to see that you have the strong verbal and written communication skills required to work as a Pharmacy Technician. Your job duties will include speaking to the Pharmacist, managers, coworkers, and the public. You will also be responsible for written communications when writing reports and communicating by email. The interviewer wants to hear that you have the necessary communication skills for the role.

"I would describe my communication skills as above average. I work very hard to ensure I speak to my customers in terms they can understand. Pharmaceutical terminology can be quite confusing for those not in the field. After explaining something to a customer, I have them repeat what I said to ensure they are clear on what I told them. I ask them if they have questions, I actively listen, and I am great at reading body language. My written communication skills are exceptional, as well."

"I have solid communication skills and feel this skill is one of my greatest strengths. I took two years of communications courses in college and have honed my verbal and written communication skills over the years. I have a letter of recommendation from my previous employer highlighting these skills and have a copy if you would like to see it."

"I have good communication skills and enjoy working and communicating with different people. My job as a catering assistant involved me interacting with many different patients and healthcare workers on a daily basis. This has helped me improve my communication skills."

"I would consider my communication skills as average, as I've worked in a hospital setting for the past 4 years. I am comfortable with speaking to a variety of healthcare professionals, as it is required daily."

How would your references describe you?

"I have two copies of letters of recommendation if you want them for your file. My references describe me as honest, dependable, energetic, and compassionate. They mentioned that I have not missed a day of work the entire time I worked for them and that I demonstrate strong leadership skills even when not working in a leadership position."

The interviewer wants to hear that your references will positively describe you. Think about the constructive things your references have said about you in the past. Be complimentary of yourself - now is not the time to be super humble.If you have past performance reviews or letters of recommendation from your references, review them before your interview. You will be better prepared to answer the question if what they wrote is fresh in your mind. It is also good to have copies for the interviewer if they would like a copy for their file.

"I have an excellent list of references who will say that I am a hard worker who always brings a positive attitude to the workplace. I learn new concepts quickly and seek out opportunities to help others. I have three copies of performance reviews and letters of recommendation for your file if you would like them."

"I have an excellent list of references who will say that I am a hard worker who always brings a positive, compassionate attitude to the workplace. I have a strong work ethic, a moral compass, and excellent customer service skills. I have three copies of performance reviews and letters of recommendation for your file if you would like them."

"My references would describe me as a hard-working person who brings a positive attitude to the workplace. I have received yearly audits in which I had received good feedback from my supervisors who have said they never get any complaints from anyone who has worked with me."

How do you fill your downtime at work?

"I realize that downtime is rare in this field and that if it ever happens, there are other important things to take care of. I'm not a person to stand around on the job so I would look to find other tasks that can't normally be done when the pharmacy is busy with customers."

Texting your boyfriend and getting on social media are not the best responses! Even though you may need time to reset, you want your interviewer to know that you understand how valuable your time is and that you take your job seriously. If you want to stay accurate in preparing medications and prescriptions, you should make the most of those 10 minutes of free time by reviewing your to-do list, checking in with your boss, and then grabbing some coffee. Express to your interviewer that you use your downtime wisely.

"If I have downtime at work, I like to ensure our inventory is stocked and the work area is clean and tidy. I will empty trash cans, restock supplies, and see if any coworkers need help with anything. I like to stay busy and productive when it is slow at work."

"I like to shadow the pharmacist and learn more about the medication that we are dispensing to our patients during my downtime. I have been doing this for a few years now with the permission of both my supervisor and the pharmacists and it has helped me become a much better technician."

"I check what has to be done, like cleaning, checking expired drugs, zone the shelves, provide customer service, and anything the pharmacist needs to be done."

"I check if anything needs to be done. I check on stock and tidy up the workplace. I also ask my coworkers if they need any help with anything."

"If there is any downtime, and I’m in the pharmacy I’ll see if any of the mini bag antibiotics need to be defrosted, check to see if there are any messages that may need to be answered, or do a section of drugs that need to be checked for expired meds. Anything to keep me busy so I’m not standing around idly."

Name three of your greatest strengths related to your profession.

"My greatest strengths are my leadership, communication, and conflict resolution skills. I developed these skills in high school as the class president and team captain of my volleyball team. I have further developed these skills in college as the captain of the debate team. I was elected to these positions for my ability to lead a group of people to accomplish and achieve the same goals. I enjoy leading others by example, and I look forward to bringing these skills to your company if I am chosen for the position."

The interviewer wants to hear about three of your greatest strengths as a Pharmacy Technician to determine if you have the qualities they are looking for. Review the job description before your interview and look for keywords the company used to describe its ideal candidate. Then, choose three of those keywords you have identified as your greatest strengths, showing the interviewer that you have the characteristics they are looking for.

"Three of my greatest strengths as a Pharmacy Technician are my customer service, problem-solving, and communication skills. I enjoy meeting new people and giving my customers a pleasant experience. If there is ever an issue with a prescription, I communicate with my customer and help find a solution to their problem."

"My greatest strengths as a Pharmacy Technician are my communication, leadership, and interpersonal skills. I have excellent verbal and written communication skills and can explain complex terms in easy-to-understand terms. I have led many diverse groups at work and in a volunteer capacity, and have exceptional listening skills. I have over ten years of experience honing these skills in my profession."

"I have strong attention to detail. I have demonstrated this during my university degree in which I had a lot of hands-on laboratory experience in which you must be accurate in your measurements and calculations. I have good communication skills. During my time as a catering assistant at the hospital, I have worked with all different types of patients and healthcare workers in different areas of the hospital. I also have good organization skills which I showed during my time at university meeting different deadlines and carrying out experiments."

"Flexibility, a great team worker, and an active listener. These are all skills I’ve developed from my four years of working in a hospital environment."

What do you enjoy most about working in the pharmaceutical field?

"Being both a people person and someone that is knowledgeable in science and chemistry made this field very interesting for me to pursue. I love the fact that I'll be getting the opportunity to work with pharmacists, hospital staff, and patients on a regular basis while utilizing my pharmacy skills at the same time."

Talk about your favorite aspect of the job. If you're new to the field, think about what you're looking forward to learning. Talk about some of your on-the-job training and what you enjoyed about it.

"I like working in an environment where I am constantly learning. I like being challenged. There are always changes to regulations and new information in the pharmaceutical industry."

"I enjoy the ability to work in different areas of pharmacy. Inpatient, Outpatient, Compounding. The fact that each day is different and I get to learn new things on a regular basis makes this a very fun field to work in."

