Hi Paul, I started watching your videos back in 2013 when I was in the middle of undergrad and wanting to get into pharmacy school. Your vids helped me with interviews and I was accepted to pharmacy school! I’m close to finishing my PharmD now, and just wanted to thank you for all of your helpful advice:) in case you didn’t know, your vids are helpful to a lot of people!
If you’re thinking about going into pharmacy school now then plan on getting paid like 30-40 bucks an hr by the time u graduate. Pharmacist salary is going down and down because new grads are willing to take whatever that is offered..if they r lucky enough to be offered something.
Wondering if you could do a video on how to land your first job interview. Of course with proper preparation of potential interview questions is key and essential but could you expand tips and advice on what could help separate a candidate from the rest and be offered a job especially in a saturated market? Networking is also key as well as you mentioned in many videos however, could you expand on exactly how to network within the Pharmacy realm? How often would you reach out? Where does the line cross?
Hi, Paul. I'll be a P3 in the Fall. (I mean technically I'm one now but I haven't had the P3 courses started yet, and I start them in the fall). I've already had my P2 rotations/IPPE, which I did well on. My preceptor gave me great scores, but just said that I was nervous and shy sometimes, which I can be. I do some networking at my school, usually by introducing myself to a presenter or lecturer, going to a job/career fair, and etc. I believe and hope that I have a good rapport. However, my issue is, due to financial struggles I'm already going through, I can't always contribute to donation type things my school or club may do nor go to any conventions. However, my efforts feel all for nothing sometimes because where my school is located and the area it typically "serves" or networks with isn't the same area that I live within when I leave school to go home. TL;DR: I network and I've done well on my first IPPE (off campus) but where I live versus where I go to school aren't in the same area, and I worry that my networking won't necessarily "spread" or travel with me and I'll have a lot of difficulty finding a job. This is most especially because I live in a really, really, REALLY (lol) small town. Edited to Add: I current;y don't have an intern job, much for the same reasons that I've covered above. I have desperately been looking and trying for 2 years straight. (Basically, each summer that I come home because that's really all that the time that I have time to look and dedicate to finding a job and even work.)
Paul Tran Pharmacist I do plan to live in that small town for a few years after I graduate, especially to form stability for myself and get finances straightened and other things like that before I consider moving. However, if I need to relocate further away (non-driving distance), I would. I also wouldn’t be upset if I have to drive an hour or hour +1/2 to work. I’m trying to keep as many loose stipulations as I can. I noticed that there are some pharmacist positions here and there but I worry they won’t like my lackluster feeling resumé. And as I said, no one wants to hire an intern as in the program unless they’ll work for them as a pharmacist and usually they’ve made that decision because that person has already been with company a few years. So I feel stuck between a rock and a hard place
Hey Paul, I am kind introverted person, so would that block me from getting a job in future, if yes, what can I do to improve networking skills. I just moved to the USA, so you can imagine my English and communication is not that perfect.
I would recommend at the very least learn how to not offend anybody. Learn what is normal communication rules in the USA. Make eye contact, greet people, communicate when you are leaving, be friendly, try to avoid politics or anything that can make people upset, do things other pharmacists won't. Show you are motivated and willing to work hard, and your reputation will be good!
Hi Paul, I'm a 2016 grad and a recent transplant to the Seattle area from California. I have less than a year's experience in managed care (prior auth) and can't seem to land a job here in WA. It makes me consider going back to do a residency, but that in itself is so competitive. I have done multiple interviews for retail, but they always say that the position went to an internal transfer afterwards. My lack of professional experience and the saturated job market here makes it tough. Do you have any advice on what I can do as a post-grad to make myself more competitive for residency or what kinds of jobs I should be looking for? Thanks!
Are you apply to only full time positions with benefits? I would apply to any temp job, per diem job, and also try working with temp agencies. This will allow you to meet people and build your reputation up in the area. Are you willing to commute up to 1 hour from Seattle? Look south and north from Seattle up to 1-2 hours away, good luck! Start studying for certifications to make your resume look better. I personally like to use Indeed.com and look up all the companies that might have pharmacists positions. Look into long term care, mail order pharmacies ect.. As for residency thats a whole another year away, if you don't find something by then I would consider applying.
