How to Write a Resume for a Pharmacist Job

Whereas finding a job like a pharmaceutical sales rep is almost entirely dependent on your relevant work experience, when you write a resume for a pharmacist job, devote a good deal of attention to your educational qualifications and certifications.

Instructions

1. Use an objective statement if you are applying for a specific job, or substitute it with a more generalized summary of qualifications that can be submitted to just about any pharmacy or hospital.

2. Include in your summary of qualifications your professional licenses, years of relevant work experience and a condensed version of the day-to-day activities you perform.

3. Start with your educational history rather than work experience. Include the name of the school or schools you attended with addresses and the degrees you earned and the year you received them. You may choose to include your grade point average if you wish.

4. Move on to your skills section where you will write out all the skills you have that make you the best candidate for the job. Highlight your proficiency with computers, strong mathematics and science skills and exceptional memory.

5. Include a personal section that lists activities you've participated in that make you a stronger candidate. Include professional organizations you are a member of, such as the American Pharmacists Association (AphA) and your specific state pharmacy association. Specify any certifications or awards that you've received while working as a pharmacist or studying pharmacology.

6. Write a resume that will get noticed in an electronic environment. Employers use keyword searches to locate pharmacists. Good keywords for a pharmacist job might include retail, hospital, critical care, research, dispensing and pharmacology.

7. Write your resume to show that you are honest, dependable, organized, team oriented, flexible and friendly. Call attention to the fact that you work well under pressure and in stressful environments.

8. Condense your information so that only the highlights of your career are included. If you've just graduated with your pharmacist degree, most of your resume will focus on education, but if you've been in the industry for 10 years, you may have to be very selective about what you include in your resume.

Tips & Warnings

• Remember that your resume is a marketing document. You are attempting to sell yourself to a prospective employer. If sales and marketing aren't your strong points, get help from a friend or a trained professional.