Dating is like job hunting. We’re all looking for that match made in Heaven, but it takes plenty of frogs to kiss a prince.

We've all been on the receiving end of liking someone more than they loved us. We've all been on the receiving end of being dumped, or even worse, ghosted by someone we truly wanted.

Have you ever been "ghosted" by a manager? Perhaps you've met him or her at an event, or connected on LinkedIn. They may have even reached out to you to apply for the job.

You excitedly poured hours into working on your blasted resume, or invested in a pharmacy resume writer, but sending it out hasn’t gotten you anywhere. You’ve only received rejection letters, and that’s if someone bothers to respond at all.  

Trapped in a birdcage you can't escape, you can't quit your job because you’ve got bills to pay. You can't find anything better because nobody’s responding to your offer. Your batting average is .000, and you’re wondering what’s next.

As a pharmacy career coach, I've reviewed hundreds of pharmacy resumes in addition to those of other healthcare professionals. My perspective is that fixing this one simple thing - that I'm about to share -  can get your resume noticed in a crowded market. This thing is something that almost anyone can do, but not everyone does.

Fixing the Fatal Flaw on Your Resume

Applicants disqualify themselves from pharmacy jobs by focusing on performance over accomplishments. This fatal flaw destroys their chances because managers care about final results, not activities.

Performance is beautiful, but accomplishments reveal the extent to which you perform. Do your career accomplishments highlight your ability to perform?

If not, the first thing you must do is add your competitive advantage. Speak to your accomplishments, and avoid stating things that anyone else can say in your resume.

Standing out requires distinction. If your performance bulletins are generic or standard, but they're all you have, this isn't good. Your peers have the same bullets on their resume. You need to highlight your best qualities and accomplishments on your resume, and give the recruiter something that makes him or her pick up the phone and reach out immediately.

3 Methods for Uncovering Your Pharmacy Career Accomplishments

1. Review Your Metrics.

Start with your company's metrics if you're clueless. Every company manages metrics, and at some point, you'll likely receive access to them. Keep track of your performance and the clinic's performance. Compare these metrics against the company's performance and goals. Know where you stand, so you can make moves to stand out as a pharmacy employee. 

Metrics change over time. Taking five minutes out of your workday to start tracking metrics is of the simplest things you can do. And when your group, team, or clinic has an improvement, you have credit for it too. When I worked at an anticoagulation clinic, I tracked Warfarin owns time in the therapeutic range. Over four years, my clinic’s average TTR increased from 68% to 79%.

2. Read company newsletters and announcements.

Another easy way can be to look at your company's newsletters. What are they discussing? What are some of their priorities and some metrics that they've been tracking? What reminders are they sending? 

Customer satisfaction is often a priority in healthcare. 

Measure customer satisfaction over time, see how things have changed under your care, and take credit. Customer satisfaction may indeed be a team effort, but you certainly contributed to the effort.

3. Have a conversation with your manager.

The last line (and usually the last thing most people want to hear) is talking with your manager. It's a little intimidating, but summon the courage to ask them, “What are some metrics that have changed over time since I started working?”

If you're concerned about the manager wondering if you're beefing up your resume, I have never heard of anyone who received backlash by asking for information about metrics. Most managers are happy to answer this question for you, so take their answers and work them into your resume. Talking with your manager(s) can help you identify some of your top accomplishments.

What If My Performance Has Slacked?

​There are times we’re ready for the next step, but our performance slacked due to low morale, fatigue, and other factors. Diminished work performance at your current job presents a unique challenge, as the best time to find a new position is while you're actively employed. 

Employers want to hire challenge-seekers, not challenges, so you’ll have to put in some work to get your metrics up to speed. If your performance has decreased over time, your work priorities and activities need to be in order. It's hard to convince someone to get you into an interview if you haven't been performing well in your current job. 

Don’t increase your chances of pharmacy job rejection. Give yourself a minimum of 90 days to raise your metrics to a new level. As statistics lean toward new job acquisition taking a minimum of weeks to over months, commit to keeping your metrics high until you leave.

You may have extended time in your position until you attract the job you want, so put in your best work, learn everything you can while you’re there, and improve your track record. It will allow you to leave with an excellent reputation, even if you never plan to return.

Take Control of Your Pharmacy Career

With so many changes in the pharmacy industry, it’s easy to get burned out. Between long hours, changes in employment, and career outlook, the pharmacy job crisis is here. Are you prepared to win against all odds? Join our Career Masterclass. It’s 100% free and it’s our strategy to escape burnout, receive regular job offers all the time, and take control of your pharmacy career. Sign up here.

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