Advice on Job Search- Feeling Discouraged

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kmldx4

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I'm a recently graduated pharmacist. I've applied to just about any job you can think of (Retail, PBM, Hospital, Pharmaceutical Sales) and am feeling discouraged. I had a good GPA, was on regional and national pharmacy organization committees, have great references, and still nothing. Does anyone have any advice? Thanks in advance.
 
kmldx4 said:
I'm a recently graduated pharmacist. I've applied to just about any job you can think of (Retail, PBM, Hospital, Pharmaceutical Sales) and am feeling discouraged. I had a good GPA, was on regional and national pharmacy organization committees, have great references, and still nothing. Does anyone have any advice? Thanks in advance.
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lean on friends from school(hope you have some) and ask if they have prn part time scraps in their district available.
Get a license worth some real money (CA,AK,ME)
Apply for jobs in a rural area.
 
kmldx4 said:
I'm a recently graduated pharmacist. I've applied to just about any job you can think of (Retail, PBM, Hospital, Pharmaceutical Sales) and am feeling discouraged. I had a good GPA, was on regional and national pharmacy organization committees, have great references, and still nothing. Does anyone have any advice? Thanks in advance.
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Why do you think you are unemployed and have no prospects? What makes you different from the standard grad who has at least a part time offer?
 
Amicable Angora said:
Why do you think you are unemployed and have no prospects? What makes you different from the standard grad who has at least a part time offer?
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I think the issue is I have had primarily managed care and pharmaceutical industry experience. I haven't worked in the hospital or community (aside from rotations) since P1 year. So I think my resume may make it look like I wasn't interested in hospital or community in school. I don't know.
 
Armyhealth said:
Thought about the Army? Board for pharmacy is in October! 120K student loan repayment.
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Not that easy either...last I heard...they're getting swamped with applicants too
 
kmldx4 said:
I think the issue is I have had primarily managed care and pharmaceutical industry experience. I haven't worked in the hospital or community (aside from rotations) since P1 year. So I think my resume may make it look like I wasn't interested in hospital or community in school. I don't know.
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Where are you located state-wise? People can tell you where to apply in terms of towns or rural areas...or maybe a neighboring state. I'd start applying to contract and per diem positions at this point.
 
kmldx4 said:
I think the issue is I have had primarily managed care and pharmaceutical industry experience. I haven't worked in the hospital or community (aside from rotations) since P1 year. So I think my resume may make it look like I wasn't interested in hospital or community in school. I don't know.
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I would start applying to part time jobs as well as night shift or evening jobs. You should find more success.
 
I would consider switching up your references....rare, but it does happen that someone will act to your face like they are giving you the best reference, but behind your back it's something different. Considering that you are getting no interest, I'd try listing different people for references just to see if that helps.

I read it as you aren't even getting called for interviews. If I'm wrong and you are getting called for interviews, then I would find a professional friend who would be willing to do a practice interview with you, and give you some tips on where you might improve.
 
BidingMyTime said:
I would consider switching up your references....rare, but it does happen that someone will act to your face like they are giving you the best reference, but behind your back it's something different. Considering that you are getting no interest, I'd try listing different people for references just to see if that helps.

I read it as you aren't even getting called for interviews. If I'm wrong and you are getting called for interviews, then I would find a professional friend who would be willing to do a practice interview with you, and give you some tips on where you might improve.
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This is so true, sometimes you have a snake sabotaging your career.
 
I don't know if I would suspect references. You should be getting calls from recruiters before they reach out to your references. My experience is somewhat limited, but I always interviewed with the hiring manager before anyone started reaching out to my references.

Are you fully licensed? If you are still waiting for a license, the recruiter may be setting aside your application. I think places may hold on to applications for future positions. I wouldn't give up just because it's taking a while. I'm about 3 months out from my recent job hunt, and some of the places I applied to are just now getting back to me.
 
kmldx4 said:
I think the issue is I have had primarily managed care and pharmaceutical industry experience. I haven't worked in the hospital or community (aside from rotations) since P1 year. So I think my resume may make it look like I wasn't interested in hospital or community in school. I don't know.
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Seems pretty important here. Unless you have personal refs I think this will be a dealbreaker for most, as they have a ton of other applicants who do have that experience. Have you utilized your school's resources and your classmates? Personal refs are key.

