Does a Post-Interview Thank You Letter Matter?

Hi Everyone!

Before I talk about thank you letters, I wanted to take the time to thank you all for reading and your continued support by making purchases via the Amazon affiliate links! As an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no expense to you.

If you’re preparing for the NAPLEX or CPJE, check out my past posts Preparing for the CPJE and Review of NAPLEX and CPJE Test Prep Resource. They contain links to free test prep resources as well as paid up to date test prep resources.

If you’re looking for CEs to renew your license, I’ve listed a few websites to complete CEs for free on my other post CPJE, License / Certification Renewals, Pharmacy Law Waivers . I recently added two courses that the California Board of Pharmacy provided that may meet the new cultural competency requirement.

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For those interviewing for jobs, you many wander if you should send a thank you letter after an interview.

I am part of an interview panel and interviewed several interns, technicians, and pharmacists.

From my personal experience, it did not give the candidate “bonus” points if they wrote us one.

If the candidate’s interview was bad, a thank you letter would not convince us to reconsider.

Also, something to keep in mind is that a thank you letter could hurt you if it’s written poorly.

If you’re applying to and interviewing for jobs, my advice is to work on your application and interview.

1. Proofread your resume and cover letter.

2. Be prepared to tell the interviewer about yourself and why you applied for this job. They want to hear the relevant highlights of your job history, not your life story.

3. Come prepared to describe specific examples from work, school, or projects for a variety situation.

Feel free to comment and let me know what your experience has been with thank you letters.

Thanks for reading!

If you plan on purchasing anything on Amazon, use my affiliate link to Try Amazon Prime 6-month Free trial if you’re a student (or Try Amazon Prime 30-Day Free Trial if you’re not a student). As an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no expense to you.

New CE Requirements for California Pharmacy Technicians and Pharmacists!

All pharmacy technicians, pharmacists and advance practice pharmacists whose expiration date is after December 31, 2023 will be required to complete at least one hour of CE regarding cultural competency to renew their license.

According to the California Board of Pharmacy website, licensees may choose which course they would like to complete, as long as the course adheres to the following guidelines:

  • The course focuses on patients who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, gender nonconforming, or queer, or who question their sexual orientation or gender identity and expression. 
  • The course is approved from an accreditation agency approved by the board. 
  • The course covers recognized health disparities faced by Black, Indigenous, and people of color. 
  • The course contains elements demonstrating how sexual identity is directly impacted through intersectionality.

For those renewing their license in 2024 or later, how are you planning to fulfill this new cultural competency CE requirement? Comment on this post so others can use this as a resource.

Update: On 12/22/24, as a courtesy to licensees, the Board notified licensees of two courses that may meet the above requirements:

California Pharmacists Association – https://cpha.com/cultural-competency-training/

California Society of Health-System Pharmacists – – Register for Webinar Here

If you’re looking for other CEs, I’ve listed a few websites to complete CEs for free on my other post CPJE, License / Certification Renewals, Pharmacy Law Waivers .

If you plan on purchasing anything on Amazon, use my affiliate link to Try Amazon Prime 6-month Free trial if you’re a student (or Try Amazon Prime 30-Day Free Trial if you’re not a student). As an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no expense to you. 

Temporary / Contract / Temp-to-hire Pharmacist Jobs

Hi Everyone!

Can you believe it’s already April?

Before I talk about non-direct hire pharmacist jobs, I wanted to take the time to thank you all for reading and your continued support by making purchases via the Amazon affiliate links! As an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no expense to you.

If you’re preparing for the NAPLEX or CPJE, check out my past posts Preparing for the CPJE and Review of NAPLEX and CPJE Test Prep Resource. They contain links to free test prep resources as well as paid up to date test prep resources.

Oh, if you’re on Instagram or TikTok, you can find me @ designpharmacist !

Temporary / Contract / Temp-to-hire jobs

Let’s talk about non-direct hire pharmacist jobs. It’s definitely risky to quit your current full time job for something that is temporary and there’s no guarantee that it will be permanent.

You’re stressed at your retail job and want a way out. I understand. I’ve been there.

There are some things you should consider before accepting a temporary role.

1. There is a reason for it to be temporary. Ask why.

Are they hiring a lot of pharmacists? It may be that the company has a lot of work that needs to be completed during a particular period. The chance of being converted to permanent is low unless you’re one of the best and there is still a need.

Or it may be to cover someone who is on leave or strike.

2. Hours are not guaranteed. How much hours you get is based upon business needs. Contract can end earlier if there is no longer a need.

3. There are no financial benefits. You don’t get holiday or sick pay. There’s no 401(k) matching.

It’s important to do your research before applying and committing.

There are so many staffing agencies out there. Check online reviews. Talk to people who worked with them.

I often question some of the staffing agencies if they’re qualified to recruit. I get emails for positions I don’t qualify for (non-pharmacy roles) or I’m overqualified for (pharmacy technician).