"I like everything from inputting, filling, receiving the order, working with my coworkers, pharmacist, and help customers."

"I enjoy being part of a team and enjoy looking after the patients' safety."

"I would like to combine my interest in science and being a people person together. I want to continue to interact with different patients and healthcare workers."

"I love the fact that every day is a new day to learn something new and that you get to rotate in between roles, whether that be compounding, going on hourly rounds, or answering messages and playing around with the Epic system."

How would your co-workers describe you?

"If you were to talk to any of my current co-workers or classmates, they would point out that I am a dedicated person who puts 100% into everything I do. By being focused both on the job and in school, my work is detailed and completed thoroughly with no mistakes, and I am proud that I learned this dedication from my parents at a young age."

Think about positive traits others use to describe you. Focus on the characteristics that are most valued in the workplace. Explain why your coworkers think you have these traits or an experience showing these characteristics. Prepare two or three examples that you can use in your interview. These examples can also be applied when discussing your strengths, another potential interview question.

"My coworkers have consistently said that I am easy to work with because of my pleasant attitude and ability to work as a team. I pride myself on being positive at work, which tends to radiate to those I work closely with."

"My co-workers would describe me as being hard working. I'm always the first in and the last to leave each day. I always make a point to be helpful to my patients and co-workers. We all have times when we get busy, and lending a helping hand always goes a long way in the workplace."

"My co-workers can describe me as a hard-working, reliable, responsible, and a good listener. They know I'm always available when they need me to help with a project, stay overtime to help them or listen if they need someone to talk to."

"My co-workers would describe me as happy, positive, and approachable. I communicate well and I am very helpful."

"My co-workers would describe me as hard-working and easy to get along with. They know they can rely on me to work hard and help with any problems there are."

"If you were to ask my coworkers to describe me they’d say I take my job pretty seriously. If a med is needed stat, that means right away, not 10 minutes later. If a med has gone missing, I’ll either track down where the patient was before or dispense another one. Getting the med to the patient is a top priority."

How do you expect to make a difference at our pharmacy?

"Although I am new to this industry, I will make a difference at your pharmacy by bringing my positive nature and eagerness to learn all I can. I constantly seek ways to help my coworkers and look forward to making the Pharmacist's days less hectic."

The interviewer wants to hear that you are looking forward to working at their pharmacy and have thought about how you can make a positive impact while working there. Think about what kind of impact you could make. Possible things that come to mind are: - Creating a favorable environment for customers by smiling, asking them how their day is going, and providing them with excellent service - Building business relationships with your coworkers so everyone looks forward to coming to work each day - By being the pharmacy that people want to frequent so they can see your smiling face Whatever comes to mind that you are passionate about, share it with the interviewer!

"I plan to make a difference at your pharmacy by creating a favorable environment for customers by smiling, asking them how their day is going, and providing excellent service. I want customers to choose this pharmacy to do business with because of the ongoing excellent customer experience."

"I expect to make a difference at your pharmacy by bringing my ten years of exceptional customer service skills to your company and providing the service you expect from your team members. I always come to work with a smile and a positive attitude, which always rubs off on those around me."

"I am a fast learner and will be able to use my experience dealing with patients and customers in the workplace. I hope to create a favorable environment for customers and patients."

After reading the job description, what do you like most about this position?

"There are many aspects of the job description that are appealing. What I like most about this position is being a translator for your Spanish-speaking patients. I enjoy educating my patients on their prescriptions and dosage and how they work to improve their quality of life."

The interviewer asks this question to see that you have read the job description in its entirety and determine what aspect of the role you like the most. Most Pharmacy Technician job postings have many job duties you will be asked to perform. The interviewer wants to know what you like the most to see where your strengths lie and if you will be a good fit for the team.

"What I like most about this position is assisting with inventory control by ordering, checking orders, stocking shelves, and organizing the stock. I am extremely detail-oriented and enjoy making sure the inventory is up-to-date, so my customers always have what they need."

"What I find most appealing about the position is assisting the Pharmacist. I enjoy working closely with the Pharmacist and helping fill prescriptions, affixing labels, prepackaging pharmaceuticals, and stocking supplies. That is why I became a Pharmacy Technician, so that will always be my favorite part of the job."

"I like the opportunity I will have to work with patients and customers from all different backgrounds. I would like to help make a difference in the lives of these people."

What is the difference between prescription medicine and over-the-counter drugs?

"The obvious difference is that prescription medication requires a physician's prescription and is intended for just one person. For a retail position like this, it is still important for a technician to be able to answer questions on over-the-counter drugs as customers will ask many questions about them."

Prescription medication requires a doctor's prescription, while over-the-counter medication does not. As a Pharmacy Technician, your job is to interpret and fill prescriptions written by various doctors. The interviewer wants to ensure you understand the differences between the two.

"Prescription medication requires a physician to write a prescription and is something you cannot purchase over the counter. Sometimes there is a version of the medication over the counter, but it is generally a lower strength."

"Over-the-counter medications are typically available in any grocery or retail store and do not require a prescription from a physician. Having worked retail for many years, I'm familiar with helping patients pick out the best over-the-counter medication for their symptoms with the pharmacist's assistance."

"Over the counter or OTC, prescriptions do not need a Dr's prescription, for example, Motrin and Tylenol. Prescription medicine, you need a Dr's prescription to get it specifying quantity, name, milligrams, dosage, and sig."

Have you ever worked with a Pharmacist you did not like? What didn't you like about them?

"While having not worked under a difficult pharmacist yet as a new graduate, I worked for a supervisor during college that was very disorganized when it came to being timely with things like our schedule. Knowing that she was very busy in her job, I had to be very patient when looking for answers from her, and I never became upset when it took time to get answers."

Be careful not to bad mouth your old boss! It's okay to share some qualities that might have affected you or the staff negatively. Keep your response positive. In talking about other people's flaws, share what you learned or how you learned to work with them. Sometimes the downfalls of your coworkers can be opportunities for you to share your skills. See if you can flip this question around to show off how well you handled a difficult personality.

"One particular pharmacist that I worked with wasn't very personable with patients. They were professional, but just not much of a people person. I love working with people, so I took it as an opportunity to shine when I worked with customers. By me taking the time to make sure they received the best service, our customers left the pharmacy happy each and every time."

"During my career, I have worked for challenging Pharmacists. I value my professional work relationships, and sometimes we agreed to disagree, and that's ok. At the end of the day, making the best choices to best serve our patients was the most important thing and that was achieved each time."

