Pharmacy Technician Resume Example
Starting a career as a pharmacy technician gives you the chance to gain experience in dispensing medications accurately and supporting pharmacists' tasks. To succeed in your applications for pharmacy technician roles, you'll need a resume that reflects your relevant skills and experience. In this article, we'll showcase resume tips and examples that can help you create a professional pharmacy technician resume that catches the eye of hiring managers.
After reading this article, you'll feel confident creating a pharmacy technician resume that effectively showcases your relevant skills and experience. You'll learn how to show employers you've got the relevant qualities, skills and experience for the job, all presented in a format that employers prefer to see. The article also includes tips for formatting your resume according to your experience and strengths. Read on to learn how to write a perfect pharmacy technician resume, from the advice of careers experts at Jobseeker.
Core sections to include in a pharmacy tech resume
Most resumes contain similar key sections, with a pharmacy tech resume being no different. If you're a candidate without much experience, you may wish to present your resume in a way that draws attention to your most valuable skills. These might not be in traditional work settings, so sections like education, projects, hobbies and skills can be more prominent.
You will have some choice over your resume layout and structure, but be sure to include these sections as the core of your document:
Header and Personal Information
Your pharmacy technician resume header is the place to add your contact details. Start by adding your full name and underneath, include your email address, phone number and location. Adding your LinkedIn profile, if you have one, can help the employer get a better insight into your skills and industry expertise. You don't need to include any additional personal information or a photo. Keep your header clear and concise, with only the most necessary information included. Opt for a stylish, professional design that creates a strong first impression.
Make sure the email address you list in your header is professional-looking and doesn't contain any inappropriate content such as nicknames or unsuitable language. Opt for an email address based on your name or profession, or a combination of both. Finally, check your contact details before sending your resume, to ensure everything's up-to-date.
Aria Alvarez
aria.alvarez@example.com
(111) 222 33 444 55
124 Conch Street, Bikini Bottom, CA
linkedin․com/in/aria–alvarez123
Resume Summary
Your resume personal profile is a short, concise paragraph to highlight two or three key skills and achievements in pharmacy technician roles. You may also see this section named as 'resume summary' or 'resume objective'. Resume summaries tend to focus on your career experience, while resume objectives cover your ambitions and plans for the future. In addition, your objective should highlight why you're an ideal candidate for pharmacy technician roles by showing key skills and qualities that reflect the job description.
Alternatively, use this summary to introduce your personal career ambitions and explain why pharmacy technician roles are a good fit for you at this stage of your career.
A great resume summary should highlight why you're an ideal candidate for pharmacy technician roles by showing key skills and qualities that reflect the job description and provide evidence to support them. It should also introduce your personality and unique qualities to the reader, to help them start to form an opinion about you as a candidate. See below for some great examples of what to include in your pharmacy technician resume summary.
Good example:
Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) with an Associate of Science in Pharmacy Technology and extensive experience in medication preparation, inventory management, and patient support. Proficient in maintaining accurate records, ensuring compliance with healthcare regulations, and delivering exceptional customer service in fast-paced pharmacy environments. Skilled in operating pharmacy software and collaborating effectively with pharmacists and healthcare professionals to optimize patient care
Bad example:
Pharmacy technician with some background in pharmacy-related studies and experience in handling medications and managing stock. Worked in roles where I kept records and followed rules. Have interacted with customers and worked in busy settings. Familiar with using pharmacy systems and working alongside pharmacists and other healthcare staff to assist with patient needs
On the other hand, an unsuccessful resume summary is one that mentions irrelevant skills, qualities and achievements and fails to differentiate you from other candidates. In the graphic above you can find some negative examples of how to write a resume summary.
Skills
The skills section of a pharmacy tech resume is a chance to list any skills you have that match those of the job description. You could include patient data entry, attention to detail or any other skills that show you're a suitable candidate. Again, include any skills that match those listed in the job description. Focus particularly on technical skills required for pharmacy technician jobs and transferable skills that show your qualities as a pharmacy technician.
