History of CVS

CVS  is currently the second largest pharmacy chain in the United States, only following Walgreens.  Founded in 1963, CVS now boasts over 7,000 shops located across the United States of America, even including Puerto Rico.  CVS sells prescription drugs, as well any over the counter drugs and smaller retail type merchandise such as photo, beauty products, food, and more.

CVS Caremark Corporation was founded in the year 2007 when CVS pharmacy and Caremark merged. Its corporate headquarters is located in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, United States. This company provides integrated pharmacy services in more than7, 000 pharmacies and long drug stores. This company ranked as the 18th in the Fortune 500 2010 list of the largest companies in the US. AS of 2009, its reported revenue was $98.729 billion with over 200,000 employees.

Hours of Operation:  Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Minimum Age to Work Here:  16 years old

Positions Available:  Sales Associate, Shift Supervisor, Pharmacy Service Associate, Beauty Care Associate, Beauty 360 Consultant, Photo Lab Associate, Customer Service Associate, Pharmacy Technician, Cashier, Technical Support Representative, Over Night Shift Supervisor, Pharmacy Supervisor, Pharmacist, Assistant Manager, Store Manager, Security, Customer Care Representative, Administrative Assistant, Summer Pharmacy Intern, Maintenance Mechanic, Medical Customer Service Representative

Background Check Required?  Yes

Negotiation:  The hourly rate is already set.  There is no room for negotiation.

Job Descriptions / Wage Averages

Cashier: Your sole job is to ring up customers at the front.  You will be responsible for making sure the customer has all of their items rung up, as well as answer any questions that they may have.  You’re going to provide assistance to the customers while paying their purchased products. You must have a strong foundation on mathematical and analytical skills in order to perform accurate and efficient sales processes with the clients. You will also provide a warm and friendly milieu for them as well as to answer their inquiries about the company.  The typical starting wage for this job is anywhere from $7 to $10 a hour based on experience.

Shift Supervisor: This position is similar to an assistant manager position.  You’re going to be in charge of making sure the shift is running smoothly.  You will overlook other employees, as well as make sure that the store is clean and running smoothly.    There are a few different types of supervisor positions available at these stores.  This position will pay anywhere from $9 to $13 a hour.

Photo Lab Tech: You’re going to work in the photo lab where you will process photos, as well as help people on the kiosk when they want to get pictures processed.  You will also help answer phones, process orders on the cash register and more.  The average wage is anywhere from $8 to $11 a hour.

Pharmacy Technician: You will assist the pharmacist with whatever they may need help with.  You will also assist those customers at the counter in filling orders, as well as giving orders out.  This position pays anywhere from $8 to $15 a hour.

Assistant Manager: You’re going to answer to the main store manager.  You’re going to help assign tasks, open the store, as well as close it as long as it’s not a 24 hour store.  You’re also going to make sure that the store is running at 100%.   If any problems persist, you will answer to the main store manager.   As an assistant manager, it is your primary responsibility to provide assistance to the manager while doing daily administrative activities and operations in the company. You will also do simple procedures such as completing sales transactions, making schedules as well as hiring and terminating people. In the absence of the manager, you are the one responsible to make decisions in his behalf.  The average wage is anywhere from $32,000 to $54,000 a year.

Customer Service Representative: It is one of you duties to assist the customers with their needs by providing them the detailed and accurate information that they needed regarding the products and services that the company offers. A successful candidate must learn to handle complaints and objections from different clients and help to solve their problems and issues. The average wage for this job is $10.28 per hour.

Account Manager: An account manager in this company will take charge in the planning and implementation of advertising activities for the products and services of this company. You will then determine the needs of the clients and make an equitable financial budget by the use of your knowledge on the institution’s products and services. You will also lead in performing various media activities to further promote the company and update the knowledge of the public. The average wage for this job is $47,000 annually.

Store Manager: This is the grand daddy of all the positions.  You’re going to be in charge of the whole store.  You’re going to run the schedule, make sure the employees are doing their job, as well as making sure that the store is running at 100%.    You will manage all operations and activities in the store as well as the functions of the employees. You will also make sure that the physical appearance of the whole store is maintain to its optimum level by monitoring the cleanliness of shelves, floor area and the arrangement of displayed items. It is also your responsibility to monitor the facilities and stock level and make necessary orders if needed. This position will pay anywhere from $40,000 to $65,000 a year depending on your location and experience.

The Benefits

  • Medical / Dental
  • Prescription Plan
  • Vision
  • 401(k)
  • Employee Stock Purchasing Program
  • Disability Coverage
  • Vacation
  • Adoption Coverage / Assistance
  • Merchandise Discount

Atmosphere and Perks

The company sets a fun and fast paced working environment where everyone has the opportunity to connect and deal with people of different personalities. Since you are allowed to work in different shift, you will also have the avenue for further advancement since you will be able to deal with people and be emerged be a team you never used to have. Aside from a competitive salary package, you can as well benefit some insurances and health packages offered by the company, paid trainings and other perks.

Interview Questions

Where did you get the information about the job hiring in this company?

What are the reasons why you applied for the job?

Do you think you are qualified for the desired position? Why?

What would you do if you found a coworker stealing drugs from CVS?

Describe any experience in customer service?

What is your advantage over other applicants?

Will it be difficult for you to handle stress? If not, what do you usually do to combat stress?

What if the customer is not satisfied with a product, what will you do?

Is your schedule flexible?

Interview Tips

The online application allows you to fill up the information as an applicant. The applicants to be interviewed will be short listed and in few weeks, you will receive a notice for an interview schedule. Just like when you are interviewed by other companies, being professionally dressed during the interview is an important factor. The usual questions in the interview will be about your personality and other skills needed in the job. The interview can be conducted one-on-one or through the phone. When you face your interviewer, make sure you can show your sincerity in answering all questions; when interview is done on the phone, maintain focus and make sure to answer in a well modulated voice.

How to apply for the job

The easiest way to apply for the job is online via the CVS Careers page.  Here, you can search for job openings and apply without even having to go directly to the store.

If you don’t want to apply online, simply head to your local CVS and see if they are hiring.  Even if they aren’t, you can always request an application to fill out.