"In my almost ten years as a tech, I have worked with many pharmacists, with their way of working and thinking. But it doesn't matter if we agree on something because, in the end, we all work together and have the purpose of helping patients, being professionals."

How well do you handle customer complaints?

"I have some training in customer resolution management and professionally handling customer complaints. I would rate my skills in this area a 9/10. I am confident in my ability to create a resolution with a customer who is unhappy with their product or service."

Addressing customer complaints is an essential part of customer service as a Pharmacy Technician, and the interviewer wants to hear that you are okay talking through a customer's complaint. Start by telling the interviewer that you do not mind addressing customer complaints and that you recognize most customers have good intentions when coming forth with a complaint. Show the interviewer you have the communication and conflict-resolution skills they seek in a Pharmacy Technician.

"I have handled angry customers by remaining calm, listening to their complaints, and finding a resolution to the problem. I have found that most often, there is a communication issue that can be resolved with patience, listening, and problem-solving. If I cannot make the customer happy, I involve my manager. That has only happened once, and even my manager could not please the customer."

"I have extensive training in customer dispute management. If a customer is ever unhappy with their service or product, I would be sure to stop what I was doing, apologize, and ask them how I can ensure they become a satisfied customer again. Most customers will tell you exactly what they want to satisfy their needs."

"I handle customer complaints by remaining calm and trying to help with the complaint. I will try and resolve the issue myself but if it is not possible I will inform a supervisor or manager."

How do you handle times when customer wait times are longer than normal, and customers become uneasy or even mad?

"Customer service is something that I take very seriously, and this can be noted in my time working as a waiter through college. If customers became frustrated due to time concerns, I learned quickly that the best way to ease their minds was to give them a clear expectation of wait times for a meal. In the pharmacy setting, communication and teamwork will transfer well in keeping customers informed of their wait times and working closely as a team to continue to meet those deadlines."

For this question, your interviewer will be looking for you to remain calm and stay focused during times when things get hectic in the pharmacy. If possible, think of a time when you had to work under this type of pressure and explain the step-by-step approach you and your team took to ensure that customers were handled to the best of your abilities and to their satisfaction.

"In my current position working in a large retail pharmacy, we can get very backed up at times. When I am working the front register, communication is very key for me both between my coworkers and with the patients. As I process each customer, I let them know the wait time before the pharmacist will be able to speak with them and I ask them to wait to the side. At the same time, I am communicating with our tech that is processing orders. It is a smooth process that keeps things flowing nicely. If I notice customers becoming irritated, I announce a wait time for those at the back of the line based on my best judgement."

"Having worked in both retail and hospital pharmacy settings, I have experienced busy times in both. In both settings, communication and teamwork among the pharmacy team are extremely important for everyone to come together to get things done in a safe and efficient manner. At the same time, I find that communicating potential wait times to the customers helps ease some tension they may be having due to the wait. When people know how long a wait it may be, they more often than not are acceptable to the fact and understand that we are very busy."

"I would try and reassure the customers they will be seen. I would announce the possible wait times to them to try and ease the tension."

What do you know about our pharmacy?

"One of the students a year ahead of me was hired here a year ago and has nothing but great things to say about this organization. Coming into the field, I knew I wanted to work in a retail pharmacy for a unique customer base and a large, established employer. I know your organization values employees and their customers, and I would be honored to work for a company that holds those values."

Before your job interview, make sure you are familiar with the company's mission and values. We recommend visiting the company website, reading employee reviews, or talking to anyone you know who works there to learn as much as possible. You want to be able to talk about what you like about the company so that you can convince them you're the best fit for the role. Your interest in current seasonal promotions and ongoing events shows them how well you would integrate into this position and the company's culture. Watch the videos on their website and take note of the information on their careers page if one is available. If you need clarification on something you read or heard, ask about it!

"Being a small, independent pharmacy, I love that you give so much back to the community. Having grown up here, this city is very important to me, and I look forward to the opportunity to help in contributing and giving back to it."

"I was excited to learn that you have an inpatient pharmacy as well as an outpatient pharmacy. I'm excited to get the chance to possibly move to a new area and learn new skills, having only worked in retail for all of my career."

How do you verify that a prescription is valid in this line of work?

"During my schooling, we received training on the proper steps to verify a prescription. Red flags like a prescribing provider from far away and a new patient are things that should be brought to the pharmacist's attention to address with the customer."

In today's world, fraudulent prescriptions are being passed along to pharmacies at an alarming rate. Your role as a Pharmacy Technician is often the first line of defense in spotting a fraudulent prescription. If possible, talk about any formal training you've had in this area and how you've worked closely with your Pharmacists to help prevent these from reaching the hands of people they shouldn't.

"With my current employer, I receive training on the warning signs of a fraudulent prescription. My first step when receiving a new prescription is to look at the drug and the dosage to verify it is within the norm. Then, I verify the provider that prescribed it and where they are from. If any warning signs come out, it is the job of my on-staff pharmacist to work with the patient directly."

"Working in a retail setting for many years, I have been subjected to many customers who tried passing fake prescription drugs in our pharmacy. My first step when I receive a new prescription is to verify the patient and the type of drug that is prescribed. We receive yearly training on the top abused drugs, and prescriptions for those drugs are heavily scrutinized by the pharmacist I work with."

"I check for different things in the prescription like the ink, watermark, Drs Dea, and NPI # Drs specialty, check what kind of drug is prescribed."

How do you keep yourself up to date on new medications and practices in the field?

"Being new to the field, I became a member of the NPTA and receive both the "Technician Today" magazine and their e-newsletters. After just starting to receive these, I can see that I will be able to learn a lot about changes in the field moving forward."

In a constantly changing field, Pharmacy Technicians must stay up to date to keep up with the times on the job. Your interviewer will be looking to hear that you are invested in your career by seeking further education for yourself in the field. Be sure to talk about any training you attend, publications you read, or career-related groups you belong to.

"Having worked in the field for eight short years, a lot has changed in that time. The FDA continuously approves new drugs, and new regulations are passed regularly. By being certified as a tech, I have greatly looked forward to and taken part in the continuing education requirements. These credits have enabled me to learn and adapt to a changing career."

"So much has changed in this field during my career that furthering myself and my knowledge has been critical and will continue to be in the future. I have been a certified technician for many years and look forward to continuing education credits to maintain the certification. Last year, I took a CE credit course in third-party reimbursements and learned a lot about changes that have taken place in government-funded reimbursements for medication."