Thats strange they say the same thing that it went to an internal transfer? Why not just ask them straight up how you can be more competitive and if you can improve on anything in the interview process or your application as a whole. Maybe its something you are doing that you do not even realize.
Number one advice is stay away from pharmacy. This field is not a healthcare profession, and people don’t respect you. Don’t let the school fool you. You have gone through higher education to help people, but people just cussed or yelled at you everyday at retail setting because their drug is back ordered, insurance approval needed, and copay is too high. Pharmacist role is involving? Can administering vaccine and prescribing under collaborative agreement? Pls why are you doing doctors or nurses job? If you wanted to help people, be a nurse, pa or a doctor! Don’t waste your talent trying to redefine this field’s identity. If your goal is to work at hospital, good for you but the opportunity is very limited. Actual healthcare field such as hospital require residency because healthcare field doesn’t need them that much. Clinical pharmacist exists to lower doctors workload and hospital expense for more doctors. Remember Pharmacy is the bottom section of the healthcare pyramid, it won’t be any higher. Arguing with people each day affects your mentality and temper. Is this something you wanted for the rest of your life?
Dude. That is on point. Majority of the jobs are retail which corporate sucks the living soul out of you. And “clinical pharmacy.” I get so much negative vibes slash toxicity from that field. They have some kind of contempt or hatred towards physicians for whatever reason. Like physicians are stupid and they do not know anything about drugs etc. it is so nauseating
its really sad but I think pharmacists have some of the poorest leadership in their profession. I cant see why anyone would go into this field given how easily bullied they are
How to to get into Pharmacy School TLDR: 1. Have a pulse 2. Apply for student loans 3. Accepted! Good luck with $100k's of debt that you can't pay back :D
Hi Paul,
I started watching your videos back in 2013 when I was in the middle of undergrad and wanting to get into pharmacy school. Your vids helped me with interviews and I was accepted to pharmacy school! I’m close to finishing my PharmD now, and just wanted to thank you for all of your helpful advice:) in case you didn’t know, your vids are helpful to a lot of people!
If you’re thinking about going into pharmacy school now then plan on getting paid like 30-40 bucks an hr by the time u graduate. Pharmacist salary is going down and down because new grads are willing to take whatever that is offered..if they r lucky enough to be offered something.
Wow really ? 😭
Not just new grads. They are flooding the market with H1B visa holders.
that's one of the reasons why I have changed career paths. I am looking to get a masters degree before preparing for PA or MD/ DO school
Wondering if you could do a video on how to land your first job interview. Of course with proper preparation of potential interview questions is key and essential but could you expand tips and advice on what could help separate a candidate from the rest and be offered a job especially in a saturated market? Networking is also key as well as you mentioned in many videos however, could you expand on exactly how to network within the Pharmacy realm? How often would you reach out? Where does the line cross?
Hi, Paul. I'll be a P3 in the Fall. (I mean technically I'm one now but I haven't had the P3 courses started yet, and I start them in the fall). I've already had my P2 rotations/IPPE, which I did well on. My preceptor gave me great scores, but just said that I was nervous and shy sometimes, which I can be. I do some networking at my school, usually by introducing myself to a presenter or lecturer, going to a job/career fair, and etc. I believe and hope that I have a good rapport. However, my issue is, due to financial struggles I'm already going through, I can't always contribute to donation type things my school or club may do nor go to any conventions. However, my efforts feel all for nothing sometimes because where my school is located and the area it typically "serves" or networks with isn't the same area that I live within when I leave school to go home.
TL;DR: I network and I've done well on my first IPPE (off campus) but where I live versus where I go to school aren't in the same area, and I worry that my networking won't necessarily "spread" or travel with me and I'll have a lot of difficulty finding a job. This is most especially because I live in a really, really, REALLY (lol) small town.
Edited to Add: I current;y don't have an intern job, much for the same reasons that I've covered above. I have desperately been looking and trying for 2 years straight. (Basically, each summer that I come home because that's really all that the time that I have time to look and dedicate to finding a job and even work.)
That is hard! Do you plan to live in the small town after school? Or are you willing to relocate long term somewhere else?
