advice

[difdif]

Hey guys

I have got a couple of interviews coming up in community, small and big multiples.
I just want to find out what sort of questions I will be expecting. They haven't mentioned presentations though. Any comment would be appreciated.

Also is the PDA the best company to join for indemnity cover, would it be better than what the employer company would offer?

Finally what sort of payment should I be aiming for? when it depends on experience. I am newly qualified but I dont believe it's always true that experience makes a pharmacist better at his profession, Iv seen quite the opposite so far...

Thanks

[difdif]

48 views and no advice to spare ? why! still looking forward any tips.

Thanks

[johnep]

Do a seach of forum, you are the latest in a long line of people asking much the same question.
johnep

[stevej]

Difdif
I suspect your last paragraph may have put off a number of viewers from deciding to help you out.
Yes there are bitter and twisted, lazy, incompetent experienced pharmacists but the vast majority of experienced pharmacists care for their patients and have the expertise to do so having spent a lifetime interacting with patients.
Rant over
In answer to your questions if you want a very quick wide and varied exposure to community pharmacy, work for a large multiple for a year or two but insist on a variety of locations. Often you will learn how NOT to do it but as long as you have confidence in your own professional abilities you should get through it and become a much better pharmacist.
After that settle down with a smaller multiple or independent where they give you the support staff to practice pharmacy in a manner that you might want to deveote a career to. They are out there if you look hard despite the negativity on this forum.
PDA is good both for indemnity cover and to protect you from non-pharmacist line managers in a large multiple.
As for salaries they vary according to the work you do and the geographical area, have a look on the C&D jobs website. I would have said the PJ in the past buts its rubbish now
Whatever you decide good luck and remember one day you will be an experienced pharmacist just make sure that for the sake of your patients and co-workers you are a good one!

[DavidS]

They are out there if you look hard despite the negativity on this forum.

Yes, we do moan a bit, don't we. But he's right, there are decent employers out there.

[difdif]

Hi there.

Thanks for your replies. My last sentence certainly wasn't directed to all the experienced pharmacists reading the page. I simply mentioned the ones I have come across throughout my work experience "in pharmacy" and as a locum so far..in fact I would be happy to work with /for a good pharmacist, with good customer and management skills. At the end of the day, I like to pick the good points of every pharmacy or pharmacist I fall upon and learn what to do more than what not to do.

yep, PDA seems best to me and I will defy care about my patients and colleagues, if at somepoint I realise I can't be bothered as much, I will look into the other career options I have but also leave a sweet last impression in pharmacy

I have searched the forum for interview questions but couldnt find any specific ones?

@DavidS any particular ones?

[johnep]

How on earth can we tell you what specific questions any employer may ask? We are not clairvoyant and questions will vary from day to day. There are a few asked with regularity and these are all on the forum already. eg Why do you want to work for us?
Why should we choose you above other candidates? Another popular question is 'Do you have any friends or relations already working for us or in pharmacy?' Others are re your outside interests in hobbies and sports.
Think what you would ask a candidate wishing to work for you.
One employer wanted to make sure I did not have any socialist tendencies as he did not want any 'labourites' working for him.
One classic used to be regarding parentage and their accomplishments. One interviewee said he thought he was required for work, not breeding purposes. However, helps if your father is an influential politician or a millionaire.
johnep

[difdif]

jhonep you just did, by giving some examples! but did not expect some of them to be so irrelevant to the job, parentage and politics?!okey..

but still, you are right, unlike other job careers, questions in community pharmacy are strangely variable! and are prob more concentrated on the business and personal than the competences side.

[Revolutionnaire]

I always get questions on conflict. And how I would cope in a hostile environment without support. Plus asked o give at least 2 examples.

So much so that it always puts me off the job.

Oh yea, "why community pharmacy"