Congratulations, new graduate occupational therapists! You’ve put in the hard work, completed your education, and now you’re ready to embark on a fulfilling career in occupational therapy. As you begin your job search, one of the most critical tools in your arsenal is your resume. Crafting a compelling resume that effectively showcases your skills and experiences is essential for landing your first job as an occupational therapist.

What Should You Include in Your Professional Resume?

Contact Information

Include your full name, phone number, email address, and optionally, your physical address and a professional photo at the top of your resume.

Professional Summary/Objective

Begin your resume with a concise professional summary or objective statement. Highlight your key skills, experiences, and career objectives. Tailor this section to the specific job you’re applying for, emphasizing your enthusiasm and readiness to contribute as a new graduate occupational therapist. And remember to keep it short!

Work or Clinical Experience

This section is where you’d include your fieldwork experience. Highlight any other clinical experience you gained during your education, including internships. Additionally, if you had any other previous related experience such as working as a rehab tech, social worker, etc., use this space to highlight those work experiences.

Education

List your educational background (exclude high school). Your occupational therapy degree should be the first item listed.  Include the name of the institution, degree earned, and graduation date. Mention any honors, awards, or relevant coursework that demonstrates your academic achievements.

Licensure and Certifications

If you’ve obtained your occupational therapy license or any relevant certifications, make sure to include them in this section. Provide details such as the issuing organization, certification/license number, and expiration date if applicable. 

If you are applying for jobs before obtaining your license you can list your license as “pending” and include the expected date of obtaining your license.

Skills

Showcase your technical and soft skills relevant to occupational therapy. Technical skills may include proficiency in therapy techniques, assessment tools, and assistive technologies. If you used a specific assessment tool during your fieldwork experiences, list those in this section (i.e. PDMS-2, Sensory Profile, FIM, etc.). 

Also, include any experience you gained with certain documentation systems during your fieldwork.

Additionally, soft skills such as communication, empathy, and teamwork are also crucial for success in this field.

Continuing Education/Professional Development

If you had exposure to continuing education credits during OT school, you can list these here. This includes workshops or free CEUs you may have taken. Any conferences you attended or presented at would also be included in this section. 

Professional Affiliations

Mention any memberships in professional organizations related to occupational therapy. This is where you would list your AOTA membership if still subscribed. 

Volunteer Experience (Optional)

If you have relevant volunteer experience in occupational therapy or healthcare, include it in this section. Describe your roles and responsibilities, emphasizing any valuable skills or experiences gained through volunteering.

References

Consider including a statement indicating that references are available upon request. Be prepared to provide references from supervisors, professors, or clinical instructors who can attest to your qualifications and character.

Remember to tailor your resume to each job application, highlighting the qualifications and experiences most relevant to the position. By following the guidelines outlined in this blog post, you’ll be well-equipped to impress potential employers and take the first step toward a successful career in occupational therapy. Good luck!