How to list hard skills on your pharmacy technician resume
In your hard skills list, include any specific abilities related to the role you're applying for. These could be technical skills or industry knowledge that showcases your expertise in your chosen profession. Furthermore, it's important to show these skills in a pharmacy technician resume as they provide a strong indication of your experience in the sector. Add up to five key hard skills that show you're an ideal candidate for the role. It can also be beneficial to add context to each skill, showing how you've used it to positive effect in your career to date.
For an effective resume hard skills section, focus on the technical skills that are most essential in the job description, and that match your specific expertise. Some examples of the best hard skills for a pharmacy technician resume are listed below.
- Medication dispensing proficiency
- Inventory management systems
- Patient data entry
How to list soft skills on your pharmacy technician resume
In your list of soft skills, add any personal strengths, qualities or transferable skills that make you a good fit for the job. Soft skills are often less specific to different industries, but that doesn't make them any less important. Indeed, without soft skills, you may struggle to adapt to pharmacy technician roles or meet the standards expected of you. So make sure you include several key soft skills on your resume. It's best to aim for four or five soft skills that match the job description and reflect your strongest personal qualities.
Your soft skills section should make the most of your unique personal qualities and strengths, while also reflecting the requirements laid out in the job description. See below for some examples of useful soft skills for a pharmacy tech resume.
- Communication and teamwork
- Attention to detail
- Problem-solving skills
Education
In this section list any educational qualifications or degrees that are relevant to pharmacy technician roles.
Opportunities as a pharmacy technician and similar roles in the sector usually require a specialist degree. If you have a Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences degree, be sure to mention this in your resume. You might also want to list any qualifications that highlight your HIPAA compliance knowledge or medication dispensing proficiency.
Enter the name and level of the qualification, the institution you studied at, its location and your dates of study or graduation. You can enhance this section by adding bullet points that show any outstanding grades, awards or achievements and any specialist subjects you studied. These details can make you stand out from other candidates.
If you organized or participated in any clubs or societies while at university, or you took part in any voluntary work, you could also mention these here.
Associate of Science in Pharmacy Technology, 2017 - 2020
Florida State University, Tallahassee
Relevant Certifications and Licenses
Your certifications section is the place to mention any relevant professional pharmacy technician certifications, licenses or qualifications. Add any official certifications or accreditations that increase your level of qualification and suitability for working as a pharmacy technician. Therefore, include the details of any licenses and professional certifications required for pharmacy technician roles, along with completion dates so employers can see you're up-to-date.
Read on to see some relevant example certifications for a pharmacy tech resume:
- CPhT - PTCB, 2022
- CPhT - NHA, 2022
- IV Certification, 2022
Work Experience
Next, list your relevant employment history and any key achievements that show you're suitable for a pharmacy technician position. Include any relevant jobs you've held in reverse-chronological order. Start with your current or most recent roles and work back through previous roles. For each job, list your title, the name of the company, its location and the dates you worked there.
Also include some bullet points for each job mentioned, showcasing your achievements so the employer can see the impact you made on the company. Pay attention to the job description and make sure each point is relevant to pharmacy technician roles.
A good work experience section pulls the reader in with clear examples of where you've put the skills necessary for the job into good use in your career to date. This typically includes evidence of how your skills and activities contributed to positive outcomes for the organization. Take a look at the examples below for some guidance on what works best for your work experience section.
Good example:
Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT), January 2022 - Present
MediTrust Pharmaceuticals, St. Petersburg
- Accurately dispensed and managed over 10,000 prescription orders annually, ensuring compliance with all regulatory standards
- Trained and mentored a team of five new pharmacy technicians, improving team efficiency by 30%
- Implemented a new inventory management system, reducing medication errors by 15% and decreasing stock discrepancies by 20%
Bad example:
Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT), January 2022 - Present
MediTrust Pharmaceuticals, St. Petersburg
- Assisted with various pharmacy tasks and responsibilities, contributing to overall team success and patient satisfaction
- Supported pharmacy operations and collaborated with team members to enhance workflow and service quality
- Participated in inventory management and helped maintain a well-organized pharmacy environment
In the graphic above you can see a great example of what to avoid when writing your resume work experience section. Less effective resume work experience sections might take a more vague, descriptive approach to previous jobs. They focus on responsibilities and everyday duties rather than referencing career achievements and the value you've added for previous employers.
