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They say it’s not what you know — it’s who you know. One of the key elements in achieving industry success is knowing a guy who knows a guy. That especially goes for independent pharmacy.
Networking is vital to your independent pharmacy’s success. Whether you’re on the trade show floor or getting familiar with your community, networking is an invaluable asset in your independent pharmacy’s repertoire.
It takes a village to run a successful independent pharmacy and quality pharmacy networking helps you do just that.
Here’s what you need to know about pharmacy networking.
You learn all sorts of things in pharmacy school. Those three to four years of intense studying, preparation, and residency ensure you are the best healthcare professional you can be.
You can be a wiz kid in class, acing every test and graduating with honors. But the words “cum laude” won’t do a ton of good in the workforce.
It’s difficult to get a job right after college, regardless of your industry. In the case of pharmacy, it’s particularly concerning. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a 2% job growth from 2021-2031, well below the national average.
Though it might seem dour on paper, pharmacy networking will give you a better shot at future employment.
Pharmacy networking not only helps you get a job after graduating, but it shapes your long-term success — for both you and your small business.
A key element in pharmacy marketing is to get with the times. Online trends are constantly changing: yesterday’s fad is on today’s backburner. The use of social media, whether for you or your independent pharmacy, is a superb networking tool.
Let’s start at the micro level: your social media pages. You should have a LinkedIn profile by now. If not, make a profile immediately (after you finish reading this blog, of course).
Upload a professional headshot as your profile picture. Your grad shoot photos work, though upload one without the cap and gown if possible.
Then we get to your connections. Start with your professional mentor if you have one. Send connections to classmates and coworkers to hit the ground running.
Then look at your other pages. Employers often conduct a hefty online background search, so make sure your Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram profiles are professional and not filled with questionable hot takes (keep them in the drafts).
The internet is written in ink, so make sure your social media pages are written in the finest cursive.
Much of the same applies to your independent pharmacy’s social media pages. Consistently post on your feeds about various aspects of your pharmacy, such as your vaccine inventory or which clinical services you provide.
Keep your ear to the ground on current social media trends. They change at the drop of a hat, so an internet-savvy tech or fellow pharmacist would come in especially handy.
Your social media feed is a powerful networking asset, so use it to its full potential. Visit our blog, “The 5 Facebook Best Practices for Your Pharmacy” to get started.
How did you make friends in college? Chances are you joined student clubs or organizations. You might’ve written for the school newspaper or gotten involved in other extracurricular activities.
Those experiences shaped your college experience, mostly for the better. Such is the case with pharmacy networking. Get involved and join some pharmacy organizations.
You want to go somewhere where people know your name, right? That goes for life and especially in the pharmacy industry. The NCPA website provides a slew of resources and events you can attend to practice pharmacy networking.
The more involved you are, the better. Quality pharmacy networking improves your chances at employment but it also helps in your long-term success.
Pharmacy networking opens several doors to help you expand and improve your independent pharmacy. Joining pharmacy organizations will make people remember you for your work ethic and exceptional approach to pharmacy work.
If there’s a great new opportunity, your name might pop up. All it takes is some quality pharmacy networking.
All work and no play make the pharmacist a dull boy. You might’ve decided to become an independent pharmacist because you love the work. You’re passionate about patient care and making a true difference in your community.
Even so, working hard all day every day is an express ticket to burnout and dwindling work performance. It also makes pharmacy networking more difficult.
Professional relationships begin with a mutual interest (pharmacy in this case) and develop as parties get to know each other.
The chances that they’re talking only about pharmacy are slim to none. Conversations and bonds last through variety. Talk about your interests and ask them about theirs. Find some common ground beyond just how you both wear a white coat.
What’s their favorite hobby? Do they have an office plant? Is their favorite sports team your sworn enemy? Questions and topics like these build natural camaraderie that transcends the work.
Make your pharmacy networking run deeper by going beyond pharmacy.
Whether you’re giving a patient consultation or in the middle of a bustling tradeshow floor, being an active listener is an absolute necessity.
Active listening makes sure you’re truly understanding what the other person is saying. What’s more, it builds trust between you and them, forming a strong professional bond.
When it comes to pharmacy networking, quality is always better than quantity.
While you should want to have a considerable amount of connections, make sure those connections are truly worthwhile.
Active listening helps you do just that. It will encourage the other person to trust you and have a high opinion of you — and rightfully so!
Active listening also helps you get out of your head so you’ll be more mindful of the present moment. Seize the day and make the most out of pharmacy networking through active listening.
Time is of the essence. And in the world of pharmacy networking, there’s no time like the present.
While pharmacy school prepares you for the patient care side of things, you might feel left hanging when looking for a job. As with every industry, it pays to know people, so make valuable connections through the art of pharmacy networking.
