Pharmacy tech job search help!

[monkey24]

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Hello. I am having a hard time finding a pharm tech job at retail stores like cvs, walgreens, walmart, safeway, target, costco, and luckys. I have called 30+ stores and dropped off my resume&cv personally to the pharmacy manger but still havent had much luck. I even applied to hospital jobs but i know my chances are really low. I got 1 interview from cvs but havent gotten a response back yet. Does anyone have any tips they could share to increase my chance of getting a position? I think the downside to my app is that I don't have pharmacy experience/previously worked in retail... I am planning to apply to pharmacy schools either next yr or the yr after and would like to be exposed and gain pharmacy experience. I honestly don't care how much i get paid, I just really want to get the experience!!

 

[pharmerjohn]

Experience is a catch-22, so there's not much you can do there until you land a position. To increase you chances at the moment, try applying for pharmacy clerk positions instead of tech positions until you get your license. Also, try putting in your job application online so you can put more of them out there. It's tough at first, especially in California, but hang in there! Good luck!

 

[monkey24]

Experience is a catch-22, so there's not much you can do there until you land a position. To increase you chances at the moment, try applying for pharmacy clerk positions instead of tech positions until you get your license. Also, try putting in your job application online so you can put more of them out there. It's tough at first, especially in California, but hang in there! Good luck!

Thanks pharmerjohn! I will also apply for pharm clerk/cashier positions as well.

 

[pharmerjohn]

Thanks pharmerjohn! I will also apply for pharm clerk/cashier positions as well.

You're very welcome! 🙂 If you end up getting a clerk or cashier position, make sure you push your manager to upgrade you to a technician position after you get your license. I know that they take forever to do so at certain retail chains, and they often don't fully backpay you either.

 

[Rx Cat]

Don't be discouraged! It took me over a year to get a job at CVS and then only as a regular cashier. I worked for a year before they let me transfer to pharmacy. Also the fact that you passed a test for your certification and did not actualy get any experience is probably why nobody is calling you back. Get a job as a cashier if you can and move up from there.

 

[needsomehelpnow]

It is imposible to get a job as a technician. I registered with the board of pharmacy and I even got certified bt PTCB. I volunteered at a pharmacy.. still I am not even getting a single interview... This is so disappointing... ahhhh How am I going to get experience if all the experience opportunities require prior experience.🙁

 

[emkwong]

I was in your situation before. I didn't care about money. I just wanted experience that will benefit me for my future or improve my application. It's hard to get a job if you don't have experience. It's also possible that you may not have the availability that they are looking for. Employers like people who can be available all the time. Either way, maybe you should volunteer since you don't care how much you get paid. Try volunteering in a pharmacy that's inside a clinic or hospital. Depending on where you volunteer, you may get some experience that's more valuable than working in a retail pharmacy. I volunteered at an independent and clinical pharmacy and I'm now working at a retail pharmacy. I can safely say that I wish I could go back to volunteering, but I really need the money right now.. lol

 

[needsomehelpnow]

I was in your situation before. I didn't care about money. I just wanted experience that will benefit me for my future or improve my application. It's hard to get a job if you don't have experience. It's also possible that you may not have the availability that they are looking for. Employers like people who can be available all the time. Either way, maybe you should volunteer since you don't care how much you get paid. Try volunteering in a pharmacy that's inside a clinic or hospital. Depending on where you volunteer, you may get some experience that's more valuable than working in a retail pharmacy. I volunteered at an independent and clinical pharmacy and I'm now working at a retail pharmacy. I can safely say that I wish I could go back to volunteering, but I really need the money right now.. lol

I am currently volunteering at a pharmacy in a health clinic. It is actually a great experience, but it's not getting me any money. Wish I could get both!!😀 And I already submitted my pharmCAS before volunteering, so I couldn't write it on my essay. Hoping it will help in some way in the future.

 

[huoyachile]

good,I know that they take forever to do so at certain retail chains, and they often don't fully backpay you either.thanks

 

[monkey24]

just a quick update...after calling about 20 more retail pharmacy i got an interview from walgreens for a possible position as a tech!! i had my interview yesterday and the pharmacy manager had me do a short math test (conversion ) and read a prescription.

Wish all of you the best of luck if you're in a similar situation 🙂

 

[emkwong]

I don't know for you but when I applied for the license after I got certified, it took about 4 months to get it. However, I believe you can use a temporary license in order to work until you get the real one in the mail.

 

[monkey24]

I don't know for you but when I applied for the license after I got certified, it took about 4 months to get it. However, I believe you can use a temporary license in order to work until you get the real one in the mail.

How can i get a temporary license? Do I have to contact the BOP? I live in CA. Any help would be appreciated!

 

[emkwong]

I don't remember exactly because it's been a few years, but I think while you're waiting for them to send your license you can look up the board of pharmacy website and look under verify license or something. Then you look up your name and it should give you your license number. I volunteered as a tech with a temporary license before and I've heard you can work with a temporary license if you show your pharmacist proof. I think the pharmacist should know about it. I've met some techs who do not physically have a license but are still licensed by board of pharmacy.

 

[Rx Jezter]

Come out to the East Coast. Almost all the pharmacies in my area are short-handed and hiring.