Pharmacy job market

Calling all practicing pharmacists/MPharm graduates.
Honestly, what is the pharmacy job market like, what chance is there of getting a job as a pharmacist soon after graduating?
What about your experiences?
Thanks in advance

Reply 1

kvs_123

Original post by plasmaman

It depends where you want to go and what sector you want to work in. If you want to work in a large city it can be very difficult, particularly London. Also hospital is very competitive at the moment, not many band 6 jobs coming up especially in the big cities. Honestly, its pretty poor.

Reply 2

plasmaman

Thanks for the candid reply, it sounds tough out there

Reply 3

Habiba Hussain

Hello,

Which healthcare profession, or even other science related occupations, would you say didn't have a bleak employment market (except for doctors and dentists)?

Reply 4

randomgeeza

Original post by plasmaman

I haven't done Pharmacy but a good friend of mine's brother does it and a mate of mine does it too. One graduated about 2-3 years ago and has been doing Locom since. Another graduated about 6-7 years ago and does locom too. One says locom is alright but hospitals is where he wants to get in to in the near future. The field is very over-saturated, according to them both.

Original post by Habiba Hussain

Hello,

Which healthcare profession, or even other science related occupations, would you say didn't have a bleak employment market (except for doctors and dentists)?

Optometry?

Reply 5

plasmaman

Original post by randomgeeza

Ok thanks that's what Ive heard

Reply 6

marceline02

Going into my 4th year of pharmacy this September, and currently applying for jobs everywhere.

There are jobs available in small, independent community pharmacies, but that also really depends on how willing you are to relocate.

Bigger chain community pharmacies (Boots, Llyods) require you to do a summer placement with them first, and chances of getting summer placements with them are slim, you can up your chances by having a saturday job at their stores. Boots summer placements are awarded based on an MCQ personality test, no CV or anything. Other pharmacies require that + for you to type long answers to why you want to work with them, examples of you being a team player/leader etc.

Hospital pharmacy is extremely competitive. One hospital can have 4 pre-registration places, and 100-200 applicants. They will shortlist only 12-20 for interviews and choose only 4 from them. You can increase your chances by having a hospital summer placement and attending the hospital's open day.

Reply 7

and234

Original post by marceline02

hey which uni are you at

Reply 8

marceline02

Original post by and234

hey which uni are you at

University of Strathclyde, Scotland :smile:

Reply 9

and234

Original post by marceline02

University of Strathclyde, Scotland :smile:

im going kings college london really worried about the job prospects after 4 years

Reply 10

marceline02

Original post by and234

im going kings college london really worried about the job prospects after 4 years

Well it is competitive, but I haven't heard of anyone NOT getting a pre-registration spot YET. You can't be too picky at this point, just apply everywhere, keep your options wide open :smile:

Reply 11

and234

Original post by marceline02

Well it is competitive, but I haven't heard of anyone NOT getting a pre-registration spot YET. You can't be too picky at this point, just apply everywhere, keep your options wide open :smile:

being a pharmacy student yourself do you know about the reputation of pharmacy at kings college in general?

Reply 12

marceline02

Original post by and234

being a pharmacy student yourself do you know about the reputation of pharmacy at kings college in general?

Not really, my apologies. If you are scared about not getting a job in the future, get a part-time job at a pharmacy once term starts, it may not be relevant now, but will look really good in your CV next time when you start applying for jobs :smile: