Should I list my college degree when applying for pharm tech jobs?

[Corolla11]

Is it a good idea to mention/list a college degree when applying for a pharmacy technician job? I recently obtained my pharmacy technician certification (self study) and will be applying for jobs in the upcoming week. My degree is a BS in genetics and I have graduated. Will this give me an edge over other applicants? Or will it backfire and make me look too overqualified? Or will it not have any effect whatsoever??

Thanks for input.

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[crazybob]

Is it a good idea to mention/list a college degree when applying for a pharmacy technician job? I recently obtained my certification (self study) and will be applying for jobs in the upcoming week. My degree is BS in genetics and I have graduated. Will this give me an edge over other applicants? Or will it backfire and make me look too overqualified? Or will it not have any effect whatsoever??

Can you explain a bit more about what you mean by "self study" when you got your certification?

 

[Corolla11]

Can you explain a bit more about what you mean by "self study" when you got your certification?

I studied for the certification exam (PTCB) on my own. In otherwords I bought the textbooks and review books and prepared for that test in that manner. I did not attend a pharmacy technician school or program.

 

[PharmOl]

Is it a good idea to mention/list a college degree when applying for a pharmacy technician job? I recently obtained my pharmacy technician certification (self study) and will be applying for jobs in the upcoming week. My degree is a BS in genetics and I have graduated. Will this give me an edge over other applicants? Or will it backfire and make me look too overqualified? Or will it not have any effect whatsoever??

Thanks for input.

Yes. If it's not Walmart. They would think you're overqualified.

 

[crazybob]

I studied for the certification exam (PTCB) on my own. In otherwords I bought the textbooks and review books and prepared for that test in that manner. I did not attend a pharmacy technician school or program.

Oh I was starting to think you did some self study while getting your bachelor's degree.

 

[Corolla11]

Oh I was starting to think you did some self study while getting your bachelor's degree.

naw lol. I attended a state university for that.

 

[JJVmom]

I did self-study too, and am finding that employers won't hire a tech w/out 1 yr experience or having attending a pharm tech school. In the meantime I'm volunteering, but it would be nice to get paid for my time.

I say, go ahead and list the BS degree.

 

[UBCmicrobi]

I listed my BSc in microbiology & immunology. It's a pretty big accomplishment, I don't see why you wouldn't list it (a fear of appearing overqualified is silly in my opinion).

 

[charfdorn]

Is it a good idea to mention/list a college degree when applying for a pharmacy technician job? I recently obtained my pharmacy technician certification (self study) and will be applying for jobs in the upcoming week. My degree is a BS in genetics and I have graduated. Will this give me an edge over other applicants? Or will it backfire and make me look too overqualified? Or will it not have any effect whatsoever??

Thanks for input.

If there's a place on the application to list colleges attended, of course you should. Otherwise you'd be omitting information, which could get you fired later.

 

[Tinkerbell22]

I listed my BSc in microbiology & immunology. It's a pretty big accomplishment, I don't see why you wouldn't list it (a fear of appearing overqualified is silly in my opinion).

I can understand why it seems silly, but I have mixed feelings about the OP's question. I spent over a year applying for tech jobs in Miami and giving my resume to pharmacists. I've also applied for random medical assistant/receptionist, bank teller, etc, but the job I ultimately ended up getting was basically because I knew the pharmacist. Until then I just worked as a waitress.

Anyway, I suppose having a degree might have helped me get my foot in the door for a few interviews, but in the end I think it raised the question of my commitment to stay with those jobs for an extended period of time. In every single interview I did, the employer always questioned my science degree, why I majored/minored in bio/chem, what I planned to do with my degree, where I saw myself in the next 5 years, etc. I have a hard time bending the truth, so as much as I tried to tailor my answers to sound favorable, I couldn't lie and just say I planned to be a pharmacy tech for the next 3-5 years, bank teller, etc.. So basically my point is that I may have gotten those jobs if I did not mention my degree (they probably wouldn't have asked such probing questions), but then again I may not have received an interview with the minor work experience (waitressing) that I had.

 

[ajh88]

Yes, I would list it. It is a degree you have and it may actually *help* you get a job. I understand the points Tinkerbell made but in the end, you just need to be prepared to answer the inevitable questions that will come up (like, why do you have a B.S. degree and you are applying for a tech job?). And it will boost your qualifications - many times the initial screening is done by computer or HR and I would venture to say they would prefer a college grad to a non-grad (at least in terms of interview invitations, not necessarily in the final hiring decision).