"I receive emails from different online pages with interesting articles about new medications or changes or anything new going on in the medical field. One of them is pocketbook.com"

"I am a member of GPHC and complete revalidation every year which can be CPD. I also completed in-house training in my previous employment."

"Besides accomplishing my mandatory continuous education I am always eager to do more and more to learn everything new about regulations and medications in the pharmaceutical field."

"Besides accomplishing my mandatory CEs."

Give me an example of one of your past jobs that required great attention to detail.

"Filling prescriptions each day requires attention to detail. If I'm not giving each prescription my 100% attention, I could make an error and hurt someone severely. During my college years, I worked as a waitress, where attention to detail was extremely important. I was able to multitask many tables at a time in a busy restaurant environment, and I was required to pay attention to the needs of all of my customers. I believe these skills will transfer greatly to this position."

You could expand upon this example, sharing the type of technology you used and articulating the details of this aspect of the job. Showing that you can follow through with tasks using accuracy and precision will give the interviewer confidence that you can handle the responsibility of interpreting doctor's orders. Can you pay close attention to the names and quantities of medications? Prove you can be entrusted with handling the details of your future job.

"Because of so many look alike and sound alike medications, putting supplies away requires a great amount of attention to detail. If I place a bottle on the wrong shelf and it is used, it could cause harm to the patient. Due to this, I have a system for double-checking my work to ensure that items are in the right place."

"In my current role in a large retail pharmacy, attention to detail is extremely important based on the large customer base that we support on a daily basis. During busy times, life behind the counter can get hectic. But with each new order, I have to be thorough and detailed in ensuring that each prescription is filled distinctly as written by the physician. Life is full of distractions and I ensure that I am well rested and in great shape at work to be at my mental peak each shift."

"I am a medication aide and dispense medications to residents in a long-term facility. All residents' medications are put in a cart. I need to do triple checks (pick; pull; put back) and make sure I get the right medication to the right resident and put it back in the right spot."

"Before I worked as a pharmacy technician I worked as a patient transporter. I was responsible for getting a patient from point A to point B, but before you did that it was crucial to print out your ticket with all of the patient’s information, allergies, and where they were headed, and if you needed to get a bariatric wheelchair or stretcher if they were a bit on the voluptuous side. These are all the details you need to be aware of to not delay patient care."

How do you keep yourself organized to be able to meet deadlines?

"Staying organized as a Pharmacy Technician is very important to complete tasks both accurately and on time. Personally, I utilize my Outlook calendar throughout the day to update with tasks. In both my personal and professional life, I take advantage of this technology, and it helps keep me on track on a daily basis."

The fast-paced life of a Pharmacy Technician requires you to stay organized in your job. Your interviewer will be looking for you to reiterate the importance of staying organized in your job as well as gain insight into how you keep yourself organized. There is no right or wrong answer to how you stay organized, just that you put through the effort to stay on track and accurate throughout your work day.

"To help keep me organized throughout the workday, I am kind of old school in the fact that I keep a written notepad on me to track my tasks in the hospital. At the beginning of each day, I write down a simple work plan of known tasks for the day. That list grows throughout the day, and by keeping it up to date, I am able to prioritize my tasks as I go through the day without missing anything."

"I find that by making a plan at the beginning of every shift, I am able to stay on track and also deal with any emergent type of tasks that come up throughout my shift. A simple checklist works the best for me."

"I review what I have to do, create a list and a timeline to finish it. I focus on my project so I can stay on track with my time. I finish one and continue with my list until everything is done on time."

"It depends on what role I’m working on that day. If I’m working on the bench I always pay close attention to the time, what med the patient label is asking for, and where a med is headed to. If I’m doing hourly rounds. I’ll start off delivering meds in the ER first, then move up to the critical floors (ICU, SIIU, CCU) and work my way up from there. If I’m the IV tech and I have multiple meds to make I start compounding based on what med is due first."

We require all candidates to submit to a pre-employment drug screen. Will there be an issue passing the drug screen?

"There will not be an issue passing the drug screen as I do not take illicit or prescription drugs."

The interviewer advises you of their pre-employment drug screen and asks if you'll pass, so they can decide if they want to continue with you in the hiring process. Agencies invest a lot of money in hiring employees, and they want to avoid sending you for a drug test if you will not pass. Working with narcotics and prescription medications requires employers to be diligent in who they hire.

"No, passing a drug test will not be an issue. I do not use drugs and never plan to."

"No, not at all. I never have and will never use any drug. I have seen too many people's lives ruined by drug addiction, and it was never a path I wanted to take."

What makes you the best candidate for this position?

"I am the best candidate for the position because I meet all of your job qualifications. I will graduate in December with my Bachelor's Degree in Biomedicine and am active on campus and in the community. I have strong analytical and leadership skills and work well under pressure. I also have exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, and I look forward to bringing my skills and thirst for knowledge to your wonderful company."

The interviewer asks this question to hear what qualities you will bring to their organization and how you will benefit them if hired. Now is your chance to highlight your best characteristics and experience, showing the interviewer you have all the qualifications they require.

"In addition to meeting all of the must-haves for this role, I bring additional skills such as being trilingual in Spanish, German, and English and having a degree in pharmaceutical sciences. Speaking many languages will help me communicate better with your diverse customer base, and I look forward to adding these skills to your already amazing team."

"I am the best candidate for the position because I meet and exceed your job qualifications. I have over seven years of experience working as a Pharmacy Technician with diverse groups and cultures. I am empathetic, compassionate, and level-headed, and I work well under pressure. I have exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, and I look forward to bringing my skills and experience to your wonderful organization."

"I am the best candidate for the job because I meet your qualification requirements and have the relevant skills needed. My university degree shows I have the ability to cope with the science aspects of the job. My catering experience where I work with patients on a daily basis will transfer over to this job."

"I am extremely passionate about the work I do as I’ve had the opportunity to work closely with patients. I’ve seen patients in pain, I’ve been to code blues and code strokes where I had to transport the patient, and they ultimately didn’t make it. So I understand how detrimental our job is. If we’re not taking care of our part then, the nurses and doctors can’t do theirs."

What do you enjoy most about being a Pharmacy Technician?

"My motivation for coming into this career was to be able to work with customers to help meet their needs. I am a people person and have loved working in customer service jobs while going through high school and college. My love for science and my passion for working with people makes this a great career choice for me."

