Recreational Therapist Interview Questions & Answers

Recreational therapists plan, direct, and coordinate recreation-based treatment programs for people with disabilities, injuries, or illnesses.

Interviewers look for candidates that demonstrate excellent skills such as:

• Leadership skills
• Patience
• Compassion
• Speaking skills
• Listening skills
• Resourcefulness

In this blog, we discuss commonly asked interview questions during job interviews for Recreational 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.

Compassion

Why interviewers are interested in how compassionate you are:

Recreational therapists should be kind and empathetic when providing support to patients and their families. They may deal with patients who are in pain or under emotional stress.

Leadership skills

Why interviewers are interested in your leadership skills:

Recreational therapists must plan, develop, and effectively implement intervention programs. They must be engaging and able to motivate patients to participate in a variety of therapeutic activities.

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

Listening skills

Why interviewers are interested in your listening skills:

Recreational therapists must listen carefully to a patient’s problems and concerns. They can then determine an appropriate course of treatment for that patient.

Patience

Why interviewers are interested in how patient you are:

Recreational therapists may work with some patients who require more time and special attention than others.

Resourcefulness

Why interviewers are interested in your resourcefulness:

Recreational therapists customize treatment plans for patients. They must be both creative and flexible when adapting activities or programs to each patient’s needs.

Speaking skills

Why interviewers are interested in your speaking skills:

Recreational therapists need to communicate well with their patients. They must give clear directions during activities or instructions on healthy coping techniques.

(source: bls.gov)

Recreational 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 Recreational 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 Recreational Therapist Behavioral Interview Questions

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

1. What is your approach to showing empathy when providing support to patients and their families?
2. Give me an example of how you engage and motivate patients to participate in various therapeutic activities.
3. What do you consider your greatest achievement as a recreational therapist?
4. How would you rate your communication skills? Can you give an example of how you give directions during activities or instructions on healthy coping techniques?
5. Give me an example of a time you thought outside of the box to solve a problem.
6. Tell me about a time you had to deal with a difficult or challenging patient. What made it such a challenge, and how did you solve it?
7. Describe a time you had to change your plans within a moment’s notice. What happened, and how did you adapt?
8. Tell me about a time you had to deal with a stressful situation at work. How did you handle it?
9. How would you rate your creative thinking skills? Can you give me an example of when you came up with a new idea and approach to engage patients?
10. Are you flexible in your time? Can you give me an example of a time you were available at a time when a patient needed you the most?

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