2019 Grad. Is there hope for me?

[Amomentintime]

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Hi everyone,

I am a 2019 grad, who due to extremely personal and emotional circumstances, was unable to study nor take my boards until April, of which I passed. During this entire year, I dealt with deep depression and spent most days in bed. Until recently, I wasn't able to make much progress. I'm currently trying to apply to different jobs all over FL where i'm licensed, but have not heard back and most places have put hiring on hold due to covid-19. I haven't started working in 10 months and it's fast approaching the next year's graduating class. I wanted to ask if anyone has any advice for me on what I can do to to find work? I'm most worried that my lack of pharmacy experience and the 10 months of not working/passing boards would make it impossible for me to find work. I'm not picky and would take any job and would move anywhere within FL to gain experience. It's been a really rough year and I just want to be able to move forward in life. What could I say to explain the unemployment period to prospective employers? Will being honest ruin my chances during interviews? How can I make myself look employable? Who can i reach out to? Does cold-calling pharmacies work? Any advice would help me tremendously...thank you!

 

[RxEvileye]

Maybe you could tactfully explain the period of unemployment as part of a cover letter. You could allude to it being because of "medical issues" or something and talk about what else you might have done or accomplished during that period of time. That might also prevent it from coming up in an interview to begin with if you do get one.

 

[Amomentintime]

Maybe you could tactfully explain the period of unemployment as part of a cover letter. You could allude to it being because of "medical issues" or something and talk about what else you might have done or accomplished during that period of time. That might also prevent it from coming up in an interview to begin with if you do get one.

Thank you for your help 🙂 Do you think disclosing a medical reason may make employers weary that I might not be healthy enough to be a competent pharmacist?

 

[VictorOfHungerGames]

Hi everyone,

I am a 2019 grad, who due to extremely personal and emotional circumstances, was unable to study nor take my boards until April, of which I passed. During this entire year, I dealt with deep depression and spent most days in bed. Until recently, I wasn't able to make much progress. I'm currently trying to apply to different jobs all over FL where i'm licensed, but have not heard back and most places have put hiring on hold due to covid-19. I haven't started working in 10 months and it's fast approaching the next year's graduating class. I wanted to ask if anyone had any advice for me on what I can do to to find work? I'm most worried that my lack of pharmacy experience and the 10 months of not working/passing boards would make it impossible for me to find work. I'm not picky and would take any job and would move anywhere in FL to gain experience. It's been a really rough year and I just want to be able to move forward in life. What could I say to explain the unemployment period to prospective employers? Will being honest ruin my chances during interviews? How can I make myself look employable? Any advice would help me tremendously...thank you!

1. I would email or visit your school and ask for help. Hell, I would ask for a refund if possible lol
2. Start looking for a different career ASAP. Pharmacy is dead.
3. Apply EVERYWHERE. I mean literally everywhere. Alaska even. Don't hesitate to move or take their law exam.

I am dead serious about looking for a different career. I'm getting at least a call/text/DM every week someone asking for a job or asking for a friend.

A new grad class of 2020 from my alum just contacted me asking me for an advice. I told him the same. GTFO of pharmacy asap.

 

[Amomentintime]

1. I would email or visit your school and ask for help. Hell, I would ask for a refund if possible lol
2. Start looking for a different career ASAP. Pharmacy is dead.
3. Apply EVERYWHERE. I mean literally everywhere. Alaska even. Don't hesitate to move or take their law exam.

I am dead serious about looking for a different career. I'm getting at least a call/text/DM every week someone asking for a job or asking for someone else for a job.

A new grad class of 2020 from my alum just contacted me asking me for an advice. I told him the same. GTFO of pharmacy asap.

OH gosh. Hearing that is not giving me hope lol. I realize pharmacy is a dead profession, but I can't exactly profess that I have any other employable skills right now. I would apply to AK. I guess it must be that way at this point...Thank you for your input!