Talk about your favorite aspect of the job. If you're new to the field, think about what you're looking forward to learning. Talk about some of your on-the-job training and what you enjoyed about it.

"I enjoy working in an environment where I am constantly learning and being challenged. There are always changes to regulations and new drugs to learn, and this aspect makes every day different and exciting."

"Having been a Pharmacy Technician for some time, the most motivating thing that gets me out of bed each morning to come to work is working as part of a larger team. I currently work in a large clinic and hospital setting, and working with my fellow techs, pharmacists, nurses, and physicians is very rewarding when great outcomes are had for our patients."

"I like everything about being a pharmacy tech, from inputting prescriptions to filling and ordering prescriptions, helping with inventory, etc. It is why I keep working as a tech."

Why did you leave your last job?

"I left my last job as a cashier to pursue a career as a Pharmacy Technician. I gave two weeks' notice before leaving for school and left on good terms. My supervisor knew that job was temporary, as I had spoken about my career path with her."

The interviewer wants to know why you left your last job to see if you were fired, gave notice, or were laid off. If you were fired, they want to know if you will admit why you were fired, if you take responsibility, and what you learned from the experience. If you gave notice, they want to understand what you did not like about your job to see if you would fit in with the company culture.

"I left my last job because there was no room for professional growth or advancement. I want to work in a supervisory position, but that was not possible in my previous place of employment because of the company structure. I gave my two weeks' notice and left on good terms. I have an excellent letter of recommendation if you would like a copy for your records."

"I left my last job after working there for twelve years because the company was understaffed. The CEO did not want to hire additional employees, so I worked twelve-hour days, six days a week. I do not mind working long hours on occasion, but this went on for two years, and I was missing so much in my kids' lives. I realized it was time for a change, so I applied to your organization because of your reputation and a more stable schedule."

What do you feel are the most important qualities in being a good technician?

"The two most important qualities in this position are being detail oriented and being a people person. I am very detailed in my work, which will translate great to a pharmacy tech position in your hospital. I must be accurate in my work because a mistake can be detrimental or lethal to a patient's health. As well, the ability to work with people from all walks of life and backgrounds is equally important."

Take a look at the job description before your interview. As you review the list of responsibilities, think of the character qualities that will help you to be successful in completing those tasks. Now think of the bigger picture. What qualities will enhance the overall work environment for everyone else?

"Flexibility, communication skills, and attention to detail are important qualities that I possess as a pharmacy technician. I love that no two days in the pharmacy are the same, and all three of these traits are necessary to handle all of the changes thrown our way throughout each day."

"Patience and empathy are two important qualities that I pride myself on in this job. Often our patients are sick, so being patient with them and empathetic can show that you truly care about them and their well-being."

"Honesty, compassion. Efficiency. Need to have attention to details, people skills, patience, and pharmaceutical knowledge."

What influenced you to pursue a career in the pharmaceutical field?

"I've always wanted to be behind the scenes in patient care. I have a strong desire to help patients recover from sickness and injury, and nursing wasn't the career for me as I couldn't handle the dirty parts of that job. This career will enable me to work with patients in a manner that I am most comfortable with."

What sparked your interest in the field? This question allows you to show off your communication skills. Tell the interviewer about facts you've learned along the way that drew you to the field. Show off your intelligence and your personality. This is just one question that allows the interviewer to get to know you and see how well you articulate yourself.

"When I was in high school, my father was given too large of a dose of heart medication, which caused a mild heart attack just days after beginning to take the medication. At the time, I knew that I wanted to pursue some sort of career in the medical field. Not wanting to see another family go through what we did due to a careless mistake, I decided this was the right career path for me."

"Growing up, I had a passion for chemistry and also a love for helping people. A long time ago, when career aptitude tests were common for kids in high school, Pharmacy Technician was one of my top choices based on my interests. After being set up to shadow a local independent pharmacist for a week during my senior year, I knew I could get the best of both worlds in this career, and I've enjoyed every moment of it."

"Working as an OTC associate and helping the pharmacist to translate and work with the register. I like the feeling and what the tech job is about."

What do you do in your free time?

"I volunteer at a homeless shelter in my free time. I like to give back to my community through volunteer work. On top of that, I have two dogs that occupy most of my free time while at home."

This question is a bit similar to 'Tell me about yourself.' Share a few things that are relevant to the job and give the interviewer insight into your personality. Since you'll be working with people, talking about spending time with friends would be a good thing to share. You can mention hobbies that require attention to detail, like reading and writing. You can talk about sports that require perseverance or goal setting, like distance running. Be yourself! Maybe consider sharing something that makes you unique so you will stand out above other candidates.

"To best keep myself refreshed outside of work, my children's lives are my life, and we travel to baseball, softball, hockey, and dance competitions every weekend that we can. On top of them, our family likes to spend as much time as possible with our close friends grilling, camping, and cooking together."

"Outside work, I spend as much time as I can outdoors. I am an avid hunter and fisherman and spend as many days in the woods or waters as I can with family and friends. I also try to stay physically active by training for 10k races and weight training as well."

"In my free time, I like to relax, read books, meditate, and go out with my friends."

How did you hear about this position?

"I found out about the position by searching your website. I knew I wanted to work for your organization after one of my professors recommended your company, so I searched and saw an opening in my field."

Companies invest a lot of money in advertising their job openings. The interviewer wants to hear what methods are effective and which are not. They also want to hear if an employee of their agency referred you. Describe how you heard about the position, and be sure to give the name of the employee or recruiter who referred you if applicable. Some companies offer their employees a referral fee when referring a candidate, while others hire recruiters to seek out qualified candidates.

"I have a friend who works for your organization as a cashier. Her name is Molly Simms, and she highly recommends your company. When a Pharmacy Technician opening came up, she called and let me know."

"I heard about this position from a recruiter named Caitlin Jameson. She contacted me on LinkedIn and suggested I apply with your agency due to my fifteen years of experience in the industry."

Who is your greatest role model?

"My older cousin is currently working as a Pharmacy Technician while pursuing her doctor of pharmacy degree. When I was coming out of high school, she had so many good things to say about the field and that getting years of experience as a Pharmacy Tech is vital to eventually pursuing a career as a Pharmacist. I plan to pursue my doctorate someday as well."

