How to build an effective pharmacy technician resume

Pharmaceuticals is a lucrative industry to be a part of — and pharmacy technicians are highly sought after. The popularity of these positions means candidates will face heavy competition when applying for these jobs, making it all the more important to have an optimized resume.

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Just like a well-compounded medication, a carefully constructed resume can be the antidote to a successful career in the pharmaceutical field.

Get ready to uncover the secrets of crafting a winning pharmacy technician resume as we explore essential topics, including: 

• How to set yourself up for success with the proper resume format 
• How to write an engaging resume summary tailored for pharmacy tech
• What pharmacy technician skills to include 
• Emphasizing your best qualifications in your work experience section 
• Correctly listing your education as a pharmacy technician
• How to make your resume stand out with relevant extra sections

1. Select the best format for your pharmacy technician resume 

There are a few different resume formats you can choose between, but for pharmacy technician positions we highly recommend the reverse-chronological format. 

Reverse-chronological resumes place the primary focus of the document on your relevant work history and experience. With this format, you will list your most recent job first, along with any relevant or compelling details in the description.

Each entry after this will list your previous jobs in reverse-chronological order – with the oldest jobs falling to the bottom of the section. 

Of course, if you lack an abundance of relevant experience, you may need to opt for an alternative format.

There are two main options when it comes to alternative resumes:

• Functional resumes: These resumes remove the focus from work experience and instead prioritize education, skills, and unpaid experience. This format can be useful for recent graduates who do not have a large work history yet.
• Hybrid resumes: A hybrid resume will combine elements of both the functional and reverse-chronological formats. This is often well-suited for job applicants who have work experience in different industries or candidates with large gaps on their resumes. 

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2. Write an engaging resume summary as a pharmacy technician

Your resume summary is the first impression and introduction of you that an employer gets. As such, your resume summary needs to highlight your strengths and experience as a pharmacy technician. 

What's wrong with this example? This resume summary is too passive and non-specific. The applicant clearly lacks experience, and is trying to work around this by talking about completing training and an internship. However, this would be far more effective if they provided more specific examples and qualifications. 

Why is this better? This example is much more active and introductory, letting the employer know right off the bat that the candidate is only recently certified, but is driven and ready to learn. The more specific details about the internship show that the applicant has experience working within a pharmacy environment and alongside other pharmacists. 

3. Choose skills that are highly relevant to pharmacy tech

Pharmacy technicians must possess a wide range of skills, as the job involves both very technical aspects as well as highly interpersonal interactions. Dealing with medications and potentially ill or upset patients requires pharmacy techs to keep a level head and clear focus to keep everything calm and organized.

With this in mind, it is essential to include both technical and interpersonal skills on your resume when applying for a job as a pharmacy technician.

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4. Write a compelling pharmacy technician work experience section

Your work experience is the place to let your qualification and accomplishments shine. 

In the descriptions of your work experience entries, it is important to include highly specific information and quantifiable facts or data when possible. This makes your work experience more compelling, as well as allowing you to highlight your strengths and capabilities.

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5. Include the correct education information 

As a pharmacy technician, you are not required to attend a formal four-year university to earn your credentials. In most places, the main requirement is the completion of a certification training program in order to qualify for employment. 

No matter what route you took to become a pharmacy technician, you should include information about your highest level of training or education. In many cases, this may result best if you separate your licenses and certifications from your education. 

6. Make your pharmacy tech resume stand out with relevant extra sections 

In the fast-paced world of pharmaceuticals, it's crucial for pharmacy technicians to showcase their unique skills and experiences.

Adding relevant extra sections to your pharmacy tech resume can be the secret ingredient that sets you apart from the competition. These sections provide an opportunity to highlight your diverse qualifications and demonstrate your commitment to professional growth.

Whether it's certifications, specialized training, or volunteer work in the healthcare field, incorporating these extras can give your resume that extra boost of credibility and show hiring managers that you're a well-rounded candidate.