How to Get a Job at Walgreens
The competition and need of stores to hire workers for various positions generally affects the overall course of the Walgreens hiring process. Applicants submit the materials necessary to the desired location or locations and then await contact from hiring representatives. Based on the information provided, the retailer reaches out to eligible workers who meet the criteria needed for available jobs. In entirety, the hiring process may take up to two months to complete, as some workers may not receive a phone call initially after turning in employment forms, or even wait upwards of a few weeks between interviews during the hiring process. However, some applicants may complete the process within a few days.
Interview Questions to Prepare For
The structured interview process typically centers on behavioral situations related to customer service and sales in a pharmacy retail setting. Different departments within Walgreens locations may impose slightly varying hiring requirements and ask questions specific to the job. Workers looking for work in the film development centers may need previous training or personal experience with cameras and camera-related equipment. Sales associate applicants should demonstrate positive and outgoing personalities. Stock workers often respond to interview questions like: "How much are you able to lift comfortably at one time?" and "Do you have any existing conditions that might limit you from carrying out your job?"
What to Expect During the Interview Process
The employment process breaks down into three stages: the initial phone call to schedule a job interview, an online or paper-and-pencil assessment, and in-person interviews. The assessments used during the hiring process screen applicants for behavioral characteristics and basic math skills. Employment assessments may take up to an hour to complete and usually require applicants to take the tests onsite. The initial phone call sometimes serves as an impromptu interview, especially in the case of managers and corporate career seekers. Upper-level positions also generally require multiple job interviews, while entry-level employment opportunities may only include one or two hiring sessions with Walgreens personnel. Typical interviews last about 45 minutes, not including the formal assessments.
What Interviewers Look For in a Candidate
Walgreens hires associates able to commit to open schedules with nighttime and weekend availability. Persistent, detail-oriented workers who place high value on taking care of customers and following company protocol remain ideal candidates. Experience plays an important role in seeking employment as pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, managers, shift leads, and corporate professionals. The hiring process takes candidates through series of question-and-answer sessions to reveal experiences related to the desired position and any other personality traits which mesh well with the existing work environments.
How to Leave a Good Impression
Attend all interview sessions ready to answer questions in a frank and honest manner. Professionalism and deliberateness should remain a primary objective when speaking with Walgreens staff. Donning the appropriate attire for the interview process also helps make a lasting impression. Suits and ties or dresses and dressier shoes benefit every prospective employee. Showing persistent interest in the position and the opportunity to work for the retail drug store chain greatly improves odds of success, as well.
Following Up
Follow-up calls represent a perfect way to show enthusiasm and further interest in the job once the final interview ends.
Walgreens Photo Specialist Interview Video
Video Transcript
Interviewer: Please describe your job title and primary duties.
Walgreens Photo Specialist: I’m a photo specialist, and my primary duties are I operate in the photo department, develop film, I assist customers. We also have to run the register, stock, which would usually deal with the cooler and the freezer. That’s generally what you have to do.
Interviewer: What was the work environment like?
Walgreens Photo Specialist: It’s a regular work environment. It’s friendly, there’s nobody that dislikes each other, everybody’s on good terms with each other, and we all help each other out.
Interviewer: Please describe a typical day as an employee.
Walgreens Photo Specialist: For me, I would just go in there, clock in. I usually check to see if we have any orders, if people have dropped off film. Sometimes I help customers on our kiosk where they do digital film. My manager, many times, will have a list, and ask you to do certain things, whether it’s stocking shelves in the grocery department or the dry shelf. That’s about it. At the end of the day, if you close, you have to face the store.
Interviewer: How would you describe the application and interview process?
Walgreens Photo Specialist: They take all of their applicants online. The interview process, if I remember correctly, they’ll just call you in, and you just have an interview. It’s just one interview. I’ve never known anyone to come in twice or three times.
Interviewer: What questions did the interviewer ask during the job interview?
Walgreens Photo Specialist: The main question that always stands out is they always ask, “What can you bring to the company?” That’s usually the hardest question for me. It’s like, “Why should I hire you?” That’s the main question I usually get in any interview, but that one I remember the most. They’ll ask you some things, like: “What would you do if a customer came in?” and they’ll give you a situation and ask you for a response. It’s just questions like that usually.
Interviewer: What set you apart from other candidates?
Walgreens Photo Specialist: I’ve seen some people come in, and they’re not really dressed up or anything. I would usually dress up if it was a suit or something. That at least gives an impression that you’re about something. That’s a big thing, and also I think I just answered their responses pretty accurately, or what they were looking for.
Interviewer: What other advice would you give to a job seeker looking to gain employment?
Walgreens Photo Specialist: I would probably say, first off, you have to get the job. I would say the main thing there is to be persistent. I know some jobs don’t want you to continuously call up and ask. But, if they don’t insist that you wait for them to call you, then you should at least call. I would recommend talking to the store manager. At least they can put a name to the face. Store managers have actually told me that before. They like the people that will actually call in, because sometimes they have so many applicants, you can just pick anyone – it’s a needle in a haystack basically. When somebody calls in, that shows they care and they want to work.
