Help with 5th year cvs pharmacist position interview

[Pharmacy2013]

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Hello,

I am currently a 5th year pharmacy student and an intern at CVS pharmacy. I have my interview for a pharmacist position coming up in a week. Has anyone had this interview already this year or the past years and do you have any advice on what to expect or what type of questions to expect?

Thank you!

 

[007rx]

I had more of a discussion than an interview with my DM...he is a really cool guy which made it easy. He asked me what steps I was currently taking to prepare myself for becoming a pharmacist, what my biggest fear was of transitioning to a pharmacist, and we also discussed my answers to the survey that the interns had to submit (I don't know if they made you do a survey but it asked about your preferences for geographical locations, three things you like about CVS, three things you dislike, how likely are you to stay with the company etc). Also if you have any interest in becoming a PIC or a DM in the future, now is the time to make it known. Have some questions of your own to ask at the end as well.

Also have some small talk ice breakers on deck to help rid the occasional awkward silence during the beginning of the interview. Maybe talk about how classes have been going or something about a college basketball game last night...anything that can help you fill in the "how are you doing today? Good yourself? Good........" gaps in conversation. Also try not to do the awkward handshake at the end where you are holding half of the other person's hand...I hate it when those happen lol. It happened to me, still got a deal though lol.

 

[Unchained]

Tell them you can do much better than that old pharmacist making $60.00/hr. You can do the same job better for $53.00/hr. Tell them you went to pharmacy school all these years to manage meaningless metrics such as SSS and % of pointless phone calls made. Tell them you enjoy beating on techs making $10.00/hr and when they finally get pissed from being treated like garbage you take enjoyment in firing them. Also tell them you have no problem working 14 hr days with no break or opportunity to go to the bathroom. Go on about how brilliant Larry Merlo is for purchasing Caremark. This should nail it for you.

 

[StevePerry]

Tell them you can do much better than that old pharmacist making $60.00/hr. You can do the same job better for $53.00/hr. Tell them you went to pharmacy school all these years to manage meaningless metrics such as SSS and % of pointless phone calls made. Tell them you enjoy beating on techs making $10.00/hr and when they finally get pissed from being treated like garbage you take enjoyment in firing them. Also tell them you have no problem working 14 hr days with no break or opportunity to go to the bathroom. Go on about how brilliant Larry Merlo is for purchasing Caremark. This should nail it for you.

And make sure you show up wearing knee pads to let them know that you're a serious contender for the position.

 

[owlegrad]

Hello,

I am currently a 5th year pharmacy student and an intern at CVS pharmacy. I have my interview for a pharmacist position coming up in a week. Has anyone had this interview already this year or the past years and do you have any advice on what to expect or what type of questions to expect?

Thank you!

Do you know your sup? Mine was so informal, you could hardly call it an interview. 🙂

 

[hatingretail]

When I was 5th year, cvs offered the interns a contract at a meeting held once a year. The contracts stated the going rate and you had to let the DM know if you wanted to stay at CVS. If not, forget about it b/c they will look elsewhere. CVS is usually inflexible with salaries. I used to work at CVS, years ago you could hammer out a deal but not anymore. Too many pharmacists even with them building new stores. In our area they are moving pharmacists from 30 to 40 miles away to work in stores even though I know rphs who live around here. Don't worry about the interview you did fine I'm sure. I've been in retail for almost 10 years and the past 2 have been getting worse. Don't expect it to get better.

 

[rxco2013]

it seriously sucks that in the past, interns are offered a contract right off the bat, but this year (class of 2013), we are required to go through an interview/evaluation process. The only advantage of being a cvs intern is an early interview 🙁

 

[guanine]

Can anyone answer this question please:

When an offer is extended to you by CVS, do they give you a certain amount of year contract (for example a 2-year contract) or is it "at-will" employment? Do all companies do at-will employment these days??

 

[PillPusher86]

Bump. Any loan benefits with CVS? I've hear of 3 yr contracts paying out 10k/yr in loans up front. Im currently an intern and Graduating in May, just wondering what to expect of the transition.

 

[owlegrad]

In my district, that would be a no.

 

[radio frequency]

Bump. Any loan benefits with CVS? I've hear of 3 yr contracts paying out 10k/yr in loans up front. Im currently an intern and Graduating in May, just wondering what to expect of the transition.

This is NOT worth it for an unknown. Especially with the tax ramifications.

 

[PillPusher86]

This is NOT worth it for an unknown. Especially with the tax ramifications.

Not sure what you're referring to...whatg's not worth it? Negotiating?

I know I'm not in position to negotiate, just wondering what a standard retail offer has looked like in the last 1-2 yrs

 

[radio frequency]

Not sure what you're referring to...whatg's not worth it? Negotiating?

I know I'm not in position to negotiate, just wondering what a standard retail offer has looked like in the last 1-2 yrs

Negotiating is always worth it for higher salary. Contracts tied to bonuses are not worth dealing with, though. If there's a time commitment contract attached to an offer, it's not a deal.