Keep your answer career-focused for this question. Your role model can be anyone who has inspired you to pursue your education and training. Sometimes family members motivate you or a close friend. There may be researchers in the medical field whose work caught your interest when you were in college. Talk about how your role model inspired you.

"The greatest role model in my life was my grandfather. Having owned a dairy farm for his entire working life, he taught me the value of hard work at a very young age. From when I was a young girl, I spent many days with him milking cows and tending to the other chores around the farm. Watching my grandmother and him go through positives and negatives in his business while he kept a very positive attitude has always been an inspiration to me in my work life."

"My mentor and pharmacist from my current place of employment is my role model. He started from the ground up, put himself through school working nights, and faced many challenges along the way."

How do you feel about working with customers of diverse backgrounds?

"Having worked in customer service jobs through college, I have great experience working with customers from all backgrounds. I can keep a calm and collected mindset when dealing with customers that are angry, knowing full well that most customers in this mindset are experiencing things in life outside of our interaction."

The pharmacy is a cultural melting pot. Each customer will be different in appearance, demeanor, and communication style. You also can't predict what type of day a customer experienced before they came to the counter. Let the interviewer know you embrace diversity and enjoy working with all customers.

"I have no problem working with customers from all walks of life. I understand that everyone's different, and I can adapt easily to different personalities and communication styles."

"I don't change my work style or level of customer service because of a patient's background. My job is to be professional, educational, and personable to every customer I work with."

"I like to work with people with different backgrounds, we live in a multicultural country, and I treat everyone the same, with respect and professionalism."

When you reflect on your education, is there anything you would do differently?

"While being 100% happy with my decision to pursue a career as a Pharmacy Technician, I would've taken a few more credits so I could've finished a bit quicker. I wanted to take my time and not overload myself. I did so well that sometimes I kick myself for not taking on a bit more."

The best way to answer this question is to focus on what you did right. Talk about your accomplishments and how you were able to balance your workload. If there is something you would have done differently, explain what that was and why you would do it differently if given a chance.

"No. Looking back, I am proud of how much energy I put into my studies and work. I am grateful for where I ended up, and I made the right decision to pursue a career in the pharmacy field."

"When I look back on my career choice, I have no qualms with my choice or my education. This career has enabled me to leave work every day satisfied for being able to help customers that need my services."

Give me an example of your leadership ability.

"During my high school years, I was a team captain for my volleyball and basketball teams. As a leader on these teams, I promoted teamwork among my peers and communicated the plays that we were running. These are skills that I will be able to bring to the workplace by being a team player and great communicator with the other members of my team."

Your leadership ability is a reflection of your initiative and collaboration with others, among several other qualities. Talk about a time you led a team to success, whether it was a sports team or a day in the pharmacy. Companies like to hire leaders because they are reliable and trustworthy. A good leader listens to their coworkers and their boss and communicates effectively. How have you embodied these qualities in the past?

"In my current position, I am one of the lead techs for training new employees in our department. As part of my training with new techs, I walk them through the training on policies and procedures in the department, as well as the day-to-day duties we provide. I lead and train using great communication skills and leading by example."

"Having been in my current position for many years, I am now the lead tech when I work PM shifts when our manager is not at work. In this role, any procedural questions that need to be answered come to me. I enjoy this role as I have become well-versed in our processes and policies. I maintain a positive attitude at all times and lead by example with my team."

"As the lead tech, the other techs always come to me to ask me when they don't understand something since I am always the first one to know the new changes or go to further training. I like to share all I learn with others so we can all be on the same page."

"I led smoking cessation clinics and helped new smoking cessation advisors to learn the role."

"One of our many duties as a pharmacy technician includes training new techs that come in."

What hours are you available?

"Coming out of schooling with no children, my schedule is quite flexible. If I can be given 24-hour advance notice, I can work any shift."

Be realistic with what you can take on, but above all, be flexible! Plan ahead by researching what the job entails and looking at your schedule for availability. If the job requires 40 hours a week, make sure that's something you can do. If you know they may need nights and weekends, see if you can clear your schedule to be flexible to work those times. You don't need to tell your employer everything on your schedule; just be clear on what you can offer.

"In my current position, I work a rotating schedule that includes week-long stretches of both day and PM shifts and an every other weekend rotation. Having a family and active kids, I am open to any schedule just as long as I know my schedule ahead of time. Can you provide detail on how scheduling in the department works?"

"Having worked in a large hospital setting for many years, I can work any shift. I enjoy working night shifts if I need to be scheduled there. Having grandchildren, I like the flexibility of knowing my shift ahead of time, but I can cover shifts on a moment's notice if needed."

"I'm flexible to work anytime."

"I worked evening shifts, and always tried to pick up any open shifts available. I am open to working whatever shift is needed as long as I know my schedule ahead of time."

Give me an example of how you are dependable.

"My attendance record at the job I held through my schooling was perfect, even when school and family life was hectic. My mother instilled this trait in me when I was young, and I appreciate that she taught me this responsibility as a young man."

A great way to prove that you can be relied upon is to be consistently on time. Set the standard by arriving at least a few minutes early before your interview. Map out the route and go the day before so that you know where it is and how long it will take. You could also talk about a time you followed through with something, even in the face of conflict. Consistency in your work shows you are dependable as well.

"I do my best to show up to work 15 minutes early, just in case something comes up on my way there that might set me back. Traffic can be unpredictable, and it's important to me to be on time."

"I currently have a schedule that allows me to pull calls whenever needed with short notice. My flexibility comes in handy when someone calls in sick, and my current manager appreciates my ability to do this on a moment's notice."

"I'm flexible to go to work on my day off if my manager needs me. I can change my shifts, stay overtime when someone else calls in sick, and attend conference calls when the other person is not able."

"I always made it a habit to finish my tasks before my shift ended, even if that meant going home a few minutes late. I always leave a note behind for the next shift if I am not able to complete a task."

Our pharmacy is fast-paced without much downtime. How well do you work under pressure?

"I work very well under pressure. I have not worked as a Pharmacy Technician before, but I was in the military for four years. I was exposed to large amounts of stressful situations while serving in Afghanistan. When faced with a stressful situation, I would let my training kick in. I find that remaining focused on the task at hand keeps my emotions from taking over, which allows me to stay calm while working in stressful environments."

Focus on giving an example of working under pressure related to your role as a Pharmacy Technician. You might have had an angry customer who would not leave the pharmacy or were short-staffed on a busy day. Using the STAR method is an excellent way to formulate your response to this question. STAR stands for Situation, Task, Action, and Result. Briefly describe the situation, explain your role, the measures you took to solve the issues, and the outcome. The interviewer wants to hear that you can effectively work under pressure as a Pharmacy Technician.

