You’ve worked hard to get to this point in your career, and you want to make this first year as a pharmacist count. The actions you take right now will follow you throughout the rest of your career. Here are some important tips you can use to further your goals.
· Seek out a mentor and possible references for future use. While you want to learn all you can from an experienced pharmacist, make sure you are creating relationships that can be beneficial to you both in the long run. You can provide positive feedback for that person as they move up the ladder, while they can provide you with a good reference later on if you decide to change pharmacies. This is more than just building a network, this is a more in-depth relationship that can provide validation for you when you need it.
· Write down your goals. You need to actually write them down, not just plan and hope it happens. Make goals and create action steps that will get you headed in the right direction. Consider the next couple years and write down what you’d like to accomplish. This can provide clarity when you’re faced with a life decision; will it serve your goals or deter you from the life you ultimately want?
· Be patient and deliberate with your career. Keep records of achievements, people you meet and classes you take. This kind of information might seem like something you’ll never forget but why not write it down in a work journal? When the time comes to interview for a promotion or more to a better pharmacy, you’ll have all the info you need in one place. It will take much less time to organize your accomplishments when they’re already documented.
· Use the internet to your advantage. Look at job postings for the career you want. See what qualifications they need, what type of certifications you would need to get and even the amount of years you can expect to work until you are a better candidate for that job. Compare jobs that are similar to yours and check salary, benefits, work schedules, etc. to ensure you are at the right level for your skill set.
· Grow your network. While you may start off creating a professional relationship, sometimes of people can wind up being lifelong friends. Think about how you can help those in your network and they will be much more likely to want to reciprocate.
Don’t simply coast through the first year as a pharmacist. Use this time to hit the ground running in your new career and work hard to get where you want. Your reputation, work record and even your attitude will all contribute to who you are as a great pharmacist.
If you’d like to explore other jobs within the healthcare fields, contact the team at WSi Healthcare. They can help you move up in your career or get you in a better facility where you are appreciated.