A truly outstanding pharmacy technician cover letter needs to show that your customers always receive the proper prescriptions and excellent service they deserve. If you need help with the writing process, feel free to dive into our easy-to-follow guide, packed with the best tips, cover letter samples, detailed examples, and sleek templates. Let's begin!
Keep on reading to learn how to:
- Craft your pharmacy technician cover letter header & headline
- Tailor your pharmacy technician cover letter for a specific job
- Write an effective & eye-catching pharmacy technician introduction
- Describe your best skills & accomplishments as a pharmacy technician
- Finish your pharmacy technician cover letter with a strong conclusion
- Access top resources for job-seeking pharmacy technicians
1. Craft your pharmacy technician cover letter header & headline
The first step to writing an excellent cover letter as a pharmacy technician is to craft your header and headline. First up is your cover letter header, which contains crucial information such as:
- Your name and professional title
- Your professional contact information
- The name of the pharmacy you’re applying to
- The address of the pharmacy
As you create this header, use larger and bolded fonts to make your name stand out. This is the first information an employer will see, so you want your personal information to be memorable.
Here is an example of a well-formatted pharmacy technician header
Jack King, Pharmacy Technician
(123) 456-7890 | jackking@email.com | linkedin.com/in/jack-king
To: Neighborhood Pharmacy
Pharmacy Technician Department
1234 Street Address
Seattle, WA 98101
Once you’ve created your header, the next step is to write a compelling cover letter headline. While headlines are optional, these title statements can help hook an employer’s attention and make your letter more captivating overall.
A strong cover letter headline will include a keyword related to the position, an eye-catching number or trigger word, a powerful adjective or verb, and a promise statement that informs the employer the letter is tailored specifically for their company.
Here is an example of a well-written pharmacy technician headline, followed by a brief breakdown of its key parts
My 3 Best Skills as a Pharmacy Tech & How It Can Benefit Your Customers
Trigger Word/Number: 3 Skills
Keyword: Pharmacy Tech
Adjective/Verb: Best, Benefit
Promise: Your Customers
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2. Tailor your pharmacy technician cover letter for a specific job
Whenever you write a cover letter as a pharmacy technician, it’s important to tailor the content of your letter to the specific job you’re applying to. This shows the employer that you’ve put extra effort into your cover letter and have taken the time to research their company beforehand.
As you research a company to begin this tailoring process, look for information such as:
- What language and keywords the company uses in their job descriptions, company mission, and marketing materials. This information can be used to adjust your writing style to be more in line with the employer’s.
- Key skills and responsibilities the company lists in their job descriptions. These skills are the ones you should focus on describing in your own cover letter.
- The person at the company who will review your cover letter. Use this detail to create a personalized greeting that addresses a specific person by name.
Here are 3 examples of personalized cover letter greetings
- Dear Mr. Mark Franks,
- Dear Head Pharmacist Mark Franks,
- Dear Mr. Mark Franks & the Pharmacy Team,
3. Write an effective & eye-catching pharmacy technician introduction
After you’ve completed your header and headline – and have researched the company you’re applying to – it’s time to begin writing the content of your letter.
The first paragraph is your introduction, where you will provide:
- A brief overview of your professional history (years of experience, specializations, etc.)
- A statement on why you’re enthusiastic about applying to this company
- A mutual acquaintance (when possible) – including a mutual acquaintance can be incredibly useful, as it gives the employer an immediate and trustworthy professional reference.
Pro Tip: To expand your professional network – and gain a mutual acquaintance you can name in a cover letter – use a professional platform like LinkedIn to connect with other people in the pharmacy industry.
Here is an example of an effective introduction from a pharmacy technician's cover letter
Dear Head Pharmacist Mark Franks,
I am a pharmacy technician with 5+ years of experience working in inventory management and pharmacy data input. Recently, I connected with one of your current pharmacy techs, Ms. Jane Doe, on LinkedIn to ask about your current openings. After learning of your pharmacy’s high level of commitment to both patient education and satisfaction, I decided your pharmacy’s values align perfectly with my own.
4. Describe your best skills & accomplishments as a pharmacy technician
Next on your writing to-do list are the body paragraphs. A good pharmacy technician cover letter will contain between 2 to 4 body paragraphs that describe your relevant skills and accomplishments.
As you describe these qualifications, make sure to include key details such as:
- Context: Always provide context around your skills and qualifications, such as including the responsibilities of a previous role you held.
- Quantifiable Information: When possible, offer the employer quantifiable and verifiable facts concerning your accomplishments, like public data or statistics.
