Are you looking to make a career change and join one of the largest retail pharmacy chains in the United States? Then, a job at Walgreens might be just what you need! With over 9,000 stores in the US, Walgreens offers endless opportunities for growth and career advancement. To help you get started, we’ve put together a comprehensive guide on how to ace your Walgreens interview and secure your dream job.
Understanding the Company Culture and Values
Before you head into your interview, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the company culture and values of Walgreens. The company is committed to providing customers with quality health and wellness products, and this is reflected in their mission statement, which reads: “At Walgreens, we help people get, stay, and live well.”
To achieve this mission, Walgreens is committed to a set of values that drive their work and interactions with customers, employees, and communities. These values include trust, respect, accountability, and collaboration.
Preparation is Key
Preparation is key to acing your Walgreens interview. Make sure you do your research on the company and the position you’re applying for. This includes reading through the job description, reviewing the company’s mission and values, and familiarizing yourself with the products and services they offer.
You should also be prepared to answer common interview questions, such as “Why do you want to work for Walgreens?” and “What relevant experience do you have for this position?” Additionally, it’s a good idea to have some questions of your own ready to ask your interviewer, as this shows your interest in the company and the position.
Karen tells how exactly her interview at Walgreens goes.
Walgreens Interview Questions & Answers
Walgreens interview questions aid the hiring personnel in how you will handle common workplace scenarios. Regarding the Walgreens pharmacy interview questions, you will stumble upon. Your answers will show your attention to and knowledge of patient well-being, laws, and best practices on filling prescriptions. These sample interview questions and answers are designed to guide your interview preparation.
1. Walgreens Pharmacist Interview Questions & Answers
Q 1: How do you explain to a customer how to take a prescription?
A: I go over the instructions on the label with the customer and remind them of precautions, such as not taking medicine if he or she is going to drive or operate a machine. I make sure the customer is aware of any side effects and to call his or her physician if any side effects arise.
In one instance, a customer’s child has been prescribed a pill. The child had a “gag” reflux. After consulting with the child’s physician, I suggested that the parent “open” the pill and put the powder into pudding and the child could take the medicine that way.
Q2: When have you encountered an error in a prescription that was filled and how did you respond to it?
A: A customer brought in a prescription for 500 mg of a drug, but the pharmacy technician said he had difficulty reading it. Our store had filled the prescription with 250 mg. Fortunately, the customer saw the error as soon as she walked out of the store. She alerted me to the mistake. I called her physician’s office and the physician verified that it was 500 mg. We promptly filled it for the correct dosage at no charge. I kindly reminded the pharmacy technician to ask me or call the doctor. I have also suggested to our customers that physicians may call in their prescriptions to us or submit them electronically.
Q3: Tell me about a time that you refused to fill a prescription, explaining why you so refused.
A: A customer came in with a prescription for a large quantity of pain-killer. Because I was very familiar with this customer, I knew his regular physician. She had not prescribed this pain-killer after the customer’s last one expired. The prescription in question came from another doctor about 50 miles away. I became suspicious and asked the customer why he was having this prescription filled. He told me something vague for “pain.” I tried to call the prescribing doctor, but did not get an answer. I told the customer until I got more information, I believed I could not fill his prescription. I explained to the customer my legal duty not to dispense controlled substances if I was suspicious about the legitimacy of the prescription.
2. Walgreens Pharmacy Technician Questions & Answers
Q1: How would you help a customer whose prescription was rejected by an insurance company?
A: I would ask the customer when the prior prescription was filled and I can tell the customer he or she can have it refilled a few days later. If the insurance company doesn’t include it on their formulary, I would ask the pharmacist if there is a generic of that prescription or, after talking with the pharmacist, I would have the customer tell his or her physician that the drug is not covered, but these are the alternatives that are covered.
Q2: How would you respond to a customer complaining about waiting for a prescription or not getting it?
A: In my prior job, we routinely received these complaints. I acknowledged their frustrations. For wait times, I explained that we did not expect to be understaffed. (Usually, I tried to give them a longer anticipated time than I thought so we could surpass the expectation.) Often, we had not received the prescription. The customers told us that their doctors told them they would call in the prescriptions. I typically would attempt to call the doctor to learn whether they were calling it in.
Q3: How do you handle criticism from the pharmacist or pharmacy manager?
A: At a previous job, the pharmacy manager advised that I told him to fill the wrong drug. I thought the physician had called and left a message to fill a prescription for Invokana, but I had trouble understanding the physician. The prescription was actually for Metformin. The pharmacy manager graciously told me that if I had a question or doubt, I should call the physician. From that time on, I have made it a practice to follow up with the physician if I have any questions about what he or she prescribed. I will use that procedure working at Walgreens.
3. Walgreens Cashier Questions & Answers
Q1: How would you address a customer complaint about pricing at check-out?
A: I make sure that the merchandise and the price match on the shelves. I wanted to avoid having the customer mistakenly believing that something was on sale or was at a certain price. When customers questioned the price at checkout, I show them the sale item in the circular to see if they purchased the correct quantity or type and show them the receipt before I take payment.
Q2: Have you had customers that spoke non-English and how did you help them?
A: I took two years of a foreign language in high school, given my community had a number of students and families that spoke that language as their main one. I was able to understand what they asked and could answer their questions in their language. Our store also had bilingual signs.
Q3: Explain a time that you exhibited flexibility in your job.