Expert Tip:
Optional Sections
As well as the main sections of a pharmacy tech resume, optional sections can help you prove your credentials to employers. Pick from the optional sections below to help show the employer you have the skills and experience for the job.
Hobbies
Hobbies and interests can be a useful way of showing your skills and experience beyond your work and education. These are particularly useful for your resume if you're short of work experience and need to showcase a particular skill or experience. If you're thinking about adding hobbies and interests, just make sure they add something unique to your application, and showcase your personality and interests in unique and interesting ways.
Voluntary Work
If you're lacking relevant pharmacy technician work experience, volunteer work can help to show you still have the relevant skills. List your volunteer job title, the organization you volunteered for, its location and the dates of your involvement, alongside a brief explanation of your responsibilities in the role.
References
References aren't a standard pharmacy technician resume section, but employers do sometimes ask for them. Check the job advert and only include them if requested. Before adding any referees to your resume, ask them for their assistance and prepare them for contact by the employer.
References are available upon request.
Best action words for your pharmacy technician resume
Using strong action verbs in your work experience bullet points can make a stronger impression on employers and show the value you added to your previous roles. Choose verbs from the suggestions below that highlight your key skills or those mentioned in the job description.
- Dispense
- Prepare
- Compound
- Assist
- Manage
- Coordinate
- Measure
- Label
- Verify
- Maintain
Jobseeker's clean, attractive resume formats can help your applications make a strong impression on employers. Check them out for help designing a winning resume, and see our cover letter templates to help win over recruiters and hiring managers.
Example resume for pharmacy technician applications
Now that you know everything that needs to go into your pharmacy technician resume, let's review an example resume that you can use as a guide when creating your own:
124 Conch Street, Bikini Bottom, CA
•
aria.alvarez@example.com
•
(111) 222 33 444 55
•
linkedin․com/in/aria–alvarez123
Experienced Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) with a Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences, demonstrating comprehensive knowledge of pharmaceutical principles, medication management, and patient care. Proven ability to efficiently support pharmacists, manage inventory, and ensure accurate dispensing of medications, while consistently maintaining high standards of accuracy and customer service. Skilled in utilizing pharmacy software, complying with regulatory guidelines, and fostering collaborative relationships within healthcare teams. Dedicated to advancing pharmaceutical practices and improving patient outcomes
Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT)
2020
-2022
PharmaCare Solutions Inc (Detroit)
- Successfully managed inventory and ensured medication accuracy, reducing errors by 30%
- Implemented a patient consultation program, increasing patient satisfaction scores by 25%
- Trained and mentored 10 new pharmacy technicians, enhancing team efficiency and performance
Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences
2017
-2020
University of South Carolina (Columbia, South Carolina)
Medication dispensing proficiency
Inventory management systems
Patient data entry
Communication and teamwork
Attention to detail
Problem-solving skills
CPhT - PTCB
CPhT - NHA
English - Fluent
Spanish - B2
Do's and don'ts of a pharmacy tech resume
Simple tips for creating a winning resume
- Use strong verbs to help show the actions you've taken in different pharmacy technician roles (e.g. verify, maintain, dispense).
- Use a clear resume format with professional elements, including suitable headings, line spacing, fonts and margins, to make your resume as readable as possible for hiring managers.
- Include any relevant work experience in reverse-chronological order, starting with your current or most recent role, for maximum readability.
- Write a compelling resume summary or objective to introduce yourself and your key pharmacy technician skills.
- Make your pharmacy technician resume short and to-the-point. A length of one page is ideal for junior roles, while two is acceptable for senior applications.
Keep away from these common resume mistakes
- Don't mention hobbies or interests unless they help you prove a skill required for the role, that you haven't included elsewhere.
- Don't list personal details such as your age, gender or a photo, unless these are necessary for the role. They can lead to hiring bias.
- Don't use old contact information and always review your resume header to make sure it contains the latest information.
- Don't use passive language - avoid phrases like 'I was tasked with' and use strong action verbs instead.
- Don't use overly decorative formatting and layouts that can detract from the content and make your pharmacy technician resume harder for scanning by applicant tracking systems (ATS).
