3 References Every Pharmacist Should Include on a Resume

When it comes to your pharmacist resume or job application, there are three “must have” references you always should include whenever you apply for a pharmacy position.

First, an overall tip: When asking for references from professors, colleagues and supervisors, make sure they will give you a good or even great reference. When asking them to provide you with a reference, ask them if it will be a good one. Yes, this could lead to an awkward conversation, but just because someone agrees to give you a reference doesn’t necessarily mean he or she will give you a good one. If the individual feels he or she can’t give you a good reference, politely tell the person you’ll find someone else to provide you with a reference.

For pharmacists just graduating from pharmacy school:

1. You’ll want to include a reference from one of your professors (this is why it’s critical that you become fairly well known to at least one of your instructors during pharmacy school). The person should be able to speak to your intelligence, your love of learning and the things you did in pharmacy school that made you stand out in his or her eyes.
2. While on rotations, see if you can work closely with one or more of your preceptors enough that he or she will be willing to give you a good reference.
3. If you perform research with a professor while at pharmacy school, make sure he or she can give you a good reference and add that reference to your list.

For pharmacists with professional experience:

1. If you’ve had more than one position since graduating from pharmacy school, you should have a reference – and make sure it’s a glowing one – from a former supervisor. If you’ve had just one position since graduation and you don’t want a current supervisor to know you’re looking for another position, contact a professor at school with which you had – and continue to have – a good relationship.
2. Aim to have a great reference from at least one professional colleague. As mentioned above, if you’re in your first pharmacy position out of school and don’t want colleagues to know you’re searching for another job (a very wise move, by the way), see if you can get references from one or more preceptors from your rotation/internship days.
3. As a pharmacist in a retail or hospital setting, you’ve undoubtedly come in contact with other healthcare professionals (physicians, nurses, etc.). A physician with whom you’ve worked closely at a hospital is a great addition to your references list. An outside vendor or colleague on a professional pharmacy organization of which you’re a member also is a good addition.

Whether you have one year of professional pharmacy experience or 20, whether you’ve just graduated from pharmacy school or if you’ve been out of the profession for a few years and are looking to return, when looking for pharmacy positions, let the recruiters at Rx relief® help you find you a great position. Contact us today.