Occupational Therapy Job Tips

Landing a job is all about preparation. If you’re seeking a job as an occupational therapist, be prepared for a face-to-face interview with your potential employer before getting the job. For most people, this is the most intimidating part of the hiring process. But with the right occupational therapy job tips, you’ll face an interview with confidence and even excel at it. 

Occupational Therapy Job Tips

There are many types of occupational therapy jobs that offer many benefits. This article is a guide of awesome tips to help you face any occupational therapy interview with confidence. The tips are designed to help you prepare well and come up with a strategy to get that job you’ve always wanted.

Use Good Body Language

Your body language speaks volumes about you even before you utter a word. You need to demonstrate confidence. Walk briskly, make good eye contact with the interview(s) and shake their hands firmly. During the interview, keep your feet firmly on the ground and sit straight up. It’s normal to be a bit nervous, but try to avoid fidgeting. Think before speaking and avoid blurting answers out just because you think you have to.

Dress the Part

If you want to become a pediatric occupational therapist, then you need to dress for the job. Although you will likely be dressing casually or wearing scrubs as an occupational therapist, it’s important to dress professionally for the interview. Avoid any excessive cologne, makeup or jewelry and keep your clothing conservative.

Be Prompt

Make sure you’re on time for the interview. Being late sends a negative message. Try to be there about ten minutes early and if you don’t know where the interview location is, find out ahead of time.

Prepare for Probing Questions

You may be asked questions that probe into your background to see what kind of person you are and to confirm the information you’ve provided. As an occupational therapist, you need to be tactful in dealing with people. Interviewers want to understand where you are at this point. Examples of questions you might be asked include:

• What’s the toughest decision you’ve ever had to make?
• Why did you choose a career in occupational therapy?

Research the Employer

It helps to do some research on the organization you’re interviewing with. Leverage various sources to get a little insight on the company and their policies.

Practice the Interview

It’s not a bad idea to practice the interview before the real thing. Get a relative or friend to play the part of the interviewer. It may seem counterproductive, but if you’re not comfortable with an answer during the mock interview, then it’s probably not the right answer. So, work on it.

Ask Questions

Prepare a few questions that you’re going to ask during the interview. Asking questions shows interest and initiative. However, you want to avoid asking about payment unless the interviewer brings it up. If you are wondering what the day-to-day process of being a pediatric occupational therapist is, go ahead and ask. 

Bottom Line

There’s a lot to be nervous about when applying for your first job but with the right occupational therapy job tips, the process should be less stressful. Start planning early and be sure to do some research on your potential employer. It’s also important to prepare for hypothetical questions that are designed to see how you’ll react in stressful situations.