Crafting an Outstanding Occupational Therapy Resume

If you're an aspiring occupational therapist, your resume is your chance to showcase the healing magic you bring into people's lives. Crafting a standout occupational therapy resume is crucial to landing your dream job. In this article, you'll find expert tips and inspiring occupational therapy resume examples to help you present your skills and experience in the best possible light. Let’s make a job-winning occupational therapist resume!

This guide will show you:

• An occupational therapist resume example that’s better than 9 out of 10 other resumes.
• How to write an occupational therapy resume that will land you more interviews.
• Tips and examples of how to put skills and achievements on an occupational therapist resume.
• How to describe your experience on a resume for an occupational therapist to get any job you want.

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Want to check more samples related to occupational therapy? Here you go:

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Occupational Therapy Resume Example

Here’s how to write your own occupational therapist resume:

1. Format Your Occupational Therapy Resume Correctly

Your occupational therapy resume must stand out in a sea of applications. A well-organized resume format can make a significant impact on hiring managers and boost your chances of getting noticed.

To format your resume for occupational therapy positions:

• Begin with a resume header that includes your name, phone number, email, and LinkedIn profile. These are crucial contact details for a resume.
• You may omit your full street address but do include your city if it matches the company's location.
• Opt for a reverse-chronological resume, which lists your most recent job first. This is the preferred layout for resumes among hiring professionals.
• Choose a clean, professional font like Calibri or Arial. The ideal font size for resumes is between 10 and 12 points.
• Save your resume file as “Your Name - Occupational Therapist - Resume.pdf.” A PDF format is preferable as it preserves your formatting.
• The recommended resume length for entry-level occupational therapists is one page. If you have extensive experience, consider using a two-page resume or more.

Read more: Resume Templates for Word

2. Customize Your Occupational Therapist Job Description

Tailoring your resume to each job is crucial because generic work experience sections don't make the cut. Hiring managers want to see more than just a list of duties; they need to understand your impact and effectiveness.

Here’s how to add relevant experience to your resume:

• Use the exact job title as advertised. ATS-friendly resumes perform best with precise job titles.
• Following the company name and your employment dates, include 3–6 bullet points. Focus more on recent roles and less on older ones.
• Demonstrate your use of relevant skills by highlighting achievements. The most effective resume accomplishments are quantifiable.
• Begin each bullet point with strong resume action verbs like implemented, evaluated, and orchestrated.

Sample Occupational Therapist Responsibilities for a Resume

• Assess patients' needs and develop customized treatment plans to enhance their daily living skills.
• Collaborate with healthcare professionals to ensure comprehensive patient care.
• Implement therapeutic activities and exercises tailored to each patient's abilities and goals.
• Educate patients and their families on treatment plans and progress.
• Document patient progress and modify treatment plans as needed.
• Maintain compliance with healthcare regulations and ethical standards.
• Conduct assessments to determine patients' home and work environments' suitability for therapy interventions.

Remember to use action verbs that convey your responsibilities and achievements effectively. Here are some action verbs for an occupational therapist:

Occupational Therapist Resume Examples: Action Verbs

• Developed
• Assessed
• Implemented
• Facilitated
• Coordinated
• Educated
• Modified
• Collaborated
• Documented
• Evaluated

Read more: Strong Synonyms to Enhance Your Resume

3. Make Your Education Section Count

While most resumes feature an education section, stopping at just listing your degree and institution can be a missed opportunity. To stand out, leverage your educational achievements to highlight additional skills and accomplishments, boosting your appeal to potential employers.

Consider these resume tips:

• Position your degree information right after your work history for maximum impact.
• For entry-level candidates, include relevant coursework to demonstrate your expertise.
• Even with professional experience, mentioning fellowships, scholarships, or leadership roles can enhance your resume.
• Wondering if you should include your GPA? Do so only if it’s high.

Read more: Listing Your Major and Minor on a Resume

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4. Prove the Occupational Therapist Skills the Company Wants

Including the right skills on a resume is essential, but it’s all about precision. Rather than randomly listing skills, target those that match the job description to ensure your application stands out.