Out of curiosity - what motivated your switch, given your experience? That's probably one of the first questions I'd ask you if I saw your resume.
 
Abby Atwood said:
I don't know if I would suspect references. You should be getting calls from recruiters before they reach out to your references. My experience is somewhat limited, but I always interviewed with the hiring manager before anyone started reaching out to my references.

Are you fully licensed? If you are still waiting for a license, the recruiter may be setting aside your application. I think places may hold on to applications for future positions. I wouldn't give up just because it's taking a while. I'm about 3 months out from my recent job hunt, and some of the places I applied to are just now getting back to me.
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Yes, I am fully licensed. And I agree with your reference statement. Thanks all for your advice.
 
Jbrl said:
Seems pretty important here. Unless you have personal refs I think this will be a dealbreaker for most, as they have a ton of other applicants who do have that experience. Have you utilized your school's resources and your classmates? Personal refs are key.

Out of curiosity - what motivated your switch, given your experience? That's probably one of the first questions I'd ask you if I saw your resume.
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Honestly, there are just too few managed care and PhRMA jobs in my location. All of the managed care companies are undergoing/have undergone acquisitions and are essentially on a hiring hold. The PhRMA opportunities appear to be mainly CRO and no medical writing/medical information jobs are currently available... Of course, that wouldn't be my response to a hiring manager.
 
Lnsean said:
Where are you located state-wise? People can tell you where to apply in terms of towns or rural areas...or maybe a neighboring state. I'd start applying to contract and per diem positions at this point.
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Kansas City. And I have applied for PRN and contract jobs... I guess patience is key? 🙁
 
kmldx4 said:
Kansas City. And I have applied for PRN and contract jobs... I guess patience is key? 🙁
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Yea...especially right now....all the companies are being bombarded by new grads and people applying. You might have better luck in Nov when there's alot of turnover and less new grads.
 
quickpic007 said:
hint: there are no good cities in AK or ME
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Anchorage, AK, and Portland, ME seem like pretty cool places......
I'd probably pass on Fairbanks, Juneau, or Augusta though...
 
Saiyo said:
Anchorage, AK, and Portland, ME seem like pretty cool places......
I'd probably pass on Fairbanks, Juneau, or Augusta though...
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It's cool alright. Only place I know of where you plug your car in so it won't freeze.
 
Saiyo said:
Anchorage, AK, and Portland, ME seem like pretty cool places......
I'd probably pass on Fairbanks, Juneau, or Augusta though...
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I could do Juneau for a year or two. It looks pretty and there's plenty of salmon fishing.
 
I just got an e-mail about joining the army, my first thought was "how in the world did my e-mail get on some list for army recruits?" but then I looked at the e-mail and it was listing pharmacy jobs. I'm past the age cut-off, but apparently the military is looking to hire pharmacists, so that is an option to check out.
 
Patience and perseverance. Keep your head up. Be flexible. Like other posters said, explore other options (part time, etc.). And in my opinion, most importantly - network, network, network.

Give and Connect
 
BidingMyTime said:
I just got an e-mail about joining the army, my first thought was "how in the world did my e-mail get on some list for army recruits?" but then I looked at the e-mail and it was listing pharmacy jobs. I'm past the age cut-off, but apparently the military is looking to hire pharmacists, so that is an option to check out.
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it is very different if you are looking for civilian vs a actual army/navy position - as far as I know there are no age cut-offs if you are a civilian
 
Dred Pirate said:
it is very different if you are looking for civilian vs a actual army/navy position - as far as I know there are no age cut-offs if you are a civilian
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Interesting, I must have been e-mail about a non-civilian position, I clicked on it just to see what was being offered, and they said applicant must be age 42 or under.
 
BidingMyTime said:
Interesting, I must have been e-mail about a non-civilian position, I clicked on it just to see what was being offered, and they said applicant must be age 42 or under.
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For service the age cutoff without a waiver is 42, most likely for pharmacist you would not be granted a waiver....too competitive.
 
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