Paul Tran Pharmacist I do plan to live in that small town for a few years after I graduate, especially to form stability for myself and get finances straightened and other things like that before I consider moving. However, if I need to relocate further away (non-driving distance), I would. I also wouldn’t be upset if I have to drive an hour or hour +1/2 to work. I’m trying to keep as many loose stipulations as I can. I noticed that there are some pharmacist positions here and there but I worry they won’t like my lackluster feeling resumé. And as I said, no one wants to hire an intern as in the program unless they’ll work for them as a pharmacist and usually they’ve made that decision because that person has already been with company a few years. So I feel stuck between a rock and a hard place
Dang, that’s tough. Try to get an intern job where you can work from home like informatics etc.
Hey Paul, I am kind introverted person, so would that block me from getting a job in future, if yes, what can I do to improve networking skills. I just moved to the USA, so you can imagine my English and communication is not that perfect.
Hager Mostafa Me too.
I would recommend at the very least learn how to not offend anybody. Learn what is normal communication rules in the USA. Make eye contact, greet people, communicate when you are leaving, be friendly, try to avoid politics or anything that can make people upset, do things other pharmacists won't. Show you are motivated and willing to work hard, and your reputation will be good!
Thank you for you advice😇
ruuuuunnnn, stay away of pharmacy field, the market is very saturated, jobs are rare.
Do you think the saturation will slow down soon? Or will it get worse?
Jimmy get worse.
Angel Fair R.I.P. pharmacy professsion.
Hi Paul, I'm a 2016 grad and a recent transplant to the Seattle area from California. I have less than a year's experience in managed care (prior auth) and can't seem to land a job here in WA. It makes me consider going back to do a residency, but that in itself is so competitive. I have done multiple interviews for retail, but they always say that the position went to an internal transfer afterwards. My lack of professional experience and the saturated job market here makes it tough. Do you have any advice on what I can do as a post-grad to make myself more competitive for residency or what kinds of jobs I should be looking for? Thanks!
Are you apply to only full time positions with benefits? I would apply to any temp job, per diem job, and also try working with temp agencies. This will allow you to meet people and build your reputation up in the area. Are you willing to commute up to 1 hour from Seattle? Look south and north from Seattle up to 1-2 hours away, good luck! Start studying for certifications to make your resume look better. I personally like to use Indeed.com and look up all the companies that might have pharmacists positions. Look into long term care, mail order pharmacies ect.. As for residency thats a whole another year away, if you don't find something by then I would consider applying.
Thats strange they say the same thing that it went to an internal transfer? Why not just ask them straight up how you can be more competitive and if you can improve on anything in the interview process or your application as a whole. Maybe its something you are doing that you do not even realize.
Number one advice is stay away from pharmacy. This field is not a healthcare profession, and people don’t respect you. Don’t let the school fool you. You have gone through higher education to help people, but people just cussed or yelled at you everyday at retail setting because their drug is back ordered, insurance approval needed, and copay is too high. Pharmacist role is involving? Can administering vaccine and prescribing under collaborative agreement? Pls why are you doing doctors or nurses job? If you wanted to help people, be a nurse, pa or a doctor! Don’t waste your talent trying to redefine this field’s identity. If your goal is to work at hospital, good for you but the opportunity is very limited. Actual healthcare field such as hospital require residency because healthcare field doesn’t need them that much. Clinical pharmacist exists to lower doctors workload and hospital expense for more doctors. Remember Pharmacy is the bottom section of the healthcare pyramid, it won’t be any higher. Arguing with people each day affects your mentality and temper. Is this something you wanted for the rest of your life?
Dude. That is on point. Majority of the jobs are retail which corporate sucks the living soul out of you. And “clinical pharmacy.” I get so much negative vibes slash toxicity from that field. They have some kind of contempt or hatred towards physicians for whatever reason. Like physicians are stupid and they do not know anything about drugs etc. it is so nauseating
its really sad but I think pharmacists have some of the poorest leadership in their profession. I cant see why anyone would go into this field given how easily bullied they are
How to to get into Pharmacy School TLDR:
1. Have a pulse
2. Apply for student loans
3. Accepted! Good luck with $100k's of debt that you can't pay back :D
Not saturated but only the best will be survived
Not saturated? You obviously have no idea.
Do you think there are still opportunities for foreign pharmacy graduates?