Advise on placements

[riks]

Hi guys. I was just looking for some advise. I'm about to start my 4th year in September and I am currently trying to look a for pre-reg. I've been rejected form the big companies so I'm hoping I can get one with an independent. The only issue that lets me down in my application is a lack of experience in the pharmacy sector. I did a 3 week voluntary placement last summer, but that's it. I sent my CV and covering letter to 3 independent pharmacies at the start of the this summer indicating my interest to do a voluntary placement. Unfortunately they never replied back. I seriously need to find voluntary work in the couple months before uni starts to enable me to boost my CV for pre-reg applications. I've tried sending my CV but this hasn't worked. Shall I just go driving around Nottingham and ask any independent pharmacies if they will let me do a voluntary placement or shall I ring pharmacies and ask them over the phone. Which do you think will help me to obtain voluntary work. Also my CV is not that good because my lack of experience, so will they ask for my CV. I seriously need to get some pharmacy experience to boost my pre-reg application, so any information or any opportunities you may have will be hugely appreciated. Thanks in advanced.

[peace800]

Sorry to enter the thread but I'm in a similar situation but will enter my third year. Will lack of work experience as the poster mentioned result in rejection from all big companies in terms of pre reg? I'm to apply next year.

[Defblade]

Hi guys. I was just looking for some advi[s]ce. I'm about to start my 4th year in September and I am currently [trying to look a for] looking for a pre-reg. I've been rejected [form] FROM (or better, "by") the big companies so I'm hoping I can get one with an independent. The only issue that lets me down in my application is a lack of experience in the pharmacy sector.

It may not simply be your lack of experience. I could go through and correct your whole post (and format it rather better - it's hard to read a solid block of text), but you get the flavour.

It may be that English is not your first language; it may be that you're "young" and I'm "Grandpa" and I should "get with it". But you may well be sending your applications to someone like me, especially in the indie sector... a highly detail-focused pharmacist (OCD or anally retentive ). In a sea of applications, a series of spelling and grammatical errors will see yours binned at an early stage.


This is criticism, but intended to be helpful.

I'd (dressed in a suit) visit any local pharmacies you would fancy working in; ring around the ones further afield if you have no luck.

[riks]

Thanks for the comment. I've just read my original post and the spelling and grammar errors are pretty silly. English is not my first language, and I do find writing concise and fluent English difficult. I have had my CV checked for errors and its fine.

I will visit my local pharmacies next week to obtain a voluntary placement. Thanks for your advise. I will take it on board.

[Defblade]

Thanks for your advise. I will take it on board.

Ironically, I've already corrected that one for you once. I hope you're getting someone in the Grammar Police to check your CV etc rather than just running it through a PC. Sorry to bang on, but this sort of attention to detail is important in pharmacy and so (a) as I said, attracts the fussy sort and (b) if you're not that detail focused, you will make many errors and will probably find (community, at least) pharmacy really doesn't suit you.

Advise is a verb. ("To advise someone")

Advice is the noun. ("I was given advice")

[gigeordie]

[QUOTE=Defblade;59126]It may not simply your lack of experience.

[johnep]

AS saturation approaches, we will see the situation as per other jobs etc. :
1) Who do you know.
2) are you from same ethnic group as the interviewer?
3) Do you have language skills
4) Does your face 'fit''
5) Why should you be chosen over a dozen similar candidates.
6) you may face as my poor daughter has, three interviews passed with flying colours, told got the job subject to seeing CEO. Then to be told, sorry freeze on recruitment.
7) That is the real world today.
8) Long gone are the days when I could pick and choose between job offers. My wife was offered nine jobs in two days back in late 50s.
johnep

[peace800]

AS saturation approaches, we will see the situation as per other jobs etc. :
1) Who do you know.
2) are you from same ethnic group as the interviewer?
3) Do you have language skills
4) Does your face 'fit''
5) Why should you be chosen over a dozen similar candidates.
6) you may face as my poor daughter has, three interviews passed with flying colours, told got the job subject to seeing CEO. Then to be told, sorry freeze on recruitment.
7) That is the real world today.
8) Long gone are the days when I could pick and choose between job offers. My wife was offered nine jobs in two days back in late 50s.
johnep

Johnep

On the whole I enjoy reading your posts and respect your valuable advice and the experiences that you share on here but my only gripe is the fact that you seem certain that definite saturation is upon us and pharmacy jobs are more or less to cease in the coming years. What hope does this give students and those newly qualified out there? I feel pharmacy is still a valued profession and the Government cannot let there be a situation where Pharmacists are out of jobs. There will always be something for us to do as we have valuable skills. The job market is tight for everyone right now but I cannot see how our healthcare profession can be so vulnerable in the coming years that we will find it difficult to get a job as a Pharmacist. I just notice that you are very pessimistic in terms of the outlook for Pharmacist' s in the coming years and your posts make it feel like students should cut their losses and get the heck out right now.

[WalkeRx]

It may be that English is not your first language; it may be that you're "young" and I'm "Grandpa" and I should "get with it". But you may well be sending your applications to someone like me, especially in the indie sector...

I completely agree with your point, but you shouldn't judge on a first impression - the OP was probably just posted here for some informal advice.

riks, I'm sure you'll find some offers, even if they're not the most glamorous - many pharmacies need all the help they can get sometimes. The amount of vacancies all really depends on where you're based. Saturation varies from region to region.

[Defblade]

[QUOTE=gigeordie;59142]

It may not simply your lack of experience.

Damn! Thanks Knew I'd mess up somewhere......