I got my first tech job at Wal-Mart and I did list my BS degree - personally, I think it set me apart from other applicants.

One last piece of advise (unrelated) - if you are applying at a store that makes you do one of those personality/situation based "tests" during the application process, try to take it seriously. It does make a difference if you jack it up really badly.

 

[Rockinacoustic]

Absolutely list your degree, and your interest in pharmacy school. What Pharmacist wouldn't love the idea of you taking their doctor calls when you become an intern

 

[dtran01]

As someone who is involved in hiring process, and with 7+ yrs of experience in retail, I say YES YES YES.

It is all about presentation. You want to be up front that you know you are overqualified but that the experience matters to you more than the paycheck. It tells me that you are motivated to learn, and hints that you are quick to catch on.

 

[gilgamesh]

Is it a good idea to mention/list a college degree when applying for a pharmacy technician job? I recently obtained my pharmacy technician certification (self study) and will be applying for jobs in the upcoming week. My degree is a BS in genetics and I have graduated. Will this give me an edge over other applicants? Or will it backfire and make me look too overqualified? Or will it not have any effect whatsoever??

Thanks for input.

When do you not mention your college degree when applying for any job?

 

[IndustryPharmD]

I would list it. I would also add a statement of intent, saying that you want to apply for pharmacy school (if that is the case) and that's why you want a pharmacy tech position.

 

[whatbout2morrow]

I would list it. I would also add a statement of intent, saying that you want to apply for pharmacy school (if that is the case) and that's why you want a pharmacy tech position.

+1. Many pharmacists would love the idea of being involved in your transition from tech to intern to pharmacist. It would be a whole different story they got the notion that you just wanted to be there till you get something better to do (like a better job). Of course, there are other factors too. If they need someone for a full time position, they probably would view you as a waste of time and effort (as they probably would think that you wouldn't last there very long). If they only need someone to fill the gaps for a few hours a week or holidays (and to give the pharmacist a feeling of importance in your transition into the practice of pharmacy), you have a better chance.

 

[rxlea]

List it. It will give you the edge. I beat out 5 other candidates with hospital experience (I had none) because of my degree and interview. Sell youself, man.

EDIT: if it becomes appropriate during your interview, mention that you passed the test through self-study. Believe it or not, there are people that come out of vo-tech schools who don't pass. I know one such person.

 

[pharm B]

List it. It will give you the edge. I beat out 5 other candidates with hospital experience (I had none) because of my degree and interview. Sell youself, man.

EDIT: if it becomes appropriate during your interview, mention that you passed the test through self-study. Believe it or not, there are people that come out of vo-tech schools who don't pass. I know one such person.

We had someone failed the PTCE twice before finally passing. 🙁

I'd mention the degree, even if it is for Wal-Mart. I mentioned being a pre-med when I interviewed for my first retail position. I had ZERO experience and had self-studied for and passed the PTCE. The manager hired me.

Of course, every pharmacist and every pharmacy are different, but I don't think the degree will be a deal-breaker by any means. If it is, it's a sign that something else is up besides your application (like the hiring manager has been jaded by previous degree holders, etc)

 

[ArkansasRanger]

Is it a good idea to mention/list a college degree when applying for a pharmacy technician job? I recently obtained my pharmacy technician certification (self study) and will be applying for jobs in the upcoming week. My degree is a BS in genetics and I have graduated. Will this give me an edge over other applicants? Or will it backfire and make me look too overqualified? Or will it not have any effect whatsoever??

Thanks for input.

No, list the degree. The one you have is more or less useless in and of itself (most BAs and BSs are) so you're not over-qualified. No offense. Mine is too. However, tt shows commitment and scientific understanding. I'd plug that sucker in and tout the GPA too if it's good. Detail your intentions of going to pharmacy school too. That will indicate that you're not just there for a job, but you're there to learn a lot and do well.

Good luck!

 

[weetzie00]

As someone who is involved in hiring process, and with 7+ yrs of experience in retail, I say YES YES YES.

It is all about presentation. You want to be up front that you know you are overqualified but that the experience matters to you more than the paycheck. It tells me that you are motivated to learn, and hints that you are quick to catch on.

This!

I was in the same boat when I was out of college. I went around looking for tech jobs with a BS. All the pharmacies noted I was overqualified but was impressed that I was seeking the experience and not the money. And it certainly paid off.