Occupational Therapist Resume Examples and Template

An occupational therapist treats and supports patients who've experienced an illness, injury or disability by developing treatment plans to help them accomplish everyday activities. By developing gradual improvement plans surrounding regular activities like getting dressed, occupational therapists (OTs) can help their patients improve their conditions, develop and maintain new skills or recover ones they've lost. Learning more about this role and discovering how to create an effective OT resume can help you begin a successful career search. In this article, we describe how to write an occupational therapist resume and share two resume samples to help you prepare your own document. To upload the template into Google Docs, go to File > Open > and select the correct downloaded file.

How to write an occupational therapist resume

Here are seven steps you can follow to craft a document that demonstrates your OT qualifications:

1. Use an effective header

Including a clear and readable header at the top of your resume can help immediately demonstrate your professionalism. In the header, add your full name, phone number, professional email address, city, state and professional website in bold. This will make it easier for a hiring manager to contact you with questions or an interview request. Related: Occupational Therapist Resume Examples and Templates

2. Write a professional summary

Located near the top of your resume, a professional summary can be the first chance you have to begin describing your fit for a new role. Write one to three sentences describing your skills, education and professional experience or achievements that most clearly qualify you for a role. You can also briefly include a description of what you're looking to achieve in your new position. Related: How To Write an Effective Resume Summary (With Examples)

3. Illustrate your work experience

Select two or three of your most relevant professional roles and list them, beginning with your most recent position and working backward. For each entry, add a position title, start and end dates, company name, and location. If you've held relevant internship roles that you believe showcase your skills, include those as well. With each entry, list your job duties and their impacts as bullet points. To articulate your achievements succinctly, use strong, action verbs like "helped" or "guided." You can also include specific, numeric information about your positions, such as the number of patients you worked with per week. Read over the job description and include your most relevant experiences. Related: Day in the Life of an Occupational Therapist: Duties, Work Environment and Specializations

4. List your skills

After the work experience section, add a bulleted skills list. Select three or four relevant skills hard, industry-specific skills, like therapy techniques, or soft, general skills such interpersonal skills or communication. If you've missed any requirements from the job description, include them in this section. Related: Occupational Therapist Skills: Definitions and Examples

5. Include your education

Many OTs receive a master's degree in OT after earning a relevant bachelor's degree, like one in biology or physiology. If you've met this requirement, list both your bachelor's and master's degree programs, beginning with your master's. For each educational program, include the degree name, institution and graduation year if you have finished the degree within the last three years. Otherwise, leave the year off. Related: How To List Education on a Resume

6. Create a certifications section

For the last section of your resume, briefly list any certifications you've earned. This can include any OT licenses and any additional certifications you've pursued to advance your skills. When you add each certification or license, include the name of the certifying institution and the date you received your designation. Related: How To List Certifications on Your Resume in 5 Steps

7. Proofread

Before distributing your resume, proofread it carefully. This can help you eliminate errors and ensure that you've conveyed your qualifications to the best of your ability. Some popular methods for proofreading include printing out your document and marking errors by hand, reading it out loud or accepting feedback from a friend or family member. Related: 27 Proofreading Tips That Will Improve Your Resume