In case you are a recent pharmacy technician graduate, you must spend some time going over the answers to habitually asked questions at a job interview, before you meet your potential employer. It is normal to feel a little apprehensive; however, preparing for the interview helps allay your nervousness, boosts your confidence and helps you make a good impression.

Here are a few pharmacy technician interview questions that your interviewer is most likely to ask and our guide on how to answer them:

1. Tell me about yourself

'I am a detail-oriented and trained pharmacy tech who likes interacting with people. I am a graduate from XYZ community college with specialized courses in pharmaceutical studies'.

2. Why did you want to become a Pharmacy Technician?

'I always wanted to be a part of the healthcare industry and wished to be of service to the community'.

3. Why do you want to work for our company?

Make sure that you research the company profile before you go for the interview and give special consideration to its values and goals. You will have to style your reply based on the company's features, and show them why you suppose you would be great for the position.

4. What duties a pharmacy technician is required to carry out?

'A Pharmacy technician needs to be an expert at what he's doing, given that, there is absolutely no room for mistakes when preparing medicines according to doctor's orders. Duties comprise of: filling prescriptions, making medications as per the pharmacist's orders, maintaining records of each prescription given out, collecting payment, assessing the insurance status before each prescription is handed out and maintaining sanitized and hygienic storage conditions.'

5. How would you deal with a difficult customer?

This is a very important question, and your interviewer will definitely want to know how you tackle a stressful situation. One who has direct contact with customers represents the company, hence you need to emphasize that you will be able to deal with a difficult patient.

'I usually stay calm and polite, even in a tough situation; I am composed and unruffled while solving a problem.'

You could also share an experience you had with a hostile patient and give details about how you dealt with him.

6. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Before a company invests time in a new employee, they need to know whether the candidate will be committed to the job and whether he intends to be there long-term. Here you must talk about how you see yourself with the company based on the company's specific characteristics and attributes in 5 years and how will stay abreast with the latest developments in your line of work.

7. What is the significance of confidentiality in your profession?

'Keeping the patient's information undisclosed is very essential, given that as a pharmacy technician I have complete access to a customer's private details. It is imperative for me to keep all information confidential because it is morally wrong toreveal information which thepatient has trusted me with'.

8. How do you handle daily workplace stress?

'I effectively deal with workplace stress by being very methodical and organized; I always ensure that there is proper communication regarding the prescriptions. Certain duties such as inventory maintenance, accurate labelling and arrangement of drugs are very important to avoiding stress and ensuring that the pharmacy operates smoothly throughout the day. I take short breaks now and then to revive myself and have always had a track record of preparing the precise composition based upon the given prescription'.

9. What part of your job do you enjoy the most?

'I enjoy my job enormously since I have always wanted to be a part of the healthcare industry and have been interested in the wonders these medicines can do. My favourite part is interacting with the clients, preparing the medications for them and describing to them how to take the medicines'.

10. How do you keep yourself up-to-date with your practice?

'I am a member of the American Association of Pharmacists and participate regularly in several workshops and trainings held by them. I also study a range of research journals which record new pharmaceutical studies and their efficacy.

As is with most things in life, if you are prepared, you can make a huge difference in the result of a job interview. While planning your answers, the chief consideration for you is, to remember to stay confident throughout the interview. Your interview could lead to a job offer which will launch your stimulating career.

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