If you didn’t know, graduate programs in occupational therapy are becoming more and more competitive.
Numerous programs will receive hundreds of applications for the first round, with only 30–50 spots available. And according to the Health Professions and Prelaw Center at Indiana University, most programs will interview 2-3 times as many applicants as they have open positions. In other words, for 40 open positions, programs may interview 80–120 people.
Since OT programs vary in their start dates throughout the year, interviews can occur at any time of the year. For instance, if the program begins in the fall, you can expect your interview to take place in the spring.
Schools will only interview people they truly believe are good candidates for their program, so if you’ve made it past the first cuts and have an interview scheduled, you should feel great since your chances of getting in just improved significantly.
In light of this, it is crucial to invest in the required interview preparation. You should be very familiar with the most typical OT school interview questions and try to learn as much as you can about the school where you are interviewing.
School Based OT Interview – A Day in the Life Series
What characteristics do you associate with being an exceptional occupational therapist?
This question can be used by interviewers for occupational therapy schools to find out whether a candidate is aware of the abilities required to be a successful occupational therapist. You can take advantage of this chance to list the abilities and characteristics of occupational therapists who are currently in practice, as well as the abilities you already have, to align yourself with experts in the field.
As an illustration, “In my experience, a great occupational therapist knows how to communicate with others effectively and kindly so that patients receive any necessary information and fully understand it. To ensure that they can effectively direct patients through exercises, stretches, and any other therapy they might need, occupational therapists must also have a thorough understanding of the industry’s standard practices and the treatments they provide. “.
Do you have any questions for us?
This is a question that an interviewer may use to test your interest in and familiarity with their course and institution. It’s crucial to prepare one or two questions in advance so you can ask them with enthusiasm and make yourself stand out as a prepared candidate. Your response can address any queries you may have regarding the program’s curriculum, campus life, or the particular occupational therapy skills it teaches.
For instance: “I was wondering how long it usually takes students to finish your occupational therapy program and if there are any options to graduate earlier.” I also wanted to know if you could name some courses I might take while enrolled in the program. “.
What is your biggest accomplishment?
By asking you to name and describe an accomplishment you’re proud of, this question allows the interviewer to learn more about your values. By analyzing which values a candidate demonstrates in their response, interviewers can use this to determine whether the candidate’s values align with those of the school. It may be helpful to relate your response to occupational therapy or the particular school you are applying to when answering this question.
Example: “As I finish my bachelor’s degree, maintaining a 4 has been my biggest accomplishment so far.” 0 GPA throughout my undergraduate study. This includes science and lab courses where I learned about contemporary occupational therapy and medical practices, demonstrating my commitment to learning about the industry and the most effective working methods. “.
Questions You Should Ask Them
Before working for a school district, there are many things you may want to know. Additionally, having worked as a travel therapist and had both positive and negative experiences, I’ve narrowed down the types of inquiries that can help you determine whether a district will be a friendly and supportive place to work or a place with excessive workload expectations.
The good news is that a lot of this information can be found online before your interview, so I do want to preface this by saying that if you asked all of these questions in the interview, you’d probably be there for hours. My advice would be to use this list, review the school’s website, and respond to what you can before selecting the inquiries that are most significant to you to bring up during the interview. If the job offer is extended, you will also have the chance to inquire further before accepting.
Common OT School Interview Question Examples
It’s acceptable to respond with “That’s a good question,” pause, and consider your response if you don’t immediately know the answer to a question they ask you.
Welcome to the show notes for Episode 50 of the OT Schoolhouse Podcast.
In this episode, Jayson is joined by fellow occupational therapist Amanda Clark to discuss the distinctions between employment at contract schools and employment at district schools. We discuss how to find your first, or perhaps your fourth, school-based occupational therapy job after identifying the differences.
This podcast does not qualify as a Professional Development Podcast. For your OT/COTA renewal certification, find out more about how to obtain professional development credits through the OTSH Podcast here!
FAQ
How do I prepare for a school based occupational therapy interview?
- Please give us a brief overview of your background, including any relevant training and education.
- How do you manage students with challenging behaviors?
- Give an example of a problem you had with a client or student, and describe how you handled it.
What questions should I ask at an OT school interview?
- Tell us about yourself.
- In your own words, what is occupational therapy?
- Why do you want to become an occupational therapist?
- What distinguishes occupational therapy from speech or physical therapy?
- What qualities do you believe make a great occupational therapist?
What are the top 3 qualities that you think a school based OT needs to have in order to be successful and why?
- Outstanding Communication Skills. Occupational therapists communicate with people a lot throughout the course of their workday.
- Lots of Patience. …
- Creative Problem-Solving Skills. …
- Superb Organizational Skills.
What should I expect at an OT interview?
- Why are you interested in pursuing a career in OT? .
- What characteristics and abilities do you have that would help you be a successful occupational therapist?
- How would you respond if you encountered a challenging patient (or a member of their family)?
