Walgreens Skills Assessment – A Complete Study Guide with Practice Tests & Interview Questions
Last Updated on July 2, 2023
Walgreens, one of the largest drugstore and pharmacy chains in the world, is constantly looking for highly skilled people to work for them in a number of different departments. They are also one of the most reputable companies to work for and highly recommended by former and current employees. As such, they receive hundreds and hundres of job applications.
From managers and shift leads to pharmacists and pharmacy technicians to inventory specialists, each of these jobs entails a thorough Walgreens hiring process. Every potential employee must go through the same steps to be hired, although there might be some differences in hiring process depending on the position.
In this article, you’ll learn about the Walgreens hiring process and how to prepare for the Walgreens Assessment Test.
Table of Contents
About Walgreens Online Application
The application process begins when you complete the online application. For most people, this can be done at their own home or at a Walgreens store. However, your local store may also offer paper applications.
The application will consist of your basic information and demographics, past employment and education history, and more. Be sure to complete it as accurately as possible so that the current employee or staff member that looks at doesn’t have any questions about your qualifications.
Personality Test
Taking a personality test for an application screening is becoming standard practice across many industries. Companies want to know that the people they’re hiring will fit in with their company culture, align with their values, and thrive in the work environment. So, it is not surprising that it is a personality test is included in the Walgreens hiring process. The pharmacy looks for the following personality traits, skills, and strengths in potential employees:
- Can work well under pressure
- Can keep calm during stressful situations
- Has Empathy
- Passionate about helping customers (people and their communities)
- Can handle multiple tasks or projects at one time
- Can work with a diverse population
- Can handle complaints or angry customers with a level head
- A team player
- Flexible in all aspects of the job
- Has a strong ethical compass
How to Prepare for the Personality Test
An example of a question that you might see on the personality assessment is:
1. “I can handle stressful situations with a calm attitude.”
a. Yes
b. No
In this test, Walgreens are looking for candidates who can work in stressful situations without becoming overwhelmed or disgruntled. This is a common scenario that happens in jobs that require you to face customers and satisfy them.
When answering a personality test, it’s best to be truthful. Make sure you answer in a way that represents yourself accurately. However, if you find that you don’t match many of the qualities that the employer is looking for, consider if you still want to apply. Remember the tedious Walgreens hiring process is challenging as well.
Personality tests can have a significant impact on the decision-making process for many hiring managers, especially at Walgreens. Your score on the assessment is given a high priority during the hiring process. A technical questionnaire will also be given to you during this portion of the hiring process.
It will ask you different personal questions to see whether you are able to meet the basic requirements for the job. For example, if the position requires you to be able to lift 50 pounds or less, that is something that you would be asked in this section.
In-Store Skills Assessment Tests and How to Prepare for Them
Part of the Walgreens hiring process is the skills assessment tests. All applicants will have to take some form of test to show that they are competent in the required knowledge and skills for the position although there are different pre-employment tests for different positions. However, everyone is required to take two basic sections of a skills assessment test. It covers two sections:
Basic Maths Test. For the most part, this section of the test will ask you to complete simple math questions as it relates to customer service. Examples are making changes and addition/subtraction/multiplication/division problems. It’s important to note that your potential employer can see how long you take to answer each question. These are rated on a scale of 1-3. Be mindful of this; if you consistently score a three, it could give off a negative impression of your performance.
Word Problems. Covering many different areas of knowledge, the goal of this section is to see how well you can analyze given information and answer a question about it. Topics could include reading comprehension and math problems. Again, the questions will revolve around real-life scenarios that could happen on the job. It is extremely application-based.
How to prepare for the in-store skills assessments?
An example of a question you might see in the basic math section is:
“A customer buys product A for $55.35 and product B for $14.15. He has a 12% off coupon. What would be his final total?
a. $8.34
b. $62.85
c. $61.16
d. $57.16”
For answers to the sample questions in this article and more examples of what you might see on the test, visit here.
