Pharmacist CV – Top Tips.

Medacy is snowballing, and that means we need to advertise and gather CVs.

On Friday we advertised for a new position – a Clinical Pharmacist working remotely from home. As I’m sure, you’ll appreciate, working from home is attractive, especially for those with your families or caring responsibilities. Because of this, we knew it would be popular.

By Sunday night, we had received 39 applications. Excellent result?

Blah, blah, blah, Yawn

Absolutely, but when I looked through the application, I had one of those heart sink moments. Pharmacists are terrible at singing their own praises,  blah, blah blah; I worked for Boots, blah, blah, blah I took my IP blah, blah, blah  I worked at surgery X.

I’ve worked as a pharmacist for 26 years and in Pharmacist recruitment for 16 years so I can tell you this is nothing new. However, I want to be open about how you go from being one of 39 to one of the seven we have shortlisted.

1. Use every opportunity in your career to something unusual, e.g. work in prison, work in the armed forces, take part in clinical trials. When I’m trawling through CVs, I’m desperately looking for something that makes a CV stand out from the rest.
2. Read the Job description and person specification – These two magic documents tell you what the person shortlisting is looking for.
3. Tailor your CV to the Job Description. e.g. The Job I advertised for was for a  “Clinical Pharmacist- Remote Work” and the blurb described what the role entailed. So, what do you think I was looking for on the CV? You’re right – Clinical Pharmacist with experience working remotely.

Of the 39 applications, two mentioned experience working remotely and guess what? They were shortlisted

Check your CV on Indeed

However, If I had one tip for Pharmacists using Indeed or other job boards, it’s to check the CV you have on file.

The following are two examples of CVs I received with identifying elements removed to protect the innocent.

Example 1

In addition to the typical day to day runnings of a busy health centre pharmacy, I have been a pre-reg tutor training up my 3rd student in accordance with GPhC requirements. I have also trained up many techs and apprentices alike. I am able to work independently as well as part of a team and I have always been complimented well by patients, customers and colleagues. I am also a community pharmacy locum and have worked in large multiples, incl Boots, Lloydspharmacy, ASDA, Morrisons and many other independents nationwide. 
In addition, I have successfully obtained my Independent Prescribing and Advanced Healthcare Assessment (ACP) accreditation from the University of xxxxxxxxxxxxx.

That’s a whole CV

Example 2