Where to Look for a Job

• Search for job listings on the OTAC job board or online job portals

• Attend job fairs and national and state conferences to establish connections

• Reach out to your network of colleagues and classmates; utilize email and social media (i.e., Linked In, Glass Door, etc.) 

• Contact your former fieldwork site about opportunities (Lawrence & Marquard, 2021)

Preparing your Resume/CV

• Sections to Include:

• • Objective or summary statement (relevant to the position that you are applying to)

  • Education and degrees earned

  • Licenses and/or certifications

  • Fieldwork experiences including advanced learning experiences

  • Prior work experience as it applies to the job you are applying to (do not list every babysitting or retail job you ever had)

  • Special skills (i.e., foreign languages, American sign language, etc.) 

  • Awards or publications (relevant to your job search)

  • Participation in professional organizations, such as OTAC and AOTA (Lawrence & Marquard, 2021)
    
    

(Lawrence & Marquard, 2021)

• • Be brief; do not tell your whole life story or regurgitate your resume

  • Use spelling and grammar check; proofread several times

  • Items to include in a cover letter:

  • • Describe your unique qualifications and strengths that relate to the requirements of the job

    • Explain what you can bring to the company and team

    • Describe what you think the company can bring to you or do to continue your professional abilities

    • Thank the company for their time and consideration of your application (Lawrence & Marquard, 2021)

• • What does a typical day/week look like?

  • What is the typical caseload?

  • What are productivity expectations?

  • What assessments and equipment are available?

  • Can you observe or shadow before accepting an offer?

  • What does the orientation process consist of?

  • Is there a clinical ladder or a path for professional growth?

  • Is there mentorship available? Is it onsite or remote?

  • Does the company support or reimburse for continuing education, state association membership or licenses? (Lawrence & Marquard, 2021)

• • What is a typical day in the setting? Are you paid for your time? 

  • What are the productivity expectations? Does that impact reimbursement? 

  • Did other practitioners appear professional and collegial? Were they happy to be there? 

  • What did client-therapist interactions look like? 

  • Did you observe occupation-based interventions in the setting?

  • What is the condition of the equipment? 

  • Do practitioners use evidence in their everyday practice?

  • What are the salary and benefits (i.e., health care, retirement plan, vacation time, etc.)?

  • Does the facility or setting align with your values? (Lawrence & Marquard, 2021)

    
    

• • Be prepared to discuss and negotiate; do not be afraid to counter an offer or ask if the company is at the top range of their offer

  • Click here OT salary information 
    

  • Click here OTA salary information

  • If you’re a member of AOTA you can find additional salary information here

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 Click here to find a job in Colorado!

References

AOTA State Affairs Group. (2021, February 20). OTA supervision requirements.

https://www.aota.org/-/media/corporate/files/secure/advocacy/licensure/stateregs/supervision/ota-supervision-requirements.pdf

American Occupational Therapy Association. (2021). Occupational therapy roles. https://www.aota.org/About-Occupational-Therapy/Professionals.aspx 

American Journal of Occupational Therapy, November/December 2014, Vol. 68, S34-S40. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2014.686S04