 

[Bubba98]

 

[VictorOfHungerGames]

OH gosh. Hearing that is not giving me hope lol. I realize pharmacy is a dead profession, but I can't exactly profess that I have any other employable skills right now. I would apply to AK. I guess it must be that way at this point...Thank you for your input!

Yeah, unfortunately, this is what our profession has come down to. The profession is dead to a point where it cannot be revived. If you're still young, how about looking into military? study for mcat or dat to go to med or dental school? hell, even nursing school. Once you find a pharmacist job somewhere in the country, i would start preparing to go into a different profession right away.

 

[drock008]

Look for emergent rph positions in select metro areas due to the pandemic. Nabp passport can temp license you wherever you apply to. Plus I hear airline fees are waived for that matter.


Sent from my iPhone using SDN

 

[mentos]

You can't limit yourself to Florida. That's like a top 3 destination for new grads... everyone wants to be in CA, NY, FL. You have to be open to working anywhere in the country. Like rural Louisiana, Idaho, West Virginia etc. Places where no one wants to be.

 

[samsonet]

I also had a difficult time to find my first job, but I was luckier than you that I was able to find a salary position recently and did not have any medical/personal issue. What I did was to apply to a PRN position (of course, including other FT/PT positions in several states) and told them that I was willing to relocate even with no guaranteed hour. Then I was asked to get licensed in a nearby state and when I was licensed in that state, I was offered a position. I don't know but I kinda felt that the current COVID-19 helped me to find a job.

It was indeed a horrible year for me so I feel you. I literally applied every open positions (later I got discouraged that started to not apply in desirable areas) for CVS/WG/WM/Kroger/Meijer, any Indeed ones and so on. I did not know that CVS had a limit for number of applications that I can apply to in a given period of time lol. Other companies did not have that many open positions so I can't tell for their system.

If I were you, I would definitely consider some PRN or short-term assignments, government jobs like IHS in a really remote area (I had 2 interviews) etc. I also sometimes received calls from DL/HR from my previous unsuccessful applications (sometimes even as a technician), so stay positive. And as RxEvileye mentioned, have an answer ready to explain about your gap period. I did have someone asking me what have I done during the period (most people were not interested in asking this question though). Maybe doing some volunteer work might help. GL!

 

[VictorOfHungerGames]

I just asked my friends in West Texas. They're hiring a bunch in West Texas and New Mexico boarder area. May wanna look into that.

 

[mentos]

Oh yes I always hear that Mexico border towns in Texas usually have openings too. Maybe some of them are less safe than average, but at least there's no income tax in TX.

 

[Amomentintime]

I just asked my friends in West Texas. They're hiring a bunch in West Texas and New Mexico boarder area. May wanna look into that.

Thank you so much for sharing. I'll look there as well!

 

[Amomentintime]

I also had a difficult time to find my first job, but I was luckier than you that I was able to find a salary position recently and did not have any medical/personal issue. What I did was to apply to a PRN position (of course, including other FT/PT positions in several states) and told them that I was willing to relocate even with no guaranteed hour. Then I was asked to get licensed in a nearby state and when I was licensed in that state, I was offered a position. I don't know but I kinda felt that the current COVID-19 helped me to find a job.

It was indeed a horrible year for me so I feel you. I literally applied every open positions (later I got discouraged that started to not apply in desirable areas) for CVS/WG/WM/Kroger/Meijer, any Indeed ones and so on. I did not know that CVS had a limit for number of applications that I can apply to in a given period of time lol. Other companies did not have that many open positions so I can't tell for their system.

If I were you, I would definitely consider some PRN or short-term assignments, government jobs like IHS in a really remote area (I had 2 interviews) etc. I also sometimes received calls from DL/HR from my previous unsuccessful applications (sometimes even as a technician), so stay positive. And as RxEvileye mentioned, have an answer ready to explain about your gap period. I did have someone asking me what have I done during the period (most people were not interested in asking this question though). Maybe doing some volunteer work might help. GL!