" I work very well under pressure. As a full-time student with a full load, I am constantly under pressure to do my homework and complete multiple assignments. I have developed a system that prioritizes the most urgent assignments and tasks I need to complete to stay on track. I find that being organized and remaining focused on the task at hand keeps stress from taking over, which allows me to stay calm while working under pressure."

"I work very well under pressure. I can always remain calm and professional when faced with stressful situations. I find the best thing to do when there is a lot of pressure at work is to stay organized. I create a list, prioritize the most urgent assignments, and delegate work where I can. If I stay focused and know exactly what needs to be done, work stressors do not affect me."

"I thrive in a fast-paced environment and have no problem working under pressure."

Tell me about a stressful time in your work life. How did you handle it?

"While I was enrolled in school, I had a hard time juggling being a parent, student, and working part-time. I kept a detailed to-do list and asked for help from my family. I got past the stressful time and grew from it. Prioritizing was important, as was taking care of myself and giving time for plenty of rest and relaxation to clear my head."

What tools do you use to manage stress? Tell the interviewer that you can handle working in a constantly changing environment. You will need to be able to handle demanding customers, manage relationships with coworkers and fill prescriptions. Give an example that demonstrates your ability to manage stress in your life.

"I was studying for the Pharmacy Technician Board Exam while working full time and completing my externship. It was an extremely stressful time for me. I found that managing my time and prioritizing was the most helpful to make sure I could balance everything."

"Recently, I worked a PM shift where we had three techs scheduled to work, including myself. This was during peak flu season, and both my coworkers called in sick. Coming into the news from my supervisor that I'd be alone for the evening, I first sat down with the pharmacist on duty that evening to plan how we would handle our busy times. Weekday PM shifts get busy around 5:00 pm when people get off work. We formulated a plan, and the pharmacist was willing to help with some of the duties that a fellow tech would normally handle. By making a plan, a stressful evening turned into a successful one."

"A few months ago, we had a relief pharmacist from a different store working at my store. I was supposed to leave at 6 pm, but the two closing techs call out sick. It was a busy and a nonstop day, and the pharmacist couldn't stay by himself. I took another lunch before the morning people left, and I stayed until 9 pm. It was a busy day for us, but at the end of the day, we were proud of us having it under control."

"When I first started training as a pharmacy technician I had an issue with figuring out what tasks I should be doing at certain times. To combat that I went to a senior tech who helped me map out a timeline, from the beginning to the end of my shift. This helped me to better prioritize my time and eventually, I got the hang of the flow of the pharmacy."

How do you work as part of a greater team? What role do you find yourself taking on in a team environment?

"Teamwork is vital in any work environment and it is extremely important in a pharmacy setting. I will be dealing with powerful medications, and communication between myself, my fellow technicians, and the pharmacists is something I will take great pride in. During my schooling, I worked for a large retail establishment, where I quickly became a leader in my department. In that role, I was tasked with leading pre-shift meetings and helping train new staff, and I loved being in a leadership role."

Pharmacy Technicians work with a variety of people throughout their workday, and functioning in a larger team is extremely important. Depending on the setting that you may be working in, you may work with Pharmacists, Nurses, Physicians, or any other hospital, clinic, or retail staff. Your interviewer will be looking to hear that you are willing to do what it takes to help the greater good of the organization and that you are able to work with people from different walks of life and that work in different jobs.

"The team-based atmosphere at my current job is very inspiring and makes work both productive and fun. I work closely with our Pharmacists and am able to take direction from them on a daily basis while also being able to discuss issues with them. My fellow techs and I are a great team together, and we bounce ideas off of each other and help each other out whenever needed. In this team environment, I am definitely a leader among my technicians."

"Throughout my career, I've thrived on the fact that I got to work as part of a greater team in a patient care setting. In my current role in a hospital setting, I love that I get to work with providers, nurses, and fellow pharmacy staff. Among my colleagues, I am a natural leader due to my experience in the field. I am on our interviewing team and also help to train new staff when they start in our pharmacy. I am also a great communicator with all members of the team that I work with."

"As the pharmacy tech with more experience, I have the lead role, I train new techs and help them when they have questions. I am also in charge of calling Dr's offices to verify prescriptions or ask them to finish the pa forms I start for them."

"I communicate well with my team and I am approachable and positive with my work team."

What pharmacy software do you have experience working on?

"Being new to the field, I have yet to gain direct experience working on pharmacy-specific software. However, I am proficient in all computer programs and have excellent typing skills. I have experience working in a retail inventory system, and these skills will transfer great in learning a pharmacy-specific system."

With the advent of the computer in the workplace, Pharmacy Technicians have had to become more proficient in different types of systems to effectively perform their job duties. Your interviewer will be looking for the systems that you have familiarity working on. While there are no right or wrong answers to this question, be sure to reiterate that you can work on a computer and learn new systems with ease.

"I currently work on a pharmacy management system called Liberty. This system is great because it manages patients, inventory, and tasks all in one system. I've been working on this system for almost 10 years and find myself very proficient. I see no issue in being able to learn any new systems if required."

"I currently work on a system called Winpharm. With minimal training when we took on the system a few years ago, I can now use it to the best of my abilities. It allows me to efficiently manage customers promptly and greatly benefits them with automatic refill processing and communications via text or email."

"One of the biggest and most popular software I’ve worked with is Epic. It has come in handy when asked questions related to patient care."

What would you do if you suspect a customer is a drug seeker?

"If I suspected that a customer is looking for medication outside of the scope of a legit prescription, I would immediately speak to the pharmacist on duty. It is their responsibility to either fill or deny a prescription based on their knowledge and best judgment."

With the rise of abuse of opiates and painkillers, pharmacies have seen a dramatic increase in people coming in with fraudulent prescriptions. If possible, let the interviewer know of any protocols that you've worked under if these situations were to arise. If you have a specific example of a time when you encountered a drug-seeking customer, let your interviewer know how you handled that situation.

"With my current employer, we've been trained to spot potentially fraudulent prescriptions and behaviors of people looking for drugs. If we ever suspect this is the case, we have a specific protocol in place where we inform the pharmacist right away to handle the customer. Just recently, a man came in with a prescription from two states away that didn't look right. When I informed him I needed to grab the pharmacist, he became very angry and shouted profanities in front of other customers. The pharmacist quickly told him we wouldn't fill the prescription, and he was asked to leave. Luckily, he did without incident."

