Should I accept the retail position or wait for Pharm tech?

[chemkid]

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I recently applied for a new Pharmacy Tech position that has opened up relatively close to my home and is now accepting applications. However, while waiting to hear back from that position, I also applied to a retail store and was hired on the spot for a summer job and they have asked me to come in and fill paperwork sometime next week.

I was wondering if I should take the retail position or wait for the Pharmacy Tech position, even though I may not get it. Although, I REALLY want the pharmacy tech job, I feel like it may take them weeks to a month even to get back to me because they are just now accepting applications and would have to go through the whole interview process. If I pass up this job, and don't end up getting the Pharm Tech job, I'll be right back where I started (unemployed) and it may be hard to find another summer job this late into the year. But if I do take the job, I may be missing out on a great opportunity career-wise and it would look pretty bad on my part to take the retail job and quit after a few weeks if I do get the tech position...

What should I do?

 

[jblil]

What should I do?

Go ahead and take the retail job. When/if the Pharm. Tech job opens up, quit the retail job and go to the Pharm Tech job. Just be professional about it, e.g., give a few days' notice if at all possible.

 

[SnowyRox]

Go ahead and take the retail job. When/if the Pharm. Tech job opens up, quit the retail job and go to the Pharm Tech job. Just be professional about it, e.g., give a few days' notice if at all possible.

This. Certainly not ideal, but people quit for lesser reasons.

 

[chemkid]

Thank you, I think I might just do that. If I do end up quitting the part-time retail position, future employers won't know about it unless I tell them, correct? I'm just worried it will it come up in the future and put me in a negative light.

 

[armorking]

I don't know where the retail position is at but if it's in combination with a pharmacy (such as an Albertsons, CVS, etc), then you will have a much easier time making the transition from retail to pharmacy tech.

As the previous posters have said, just give a two weeks notice if you do get the tech job.

 

[jblil]

If I do end up quitting the part-time retail position, future employers won't know about it unless I tell them, correct? I'm just worried it will it come up in the future and put me in a negative light.

Don't worry, nobody will know unless you tell them. And even if they knew, nobody will hold it against you that you left a dead-end retail position for a Pharm tech job. Give a few days' notice before you quit, so the employer can find a replacement to step into your shoes after you leave.

 

[owlegrad]

The standard is 2 weeks notice.

 

[armorking]

The standard is 2 weeks notice.

Dang...senior mod. I haven't been on the forums in a while...haha...friggin' pharmacy school 😛

 

[owlegrad]

Dang...senior mod. I haven't been on the forums in a while...haha...friggin' pharmacy school 😛

Well, welcome back!

As for the senior mod thing...there is no accounting for taste, am I right?

 

[armorking]

Well, welcome back!

As for the senior mod thing...there is no accounting for taste, am I right?

Thanks!!! Haha 'tis true...but still I couldn't think of a better person holding the position! 🙂