A: At my previous job, I had been assigned to a check-out aisle. I would have to fill the balloons with air. At certain times, I would have to stock merchandise on the shelves and keep careful watch for customers entering or about to leave the store. As such, I was not just a cashier, but also a stock associate and even loss prevention person all in a single shift.
Common Behavioral Interview Questions at Walgreens
- Can you tell us about a time when you had to deal with a difficult customer?
- How do you handle stressful situations in the workplace?
- Can you give us an example of a time when you had to work with a team to solve a problem?
- How do you handle conflicts with coworkers or customers?
- Can you tell us about a time when you had to make a difficult decision at work?
- How do you prioritize your tasks when faced with multiple demands?
- Can you give us an example of a time when you went above and beyond to help a customer?
- How do you handle changes in work policies or procedures?
- Can you tell us about a time when you had to handle a complex task that required attention to detail?
- How do you communicate with your coworkers and supervisors to ensure the smooth operation of the workplace?
How to Answer Behavioral Interview Questions
When answering behavioral interview questions, it is important to follow the STAR method. This means that you should provide a specific Situation, Task, Action, and Result for each situation you describe. This structure helps to ensure that your answers are clear, concise, and memorable.
Example Answers for Common Behavioral Interview Questions
- Can you tell us about a time when you had to deal with a difficult customer?
Situation: I was working at a retail store when a customer came in and was unhappy with a product they had purchased.
Task: I was responsible for resolving the customer’s issue and ensuring they left the store satisfied.
Action: I listened to the customer’s concerns, offered to exchange the product, and apologized for the inconvenience. I also made sure to keep a professional and friendly demeanor throughout the interaction.
Result: The customer was satisfied with the exchange and left the store with a positive impression of the company.
- How do you handle stressful situations in the workplace?
Situation: I was working at a busy restaurant and one of the servers called in sick.
Task: I had to manage the increased workload and ensure that all the customers received prompt and attentive service.
Action: I worked closely with the other servers and the kitchen staff to prioritize and allocate tasks efficiently. I also made sure to stay calm and focused, even during the busiest times.
Result: The shift went smoothly and all the customers left happy and satisfied with their dining experience.
Walgreens Job Interview Tips
The Walgreens application process typically involves an initial interview by phone. Thus, you’ll need to be sure you have a readily-accessible phone number and your phone in proper working order. If you pass the first interview, you will likely be called for a second one in person at the store at which you applied. An assistant manager or the store manager will likely conduct it.
Dress for Success
It’s important to make a good first impression during your interview, and that includes your attire. Make sure you dress professionally and appropriately for the position you’re applying for. This sends a message to your interviewer that you take the interview and the potential job opportunity seriously.
Arrive Early
Arriving early to your interview shows that you’re responsible and dependable. It also gives you a few extra minutes to calm your nerves and review any last-minute notes.
Show Your Enthusiasm and Positive Attitude
Walgreens values employees who are passionate and enthusiastic about their work. During your interview, be sure to show your excitement about the company and the position you’re applying for. Demonstrate your positive attitude and your willingness to go the extra mile to ensure customer satisfaction.
Be Prepared to Give Specific Examples
When answering interview questions, it’s important to give specific examples from your past experience. This will help the interviewer understand how you’ve handled similar situations in the past and how you can bring that experience to the role at Walgreens.
Follow Up After Your Interview
After your interview, be sure to follow up with a thank-you note to your interviewer. This shows your gratitude for their time and reinforces your interest in the position.
Conduct Research on the Company & Job Opening
Go to www.walgreens.com
and, at the bottom of the home page, click on the “Company Information” link. Read about the history and values of Walgreens, including their stated commitment to diversity, inclusion and charitable and social initiatives. Read the job descriptions carefully so that you know the skills and experience, if any, needed for the position. You can note what prior work matches or prepares you for that job.
These Walgreens interview questions will likely test your knowledge of their drug dispensing policies and procedures. You will need to read the Walgreens “Good Faith Dispensing Policy” and go over this list of pharmacy regulation websites in advance.
Review Common Interview Questions & Prepare Answers
Anticipate that Walgreens pharmacist interview questions and Walgreen interview questions for other pharmacy associates will include how you would determine whether to honor a prescription, advise customers and supervise the technicians in the pharmacy. Read Walgreens’ policies and state and federal regulations on matters such as health coverage of prescriptions and dispensing controlled substances.
For cashiers and those not applying for a pharmacy position, preparing answers to common Walgreens interview questions means recalling how you handled disputes over prices, complaints about out-of-stock sale items and customers with language or mobility issues. Fellow pharmacy school or program graduates can serve as a fount of suggested questions and answers.
About the Company Walgreens
At the foundation of Walgreens is its pharmacy and over-the-counter drugs. However, this convenience retailer, founded in 1901, features household goods, foods, beverages, cosmetics, laundry supplies and other health and personal care aides. In preparing to answer Walgreens interview questions, keep in mind that the stores have photo printing services. Generally, the pharmacy and main store keep 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. In certain locations, especially near medical centers or in well-populated areas, Walgreens may stay open 24 hours
You Might Also Be Interested in:
- Our Collection of Pharmacy Interview Questions & Answers
Conclusion
Acing your Walgreens interview takes preparation and a positive attitude. By understanding the company culture and values, preparing for common interview questions, dressing professionally, arriving early, showing enthusiasm, and following up after your interview, you can increase your chances of securing your dream job.