The Walgreens hiring process provides a smooth and streamlined experience for job seekers looking to begin a career with the nationwide drugstore and pharmacy chain.
Walgreens is one of the largest drug retailing chains in the United States, with over 9,000 stores across all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.
The company prides itself on providing exceptional customer service and being “the first choice for health and daily living” for millions of customers.
This focus on service excellence makes the Walgreens hiring process fairly selective, as the company wants to bring on board employees who align with its core values and service philosophy.
However, the application and interview stages are also designed to be applicant-friendly.
This article provides an overview of what job seekers can expect throughout the various phases of the Walgreens employment process in 2023.
Walgreens Hiring Process | Job Application, Interviews, and Employment
Whether you’re applying for an entry-level customer service role or a pharmacy technician position, understanding the ins and outs of Walgreen’s hiring procedures can help maximize your chances of getting the job.
Here are the critical steps of the Walgreen hiring process and tips for presenting yourself as a strong candidate.
Applying for Walgreens Jobs
Applying for jobs at Walgreens begins by setting up an account on the company’s online portal.
Visit the Walgreens careers website and click “My Account” in the top right corner.
This will bring you to the account creation page. You will need to provide some basic personal information to set up your account, including:
- Full name
- Email address
- Phone number
- Home address
- Desired job type and location
Once your account is created, you can view and apply for open Walgreens positions.
Click “Apply Now” on any job listing to respond to the application questions.
Some tips for completing the Walgreens job application:
- Have your resume ready. You must upload your resume or manually enter your work history, skills, and education.
- Check for accuracy. Double-check that all information you provide, including employment dates, contact info, and spelling of names, is correct.
- Sell yourself. When asked to list your skills or experience, give specific examples that align with the role you are applying for. Emphasize customer service if relevant.
- Answer thoroughly. Do not leave any required fields blank. Provide thoughtful responses that show your interest and qualifications.
- Proofread before submitting. Review your application for any errors and ensure responses are clear.
Customizing your application for each job listing is also a good idea, rather than quickly submitting the same generic application to multiple openings.
Walgreens recruiters will be able to see your attention to detail.
Pre-Interview Assessments
For some positions, Walgreens will ask applicants to complete online assessments before getting interview invites.
These may include personality tests, critical thinking scenarios, or customer service response exercises.
If required to complete pre-interview screenings or questionnaires, approach them as you would the interview.
Read questions carefully, focus on responding thoughtfully and positively, and highlight the traits that make you a great team member.
While there are no right or wrong answers, displaying attitudes aligned with Walgreens values can boost your chances of advancing.
The Walgreens Interview Process
After applying, candidates may be contacted by email or phone to schedule an interview.
This will typically be an in-person interview at a local Walgreens location, often the store where you would be working.
Interviews are conducted by store managers, district managers, or other Walgreens hiring team members.
Some tips for a successful Walgreens interview:
- Dress professionally. Appearance matters, so dress appropriately for a retail pharmacy environment.
- Arrive early. Plan to arrive 10-15 minutes early to find parking and check-in.
- Study the company website. Review the “About Us” and “Services” sections to show your knowledge.
- Prepare examples. Have stories ready that show times you positively interacted with customers or colleagues.
- Ask smart questions. Inquire about training, advancement opportunities, and the interviewer’s own experience.
- Send thank you notes. Email thank you notes to anyone who interviewed you within 24 hours.
Interview questions may cover past job experiences, how you handle specific situations like customer complaints, knowledge of Walgreens products and services, availability, and reasons for wanting to work at Walgreens.
Be prepared and relax – the interviewer wants to know you and learn if you would make a great team member.
Second Interviews
For some positions, top candidates who pass the initial interview may be invited back for a second, more in-depth interview.
This is often true for management roles, corporate positions, and jobs requiring technical expertise like pharmacy techs.
A second interview allows the chance for longer conversation between the applicant and multiple members of the hiring team.
More questions may include your qualifications, skill testing, and detailed discussion about job expectations.
Use this opportunity to further convey your fit for the role through the examples and responses you provide.
Background Checks & Drug Screening
The later stages of the Walgreens hiring process for most positions involve successfully passing background checks and drug screening.
Background checks verify information on your application related to past employment, education, criminal history, and more. Be accurate in the details you provide to avoid any issues or delays.
Drug tests are standard for retail pharmacy chains to ensure employee safety and health. If this is requested, follow all instructions from the third-party provider.
Job Offers from Walgreens
The final step is receiving a job offer! If selected, you will receive a verbal job offer over the phone or in person after your interviews.
This will be followed by an official digital offer letter containing position details, pay rate, training schedule, and other onboarding information.
Be sure to thoroughly review the offer and respond within the requested time frame.
You will need to accept and sign the letter to finalize hiring formally. Discuss any desired pay rate, benefits, or other needs before accepting.
Conclusion
The Walgreen application and hiring process provides a smooth experience for job seekers to showcase their skills.
You can land a great retail pharmacy job with an online account, thoughtful application, interview preparation, and follow-up.
Showcasing excellent customer service abilities and following this step-by-step guide will lead to success.
Soon you can look forward to joining the Walgreens team and beginning a rewarding career with this iconic American drugstore chain.