Walmart, Walgreens interview for internship

[prk]

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Folks,

I have interviews with walmart and walgreens and probably cvs district managers next week. Just looking for tips or things to be taken careof. Also which one is better and do they help with the PharmD tuition?
Thanks for the inputs.

Prk

 

[dgroulx]

Folks,

I have interviews with walmart and walgreens and probably cvs district managers next week. Just looking for tips or things to be taken careof. Also which one is better and do they help with the PharmD tuition?
Thanks for the inputs.

Prk

Walgreens will ask you a set of questions then type those responses into the computer. They are not pharmacy questions, they're just to get an idea of you as a person. Walmart and CVS have direct one on one interviews.

In any case, you need to know why you want to work for their store and why you would be a good fit.

Tuition reimbursement is for interns who keep their employment going even during school. You can't just do a summer internship. You then have to work for them when you leave school for the same number of years that they gave you tuition assistance, or just pay it all back.

I work for Walgreens right now, but never accepted any cash for tuition.

 

[alwaystired]

in my area, CVS pays a lot more than the other retail chains.....take it for what it's worth.

 

[sdn1977]

I don't work for any of them so I can't give you personal "inside" info.

However, I'll give you general information to ask as an intern (I'm guessing you're in pharmacy school here)

1. What opportunities are available to me as my education goes on (the idea here is you want to be able to be involved in more pharmacist-type work as you obtain more knowledge).

2. Do you have a set pay scale based on years/duration of employment & does it go up as your education goes on (for example - as a P4 are you paid the same as a P1)

3. How many different practice settings do they have? (some are just stick & lick factories with rate meters & others have more expanded clinical activities like MTM, vaccine administration, etc.. Do you have any interest in the business side of the corporate world - do they have an opportunity for you to spend some time learning that side - the dm side of things?)

4. Are you obligated to float? If so...how far. Gas is expensive.

5. What percentage of their student interns continue on as pharmacists & are they offered permanent positions or float positions. (I know one corporation which hires new grads as floats only - but, they don't know that - they use the excuse that a permanent position has not opened up when in reality....they know the new grads are hungry & have loan payments which start so they're willing to take anything.

6. On the flip side.....you may want to float - I know lots of people who do! They like the mobility & flexibility it offers. If that appeals - ask.

7. How many hours are you obligated to work & will they be flexible with you during your finals.

8. If they want you in one or two particular stores, ask which ones & if you can meet the staff. I'd visit the store first without anyone knowing who you are to observe. It doesn't take too long to notice if people are unhappy or not.

As we spoke with someone on another thread...be very careful with tuition reimbursement & sign on bonuses.....be sure you are willing to commit to what they want.

Those are just a few general interview tips which could apply to any job which come to mind. You don't have to commit right away. You can ask for a day or two to consider their offer.

Good luck!

 

[prk]

Can you please explain Float position? How does rite aide fare against wallgreens or CVS?

 

[sdn1977]

A floater is either a tech or a pharmacist who does not have a permanent store assignment - similar to working "relief" in an institutional setting.

You always have a "home" store....because some location is "charged" with your pay & you always have to get your check or deposit receipt sent to one location.

But....you may work in a number of locations on any given week....or you could get a long term assignment - for example to cover for someone's surgery or pregnancy or other leave.

The issue comes when you work in a large urban area (I'm familiar with the LA basin & the SF bay area in CA)....you can drive only 30-40 miles, but it could take you 1-2 hrs.....its significant wear & tear on you & your vehicle. IMO...the mileage doesn't make up for the headache...but thats just me....😀 For longer distance floats...they will pay for hotel, a meal, etc...but that gets old quick (altho.....in the summer...Zephyr Cove near Lake Tahoe, NV always needs floaters to cover the pharmacists vacations....but you need a NV license🙁 ) That would be a good assignment for a week!

Floater will cover vacation days, short days, sick days, stores which are notoriously malignant & just can't get staffing...etc....