Finding a Job in a Down Market
Meredith Jannsen, Director, ASHP’s CareerPharm
May 2009
As of early 2008 the bureau of labor statistics reported that opportunities for pharmacists will grow by 22% through the year 2016. There has been no update to these statistics so it is unknown if the economic crisis of late 2008 and 2009 will have an impact on that growth. While the labor statistics are promising, recent ASHP surveys and other research has shown that many hospital pharmacy markets are saturated and jobs are harder than ever to come by. Compared to other industries though, the market for pharmacists, particularly those with hospital experience, is still good. You just need the right tools to find the jobs.
Here are a few tips:
Have some flexibility. The economic downturn has also had some impact on recruiting b/c there have been cut backs on budgets and positions. This is particularly true in metro areas so targeting smaller facilities that still have a high need is important. Though not a possibility for everyone, moving to a different area of the country will increase your odds of finding a position. Having flexibility for different work schedules is also imperative. Being too picky about location and work hours can make your search more difficult.
Assert yourself. A job search is a full time job in itself and it’s important to keep on top of it. Make sure you are conducting online job searches and have posted your resume to pharmacy job boards. You can start with careerpharm.com and set up some job alerts so that you’ll be notified when jobs meeting your areas of interest are posted. There is a good article on our website dedicated to conducting online job searches. http://www.careerpharm.com/Conqueringonlinejobsearch.aspx.
Be professional. Make sure your resume and CV are free from typos, spelling and grammar mistakes and slang. You should have more than one person proofread it for you to make sure there are no errors. Write a cover letter for each job you are applying for and address it to the specific recruiter listed in the job description. Your letter should explain your interest in a particular position and institution, what your career goals are and the relevant experience that makes you the perfect candidate. More resume writing tips can be found on our website: http://www.careerpharm.com/careertools.aspx under Resumes, CVs, and Cover Letters.
Market yourself. Use your resume as a tool to advertise yourself. Yes, a resume is a history of work but it’s also an opportunity to sell other attributes that make you a great candidate. Also, keep in mind that hiring managers are tech savvy. A quick internet search can put you out of the running as quickly as you can say “Facebook”. Make sure your profile on social networking sites is “clean”, meaning there is nothing offensive to a potential employer. If you have any doubts enter your name in a Google search and see what comes up.
Get Networking. Networking is the best thing you can do for your career and although you may not reap the benefits right away it is so important to begin developing your professional network as soon as possible. There are two great articles about Networking on our site:
Stay Positive. A career change is a big deal and is like a relationship. It should feel like a perfect match because it’s an investment in your future. Stay the course and the right thing will come along.