RxRelief is well-known by the pharmacy community. I know a few people who worked with them. It’s one of the few staffing companies that I feel is qualified to recruit for pharmacist positions, because it is run by a pharmacist. Based upon the openings, it appears these opportunities are mostly in Los Angeles and Central California area. It makes sense, because the staffing agency is based in Fresno, CA and the pharmacist who recruits is based in Los Angeles, CA.

Having that availability and flexibility is important.

Most opportunities I’ve seen expect full time availability for a certain period.

Pay may not be that great. I’ve received emails for out of state pharmacist opportunities for 13-week contracts that pay less than $50/hr in rural areas. The only plus for this opportunity is any state license is accepted.

Many of the inpatient pharmacist opportunities I’ve seen require prior hospital experience.

There are per diem opportunities as well. I haven’t encountered many staffing agencies that offer this. The few per diem opportunities I’ve seen are usually for retail setting.

Without knowing someone or having prior experience through rotation or internships, it’s difficult to get your foot in the door in non-retail pharmacy opportunities.

A few colleagues I know have secured non-retail pharmacy jobs (correctional facility, managed care, or county job) through the staffing agency route.

Applying to jobs with staffing agencies is a challenge. The first step is talking to a recruiter who is willing to work with you and vouch for you. If they see that you’re not a fit, you will not hear from them again.

Don’t let that discourage you. Be proactive. Call for status updates and if there are any other opportunities. It’s about putting yourself out there.

Don’t limit yourself to one staffing agency. Different staffing agencies may have different opportunities or may be more willing to vouch for you.

For the same job opportunity, be selective on which staffing agency submits your application. From my understanding, you get only one chance to be represented for the same job opportunity.

After the recruiter submits your application, this can lead to an interview if the hiring manager from the company likes you. After you interview, the decision is made pretty quick.

If you’re able to take the risk, apply for temporary roles. It’s one way to gain experience in a non-retail setting.

If you do good work and there’s an opening for a full time role, you will be considered. 

Here’s why: the hiring manager invested a lot of time to train you and trust that you will continue to do good work. They would have to start from scratch if they hire someone new. Who knows if the new hire who is good on paper will also do good work?

Takeaway

I said it in the previous post, and I’ll say it again to emphasize a point. Just because you didn’t match or complete a residency, it doesn’t mean your only opportunity is to practice in the retail setting.

Securing a non-retail job may be more difficult without a residency, but it is not impossible. To gain experience for permanent full time non-retail roles, be open. Don’t be picky. If you can take the risk, consider applying for temporary roles.

Thanks for reading! I hope you find this post helpful. Please let me know if you have any questions.

If you are planning on purchasing any of the resources highlighted in this post or previous posts, please consider using the Amazon affiliated links to purchase. As an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Also, Try Amazon Prime 30-Day Free Trial. It doesn’t cost you anything. It will help me fund the free content I create for you.

Do I Need a Residency Post Pharmacy School to Secure a Non-Retail Pharmacist?

Hi Everyone!

Can you believe it’s already December?

Before I talk about residency, I wanted to take the time to thank you all for reading and your continued support by making purchases via the Amazon affiliate links! As an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no expense to you.

Although I’ve been periodically checking this blog and updating the content to existing posts, it’s been a while since I created a NEW post on WordPress. If you’re preparing for the NAPLEX or CPJE, check out my past posts Preparing for the CPJE and Review of NAPLEX and CPJE Test Prep Resource. They contain links to free test prep resources as well as paid up to date test prep resources.

Oh, if you’re on Instagram or TikTok, you can find me @ designpharmacist !

Residency

Let’s talk about residency. Back when I was in pharmacy school, I thought the only way to gain experience and secure a non-retail pharmacist job is to complete a residency. It’s not. If you are a retail pharmacist and applied to a bunch of non-retail jobs without much luck, you may question this. I’ve been there and can relate.

There’s another way. I’ve talked to people on forums and from my pharmacy school. I’ve viewed Linkedin profiles. It comes down to either experience or knowing someone.

Experience can be gained through rotations or working as an intern while in school. If you’re now a licensed pharmacist, experience can be gained through part time, per diem, or temporary contract jobs. Be open to opportunities outside saturated locations. Those opportunities don’t have that many applicants, so you are not competing against that many people for that position.

If you do good work and there’s an opening for a full time role, you will be considered.

Here’s why: the hiring manager invested a lot of time to train you and trust that you will continue to do good work. They would have to start from scratch if they hire someone new. Who knows if the new hire who is good on paper will also do good work?

Even if your only role is a retail pharmacist, you can still be considered for non-retail roles just by knowing someone or highlighting special projects, accomplishments, or transferable skills in the retail job or past experience. I’ve seen retail pharmacy managers and staff pharmacists from chain store pharmacies transitioned to non-retail roles.

Takeaway

Just because you didn’t match or complete a residency, it doesn’t mean your only opportunity is to practice in the retail setting. Securing a non-retail job may be more difficult without a residency, but it is not impossible. To gain experience for permanent full time non-retail roles, be open. Don’t be picky. Leverage your past experience or existing network.

Thanks for reading! I hope you find this post helpful. Please let me know if you have any questions. I can talk more about temporary contract job opportunities in another post if you’re interested.