The In-Store Skills test can be taken at any Walgreens, meaning that you do not have to take it in the main store, you can actually take at your local store even if you are applying for a position in another location. However, you should still arrive 10-15 minutes early and schedule the exam at a time when the store isn’t too busy. Recommended dress is business casual, meaning that you shouldn’t overdress but also should avoid wearing a t-shirt and shorts.
As mentioned earlier, any additional tests you will be asked to take are determined by what position you’re applying for. Below are some examples of tests and positions, follow the links to find specific practice materials for each exam:
- Advanced Microsoft Excel – analysts
- Numerical Reasoning Test – buyers
- Walgreens Skills Assessment – cashiers and customer service positions
- Microsoft Excel (basic or moderate levels) – coordinator
- Personality Test – graduate program and leadership positions
- Walgreens Pharmacy Technician Assessment – pharmacy technician, pharmacist
- DDI Assessment – sales associate
- Hogan Personality Test – high-level executive positions like VP of Supply Chain
To prepare for these assessments, Job Test Prep offers PrepPacks for each test you could be asked to take. All include some form of sample questions, practice tests in multiple areas, and study guides. The purpose is to simulate the types of questions you’ll be asked on the test in a similar format.
By doing this, you’ll understand the concepts behind the questions and how they are structured which can significantly improve your score compared to test-takers who don’t use PrepPacks. Links to specific PrepPacks can be found above in the list of example tests.
In-Person Interview
Depending on where you are located and your potential position, your interview may take place either in-person or virtually. The preparation protocol is similar for both, as you should be prepared to present yourself appropriately and impress the hiring team.
In the interview, you could be asked about your strengths and weaknesses, position specific-questions, and how you see yourself growing within the company. Some example questions are:
- How will you use your experiences from past employment or education to be successful with our company
- Name a time where you failed and how you overcame/handled the situation.
- Name a time when you faced an ethical dilemma and the process you used to resolve it rationally.
- Describe a conflict you had with an employee at a previous job and how you handled it.
- What strengths would you bring to the position you’re applying for? Describe them in a few words.
During the interview, remember that you are acting as your own advocate. While the hiring team will most likely call your previous employers or references that you list, you are your own best reference. Being able to accurately and efficiently describe how you can excel within the company and why you would be the best fit for the position is what they are expecting to hear.
Communication in the interview
Maintaining communication with the interviewer is important before, during, and after the interview. Asking any questions you have about the interview before you go such as location or materials that you may need to bring lets them know that you are prepared. During the interview, be sure to ask relevant questions like:
- Can you tell me a little more about your company culture?
- What does your average workload look like for this position?
- Are employees expected to work individually or as a team?
- Can you describe the employee turnover rate?
- Tell me more about the management style in your company.
Lastly, following up with them to thank them for their time lets the hiring manager know that you are interested in the position and care about your performance. It also will separate you from those who don’t take the time to reach out post-interview, setting a precedent that you are willing to go above and beyond.
Conclusion
Ultimately, the Walgreens hiring process encompasses so many parts to ensure that the people that get hired will be a great, long-term fit for the company. The assessments are meant to help your potential employer and team to understand the skills you possess and how you will fit in with company culture.
Doing your best on them is critical for your success during the hiring process. Utilizing the resources and Prep Packs created by Job Test Prep can only help you score higher and perform better than other applicants. You will definitely stand out from the crowd.
Related Reading:
- Everything You Need to Know About the GSK Assessment Centre
- CVS Pharmacy Assessment Guide
- How to Prepare for Hogan Personality Assessments?
- Kroger Test: Application Process & Assessment Success Guide
- 7-Eleven Assessment Guide
- Boots Health & Beauty Store – How to Get a Job?
Written by Bailee Boggess McCoy
Bailee, MSW, is a freelance writer and editor. She specializes in career, social work, tech, B2B, marketing, and medical, health, and wellness content. She has experience as a job coach, DEI consultant for companies, community-project manager, and clinical researcher. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Georgetown College in 2018, and studied neurolinguistics and developmental psychology at the University of Oxford. She earned her Master’s in Social Work at the University of Kentucky in 2021. Her scientific research has been presented at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference and published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease and Associated Disorders.
