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Occupational Therapist Resume Examples (Advanced Tips & Cover Letter)
You'll learn:
Occupational therapists are there to help achieve the maximum functionality of patients with some type of limitation, whether it is physical, cognitive, behavioral, or a variety of them, through meaningful activity and/or therapeutic workshops.
An occupational therapist resume also needs to have maximum use and not be limited. Including all relevant details and presenting them in the right way will help you land that interview for the position you are aiming for.
This guide will show you all you need to know for writing an occupational therapist resume.
Making an occupational therapist resume: The basics
Before getting your hands on making an occupational therapist resume, it is important to know the following points to avoid mistakes when writing your OT resume.
✍🏻 Step 1: occupational therapist resume v.s. occupational therapist CV
The differences lie in length, purpose, and format. An occupational therapy CV can be made of several pages detailing your whole life and it is used for positions in academia or research. On the other hand, an occupational therapist resume is no more than 2 pages and it is used for most job vacancies.
As for the format, an occupational therapist resume is more flexible and personalized while a CV generally requires a more formal format.
📝 Note: The choice of using an occupational therapist resume and an occupational therapy CV also relies on where you are located. Some countries and regions use both documents interchangeably.
✍🏻 Step 2: Pick the right resume format
Your qualifications determine what format works best for your occupational therapist resume.
In order to know which one works best, let’s look at the four types of formats for an occupational therapist resume:
- Chronological: A format that emphasizes your work history in reverse chronological order.
- Functional: A format that prioritizes your skill sets and achievements over work experience.
- Combination: This format is a hybrid version using elements from the previous two formats.
- Targeted: This format is highly customized for a specific job.
There is no “best format” as choosing the most appropriate one relies on your background. For making an occupational therapist resume with vast experience, you can use a chronological format.
For freshers, career changers, and occupational therapy students, choosing a functional resume format may be wise.
For new grads or those with few years of experience making an entry-level occupational therapy resume, a combination format might be the best choice.
✍🏻 Step 3: Tailor your occupational therapist resume to the job description
Matching skills and qualifications from the job posting in an occupational therapist resume increases chances to get that interview.
✍🏻 Step 4: Search for online occupational therapist resume examples
Take a look at some occupational therapist resume templates and use any useful aspects you deem to improve your resume.
✍🏻 Step 5: Proofread
Make sure your occupational therapist resume has zero mistakes and remove things that are irrelevant to the position.
✍🏻 Step 6: Make an occupational therapist cover letter
Reach out to recruiters at a personal level with an occupational therapist cover letter. A cover letter increases your chances to have your occupational therapist resume taken into account.
Making a great occupational therapy resume: What to include
1. Resume Profile (Personal Information)
This section in your occupational therapist resume goes on top and contains contact details for employers to reach you out. The most essential details go here. It is important to take a look at what you can include and what to avoid including when making an occupational therapist resume.
What to Include:
- Full name
- Professional
- Phone number
- LinkedIn profile
- Personal Website/Portfolio
What to NOT include:
- Salary
- Sexual Orientation
- Social Security Number/ID details
- Martial Status
2. Resume Headline
A resume headline in an occupational therapist resume puts a key highlight upfront in a single sentence. It goes along the resume profile and before an occupational therapy resume objective or summary.
Occupational Therapist Resume Headline Example:
- Occupational Therapist With Expertise in Adult Physical Medicine.
- Therapy Assistant With 14 Years of Experience Treating Patients of All Ages
🔎 The purpose of a resume headline in an occupational therapist resume is to give your value as an applicant in a concise way, so keep it in a single line.
3. Resume Summary and Resume Objective
Choosing between a resume summary or a resume objective as a professional in occupational therapy depends on how much relevant experience you possess and how you want to reach recruiters.
This comprehensive table helps you see which one fits best for you as you write an occupational therapist resume:
Resume Summary
- Displays the job seeker’s key qualifications and accomplishments.
- Shows your overall value towards the employer based on past work experiences.
- Suitable for practitioners with a lot of relevant experience.
Resume Objective / Career Objective
- Highlights the job seeker’s skill sets.
Talks about applicant’s career goals, and what type of job they seek. - Shows your interest and ambitions to contribute to the company’s goals.
- Suitable for freshers, entry-level, and career changers.
Examples of Occupational Therapy Resume Summary:
- Occupational Therapy Assistant Resume Summary Example:
“OT assistant with 4 years of experience in helping and assisting patients of all ages. Count with advanced skills in treatment interventions and clinical reasoning. Familiar with assistive devices, prosthetic devices, as well as training. Possess a valid driver’s license.”
- Pediatric Occupational Therapy Resume Summary Example:
“Pediatric Occupational Therapist with 8 years of experience in young patients in catering to each child’s needs by providing quality care and following best standards. Collaborated with parents and colleagues to adjust program activities that enhanced occupational skills. Proven history of following corresponding treatments for each patient. Possess an Associate Degree in OT and an OT license.
Examples of Occupational Therapy Resume Objective:
- Occupational Therapy Assistant Resume Objective Example:
“OT assistant with 3 years of experience in residential care, with an interest in geriatric rehabilitation. Possess the ability for teamwork and general rehabilitation. Looking for an assistant position at Avaco to help improve residents’ lifestyles with my skills and strong devotion to a healthcare environment.”