If you are planning on purchasing any of the resources highlighted in this post or previous posts, please consider using the Amazon affiliated links to purchase. As an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Also, Try Amazon Prime 30-Day Free Trial. It doesn’t cost you anything. It will help me fund the free content I create for you.

How to Pass the NAPLEX and CPJE on the First Try

Before I begin to talk about how I passed the NAPLEX and CPJE on the first try, I would like to thank you all for reading and your continued support by making purchases via the Amazon affiliate links! As an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no expense to you. I periodically check online and update the links to the most updated study guide resource so you are linked to the current version.

After you graduate from pharmacy school, NAPLEX and CPJE are two exams that you need to study for and pass before you become a licensed California pharmacist. If you haven’t already, check out my past posts Preparing for the CPJE and Review of NAPLEX and CPJE Test Prep Resource where I go into detail how I prepared for the CPJE and reviewed all the test prep resources used.

Test prep resources can add up and be costly. Check out my How to Save Money before, while, and after you’re done with Pharmacy School post to see how you can start saving money. With the holidays coming up, also check out Rakuten, you can get Cash Back for shopping at your favorite stores! Rakuten has thousands of coupons, promo codes, and discounts, and you can get cash back savings with online rebates. For a limited time, you’ll also get a $30 bonus when you use my invite link to join and spend $30.

Rather than repeating what I already mentioned in my previous posts, I’m going to answer frequently asked questions.

How long should I study for the NAPLEX and CPJE?

Only you are able to determine your readiness. For NAPLEX and CPJE, you may need more or less time depending on what you already know during pharmacy school, rotations, and work. For the NAPLEX, I recommend taking the pre-NAPLEX exam from the NABP a least a week before your scheduled NAPLEX exam. If you score poorly (i.e., less than 75) or close to passing (i.e., ~75 to 90), I recommend re-scheduling your NAPLEX exam.

For me, I studied on and off for about 6 months during my last year of pharmacy school when I was on rotations for ~40 hours/weeks and consistently studied 4-6 weeks after I graduated from pharmacy school and was working ~16 hours/week. I took the pre-NAPLEX exam about a week before my scheduled exam and scored over a 100, so I didn’t reschedule the exam.

What test prep resources should I use to study for the NAPLEX and CPJE?

For the NAPLEX, many registered California pharmacists I asked used RxPrep’s Course Book for Pharmacist Licensure Exam Preparation.

For the CPJE, many registered California pharmacists I asked said they used
RxPrep’s Course Book for Pharmacist Licensure Exam Preparation for clinical and Weissman’s A Guide to California Community Pharmacy Law (Two Book Set: Volume 1 + Volume 2) (CPJE) for law.

However, only you are able to determine if those test prep resources work for you. I used more than just that. You can learn more in my past posts as mentioned in the beginning of this post.

Why is the CPJE difficult?

Even though the CPJE is a “law” exam, it’s described by many as mostly clinical and random.

I’m probably one of the few people who thought the CPJE was easier than the NAPLEX. It is shorter compared to the NAPLEX. Only 90 questions (75 scored test questions, 15 un-scored pretest questions) for 2 hours. There’s no select all that applies questions like the NAPLEX.

I’m not sure if the CPJE has gotten more difficult and/or graduates are just not prepared due to being in a newer school/program and/or adjusting learning due to COVID. Since 2019 (pre-COVID), many of the newer California pharmacy schools have pass rates of less than 70%! UCSF recently converted from a 4-year to a 3-year program. In 2021, UCSF and many California pharmacy schools dipped below 70% pass rate.

The percent pass rate for the CPJE is much lower compared to the NAPLEX and has gone down over the years. I took a look at the California State Board of Pharmacy CPJE Statistics over the past 5 years in April/May to Sept/Nov, the time frame when most new graduates first take the CPJE.

For California, the CPJE pass rates are as follow: 91.5% (in April to Sept 2017), 89.7% (in April to Sept 2018), 76.5% (in April to Nov 2019), 70% (in May to Sept 2020), 61.5% (in April to Sept 2021).

For Other US, the CPJE pass rates are as follow: 67.7% (in April to Sept 2017), 67% (in April to Sept 2018), 55.9% (in April to Nov 2019), 54.1% (in May to Sept 2020), 46.8% (in April to Sept 2021).

Based on the % pass rate, for many, CPJE is more difficult than the NAPLEX. Don’t take it lightly.

What should I focus on for the NAPLEX and CPJE?

Everything is fair game. Plus, it is illegal for me to disclose the specific content on my exams. Therefore, I will just point out general must knows or where to start.

For the NAPLEX, know calculations and biostats. Many people who have taken the NAPLEX have reported getting a lot of calculations and biostats questions. RxPrep’s Course Book for Pharmacist Licensure Exam Preparation is an excellent test prep resource for that.

For the CPJE, start with taking a look at the content outline for CPJE section in the CPJE PSI Candidate Handbook and taking a look at the practice exam to get an idea of how exam questions are asked.

