Zach Krauss, BSPS, MBA, is a third-year PharmD candidate at the Cedarville University School of Pharmacy and a member of the 2021–22 APhA–ASP Communications Standing Committee.

The topic of pharmacy job saturation has become more prevalent in pharmacy schools over the past few years, and it’s scary and daunting to think about—especially if you’re about to graduate and search for a job. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has shown that while the average outlook for all positions nationally is expected to increase by 3% to 4% from 2020 to 2030, the outlook for pharmacists is in fact a small decrease (-2%).

There are many reasons for this kind of decline in pharmacist jobs, from the closing of chain pharmacies across the country to the automation within pharmacy systems that allow more to be done by fewer pharmacists. However, this isn’t a reason to panic; instead, it’s an opportunity to plan ahead and be proactive about preparing to enter the job market.

Stand out from the crowd

Here at Cedarville University, we have several different ways in which we are prepared to enter the job market and to apply for positions as desirable candidates. When it comes down to it, for job applications one of the first things that potential employers will see is your curriculum vitae (CV)/resume and cover letter. Being able to format a CV and write cover letters well is crucial to standing out from the crowd. Our career services office offers review services for these kinds of documents, and we have student organizations that have review programs periodically throughout each year. Check with your school’s job or careers office to see if you can set an appointment to get help working on these important documents.

Another important aspect of getting a job as a pharmacist is your professional network. Building up the pool of people you know in pharmacy is critical to finding the position that you want and claiming that spot. How many times have you heard someone say something along the lines of “pharmacy is a small world?” We hear it a lot at my school, and we try to give students opportunities to network. We have an annual networking dinner at our campus, and students receive information each semester about other networking opportunities as well. Check with your state affiliate (and even local affiliates) to see if networking events are coming up and attend them even if you’re not a final-year student yet. You never know what a quick connection can do down the line when you’re submitting applications!

Rock the interview

Being able to secure your position through the interview process is also vital. At Cedarville University, we have an elective course specifically designed to prepare us for postgraduate opportunities like residencies and fellowships. In the course, we have the chance to participate in a few different types of mock interviews, such as a virtual interview, one over the phone, and one in-person.

Each year, our APhA–ASP Chapter also puts on its own version of a mock interview session for students so that they can get extra practice before actually applying for positions. Check on your campus to see if something like this is offered through your school of pharmacy or through your careers department; many career services offices offer the opportunity to work with a staff member to set up a mock interview catered to your intended position. If your university doesn’t have events just for this, ask a faculty member or preceptor if they could potentially roleplay an interview situation so you can at least get the feel for the likely questions and how to respond.

Prepare for success

Even though the job market for pharmacy can seem scary and difficult to traverse right now, there are likely opportunities and options within your school of pharmacy and university that can equip you to enter the job market with all the preparation you need to succeed.

Don’t give up and keep looking for ways to improve yourself so that you can remain stable when trying to stand out in the world of pharmacy!