- Pediatric Occupational Therapist Resume Objective Example:
“Pediatric OT with 2 years of experience and a strong passion for helping children. Well-versed in making treatment plans catered to childrens’ needs. Eager to work at Jason Goode Therapy to facilitate effective development on patients and ensure each patients’ needs are met.”
4. Skills
Skills are essential for any OT. Some skills were obtained during training, while other skills are obtained in the course of life. It is important to have these skills for an occupational therapy resume.
Here are some examples an occupational therapist resume would have:
Hard skills
- Assess Patient Needs
- Hydrotherapy
- Care planning
- Acute Rehabilitation
- Patient Diagnostics
Soft skills
- Flexibility
- Active Listening
- Patience
- Critical Thinking
- Compassion
💡 Reminder: Both sets of skills in an occupational therapist resume are relevant to anyone involved in treating patients. “Empathy” and “Listening Skills” are just as important as Patient Diagnosis and Research.
5. Work Experience
For each entity listed in an occupational therapist resume, the following details should be included:
- Job title
- Name of organization
- Employment Dates
- Duties and Responsibilities
- Accomplishments (if any)
Example for an Occupational Therapist Resume:
Occupational Therapist
Maddo Provincial Hospital
Dec. 2010 - Dec. 2012
- Supported over 200 different patients in their evaluation and kept track of doctor’s instructions.
- Participated in treatment plans for patients, including follow-up recommendations.
- Maintained and updated department equipment inventory.
6. Education
Remember to list where you got your degree in your occupational therapist resume.
Each school you list shall display the name of the university/college, degree obtained, location, and the year of graduation.
Education Examples for an Occupational Therapist Resume:
- Associate Degree in Occupational Therapy, St. Catherine University, Minnesota, 2012
- Bachelor of Science and Physiology, Michigan State University, Michigan, 2016
CakeResume provides the right occupational therapist resume templates & formats for you to showcase your skills and experiences. Sign up to create and download the best occupational therapist resume now for FREE!
Making a strong occupational therapist resume: 6 advanced tips
In order to give an edge to your occupational therapist resume, here are some tips to follow.
✅ Make an ATS friendly occupational therapist resume
Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is a software tool recruiters use to screen job applications. If your occupational therapist resume does not pass this screening process, it will be tossed into the bin before reaching HR.
To avoid this, use an easy-to-read and text-based layout and implement keywords from the job description in your occupational therapist resume.
✅ Customize your occupational therapist resume for the job posting
For each job application, tailor your occupational therapist resume as each job vacancy lists different skills and qualifications.
✅ Use keywords in your occupational therapist resume
A simple way to make customizations is to implement keywords from the job description in your occupational therapist resume, such as case management, N.D.T. training, license, ADLs evaluation, etc.
✅ Detail which type of patients is your focus
Some jobs look for professionals to treat children, elderly patients, special needs, etc. If you match this, it is best to specify details in both your occupational therapist cover letter and resume.
✅ Quantify work results
Results in numbers in an occupational therapist resume show you are truly capable to undertake the job in a more credible and objective way.
✅ Use action words (verbs) in an occupational therapist resume
Using action verbs commands the ability to undertake the role and shows character when it comes to fulfilling the duties you were in charge of in the past.
Making a cover letter for an occupational therapist
An occupational therapy cover letter is usually made up of the following sections:
1. Contact details
At the top of your occupational therapist resume, state your name, email, and phone number.
2. Opening
State which position you are applying for and briefly state how you are an asset (based on experience or skills). Don’t go into details as this will be covered later.
3. Motivation
Explain why you are passionate about both the position and the organization, as well as how thrilled you are to make a difference. Make sure you try your best to align with the organization’s values and mission. It’s a great chance to show that you have done your research and understand the organization well.
4. Qualifications
This part is the backbone of your occupational therapist cover letter. Narrate how your past experiences contributed to gaining relevant qualifications for the job opening. Explain the skills you acquired from previous responsibilities and how they make you qualified for this role.
5. Closing
Show that you appreciate them for reading your application and you are more than happy to hear back from them.
Occupational Therapist Resume Sample
Kara Jennings
OT Who Has Treated More Than 400 Patients
Mobile: (+22) 900-1749
Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/karajennings
Professional Summary
Occupational therapist with 6 years of experience and a proven track record of finding innovative ways to help patients participate and excel in their recovery. Well-versed in using OT equipment for everyday tasks and assistive technology when required. Outstanding communication skills with colleagues and patients.
Work Experience
Occupational Therapist
Wells Medical Center
Apr. 2016 - Apr. 2019
- Established treatment objectives and treatment plan to attain established goals.
- Conferred with patients, colleagues, and other medical practitioners to evaluate the intervention program.
- Supervised and mentored 20 occupational therapy assistants.
Occupational Therapist
Southwest Hospital
Feb. 2013 - Mar. 2016
- Helped 300 patients and received praise from the majority of patients.
- Delivered high-quality reports in a timely manner.
- Observed and offered guidance to individuals assisting in the Occupational Therapy program.
Education
2012, Bachelor of Science and Physiology
New York University, New York
Hard Skills
- Patient Diagnostics
- Hydrotherapy
- Exercise Physiology
- Treatment Techniques
- Care Planning
Soft Skills
- Work Ethic
- Interpersonal Skills
- Patient
- Teamwork
- Flexibility
--- Originally written by José J. Rosales ---
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