Both exams want to ensure you’re competent and make appropriate recommendations and interventions, so know your drugs (e.g., brand/generic of at least top 300, drugs that interact, drugs that would be inappropriate for certain subset population, major counseling points, etc.).

How long does it take to get my CPJE and NAPLEX scores?

For me, CPJE took ~1 month, and NAPLEX took ~1 week. For the CPJE, it may take longer than a month if the Board is performing a quality assurance assessment to ensure the appropriateness of the CPJE.

Interview Ft. Amy Hoang, Pharm.D. | From Pharmacist to Entrepreneur and Founder of Women Sellers

Hi Everyone!

In the past posts, I’ve interviewed Maurice Shaw (RxComedy), Kevin Yee (Rufugee Hustle), The Uber Pharmacist, and Mario Hoyos. In celebration of women’s history month, I wanted to change it up and recognize women pharmacists. This post will feature a pharmacist who I first learned about through a YouTube video. For those who are interested in e-commerce, read on to learn more.

1) For those who don’t know who you are, tell me a little about yourself.

Sure! My name is Amy Hoang. I was a former retail pharmacist before I started my own company selling online, particularly on Amazon. During the height of the pandemic, my husband lost his job while I was 7 months pregnant with my 3rd child. I was so scared to go to work some days fearing that I might catch something and bring it home to my kids. Some days, I would have to work 12 hours shifts and be exhausted when I get home, just to find out that my kids are asleep, and I can’t even put them to bed

While my husband was looking for a job, he focused on our side hustle, which we have been doing for the last 5 years. We started to see exponential growth as I also helped him with the business during my maternity leave. Once we determined that this business could sustain itself to the point where it replaced both of our income, I made the tough decision to leave my job. 

We’ve been doing this full-time for the last year, and we love what we do! Now, we inspire and help other people to get started with reselling on Amazon. 

2) How did you learn about e-commerce? This is not something that is learned in pharmacy school.

I learned about e-commerce through listening to a few podcasts. The one that resonated with me the most was “Smart Passive Income” by Pat Flynn. I remember listening to another couple talk about how they were able to sell on Amazon by just going to clearance aisle of big box stores, buy the products for cheap, sell it to make a profit on Amazon. That week, I went out to the stores and picked up a few items myself. I made a sale within a few days and that validated that this actually works! 

Back in college, I resell on eBay a lot too, so I’ve always been a reseller. I just love the idea of making money online by selling the things you already have or bought in local stores. 

You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to make this work. You just have to put in the effort and continue doing it, even when it doesn’t seem like you’re making any sales. We had our ups and downs, but we persisted and made it through those times. Now, looking back, all of those “mistakes and failures” were great lessons, and I wouldn’t trade them for anything. 

3) What are your tips for beginners who want to start an ecommerce business on Amazon with no or little upfront cost/risk? I know you mentioned in an interview about AliExpress.

I would say, go to your local big box stores, like Walmart or Target, or thrift stores, and start scanning items with your Amazon Seller App. 

The first thing you need to do is open an Amazon seller account. Nowadays, Amazon is requiring a little bit more steps to get verified as a seller, but people are still able to get their account up and running within a short amount of time. 

Once you have the account, then you can download the seller app on your phone. With that, you’re able to do product research and sometimes make money within a week or so. 

The important thing is that you need to connect and align yourself with the right people. Join Facebook groups or listen to podcasts about this subject. Ask the right questions, and you will be surprised how far you’ll get 🙂 

4) Is there anything else you wanted to add?

I would like to advise anyone who wants to get started to just do it. Sometimes we think too hard about something, and it cripples us for taking action. 

I know myself, as a pharmacist, I used to analyze everything. But I noticed that when I take a chance and trust my instincts, that’s when I get the best results. 

Sometimes in life, we think that a certain path is meant for us and we have to continue down that path. For me, I thought I had to be a pharmacist for the rest of my life. But I quickly realized that there was another path that I can take. 

What I’m trying to get at is that you need to explore your options. Choose the one that is best suited for you, and run with it. I tried a bunch of things before I settled with reselling on Amazon. I did Uber, DogVacay (well, my husband did), blogging, affiliate marketing, podcasting, you name it. If I hadn’t tried these things, I wouldn’t have known that e-commerce is my jam. 

So I encourage anyone who’s trying to start something on the side, to just find the right thing and do it. It might not be the most obvious answer right away, but at least you’ll quickly know what you DON’T want to do. 

The worst part of life is to go through it and realize it was an entire waste. 

I hope this helps someone out! 🙂 

5) Thanks so much for sharing and taking the time to answer all of my questions. If anyone is interested in reaching out to you, where can people find you (e.g., social media handles)?

I can be reached at hello@womensellers.com or you can join my Facebook group of other sellers (www.facebook.com/groups/womensellers). I’m also on IG @amytranhoang.

Feel free to reach out to Amy or join the facebook group if you have any questions. I hope you find this post helpful. Please consider following this blog for more content like this.

If you are planning on purchasing any of the resources highlighted in this post or previous posts, please consider using the Amazon affiliated links to purchase. As an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Also, Try Amazon Prime 30-Day Free Trial. It doesn’t cost you anything. It will help me fund the free content I create for you.