How to make an ATS-friendly resume
Applicant tracking systems (ATS) help recruiters and employers to manage their hiring process. They can handle some of the more time-consuming and resource-intensive jobs, such as initial screening of resumes. Employers often receive hundreds of applications per vacancy, and ATS software can quickly and accurately scan and rank resumes based on their likely suitability for any role. There are several things you can do when writing your pharmacy technician resume, to give yourself the strongest chance of ranking highly in the ATS stage and progressing through the recruitment process.
Here a some simple tips to follow for an ATS-friendly resume:
- Adopt a traditional structure for your resume, such as a reverse-chronological format or a functional format. These are likely to be the easiest layouts for ATS software to scan.
- Add keywords that match the job description throughout your resume, as ATS applications scan for these and well-placed, considered use can help your resume rank more highly.
- Include clear headings that make it easy to identify each section of your resume. This will help any ATS software navigate your resume during the scanning process.
- Adopt a clean, unfussy design that gives your content enough white space to breathe. Use professional, readable fonts and subtle use of color and other design elements.
- Use simple, concise language to keep your resume to a maximum of one to two pages in length. This will make it easier for ATS software to read.
If you need help creating a professional resume, take a look at our expert career articles and variety of resume examples created by careers experts.
Frequently Asked Questions about a pharmacy tech resume
Alongside your pharmacy technician resume, it's important to produce a professional cover letter that creates a similar positive impact on the reader.
Before you write your cover letter, think about whether you need a formal, professional letter or if a brief, less formal email might be more suitable.
A traditional cover letter should follow formal letter-writing conventions and structure, including a header, the recipient's address and professional greetings and sign-offs. For the main body of the letter, open with a short paragraph introducing yourself and explaining your reasons for applying for the pharmacy technician role. Follow that with an explanation of your skills and experience and how they're relevant to the position. Close by expressing your gratitude and enthusiasm, and leaving a call to action that encourages the employer to open a dialogue with you.
Jobseeker's HR-approved cover letter templates can help you produce a cover letter that really catches the eye of employers.
If you're an experienced pharmacy technician, your resume should focus on your extensive work experience and the achievements in your career to date. As an experienced pharmacy technician candidate, you'll want your resume to highlight your relevant work history. As such, consider going further back than the standard 10 to 15 years with your employment history. In your pharmacy technician resume, think about any optional sections you could add to help prove your standing and reputation in your industry. Sections such as awards, achievements and projects can build a picture of your career successes to date.
A resume headline can catch the attention of the reader and give them a strong first impression about your suitability for pharmacy technician jobs. Resume headlines can also help you pass the ATS stage of the selection process, by highlighting the job title and one or two key details. Take the time to draft a concise, eye-catching headline which includes the job title, one or two key skills and reference to either your experience level or track record.
Here's an example of a strong resume headline:
- Aspiring Pharmacy Technician Specialist
- Certified Pharmacy Technician Professional
- Experienced Senior Pharmacy Technician
The best format for your resume depends on two key factors. Firstly, the amount of relevant work experience you have. Secondly, the type of role and its level of seniority. For applicants without much relevant work experience, a functional resume format tends to be best. This places the emphasis on your key skills and relevant qualifications. If, however, you have experience in your chosen profession, a traditional, reverse chronological resume format might be the way to go. This showcases your relevant skills and achievements in your work experience section.
Takeaways for your pharmacy technician resume
The key to a strong resume is to showcase your relevant skills and achievements through your work experience and other activities. Select a resume format that suits your experience levels and the job you're applying for, and make sure you tailor your resume for each application.
Using the professional resume templates and resources of Jobseeker can help you create a great-looking resume that stands out from other applicants. Sign up today and follow the simple steps to get started. Whatever job you're applying for, a professional cover letter can make all the difference to your chances. Use Jobseeker's HR-approved tools and cover letter examples to inspire your applications.
Sources:
(1) Writing a Resume, California Department of Human Resources: https://www.calhr.ca.gov/employees/Pages/resume-tips.aspx
(2) Resumes, Cover Letters and Job Applications, New York State Department of Labor: https://dol.ny.gov/resumes-cover-letters-and-job-applications
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