- Specificity: For your skills, be as specific as possible when describing each one. For example, don’t just say you have communication skills, explain your communication style and how you apply it in the workplace.
Here are 6 pharmacy technician skills to describe in a cover letter
- Prescription order screening
- Pharmacy inventory management
- Proper medication storage procedures
- Electronic file and record management
- Investigational drug studies
- Preparing prescriptions for pick-up
Here is an example of how to describe an accomplishment in a pharmacy technician cover letter
As a pharmacy technician at [Former Employer], I oversaw the pharmacy’s inventory management and storage procedures. By implementing a new daily inventory process, I reduced wasted and expired medications by more than 20%.
5. Finish your pharmacy technician cover letter with a strong conclusion
Our final tip for writing a pharmacy technician cover letter is to end with a strong conclusion.
Your closing statement serves a key purpose besides wishing the employer well – it should encourage the employer to contact you promptly. To do so, this closing statement should include:
- When and how you can be contacted
- When you intend to follow up
- A formal sign-off
Here is an example of a strong conclusion from a pharmacy technician’s cover letter
As the newest member of your pharmacy team, I will be committed to efficiency and customer satisfaction. I am eager to learn more about this opportunity and hope to hear from you by next Friday. If I have not, I will reach back out at that time to follow up. The best way to reach me is at (123) 456-7890 between the hours of 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Sincerely,
[Applicant Name]
If you’ve ever wondered how a cover letter differs from a resume, this article will tell you everything about the key differences between the two.
6. Valuable job search resources for pharmacy technicians
Before you start working on your pharmacy technician cover letter, you need to find a suitable job posting to respond to. If you're unsure of where to start looking, you can draw inspiration from the following list:
- Industry-specific job boards: By far the most straightforward way to find the right work opportunities is by checking niche websites like iHirePharmacy and Health eCareers. Since these cater to health professionals exclusively, it shouldn't take long until you stumble upon the right job postings.
- General job search platforms: Although much broader in focus, platforms like Indeed, Glassdoor, Monster, or SimplyHired can still yield compelling results.
- Networking: Create a strong LinkedIn profile and use the platform’s job search feature to find openings. Follow pharmacy chains and healthcare organizations, and join professional groups related to pharmacy technology to expand your network and uncover job opportunities.
- Professional associations: Don't forget to visit webpages of organizations such as the American Association of Pharmacy Technicians (AAPT), the American Pharmacists Association (APhA), or the National Pharmacy Technician Association (NPTA). They are treasure troves of job listings, networking events, training programs, and so much more.
- Continuous education & certifications: You can enhance your qualifications by pursuing continuous education and certifications through trusted institutions like Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) and National Healthcareer Association (NHA). These credentials can make you a more competitive candidate.
It's all about finding the right prescription for your career success. Stay positive and proactive, and make sure to use all available resources to uncover the best opportunities. Remember, the right job is waiting just around the corner!
Pharmacy Technician Cover Letter FAQ
What tone should I use in my pharmacy technician cover letter?
You need to use a professional yet approachable tone. You want to come across as confident and competent, but also personable and enthusiastic. Avoid overly formal language that can sound stiff, and steer clear of slang or overly casual expressions. Show your passion for the job and the industry, and express genuine interest in contributing to the pharmacy team.
How long should my pharmacy technician cover letter be?
Ideally, your cover letter shouldn’t be longer than one page. Keep to 2-4 body paragraphs framed by an introductory and closing paragraph. Anything longer than that and you're running the risk of discouraging the recruiters from ever reading your job application.
How do I effectively incorporate quantifiable data into my pharmacy technician cover letter?
You can do that by simply including specific numbers and achievements that highlight your impact. For example, you could mention, "Managed inventory for a pharmacy with over 5,000 products, reducing stock discrepancies by 15%," or "Assisted in processing 200+ prescriptions daily, ensuring a 98% accuracy rate." These details provide concrete evidence of your abilities and accomplishments.
What are some common mistakes to avoid when writing a pharmacy technician cover letter?
Some of the most common mistakes include: using a generic cover letter for all applications, focusing too much on what you want rather than what you can offer, and having typos or grammatical errors. Also, you want to avoid repeating your resume verbatim; instead, expand on key points and explain how your experience makes you a good fit for the role.
How can I ensure my pharmacy technician cover letter stands out from other applicants?
You can personalize it for the specific job and employer. Address the hiring manager by name if possible, and mention something specific about the pharmacy or healthcare organization that excites you. To grab their attention, use a compelling opening sentence and maintain a professional but engaging tone throughout.