Are you ready to be an occupational therapist? Show
You’ve received your degrees, passed the NBCOT, and obtained your licensure. It may seem like the long road is almost over, but there’s still one last hurdle: getting hired. Securing an OT position is going to look a bit different from your average job search. The biggest factor you’ll want to prepare for is the lengthy job interview process. Fortunately, you have the ability to familiarize yourself with the types of questions an interviewer will ask. Read on for the top 9 most common occupational therapy interview questions. How to Prepare for an Occupational Therapy InterviewPreparation is key to nailing an OT interview, and this includes more than just the questions. While everyone’s pre-interview process will be unique, there are a few tips that can help even the most nervous candidate succeed. Try these three tactics to prepare for your next occupational therapy interview:
By having your own questions at the ready, you’re signalling to the interviewer that you’re interested in them just as much as they’re interested in you. The Bottom Line: Preparing for your interview isn’t just about memorizing answers. You want to make sure you’re calm, confident, and prepared to ask the right questions. Show your interviewer that occupational therapy comes naturally to you! What Types of Questions Will an Interviewer Ask?The most common occupational therapy interview questions can be broken up into three main categories: personal questions, work history, and future employment. Below are some possible questions an interviewer may ask within each of these categories. Personal QuestionsIn an OT interview, you may be asked personal questions early on that relate to your work style, goals, and general lifestyle choices. Some of the most popular personal questions that an OT interviewer will ask are:
The Bottom Line: These are just a few examples of personal questions that an interviewer may ask. Occupational therapy is all about working with people, so you want to make sure your answers reflect your kindness, work ethic, and ability to collaborate. Work HistoryIf you’ve worked as an occupational therapist before, your interviewer is likely to have some questions regarding previous positions. For newly licensed OTs, these questions may be applicable to your time in school or your observation hours. Below are some of the most common topics you’ll want to prepare answers for:
The Bottom Line: Your work history is bound to come up in any occupational therapy interview. Prepare answers that explain both the positive and negative aspects of your previous employment, without making yourself seem incompetent or difficult to work with. Future EmploymentIn addition to previous jobs, your employers are even more interested in how you’ll fit into their work environment. This section of the interview will test your knowledge of the facility and reveal what benefits you can bring to the position. These are three common questions an interviewer may ask in regards to hiring you:
The Bottom Line: Your potential as an employee is perhaps the most important part of your occupational therapy interview. Tap into the qualities that make you a unique worker, and show the interviewer what you’d bring to the position. Don’t Let Unexpected Questions Throw You OffGetting some practice never hurts when it comes to the hiring process, so don’t be afraid to run through your answers alone or with a friend. Utilize your strengths, have confidence, and stay alert. If you’re truly prepared, even the most surprising questions won’t be able to throw you off. And if you ever are thrown off, just remember, you’re human—it’s okay. Take a deep breath, say, “that’s a good question,” and answer honestly. Start Your Occupational Therapy Career with Host HealthcareDo you share two passions in life? One of occupational therapy, and another of traveling? If so, Host Healthcare is the perfect opportunity for you. Becoming a travel occupational therapist with Host Healthcare is simple—just apply as an OT, and you’ll be paired with a recruiter. Soon enough, you’ll be saying hello to a brand new city with a job waiting for you. Traveling occupational therapy is the perfect solution for those who want steady work without being tethered to one place. Make your live-work dreams come true, all while helping others, and start your career with Host Healthcare today. Sources:
What are 5 questions you would ask at the end of an interview?Questions to ask at the end of a job interview. How would you describe the company's culture? ... . What is your favorite thing about working for this company? ... . How do you see this company evolving over the next five years? ... . How would the person in this role contribute to this vision?. What questions should I ask in final interview?Questions to ask in a final interview. What does a typical day look like in this position?. Can you tell me about the team I'd be working with?. Who will I be working directly under?. Are there any reservations about my fit for the role that I can address?. What questions should I ask an occupational therapist?Questions to Ask an Occupational Therapist. What can you be doing outside of therapy? ... . Does your therapist have any specialized training in treating your condition? ... . Has research been published in the past five years to support your treatments? ... . How much will treatment cost? ... . What are your alternatives to OT?. What questions should I ask at the end of my third interview?At the end of the third interview, you are expected to ask more in-depth questions such as "Who held this position before and where are they now?" and "What is the most challenging problem the person in this position needs to solve?" The third interview is also an appropriate place to begin salary talks.
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