Congratulations on your new salaried position! Hearing your story does help me to realize that I'm not alone and that there is light at the end of the tunnel...

I also didn't know CVS had a limit for the number of applications... may I ask what the limit # is? That'd be helpful for me to know to just not apply broadly without considering the location.

Thank you for the suggestions regarding IHS! Did you ever had to go through a recruiter for these applications? Again, I really appreciate your thorough response and help!

 

[Amomentintime]

You can't limit yourself to Florida. That's like a top 3 destination for new grads... everyone wants to be in CA, NY, FL. You have to be open to working anywhere in the country. Like rural Louisiana, Idaho, West Virginia etc. Places where no one wants to be.

You're absolutely right. I am truly open to moving at this point and should've have specified so. I just assumed that I'll look even less employable because I'm not yet licensed in those other states. So, I wouldn't stand a chance against the other in-state applicants. Do you recommend I get additional licenses and then apply? Or apply now and figure it out later?

 

[Amomentintime]

Look for emergent rph positions in select metro areas due to the pandemic. Nabp passport can temp license you wherever you apply to. Plus I hear airline fees are waived for that matter.


Sent from my iPhone using SDN

Thank you. I will apply for the Nabp passport!

 

[PharmDBro2017]

NY is paying 110/hr for pandemic pharmacists....

 

[samsonet]

Congratulations on your new salaried position! Hearing your story does help me to realize that I'm not alone and that there is light at the end of the tunnel...

I also didn't know CVS had a limit for the number of applications... may I ask what the limit # is? That'd be helpful for me to know to just not apply broadly without considering the location.

Thank you for the suggestions regarding IHS! Did you ever had to go through a recruiter for these applications? Again, I really appreciate your thorough response and help!

The application limit was probably something like 100 per 30 day period though I don't recall it very precisely. Since then, I was so scared that I may not be able to even apply anymore so had to exclude some desirable area positions (like excluding Orlando but trying my luck at places like Ocala~Wildwood area).

Regarding IHS, everything I did was to apply through usajobs.gov. Nothing more than that. I tried to pick more remote areas and those locations seems less inpatient areas since I thought I would have 0 chances for inpatient positions. An interview I had was basically I applied through their website -> my application was referred to hiring manager -> their RxM (forgot the exact title) scheduled for an interview -> actual interview then result. Their hiring process is quite slow and does expires in 3 months.

 

[Amomentintime]

Oh wow..

The application limit was probably something like 100 per 30 day period though I don't recall it very precisely. Since then, I was so scared that I may not be able to even apply anymore so had to exclude some desirable area positions (like excluding Orlando but trying my luck at places like Ocala~Wildwood area).

Regarding IHS, everything I did was to apply through usajobs.gov. Nothing more than that. I tried to pick more remote areas and those locations seems less inpatient areas since I thought I would have 0 chances for inpatient positions. An interview I had was basically I applied through their website -> my application was referred to hiring manager -> their RxM (forgot the exact title) scheduled for an interview -> actual interview then result. Their hiring process is quite slow and does expires in 3 months.

Thanks for all the info! Btw, did you get called for interviews for any of the CvS locations? Even in remote areas? I also haven’t heard back but I’m wondering if it’s worth reaching out to the DL after I submit the app. This makes me so nervous. If you don’t mind me asking, is your full time position now in retail or inpatient?

 

[samsonet]

Oh wow..

Thanks for all the info! Btw, did you get called for interviews for any of the CvS locations? Even in remote areas? I also haven’t heard back but I’m wondering if it’s worth reaching out to the DL after I submit the app. This makes me so nervous. If you don’t mind me asking, is your full time position now in retail or inpatient?

