Student Career Webinar Series – Embarking on your job search

Searching for your first job as an occupational therapist may see you filled with a mix of emotions: excited, daunted, overwhelmed, eager – the list goes on. Whatever emotions you’re feeling, it’s quite normal as you take your next step into the world of OT and all it has to offer both personally and professionally. 

Choosing a role that suits you

Choosing a job that suits your skills, interests and workstyle preferences requires careful consideration, so take your time. Don’t feel like you have to say yes to a job just because your peers all have jobs, or it is the first role you’ve been offered.

Reflect on your clinical placements and university lectures and tutorials to support you to identify an area of practice you are passionate about. Consider also how you like to work: do you like to work in a structured environment with close supervision, or do you work best with lots of autonomy knowing that you can call upon your supervisor when you need support? Do you like to have a routine and to know where you are going each day, or do you prefer new places and tasks every day? The answers to these questions will influence what role is best for you. You may be suited to a hospital OT role that is very structured but fast paced, or a role in the community where you are delivering services in homes, schools and workplaces with more distant supervision and less day-to-day structure.

Whatever your work and practice preferences may be, know that occupational therapy is one of the fastest growing allied health professions and OTs are in high demand. The options for you as a graduating OT are almost endless. You also have Occupational Therapy Australia (OTA), the peak national professional body for OTs, there for you and ready to support you now and always in your OT career.

Do your research

When embarking on your job search, do your research! Ask lots of questions about potential workplaces. Finding out about the pay is important, but there are lots of other things to consider and ask of a prospective employer. These are just some things you may want to research before accepting a role:

• Look into the other perks of employment
• Find out about the values and vision of your prospective employer to see if they resonate with you
• Ask about the supervision and support you will be offered (by who, how often, in-person or remotely, etc).
• Look into whether you will be working to billable hours
• Find out if you’ll need to use your own car and if travel costs will be reimbursed
• Ask about financial support available to undertake CPD and time off to attend

The supervision and support you get in your first few years as an OT are extremely important. A good experience at the beginning will set you up for your career ahead. If you want to learn more about supervision, click here to complete OTA’s free online training modules (log into your member account for access).

Make a great first impression

First impressions count, so ensure every engagement with a potential employer is professional. Use your cover letter to introduce yourself and show your passion and interest in the role. Make sure your CV is clear and concise with examples to demonstrate your achievements and experience where possible. 

When it comes to the interview, have a good understanding of your qualities, knowledge and skills and how you will add value to the organisation. Prepare examples for key areas of likely questions and practice and practice some more! Approaching the interview professionally, calmly and with confidence will allow you to put your best self forward for the job.   

Over the coming months, as you take those next steps towards getting your first job, there is a lot you can do to set yourself up for success in your OT career:

• Build your professional networks
• Undertake paid or voluntary work to boost your CV
• Join OTA (with free membership for students) to stay connected with OTs and the latest OT information and developments

For more information, visit OTA’s Student Hub. You’ll find useful resources and recordings from our previous Student Career Webinars to help further set you up for career success.
 

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