Graduating soon. Starting grad intern gig at major chain (non big 3) on monday morning. Should be very busy.
Haven't worked retail in five years. What can I do to prepare for expected onslaught on the first day?
Impress everyone with exceptional good attitude. Everything else will follow.
Why?
"Grad intern gig" does not mean you will be hired as pharmacist.
This is the time they try you out for finding if you have good attitude and working ethic or not.
Like learning martial art in the mountain of China,
Rule number 1: all brothers and sisters that were in this building before you has more experience about this building way more than you. No matter what age or title of that person, you come in later, you have the least experience about this building and therefore, you must respect others in their knowledge of this building. Meaning: blend in and listen to their advises about how to work in this building.
Rule number 2: any time you have any doubt about your position and ranking, read rule number 1 three more times.
What can I do to prepare for expected onslaught on the first day?
You need coffee and donut to help you have energy on first day. They will teach you so much in short time because they don't have time. Your mind will go numb after 2 hours. Why? Because you run out of
glucose inside your physical brain. You need to
resupply glucose often so you will feel mental clarity and not feel muddy. Only for a few days of this intense training time.
I heard of people telling stories about other people that told stories about other people that SECRETLY brought a voice recorder to capture all the lessons but others told other people that such device could be viewed as HIPPA violation so NEVER let anyone know that you have such voice recorder and make sure it does not beep or show red light. When I close my eyes and think about this idea as remote unthinkable idea, MY VIEW IS: I ASSUME YOU UNDERSTAND THAT NO ONE SHOULD BRING VOICE RECORDER.
Do you understand?
Back to reality:
Clerk or tech or floater or staff or manager, they are all connected somehow. Never treat anyone bad or your behavior could get mentioned to a Higher Manager and will bite you later. Even front end people, say hi to them and smile as well. They are also connected.
Why?
I know a fact: Front end cashier used to be pharmacy technician until she was too old and too tired to handle pharmacy high speed work speed. She still keeps in touch and has respect of pharmacy manager.
I know a fact: Tech is friend with Pharmacy District Manager. How? Pharmacy District Manager used to be Pharmacy Manager with this tech for many years.
I know a fact: Front end manager used to be pharmacist. What? Walgreens corporate structure is very special that for ambitious pharmacist who wants to go to Corporate level and not work at pharmacy physical store, the quicker route is to sacrifice pharmacist income and work as front end manager for few years then get faster promotion and then work at corporate office.
I know a fact: A hard working clerk, where I used to work, was a pharmacy student that was getting experiences and was hired with special connections network through higher managers. This clerk often talked to Pharmacy District Manager every month. If you look down on this clerk and Pharmacy District Manager will hear about it and your future position as pharmacist will be questionable.
You see, pharmacy is a small world. Very small.
In summary, please: Must RESPECT ALL and try to work hard. Good things will most likely come to you....Good luck...