I think I had ~ 20 interviews (including CVS, WG, Kroger, WM, Publix and independent). Most of them were remote/less urban areas; urban positions were either PT or PRN. I did apply to few hospital positions but realized that it was a waste of time for me and I felt I was far from ready for those positions. So I can say more than 95% of my application was retail positions. I think my total applications was around 300 or 400. CVS gave me most interviews while Publix I got none so I think they have higher standard. My position is 30-hour FT floater (which seems like a norm these days at retail, including CVS).

Regarding reaching out to DL in person - if you meant if do not hear from the DL after interview, I feel like there is nothing to lose to reach out maybe after a week after the promised time to follow-up after interview. I have contacted one interviewer but was ignored so never bothered if I did not hear from them.

If you meant reaching out to DL in person to ask for an interview - I do not know. I have never tried that method. But I do know a classmate who tried that way before getting licensed. He was able to have 2 in-person interviews which led to an actual offer. His method was to find DL/hiring manager's contact through LinkedIn and just cold-emailing/messaging them. He had to try a lot but that worked for him.

 

[Amomentintime]

I think I had ~ 20 interviews (including CVS, WG, Kroger, WM, Publix and independent). Most of them were remote/less urban areas; urban positions were either PT or PRN. I did apply to few hospital positions but realized that it was a waste of time for me and I felt I was far from ready for those positions. So I can say more than 95% of my application was retail positions. I think my total applications was around 300 or 400. CVS gave me most interviews while Publix I got none so I think they have higher standard. My position is 30-hour FT floater (which seems like a norm these days at retail, including CVS).

Regarding reaching out to DL in person - if you meant if do not hear from the DL after interview, I feel like there is nothing to lose to reach out maybe after a week after the promised time to follow-up after interview. I have contacted one interviewer but was ignored so never bothered if I did not hear from them.

If you meant reaching out to DL in person to ask for an interview - I do not know. I have never tried that method. But I do know a classmate who tried that way before getting licensed. He was able to have 2 in-person interviews which led to an actual offer. His method was to find DL/hiring manager's contact through LinkedIn and just cold-emailing/messaging them. He had to try a lot but that worked for him.

This was so helpful! Thank you 🙂 I feel the same as you do for hospital applications. I’m thinking just purely focusing on retail for now bc that’s my best bet. * sigh I had no idea the market would be this bad

 

[steveysmith54]

Finding a job off the street is terribly difficult especially in a saturated area; need to ask your classmates and friends for referrals.
The answer is moving to an area with more job demand; find a contractor job, etc.

 

[Pharmacy is a Scam]

I think I had ~ 20 interviews (including CVS, WG, Kroger, WM, Publix and independent). Most of them were remote/less urban areas; urban positions were either PT or PRN. I did apply to few hospital positions but realized that it was a waste of time for me and I felt I was far from ready for those positions. So I can say more than 95% of my application was retail positions. I think my total applications was around 300 or 400. CVS gave me most interviews while Publix I got none so I think they have higher standard. My position is 30-hour FT floater (which seems like a norm these days at retail, including CVS).

New grads, take note. This is the new "standard" in terms of effort required to even have a shot at a part time (<40hr/week) job.

 

[ValeRx]

If you're still young, how about looking into military?

Were you suggesting the military in general or military pharmacy? Because that's probably more difficult to get into now than finding a job here in the civilian world.

 

[usndrugstudent]

Were you suggesting the military in general or military pharmacy? Because that's probably more difficult to get into now than finding a job here in the civilian world.

Seconding this. Some of the military branches are only commissioning pharmacy students now and not accepting full-time pharmacists anymore. Also, depending on the branch, they only accept 2-15 applicants per year (Navy accepting the fewest & AF accepting the most).

 

[VictorOfHungerGames]

Were you suggesting the military in general or military pharmacy? Because that's probably more difficult to get into now than finding a job here in the civilian world.

I was thinking military in general as an officer? I know once youre in, you can try to go to another professional school through them. Better than continuing this hopeless pursuit of pharmacy job search.