Thank you!

Answering Pharmacy FAQs on Google Part 1

Hello!

Thank you for reading, and thank you to those who have been using my Amazon affiliate links!

If you have any questions, please let me know! I know my more popular posts are the Preparing for the CPJE and Review of NAPLEX and CPJE Test Prep Resource post, so I’ve continued to update that post with links to updated version of test prep material

I’ve decided to do a series of me answering frequency asked pharmacy questions on Google. For part 1, I picked a few basic ones. If you have any follow up questions, please let me know!

How much do pharmacists earn in California?

Depends on where in California and what setting. I don’t think it’s around $144,660 per year as career explorer claims. Currently, for new grads in saturated areas of California, with the assumption that they get 40 hours for 52 weeks, I believe it’s closer to around $120,000 per year. I highly doubt all new grads are securing full time jobs.

Is it hard to find a job as a pharmacist in California? Is the pharmacist job in demand?

No, not at this time (2021) if you’re not picky and willing to take any job. For 2021, yes, there is a demand for certain roles such administrating and overseeing interns/techs administrating COVID vaccine. With the pandemic, I’ve seen many job openings for covid vaccine support. Though it may not be full time or permanent, as long as you have a CA pharmacist license and an immunization certificate, that’s a job you can easily secure.

Is a pharmacist a doctor?

Technically, some are while some are not. Some older and non-US graduates graduated from a bachelor’s or master’s degree pharmacy program. Historically, in the United States, pharmacy schools were bachelor’s degree programs, but they’ve all transitioned to a doctor of pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree program. Most US graduates who graduated within the past three decades graduate with a Pharm.D. and therefore hold the “Dr.” title.

Thanks for reading! Consider following for more content like this.

If you are planning on purchasing any of the resources highlighted in this post or previous posts, please consider using the Amazon affiliated links to purchase. As an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Also, Try Amazon Prime 30-Day Free Trial. It doesn’t cost you anything. It will help me fund the free content I create for you.

Thank you!

Best Time to Prepare for NAPLEX and CPJE and Job Search

Hi Everyone!

Your last year of pharmacy school is the best time to prepare for your NAPLEX and CPJE.

If you need guidance on how to prep for CPJE or NAPLEX, check out my past posts Preparing for the CPJE and Review of NAPLEX and CPJE Test Prep Resource. They contain links to updated material such as RxPrep and even Weissman’s California Pharmacy law review books! For those looking for guidance on where to look for free CEs to renew their pharmacist license, check CPJE, License / Certification, Renewals Pharmacy Law Waivers.

The typical timeline is apply and interview to jobs through your school’s job fair during your last year of pharmacy school. If you want to do the residency or fellowship route, apply during first half of last year of pharmacy school. It’s competitive to get in. Even if you do end up interviewing, matching, and completing a residency or fellowship, here are 3 cons to consider: 1) residency or fellowship pays about 1/2 pharmacist salary, 2) there’s no guarantee you will have a job lined up post graduation, and 3) you’ll be overqualified for most jobs that are available (retail). I’m not trying to deter you from going that route. With the state of the job market, there’s no guarantee.

In 2021, there are a lot of temporary COVID support jobs available. Many temporary agencies have reached out to me. If you’re licensed and immunization certified and interested, that’s an easy job to get. I’m not sure if it will lead to something permanent. I would apply directly on the company’s site. I believe the likelihood of being hired is better if you’re an employee of the company vs temporary agency, because there’s an extra fee for the company to hire someone from the temporary agency. There’s some cons with the COVID support job to consider. 1) Some traveling may be involved, 2) High risk of contracting COVID, 3) Low Pay for high risk. With the numbers that are floating around in job posts and forums, I don’t think the COVID support job pays well even with +$4/hr hero fee, 4) Job is temporary with no benefits and may not lead to a permanent retail pharmacist job.

In 2022, due to the stress of job juggling retail operations and administrating vaccines, I believe there’s still a demand for retail pharmacists. For hard to fill locations, there’s a sign on bonus for at least 2 years commitment. I still see COVID support jobs available if you prefer that over working retail.

If you are planning on purchasing any of the resources highlighted in this post or previous posts, please consider using the Amazon affiliated links to purchase. As an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Also, Try Amazon Prime 30-Day Free Trial. It doesn’t cost you anything. It will help me fund the free content I create for you.

Thank you!

Interview Ft. Mario Hoyos, Pharm.D. | From Pharmacist to Software Engineer

Hi Everyone!

Before I proceed with the interview, I have 3 announcements.