Walgreens Custodian Interview Video
Video Transcript
Interviewer: Please describe your job title and primary duties.
Walgreens Custodian: I was the custodian, so I did normal duties. I cleaned, mopped everything up, as far as sanitary issues. I did most of that throughout the day, during the afternoons.
Interviewer: What was the work environment like?
Walgreens Custodian: It was very quiet and peaceful. Customers come in, and if they need help with something, I could jump in, point them in every direction, since I knew my way around the store.
Interviewer: How would you describe the application and interview process?
Walgreens Custodian: Basically, I just applied. I knew someone that worked there previously. I just applied, and they called me back on the phone. They called me in for the interview, and I came in and it went well.
Interviewer: What questions did the interviewer ask during the job interview?
Walgreens Custodian: They asked what kind of settings you work best in, what environment you work best in, and what type of worker are you. Do you focus on tasks right now, get everything done, or do you take it bit by bit? Those were the types of questions.
Interviewer: What set you apart from other candidates?
Walgreens Custodian: When I came in, asked for the interview, I was very professional. I used the techniques I learned from prior interviews and interview processes beforehand that I experienced since I was about 14. I think that’s the kind of thing that set me apart, because the other applicants were about my age, but I had more experience.
Interviewer: What other advice would you give to a job seeker looking to gain employment?
Walgreens Custodian: Well, first I would say after they apply to follow up a lot and just to make sure that you’re interested. When you actually get the interview, be groomed and well-mannered, respectable. From there, if you get the job there, just make sure you stay with an open mind and are positive at all times. And really just bring in a nice, clean environment.
Dakota says:
Does anyone have any tips for the interview to get a job at walgreens? like kinds of questions they ask, what to wear and any other important details
Kim Dear says:
As a management major I’m going to give it a shot on advice:
(1) Talk about what you have accomplished in the field that you are interviewing for.
and
(2) What it is you can do for the job .
I hope this helps
Respectfully,
Jenna says:
I just finished the online application, what should i do for a follow up? Call or go in?
Zoe says:
Jenna–
You can try to get in touch with someone by calling or going in, however, do it only once, because a lot of places do not like it when you follow up.
ingrid deanda says:
i have had my application on file since 6-12-2010 should i up date and fill out another application
Audra says:
I work for Walgreens you need to come in to the store and finish a test that the store gives you and then come back and follow up and keep doing that at least 1 time for week to show that you are intrested in working for them. i hope this helps.
Emily.. says:
Do you have to take a drug test to work here?
Tony says:
I spoke to the manager at the Walgreens I applied to on the phone, and he told me to come in to see him during this week. Does this mean he wants to interview me for the job? I also completed the skills assignment test at the store the week before.
Irene Daigle says:
July 17, 2011
Dear H.R. for Walgreens,
I just submitted an application on line for consideration for employment of Assistant Manager/Manager with the future Walgreen’s in Sanford, Maine.
I know that I would be an asset for your company because of the18 plus years that I have with a retail environment. I enjoy working in a fast-paced atmoshere, providing great customer service, being a team player/leader, and doing all functions that is required in a retail store.
I have been taking classes through an adult ed program that will end in August.
I would appreciate an interview at your convenience.
Thank you,
Irene D
CKopp says:
I filled out an application online for a pharmacy tech. It stopped me in the middle of the assessment and told me I had to go into a store to complete it. I thought that I had done the assessment incorrectly at first. About 2 weeks later I get a call from the manager at the main store in my area and was asked to go to a walgreens and complete the assessment immediately. The next day I was scheduled for an interview. I have 6 months experience at a PBM but nothing in retail, but I hear they desperately need pharmacy techs in the main store. My interview is tomorrow. We’ll see how it goes, I was told that I was very qualified and would do well. I wouldn’t doubt it. I just hope that they can match the $13.50 I was making at the PBM (Pharmacy benefit management) company that I was working for prior. We’ll see…
April Davis says:
Uhmm I just found out that Walgreens was hiring all over and i was wondering if i should go in for the application or should i apply online
sam2u says:
hi CKopp,
how did the interview go?? did u get the job? if yes, did they give you written job offer letter or was it verbal? i applied to walgreesn, got job, but it seems they dont give offer letters anymore???????
please reply…………
larrisa says:
What do yo do when you follow up with Walgreens? Like what do you ask?
CheriC says:
They DO drug test, prior to hiring, and can do random drug testing at any time during your employment. Ms. Walker, you may want to work with a career coach on how to write a knock out cover letter. I probably wouldn’t use this one. And,yes, if they ask you to come in, it is to do an interview.
dolores reaves says:
I would like to be hired at walgreens.
Sharon Demlew says:
I really want to work this summer and I think the right place is Walgreen’s.