Preparing for Pharmacy Interview Questions
Preparing for an interview can feel daunting. Whether taking your first steps into the pharmaceutical industry or progressing your career, preparing for an interview is always wise.
Looking for a career with Rowlands?
Of course, you can never know the exact questions, and there’ll occasionally be a curveball you might not expect. To give you an idea of the questions asked during your interview, we’ve written this handy guide for you.
Although we’ve split the questions into what role you may be going for, many of the questions will overlap.
Pharmacy Assistant Interview Questions
＋
- How do you prioritise tasks and manage your time effectively?
- How would you handle a patient's concerns or questions about their medication?
- How do you manage your professional development and continuing education in pharmacy?
- Can you describe a time when you have dealt with a difficult customer and how you resolved the situation?
- What are your long-term career aspirations in the pharmacy profession?
- Can you describe a situation where you provided exceptional customer service to a patient?
Our Tips
- Express enthusiasm and eagerness to learn.
- Make sure you understand the role and responsibilities.
- Research the employer to understand their values and recent developments.
- Prepare examples that illustrate your key skills. E.g. Customer service and handling medications.
- Familiarise yourself with the latest trends, regulations, and ethical guidelines.
- Ask thoughtful questions to show your interest in the role.
Learn more about our roles for newly qualified pharmacists.
Pharmacy Dispenser Interview Questions
＋
- Why do you think you are suited for this position?
- What do you know about the responsibilities of a pharmacy dispenser?
- How do you ensure accuracy when dispensing medications?
- Can you describe a situation where you had to deal with an upset or difficult patient?
- How do you keep up to date with changes to pharmacy regulations and good practice guidelines?
- What would you do if you identified a prescription or product label discrepancy?
- How do you manage your workload when simultaneously dealing with multiple tasks and requests?
- Can you describe your experience using pharmacy computer systems or other related software?
- Have you ever dealt with a customer complaint? How did you handle it?
Our Tips
- Review relevant laws and regulations, especially around safe and accurate dispensing of medications.
- Highlight your experience with pharmacy software and dispensing equipment.
- Emphasise your attention to detail.
- Prepare examples of your skills, especially customer service and resolving issues.
- Be prepared for scenario-based questions.
Pharmacy Technician Interview Questions
＋
- What inspired you to pursue a career as a pharmacy technician, and how did you first become interested in this field?
- Can you describe your experience working with pharmacy computer systems or other related software?
- How do you ensure the safe storage and dispensing of medications, and what steps do you take to reduce the risk of errors or mistakes?
- How do you maintain confidentiality and respect the privacy of patients when working with sensitive medical information?
- How do you ensure that all documentation is accurate and up-to-date, particularly concerning controlled drugs or other high-risk medications?
Our Tips
- Familiarise yourself with the specific responsibilities of a pharmacy technician.
- Emphasise your experience with prescription processing and knowledge of pharmacy software.
- Discuss your organisational and multitasking abilities, as well as your dedication to patient safety.
- Express a commitment to ongoing learning.
Find out more about our career opportunities.
Pharmacy Interview Questions for University
＋
- Why do you want to be a pharmacist?
- What problems are the most difficult to deal with in a pharmacy and why?
- Where do you see yourself in five years?
- What do you think are the biggest challenges facing the pharmacy profession today?
- How do you think the role of the pharmacist could be improved?
- What skills do you think make a good pharmacist?
- How have you prepared yourself for a career in pharmacy?
- How do you prioritise tasks and manage your time effectively?
- What would you do if a parent refused drugs for their child for religious or moral reasons?
Our Tips
- Research the program, curriculum, and any unique aspects that set it apart from other programs.
- Understand the profession and prepare to discuss why you’re interested in pursuing a career in pharmacy.
- Demonstrate your communication skills possibly through role play scenarios.
- Don’t forget to be prepared for common interview questions. Such as your strengths and weaknesses and how you handle challenges. Be clear and concise with your answers.
Find out more about our pharmacy students' roles, or discover our apprenticeships at Rowlands Pharmacy.
Preparing for a Face to Face Interview at Rowlands
To enable Rowlands Pharmacy to meet our statutory and regulatory responsibilities/company policy requirements we require in-person verification checks of your key documents.
Please bring your right to work in the UK documents and a proof of address document with you to interview. These can be the following:
- UK Citizens: Either a UK/Irish Passport OR Birth certificate and proof of National Insurance
- International Citizens: Government Share Code and Passport
- Proof of Address: Bank Statement, Utility Bill (excluding phone bills), Drivers Licence, or Letters from Local Government or the HMRC
All documents must be the original documents - we cannot accept copies or digital copies/downloads.
Please also bring along any relevant certificates for the role you have applied for.
Should you need any clarification on what documents to take to the interview please do not hesitate to contact our Talent Team at talentteam@phoenixmedical.co.uk.
As a final note, we’d like to wish you the best of luck. The key to a successful interview is staying calm, and remember, you’re interviewing them as much as they’re interviewing you.
More from Rowlands Pharmacy
Find your local pharmacy
We have over 300 pharmacies across the UK, find your nearest one using our pharmacy finder
Find a pharmacy
Hey Pharmacist
Keep track and order your NHS repeat prescription through the FREE Hey Pharmacist app
Find out more
In-pharmacy services
We have a wide range of services available, from medication management to vaccinations
Find out more