  1. Giveaway: If you don’t already know, I’m doing a giveaway. The cut off to fill out the google form is tomorrow, August 19, 2020 11:59 PM PST. Thanks to those who already filled the google form already! I enjoyed reading your responses. I’ll select a winner by the end of this week. If you don’t win, I’ll be working on sending you a recipe if I have a recipe that fits what you like and your dietary restrictions.
  2. Instagram: You can follow me at my newly created Instagram account HelloCatherine.PharmD for when I send those recipes out. If you use Instagram, please DM or tag me and let me know how how the recipe turned out!
  3. Fetch Rewards: I end most of my posts about Fetch Rewards. I’m not sponsored, but I’ve enjoyed the perks since I’ve joined and want to encourage you all to join. Perks: Recently I’ve received email notifications and signed up for 2 free magazine subscriptions. I’m currently receiving People magazines. I love them. There’s some pharmacy sprinkled in with ads about recently approved specialty drugs like Palforzia. Towards the end of the magazine, there’s a few recipes, a crossword puzzle, and a fun activity to identify 10 differences between 2 pictures. What is Fetch Rewards? Fetch Rewards is a rebate app. You can take a picture of your recent grocery receipt with the app and earn points for gift cards to a number of retailers including Amazon, CVS, Target, Walmart, Whole Foods, Safeway, Macy’s, Nordstrom, and Sephora. If you do decide to join, enter my referral promo code Q8EMM when you download the app and than scan your first receipt to earn 2,000 bonus points (that’s equivalent to a $2 bonus).

I alluded to how saturated pharmacy job market has become since I’ve graduated in my previous post. For those who don’t find job satisfaction in their current job or those who are struggling to find a pharmacist job and just wondering what else is out there, you’ll want to continue reading. I sometimes check out the pharmacy subreddit. That’s where I stumbled upon Mario Hoyos who made a career change. I reached out to him and asked some questions.

For those who don’t know about who you are, tell me about yourself. 

Hello!

For the information you probably care about in this context, I graduated from Purdue University College of Pharmacy in 2017. I went to work at CVS right after graduation in May, and by October I had quit, because I hated it so deeply. I then went to a coding bootcamp and have been working as a software engineer ever since! I currently work at leafly.com, so in a way I’m still working with drugs lol.

For the stuff that might not be quite as pertinent to this context: I am currently living in Las Vegas where I work from home full-time (even before the pandemic!) I have a lovely dog who you can find on instagram https://www.instagram.com/hankloveslife/, and two kitties. I am engaged to be married, to a lovely lady I graduated pharmacy school with (she is still a full-time residency-trained pharmacist kicking ass in pharmarcy-land). I love playing sports- just tore my meniscus though 😦 – hiking, playing Rocket League, and cooking.

I never would have thought three years ago that I would have let my license expire (I never even removed it from the tube the Texas Board of Pharmacy sent it in), but it’s been one of, if not THEE, best decisions of my life.

To be clear, I’m not here to talk down on pharmacy. The profession is a key part of the healthcare system, and what y’all do is gravely important. I just found out the hard way that it wasn’t for me, at least not in the way that I was able to practice, and that programming fit my lifestyle preferences much better. For anybody interested in exploring programming as a career, please please please use me as a reference. I want to help everybody that I can make the transition, if it’s something they’re wanting to do.

You outlined your professional background on reddit. That’s a risky move to just quit your pharmacist job and pursue something within a span of 5 months post graduation from pharmacy school. 

– Quit CVS In Dallas in October of 2017 (I graduated May of 2017 lol)

– Started DevMountain immersive webdev that same month

– Graduated in January 2018, stayed at bootcamp for 4 months to help teach next cohort at $20/hr

– Got first “real” job at a e-prescribing startup in Austin making ~ $30/hr

– Got surprise laid off when startup ran out of money 4 months later

– Took up a contract job for 4 months at $45/hr

– After that contract took up another contract at $75/hr

– That contract ended abruptly after 6 months when the company surprise laid everybody off

– I’m now working remotely at a mid-size startup based in Seattle (I live in Las Vegas) at ~145k/yr salary, with benefits.

I’m curious how you were able to jump from one contract job to the next and then land a remote job making a decent salary. Was it through connections or just applying online like Indeed? 

My biggest piece of advice is to try and avoid the route of spamming your resume on job sites. It’s a lot of work, for pretty low chances of success. After my gig working at the bootcamp as a mentor, I got the first next job by finding a startup where my pharmacy domain knowledge could be useful, and messaging the founders directly on LinkedIn. 

For the contract I took up after that, the founder of that startup reached out to ME on Linkedin after seeing my post that I was looking for new opportunities. 

For my final contract before this job, it was through a personal connection who was working at the company, and when they decided they needed more hands on deck he was able to advocate for me (I didn’t even have to interview)!

Much like the pharmacy world, it’s not always what you know as much as who you know. This can seem unfair, but if you accept it’s the truth you can play the game. Put yourself out there, and try to reach out to folks at companies directly, because as a bootcamp grad it’s VERY hard to stand out in a pile of resumes.

How do you go about finding a job? 

If I was going to start looking for a new job today, it would look something like this:

1. Tap into network on Linkedin/twitter/old coworkers and see if any place is hiring that I already have a foot in the door.
2. Look for jobs that match my skillset in my area and/or remote on Glassdoor or Linkedin.
3. Reach out to recruiters that have been in my inbox and see what opportunities they might have.

