Interviewing for a pharmacy tech role can be a nerve-wracking experience. However, with the right preparation, you can turn your anxiety into confidence and make a lasting impression on your potential employer. One of the most effective ways to prepare is to familiarize yourself with the types of questions you may be asked and practice your responses.
As a pharmacy tech, you'll be expected to demonstrate a range of skills and knowledge during your interview. Your interviewer will likely ask about your understanding of the healthcare industry, your technical proficiency in pharmacy-related asks, your ability to handle pressure and multitask, your interpersonal skills, and your commitment to customer care and ethical practice. In addition, you might be asked about your educational background, certifications, and previous work experiences.
Let's delve deeper into each category of these interview questions.
General Questions
These questions help interviewers understand your personality, motivations, and how you might fit into their team. They include inquiries about your interest in the job and the company, your professional goals, and your ideal work environment. Here are some examples:
How would you describe yourself?
What do you know about this pharmacy?
Why did you decide to become a pharmacy technician?
What qualities make you a good fit for this job?
What's one weakness you have, and how are you working to improve it?
When answering these questions, be authentic and make sure to relate your answers to the pharmacy tech role whenever possible.
Questions about Your Experience and Background
These questions aim to understand your qualifications and professional skills. They typically cover your educational training, certifications, and work experiences. Some examples include:
What training or education have you completed that qualifies you for this role?
Do you have any pharmacy-related certifications?
Can you describe your past work experiences and how they've prepared you for this role?
Be specific in your responses, providing examples wherever possible. This is your chance to show how your past experiences have equipped you with the skills needed for the pharmacy tech role.
In-depth Questions
In-depth questions focus on role-specific problem-solving scenarios and how you perform the job under specific circumstances. These typically include behavioral and situational questions that help the interviewer determine how well you understand the role of a pharmacy technician. They might include:
How would you handle a situation where you spot a potential error in a prescription?
Can you describe a time when you had to deal with a difficult customer, and how you handled it?
What steps would you take if you suspected a coworker of unethical behavior?
When answering these questions, use the STAR method: Describe the Situation, explain the Task you were faced with, detail the Action you took, and discuss the Result.
Preparation is key to acing your pharmacy tech interview. Spend time reviewing these categories of questions and crafting thoughtful, well-structured responses. Remember to use examples from your past experiences to illustrate your answers, and to ask the interviewer questions of your own to show your interest in the role. With adequate preparation, you'll be well-positioned to impress your potential employer and take the next step in your pharmacy tech career.
For additional information on becoming a pharmacy technician please visit our programs page
