Occupational Therapist Interview Questions & Answers

Occupational therapists treat patients who have injuries, illnesses, or disabilities through the therapeutic use of everyday activities.

Interviewers look for candidates that demonstrate excellent skills such as:

• Communication skills
• Interpersonal skills
• Adaptability
• Compassion
• Patience

In this blog, we discuss commonly asked interview questions during job interviews for Occupational Therapist positions. We also discuss the qualities that interviewers look for in successful candidates. In other words, we’re here to help you out!

Also, read more about frequently asked job interview questions here and check our job interview preparation checklist.

Skills Interviewers Look For In Successful Candidates

Below we discuss the skills you can highlight in your answers to demonstrate that you’re qualified for the job.

Adaptability

Why interviewers are interested in your adaptability:

Occupational therapists must be flexible when treating patients. Because not every type of therapy will work for each patient, therapists may need to be creative when determining the treatment plans and adaptive devices that best suit each patient’s needs.

Learn more about adaptability interview questions and how to answer them!

Communication skills

Why interviewers are interested in your communication skills:

Occupational therapists must listen attentively to what patients tell them and must explain what they want their patients to do. When communicating with other members of the patient’s medical team, therapists must clearly explain the treatment plan for the patient and any progress made by the patient.

Learn more about communication interview questions and how to answer them!

Compassion

Why interviewers are interested in how compassionate you are:

Occupational therapists are usually drawn to the profession by a desire to help people and improve their daily lives. Therapists must be sensitive to a patient’s needs and concerns, especially when assisting the patient with personal activities.

Related: Pediatric Occupational Therapist Interview Questions & Answers

Interpersonal skills

Why interviewers are interested in your interpersonal skills:

Because occupational therapists spend their time teaching and explaining therapies to patients, they need to earn the trust and respect of those patients and their families.

Patience

Why interviewers are interested in how patient you are:

Dealing with injuries, illnesses, and disabilities are frustrating for many people. Occupational therapists should exhibit patience in order to provide quality care to the people they serve.

(source: bls.gov)

Occupational Therapist Job Interview Questions & Answers

During a job interview, the hiring manager wants to discuss several things. Think of your:

• Employment history
• Skills and abilities
• Accomplishments
• Job qualifications
• Educational background
• Career goals
• Personality

Below you find a list of commonly asked interview questions.

Examples Of General Occupational Therapist Interview Questions

1. Tell me about yourself.
2. How would you describe yourself?
3. Why do you want to work here?
4. What interests you about this position?
5. Walk me through your resume.
6. What motivates you?
7. Why are you leaving your current job?
8. Describe your work ethic.
9. What is your greatest strength?
10. How does your experience qualify you for this job?
11. What is your greatest weakness?
12. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
13. Tell me about a challenging work situation and how you overcame it.
14. What are your expectations for this position?
15. What are your career goals?
16. Why should we hire you?
17. What did you like most about your last position?
18. What did you like least about your last position?
19. How do you handle stress?
20. What is your greatest accomplishment?

Learn how to answer these common job interview questions!

Examples Of Specific Occupational Therapist Behavioral Interview Questions

Learn more about answering behavioral interview questions by using the STAR interview technique.

1. Give me an example situation that shows that you’re creative when determining a treatment plan and adaptive devices that best suit a patient’s needs.
2. When communicating with other members of a patient’s medical team, how do you ensure that you clearly communicate the patient’s treatment plan and progress?
3. Give me an example of a challenging moment you had with a patient. How did you handle it?
4. Walk met through the steps you take when you determine a treatment plan for a patient.
5. Tell me about your proudest achievement as an occupational therapist practitioner.
6. What did you do in the last year to improve your knowledge in the fields of occupational therapy?
7. Give me an example of a time you witnessed care that you thought was not good enough or not the right treatment. What did you do?
8. What skills make a good occupational therapist? Can you give me an example of a time you successfully used those skills?
9. What would you do if you disagreed with a directive or instruction from a supervisor?
10. Tell me about your strategy of establishing goals for a patient. Can you give me an example?

Learn more about questions to ask the interviewer during your job interview.