To be honest, getting that first job out of bootcamp is by far the most difficult job search you’re likely to endure as a programmer, particularly if you’re average or above average. The field can feel saturated when you’re just starting out because there’s so many people looking for the first job, but once one employer has taken a risk on you, and you have any sort of work to reference that you’ve been paid for, it gets MUCH easier from there.

Several times a week I have recruiters reaching out to me, trying to sell me on some position. The reason that good engineers have such nice salaries/benefits is because if they didn’t it would be easy for these recruiters to steal talent. For a lot of folks, it’s not so much about finding a job but letting a job find you.

If you work on your online presence, and learn in public, it’s even easier for companies to find you. I’ve been surprised that even with the ongoing pandemic, I’ve still had recruiters reaching out.

Again, I must emphasize, breaking into the field is NOT EASY. It takes a lot of hard work, perseverance, networking, and a little luck. Once you’re in though, so long as you keep developing your skillset, the market is still in favor of the engineers, at least for the time being.

Are there a lot of software engineer jobs available for those who decide to go the boot camp route rather than pursuing a B.S. in computer science?

Graduating with any sort of CS degree is still going to be the easiest way to land a job. Getting that first job as a bootcamp grad is TOUGH, but like I mentioned above, after the first one, your degree matters a lot less because you have hard proof that you can do the job.

I work with at least 5 other people who don’t have formal CS degrees. 

At the end of the day, it’s all about tradeoffs. You have a higher chance of easily landing a job with a CS degree, but is it worth 4 years of time and tuition? Even if you didn’t get a job within a year of graduating a bootcamp, you’d still be coming out years and thousands of dollars ahead. 

That being said, for a lot of the really big players, like Facebook and Netflix, it’s going to be drastically easier if you have a degree than if you don’t. It’s not impossible to get there without one, just much less likely.

Is the boot camp demanding? For those who don’t want to quit their current job, is it possible to work and also do the boot camp?

Bootcamps are definitely demanding (or if you find one that isn’t, it’s likely not very good). On top of them being inherently demanding, in order to stand out from your peers you need to take it upon yourself to dive deeper and get extra practice, in order to set yourself up for the best chance at getting employed.

There are part-time or fully-online bootcamps, and though I never attended one, it could be a viable option. You will likely need a longer timeline before you make the transition, since it’ll take you longer to develop the same level of skill, but I imagine it can be done if a person is self-motivated enough (and I know most people in pharmacy probably are).

Programming is an exercise in frustration, and will demand a lot of your brainpower. This is going to be harder to get through if you just stood on your feet for 12 hours in a hectic retail environment. It’s likely possible but it will be more difficult.

I was extremely privileged to be able to focus full-time on the bootcamp, but I know that won’t be the case for everybody. I don’t have kids, I was still living in a college student mindset for the most part, and I had enough saved up from my pharmacist job to last me a while. This definitely provided some psychological safety that allowed me to really go all-in during my bootcamp. That being said, there were people in my cohort that DID have kids and other obligations, and were also able to pull it off in the long run.

I can’t guarantee success, but the opportunities are definitely there.

Is there anything else you wanted to add?

Please keep in mind that I am very biased as you read this. Not everybody hates their pharmacy job like I hated mine. Not everybody is going to enjoy programming as much as I do. Even if you do enjoy programming, there’s no guarantee that your career path will end up like mine, and if mine had gone differently the picture maybe wouldn’t look so rosy.

Like all jobs, working in software comes with its own set of frustrations and downsides. It’s not a silver bullet. For me, personally, the tradeoffs are beyond worth it, but like any job it’s not all sunshine.

Thanks so much for sharing and taking the time to answer all of my questions. If anyone is interested in reaching out to you, where can people find you (e.g., social media handles)?

I’m a pretty open book. I really am here to help whoever I can, however I can. I’m pretty easy to get a hold of and I encourage you to reach out if you have questions! Here’s contact info for me:

1.Twitter https://twitter.com/marioahoyos
2. Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/mario-hoyos/
3. Email mario@mariohoyos.io
4. Personal Site https://mariohoyos.io/
5. Reddit https://www.reddit.com/user/mariohoyos
6. Phone number 574-215-3266 (I don’t answer calls anymore thanks to scammers, but you can always text 🙂 )

Look forward to hearing from you!

Feel free to reach out to Mario if you have any questions. I hope you find this post helpful. Please let me know what you want me to write about next.

If you are planning on purchasing any of the resources highlighted in this post or previous posts, please consider using the Amazon affiliated links to purchase. As an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Also, Try Amazon Prime 30-Day Free Trial. It doesn’t cost you anything. It will help me fund the free content I create for you.

Thank you!

Interview Ft. The Uber Pharmacist | The Pharmacist with Multiple Side Gigs

Hello!

I hope everyone is staying safe and sane amidst the chaos that is currently going on around us.

I have a special treat for you all. I’m excited and thankful to have had an opportunity to interview and feature a fellow WordPress pharmacist blogger. He goes by the name of The Uber Pharmacist. His blog is entertaining to read. During the time he was let go from his job, he landed many non-pharmacy jobs, shared some interesting stories, and somehow relates that back to pharmacy.  For those who don’t know him, don’t worry. Read on. Prepare to learn more about him.