Here's how to integrate occupational therapist skills into your resume:

• Extract resume keywords from the job listing and incorporate them into your skills section.
• Keep your skills list focused; don't overwhelm the recruiter with too many entries.
• Enhance your chances by weaving these skills into your job and education bullet points.

Remember that highlighting skills that reflect the core values of occupational therapy, as outlined by the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), can enhance your resume's relevance.

Skills such as patient-centered care, therapeutic adaptability, and an understanding of the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework (OTPF) are especially valuable for showcasing your dedication to the field's standards.

Explore some hard skills for a resume along with soft skills:

Sample Occupational Therapy Resume Skills

• Patient Assessment
• Treatment Planning
• Therapeutic Techniques
• Rehabilitation Strategies
• Patient Education
• Progress Documentation
• Healthcare Compliance
• Home Environment Assessments
• Interpersonal Skills
• Verbal and Written Communication
• Team Collaboration
• Problem-Solving Skills
• Time Management
• Attention to Detail
• Adaptability Skills

Read more: Analytical Skills for Any Resume

5. Add Other Sections to Your OT Resume

To truly stand out, consider enhancing your resume with additional sections demonstrating your dedication and expertise. These can offer a deeper insight into your professional persona and commitment to the field.

Here are a few sections that can elevate your resume:

• Highlight any relevant certifications you’ve acquired, such as a Certified Hand Therapist or Neuro-Developmental Treatment certification.
• If you’ve authored articles in professional journals, include them under publications on your resume to establish authority in your field.
• Memberships in professional organizations, such as the American Occupational Therapy Association, can illustrate your engagement and dedication.
• Volunteer work related to occupational therapy can be valuable. Learn where to put volunteer work on a resume to emphasize relevant skills.
• If you speak additional languages, listing them can be advantageous. Discover how to add language skills to your resume to highlight this asset.

Read more: What Makes You Unique as a Candidate

6. Write an Occupational Therapy Resume Summary or Resume Objective

Capturing a hiring manager's attention quickly is crucial. Given that they often spend just a few seconds scanning resumes, starting with a compelling resume introduction can make all the difference.

Consider crafting a resume profile that succinctly encapsulates your professional essence. Often likened to an elevator pitch, this introduction is a brief yet impactful paragraph at the top of your resume. If you have a year or more of experience, highlight your job title, your value to the company, and noteworthy achievements in a resume professional summary.

If you're crafting a resume with limited experience, leverage your academic achievements or personal projects in a resume objective. This approach is especially useful for newcomers eager to showcase their potential.

Read more: Best Ways to Start Your Resume

7. Write a Cover Letter for Your Occupational Therapy Resume

Writing a cover letter is more important than ever in today's job market. Many applicants tend to send out generic resumes, but a personalized cover letter can set you apart and show genuine interest in the position. It's a testament to your commitment to the specific company and role. Plus, 83% of hiring managers view cover letters as important. 

To craft an effective cover letter, follow these steps:

• Utilize a professional cover letter structure, ensuring it mirrors the header of your resume and includes a polished closing.
• Follow the proper format for a cover letter, keeping it concise with 3–5 paragraphs, and aim for less than a full page.
• Start by capturing attention with the job title and an engaging opening line.
• Use the middle section to highlight major achievements from your resume.
• Conclude with a strong cover letter closing that introduces a few additional skills and expresses your eagerness to discuss how you can contribute to the company.
• Don't forget to send a follow-up email weekly for a month, keeping it brief and attaching your resume and cover letter PDFs.

Read more: How to Write a Job-Winning Cover Letter?

Plus, a great cover letter that matches your resume will give you an advantage over other candidates. You can write it in our cover letter builder here. Here's what it may look like:

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As you craft your occupational therapy resume, remember that each element of your application is a step toward your dream career. Stay confident in your abilities, and let your passion for helping others shine through. Thank you for reading, and feel free to leave any questions about crafting your occupational therapy resume in the comments section.

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Sources

• American Journal of Occupational Therapy, "AOTA 2020 Occupational Therapy Code of Ethics"
• Human Resources Online, "Are cover letters important? 83% of recruiters say yes"