"Having attended a continuing ed course on drug-seeking behavior, I consider myself very proficient in recognizing this type of behavior in an individual as well as being able to spot a fishy prescription. With my current employer, our policy is to notify the lead pharmacist on duty if I suspect fraudulent activity from a customer. The pharmacist then speaks directly with the person, reviews their prescription, and contacts any necessary parties to determine the validity of the prescription."

"After working in the pharmacy for almost ten years, I learned to recognize drug seekers. After I suspect that, I let my pharmacist know so he can call the Dr's office and verify the prescription. As our policy said, let the patient know we have to verify the prescription."

Describe a time when you had your ethics tested.

"I had my ethics tested while working at a retail store. I saw an employee put some items in her purse without paying for them and then leave on her break. I went to the break room to ask if she would like me to ring the items up, and she told me she didn't know what I was talking about and to mind my own business. I cannot tolerate people who lie and steal, so I told my supervisor about the incident. They replayed the surveillance cameras and saw I was telling the truth. After that, she was fired, and I received a promotion to Assistant Manager."

As a Pharmacy Technician, you may sometimes be asked to do unethical things. The interviewer asks this question to see that you are honest and have integrity. The interviewer wants to hear that you have morals and can be trusted if hired.Focus on providing an example of when you had your ethics tested as a Pharmacy Technician. If you are new to this field, use an example from a previous job or while attending school. Some examples could be witnessing someone cheat or steal something.

"Last month, I had a customer who had a suspicious-looking prescription. I told her that I would need to get the Pharmacist to speak with her, and she offered me $50 to take care of the prescription without involving the Pharmacist. I politely told her that was unethical and illegal and I would not take her money. As I went to get the Pharmacist, the customer left the pharmacy and never returned."

"I had my ethics tested at my last job. I was in charge of the narcotics on the floor, and a coworker asked me to do something illegal. I told them that I would not participate in illegal activity and told them they had asked the wrong person to help them. I reported them to my immediate supervisor, who told me they were under investigation for something similar. I will not tolerate illegal or unethical activity, as I am an honest person who does everything by the book."

Pharmacy Technician Interview Questions

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1. What do you dislike the most about being a Pharmacy Technician?
2. This concludes our interview. Do you have any questions for me?
3. Where do you see yourself in five years?
4. How would you describe your communication skills?
5. How would your references describe you?
6. How do you fill your downtime at work?
7. Name three of your greatest strengths related to your profession.
8. What do you enjoy most about working in the pharmaceutical field?
9. How would your co-workers describe you?
10. How do you expect to make a difference at our pharmacy?
11. After reading the job description, what do you like most about this position?
12. What is the difference between prescription medicine and over-the-counter drugs?
13. Have you ever worked with a Pharmacist you did not like? What didn't you like about them?
14. How well do you handle customer complaints?
15. How do you handle times when customer wait times are longer than normal, and customers become uneasy or even mad?
16. What do you know about our pharmacy?
17. How do you verify that a prescription is valid in this line of work?
18. How do you keep yourself up to date on new medications and practices in the field?
19. Give me an example of one of your past jobs that required great attention to detail.
20. How do you keep yourself organized to be able to meet deadlines?
21. We require all candidates to submit to a pre-employment drug screen. Will there be an issue passing the drug screen?
22. What makes you the best candidate for this position?
23. What do you enjoy most about being a Pharmacy Technician?
24. Why did you leave your last job?
25. What do you feel are the most important qualities in being a good technician?
26. What influenced you to pursue a career in the pharmaceutical field?
27. What do you do in your free time?
28. How did you hear about this position?
29. Who is your greatest role model?
30. How do you feel about working with customers of diverse backgrounds?
31. When you reflect on your education, is there anything you would do differently?
32. Give me an example of your leadership ability.
33. What hours are you available?
34. Give me an example of how you are dependable.
35. Our pharmacy is fast-paced without much downtime. How well do you work under pressure?
36. Tell me about a stressful time in your work life. How did you handle it?
37. How do you work as part of a greater team? What role do you find yourself taking on in a team environment?
38. What pharmacy software do you have experience working on?
39. What would you do if you suspect a customer is a drug seeker?
40. Describe a time when you had your ethics tested.

Pharmacy Technician Interview Questions

1. What do you dislike the most about being a Pharmacy Technician?

2. This concludes our interview. Do you have any questions for me?

3. Where do you see yourself in five years?

4. How would you describe your communication skills?

5. How would your references describe you?

6. How do you fill your downtime at work?

7. Name three of your greatest strengths related to your profession.

8. What do you enjoy most about working in the pharmaceutical field?

9. How would your co-workers describe you?

10. How do you expect to make a difference at our pharmacy?

11. After reading the job description, what do you like most about this position?

12. What is the difference between prescription medicine and over-the-counter drugs?

13. Have you ever worked with a Pharmacist you did not like? What didn't you like about them?

14. How well do you handle customer complaints?

15. How do you handle times when customer wait times are longer than normal, and customers become uneasy or even mad?

16. What do you know about our pharmacy?

17. How do you verify that a prescription is valid in this line of work?

18. How do you keep yourself up to date on new medications and practices in the field?

19. Give me an example of one of your past jobs that required great attention to detail.

20. How do you keep yourself organized to be able to meet deadlines?

21. We require all candidates to submit to a pre-employment drug screen. Will there be an issue passing the drug screen?

22. What makes you the best candidate for this position?

23. What do you enjoy most about being a Pharmacy Technician?

24. Why did you leave your last job?

25. What do you feel are the most important qualities in being a good technician?

26. What influenced you to pursue a career in the pharmaceutical field?

27. What do you do in your free time?

28. How did you hear about this position?

29. Who is your greatest role model?

30. How do you feel about working with customers of diverse backgrounds?

31. When you reflect on your education, is there anything you would do differently?

32. Give me an example of your leadership ability.

33. What hours are you available?

34. Give me an example of how you are dependable.

35. Our pharmacy is fast-paced without much downtime. How well do you work under pressure?

36. Tell me about a stressful time in your work life. How did you handle it?

37. How do you work as part of a greater team? What role do you find yourself taking on in a team environment?

38. What pharmacy software do you have experience working on?

39. What would you do if you suspect a customer is a drug seeker?

40. Describe a time when you had your ethics tested.