(Newswire.net — October 2, 2019) — What are some good occupational therapy job tips that will help you land the right job? Believe it or not, but there are some things that you need to keep in mind in order to pass your first therapist job interview questions with honors.
Occupational Therapy Job Tips
Don’t worry, you don’t need to memorize occupational therapy buzzwords or something like that: all occupational therapy jobs, be it pediatrics, mental health, etcetera, just need a specific procedure in order to leave a long-lasting impression that will surely bring your dream job straight to your door, and this article will guide you through the steps that’ll drop some jaws during your first interview and get you the job that fits you the best.
Choose Well Your Employment Options
You need to know first what kind of setting fits you best. There are many types of occupational therapy jobs out there. You need to define what makes you feel comfortable and what kind of environment would help you grow and succeed. Even if you applied to similar facilities, not all of them are particularly the same, so you must ask yourself this before applying: what can you do at the workplace, what is best for you and what can they provide you?
This will help you narrow down options and make it easier to find your best workplace.
Apply
Once you’ve gotten a pair of fitting facilities on your list, it’s time to apply. Send first your cover letter; it must be brief (don’t write your whole biography and your CV.), well-written, with clear objectives and reasons to apply for this job, a convincing explanation as to why you’re the best candidate and a description of your aptitudes (always highlight your qualifications and strengths.).
As for your CV, it mustn’t cover more than 2 pages and never be the same for each job you apply for (as we said, no place is the same; even if they’re in charge of the same field, tailor your CV according to their needs). Even if you have little to no experience as an OT, show your knowledge through concise, field-related terms and speak of your other experiences – they don’t have to be related to occupational therapy – where you showcase your skills. Be specific about your previous activities, education, degrees, fieldwork, special skills (other languages you can speak, for example), awards and events you participated in.
Pass the Interview
Once you’ve found your ideal workplace and prepared your paperwork, it’s time to get ready for the interview. But first, some useful pointers.
Do some research on the facility you want to work at and get to know their daily routine; although you’ll be the one to be interviewed, it’s fair to make some questions during the interview, just in case you want to get more information (and also impress them with your interest in them.). Now, prepare some mock interviews with the help of your family or friends and practice until you feel ready and confident for the actual interview.
On the big day, present your best self: your key documents, your best appearance, your punctuality, good posture, a nice and interested attitude, and respectful demeanor.
Depending on the results of that day (did they like you? Did you like them? Do you like their rapports and facilities? Was there something that didn’t convince you?), you can choose from there what to do next: either accept and get into their facility, or go to the next one – rinse and repeat.
Is there a high demand for occupational therapists?
Of course. Employment of OTs might grow 24% from 2016 to 2026, much faster than your average job. It’s considered one of the best paid and most rewarding jobs worldwide.
What are the different fields of occupational therapy?
Gerontology, Mental Health, Pediatrics and Physical Rehabilitation are some of the most popular OT jobs, but some other unique fields are the Driving and Community Mobility, Environmental Modification, and Feeding, Eating, and Swallowing fields. You have a wide range to choose from and each come with many benefits.
To summarize, you need to begin all processes very early, prepare everything on time and always be open to every field available in the facility you want to work at (sometimes, when looking for occupational therapy jobs, pediatrics become gerontologists instead.), and never stop doing your research, both for professional and personal improvement. Whether you are looking into pediatric occupational therapy or gerontology occupational therapy, these occupational therapy job tips will surely help you pass through every therapist job interview questions and processes smoothly. You really don’t need to know lots of occupational therapy buzzwords or any other mumbo-jumbo: you just need to let your own vocation and experience speak for yourself and let them impress your future contractors.