Tell me about yourself. 

I’m a pharmacist in Michigan. Like every responsible post-grad out there, I was aggressively trying to pay back my loans after pharmacy school, working like a madman in the streets of Detroit.

How did you go from being let go from you job to landing various gigs/jobs I read about on your blog? 

When I look back at everything that happened, from losing my pharmacy job to finding myself with multiple random jobs, I kind of smile and laugh at myself.

Because, well, I didn’t actually have a choice in the matter, I HAD to make money somehow. I was denied ANY unemployment benefits from the government. Add to this: 1) NO SAVINGS (because they were all going towards student loans) and 2) Expensive bills expected to paid on time (with no flexibility from the leasing office).

So for me, it was honestly find jobs, whatever jobs possible, or be “the_hobo_pharmacist” on the streets.

My first job was actually one I found from Craigslist (yeah, how low of me right lol). I was to write jokes for cash. When I told people, everyone laughed, but I didn’t care –I was determined to do whatever it took to make some extra cash. Here is the link to the book: 50 Corny Jokes for Kids.

From then on, it was more random jobs: walking dogs (my mom shamed me for going from a pharmacist to a dude picking up dog poop), freelance writing, ballroom dance teaching, and uber driving.

I’d say the year was like a K-Drama. Many ups and downs sprinkled with moments of happiness, sadness, laughter, despair, hope, and even romance.

Looking back at everything, it was crazy what I put myself through, but it was a year that taught me the importance of pushing forward no matter what happens.

You mentioned you found the first job on Craigslist. What about the other jobs like dog walking, freelance writing, and ballroom dance teaching?

For the dog walking, I used Rover.com and found a regular that needed their dog walked during the week. Every day I’d wake up and drive over to the client’s house [and] grab the dog from the backdoor. It was kind of rough in the beginning. I had a client with a dog named Chester [who] fooled me with a fake $2000 check and disappeared.

For freelance writing, I used the site Upwork. I was able to do little projects such as re-writing people’s startup websites, writing Amazon reviews, and writing letters to CEOs lol. I started to build up my reputation little by little, so you have to have a lot of patience for it initially.

For ballroom dance, this was actually a hobby of mine throughout my career as a pharmacist, and so I thought I could leverage my experience for money. I actually found a position at Arthur Murray while browsing through… (you guessed it) Craigslist. I had to do a couple interviews; a formal interview and then a dance interview where all the current studio teachers would evaluate me. Apparently, there were hundreds of applicants, so I was shocked when I found out they picked me. This was a really fun job, but the pay was low-grade.

Are you still doing any of these gigs/jobs after you landed a pharmacist job?

I dropped every job except the dance teaching job. So I was basically a pharmacist by day and dance teacher by night (freaking exhausting lol). I was actually supposed to perform in “Dancing with the Michigan Stars” in March, but the whole pandemic thing happened, unfortunately.

Oh, wow, “Dancing with the Michigan Stars.” You must’ve put a lot of work practicing. It sucks that the show was cancelled. Did you have to drop the dance teaching too due to the pandemic?

And yeah, the dancing with the Michigan stars cancellation was a bummer. We practiced all year, and we were in the local news and celebrities were in attendance, and then it all went to the dumpster.

I had to drop the dance teaching… We are closed down here in Michigan for a couple more weeks.

When you were searching for a new pharmacist job, I remember reading a post about a brutal experience you had with a hiring manager who criticized you for not having a cover letter. Has that changed your approach when applying for jobs from then on?

In terms of looking for a new pharmacist job, it was difficult because of the current market saturation. Honestly I think I was wasting most of my time sending and filling applications and running into nasty employers that tried to play power games — yes those [who] nitpicked on little things like a “proper” cover letter.

For me, I look at it like this: If an employer is going to [be] so anal and inflexible, imagine what they’d do once you start working for them. To me, it was a no brainer; keep driving Uber until I found the best job FOR ME.

During this time, it’s tough to land jobs. What advice do you have for those people who are still trying to look for a job?

Value yourself and don’t compromise just to get a job although a proper cover letter is important and sometimes you gotta take that poopy job.

I agree with The Uber Pharmacist that sometimes you have to accept less ideal jobs and make the most of the opportunities that you have.  Although it’s easier to just submit your application and your resume and that’s it, the extra effort in submitting a proper cover letter is important. It’s one way to help you stand out and get noticed from the other applicants who chose not to submit a cover letter.

I also want to add. Wherever you are be sure to focus on producing good results and building good relationships, and you will be noticed and get far.

If you want to read more about The Uber Pharmacist and his stories, you go to theuberpharmacist.wordpress.com/ to check out his WordPress blog.

If you are planning on purchasing any of the resources highlighted in this post or previous posts, please consider using the Amazon affiliated links to purchase. As an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Also, Try Amazon Prime 30-Day Free Trial. It doesn’t cost you anything. It will help me fund the free content I create for you.

Thank you!