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An entry-level OT position requires a highly qualified and eager applicant. Your tasks will be similar to an experienced OT but you may have a more senior colleague, guiding you and overseeing your work.
As mentioned, you will need to have at least a master’s degree in OT or a closely related field and will need to be appropriately certified if you live in a region or state that required certification. Here is a successful resume sample you can use as a blueprint for your resume.
You may not have a lot of experience to impress recruiters with, so try and get as many strong certifications in the field as possible. It helps you stand out from the crowd and shows recruiters that you are dedicated, hard-working, and qualified.
If you have done projects that offer patients tools to improve their lives, be sure to include them in your resume. The skills and knowledge you gained there will be relevant and transferable to an OT position.
As a government agency, we have spoken with hiring managers at top healthcare organizations like Mayo Clinic, Johns Hopkins Medicine, and UnitedHealth Group to gather insights on what makes a strong entry-level occupational therapist resume. Based on their feedback and our expertise, we've compiled a list of essential tips to help you craft a compelling resume that showcases your qualifications and increases your chances of landing an interview.
Employers want to see that you have hands-on experience in occupational therapy settings. Make sure to emphasize your clinical rotations, internships, or volunteer work.
Instead of simply listing your responsibilities, quantify your impact and achievements:
A resume summary is an optional section that highlights your most impressive and relevant skills and experiences. While it's not required, a well-written summary can help you stand out to hiring managers and provide additional context about your background. This is especially useful if you're changing careers or have a lot of experience. However, avoid using an objective statement, as it's outdated and focuses on what you want rather than what you can offer.
When writing your summary for an entry-level occupational therapist position, focus on your relevant education, clinical experience, and key skills. Keep it concise - aim for no more than 3-4 sentences. Tailor it to the specific job you're applying for by incorporating relevant keywords.
Your work experience section is the most important part of your entry-level occupational therapist resume. It's where you show hiring managers how you've applied your skills and knowledge in real-world settings. Even if you don't have direct experience as an occupational therapist, you can still highlight relevant experiences that demonstrate your ability to succeed in the role.
When describing your work experience, use strong action verbs that are relevant to occupational therapy. This helps hiring managers quickly understand your capabilities and how you've applied them in previous roles.
Examples of strong occupational therapy verbs include:
Your education section is a critical part of your entry-level occupational therapist resume. It shows employers that you have the necessary qualifications and training to succeed in the role. Here are some key tips to keep in mind when writing your education section:
The skills section of your resume is one of the most important parts, especially for entry-level occupational therapists. It's where you highlight your relevant abilities and knowledge to show employers you're qualified for the job. But it's not enough to simply list a bunch of skills - you need to be strategic about what you include and how you present them.
Here are some key tips to keep in mind when crafting your skills section:
Here are examples of popular skills from Entry-Level Occupational Therapist job descriptions that you can include on your resume.
This word cloud highlights the important keywords that appear on Entry-Level Occupational Therapist job descriptions and resumes. The bigger the word, the more frequently it appears on job postings, and the more likely you should include it in your resume.
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