Looking for how to write the best Pharmacist CV for entry to mid-level positions?
This article offers tips to optimize your CV, whether you are just starting out or have a few years under your belt.
Your CV is often the first impression you make on potential employers as a pharmacist.
An excellent CV highlights your clinical expertise and customer service skills.
Use your CV to get noticed and land interviews for the best pharmacy jobs.
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How to Write Pharmacist CV for Entry/Mid-Level
Here is how to properly write a pharmacist CV for both entry and Mid-level positions:
1. Perfect the Presentation
A clean, professional CV layout shows attention to detail. Use consistent formatting such as:
- Simple, standard fonts like Arial or Times New Roman in 11 or 12-point size
- White or light gray paper with black ink
- 1 inch margins on all sides
- Clear section headings in a larger bold font
- Dates right aligned and locations left aligned
- Consistent verb tenses and voice
- No photos or graphics unless required
- Proofread to fix any typos or formatting issues
- Lead with a Strong Career Objective
Your career objective or summary should showcase your strengths and goals as a pharmacist.
For example:
- Licensed Pharmacist with 3 years of experience efficiently filling prescriptions while providing excellent customer service. Seeking a full-time position to provide quality pharmaceutical care and expand my clinical knowledge.
- Recently licensed pharmacist motivated to establish my career in a busy retail pharmacy setting. I look forward to leveraging my clinical training and personable approach to serve patients and grow professionally.
2. Showcase your expertise
For mid-level roles, emphasize expertise gained:
- Licensed Pharmacist with 5 years of experience managing pharmacy operations, supervising technicians, and immunizing patients. Ready to take on more responsibility. Now pursuing an ambulatory care specialty to broaden my clinical impact through medication management services.
- Showcase Your Education
3. Highlight your academic records
Provide details on your academic credentials relevant to pharmacy roles:
- PharmD Degree, May 20XX University of Michigan School of Pharmacy – Ann Arbor, MI
- GPA 3.8
- Vice President, Student Pharmacist Association
- Bachelor’s Degree, June 20XX
- Biology Major, Chemistry Minor State University – Columbus, OH
- GPA 3.5, Dean’s Honor List
4. Add licenses and certificates
Don’t forget other credentials like residencies, licenses, and certificates:
- Post-Graduate Year One Pharmacy Residency, July 20XX – June 20XX ABC Hospital – Boston, MA
- Licensed Pharmacist – Indiana Board of Pharmacy, License #123456 Immunization Certificate, American Pharmacist Association
- Highlight Clinical Rotations (For Entry Level)
5. Show clinical rotations
Recent grads should feature clinical rotations showcasing hands-on drug therapy experience:
- Clinical Rotations, August 20XX – May 20XX ABC Hospital – Cardiology, Infectious Disease, Oncology Services XYZ Pharmacy – Retail and Compounding Experience
- Family Health Clinic – Ambulatory Care Setting
6. List Key Accomplishments
Tailor accomplishments to the pharmacy role you want:
Retail Pharmacy:
- Filled over 150 prescriptions daily with a 98% accuracy rate
- Trained 5 pharmacy technician trainees on pharmacy processes
- Increased immunizations administered by 25% from the previous year
Hospital/Clinical Pharmacy:
- Recommended 50+ therapeutic drug substitutions, saving $20,000 annually
- Presented research on anticoagulants to Pharmacy & Therapeutics Committee
- Coordinated medication management for 45 cardiology patients
7. Showcase Skills Relevant to Pharmacy
Include a concise skills section highlighting abilities like:
- Medication compounding and sterile preparations
- Verifying prescriptions for accuracy
- Leading pharmacy teams and technician training
- Drug regimen review and recommendation
- Patient counseling and communication
- Inventory management and cost containment
- Immunization and health screening services
- Computerized pharmacy systems and informatics
- Regulatory compliance and quality assurance
- For mid-level roles, add skills like budget forecasting, project management, supplier negotiations, and staff development.
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8. List Work Experience and Key Responsibilities
Detail your pharmacy work history in reverse chronological order:
Walgreens Pharmacy, Houston, TX
Staff Pharmacist, March 20XX – Present
- Fill 350+ prescriptions weekly in a fast-paced environment
- Advise patients on medication side effects, interactions, and usage
- Administer vaccines and health screenings to an average of 75 patients per month
- Train and oversee 4 pharmacy technicians
- Resolve insurance issues and prior authorization requirements
- Perform inventory control and order medications
CVS Pharmacy, Orlando, FL
Pharmacy Intern, May 20XX – February 20XX
- shadowed pharmacists and technicians to learn pharmacy operations
- assisted with prescription preparation and inventory management
- helped run community health fairs and immunization clinics
ABC Hospital, Chicago, IL
Inpatient Pharmacist, July 20XX – March 20XX
- Completed PGY-1 pharmacy residency program
- Conducted medication reconciliation for newly admitted patients
- Provided drug education and discharge counseling
- Participated in daily multidisciplinary rounds with the medical team
- Presented at Grand Rounds on antibiotics and anticoagulants
For senior roles, elaborate on management, clinical programs, and strategy. Quantify your impact and accomplishments.
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9. Education Goes at the Top, Experience Below
As a student or new grad, list education first above your experience. Once you have over 5 years of experience, lead with your pharmacy career highlights then provide education below.
10. Bolster Your Skills Section
At a mid-career stage, devote extra space for skills acquired through work projects and leadership roles. For example:
- Managing pharmacy budget and forecasting
- Leading quality improvement and patient safety initiatives
- Developing enhanced clinical pharmacy services
- Precepting student pharmacists
- Serving as pharmacy delegate for the P&T committee
- Authoring Standard Operating Procedures
11. Stay Concise
Keep your CV to 1-2 pages as a new grad, or 3 pages maximum later on.
Use concise bullet points under each role to mention multiple accomplishments and responsibilities while conserving space.
12. Check for Errors
Carefully proofread your CV and have a mentor review it. Fix any typos, formatting inconsistencies, or unclear sentences. Read every line out loud to catch mistakes.
13. Adjust Your CV for Each Application
Target your CV to highlight skills and experience most relevant for each pharmacist job you pursue.
You may need to trim some items or add key details to align with different roles.
Conclusion
An excellent CV is essential to landing first interviews and progressing in your pharmacy career.
Use your CV to put your clinical expertise and passion on display for recruiters and pharmacy managers.
Follow best practices and meticulously edit your CV content while showcasing each achievement.
With a professional CV that communicates your value, you can achieve your goals as a pharmacist.
FAQs
Should I Include an Objective on My Pharmacist CV?
A short career objective helps introduce your skills and goals. Tailor it to each application for maximum impact.
What Is Most Important to Include for an Entry-Level Pharmacist CV?
Showcase your clinical rotations, residency, board certification, achievements, and clinical knowledge as a new grad. Lead with education.
How Should I List My Pharmacy Work Experience on a CV?
List in reverse chronological order. Use concise bullet points to provide an overview of your key pharmacist responsibilities and accomplishments in each role.
What Computer and Language Skills Should Pharmacists List?
Highlight experience with pharmacy systems, EHRs, MS Office, medical terminology, Spanish language (if applicable), and communication abilities.
Should I Include References on My Pharmacist CV?
No, use a separate reference page to save space. Simply write “References available upon request.”
