The healthcare industry continues to grow, and among its most rewarding career paths is that of an occupational therapist (OT). As an OT, you play a vital role in helping people regain independence, improve their quality of life, and adapt to challenges caused by illness, injury, or disability. But before you can land your dream job in this meaningful field, you need a resume that communicates your skills, expertise, and compassion effectively.
In this guide, we’ll walk through everything you need to know about crafting a strong resume, including resume structure, essential sections, writing tips, mistakes to avoid, and how to tailor your resume for the specific OT role you want.
Why a Strong Occupational Therapist Resume Matters
With the increasing demand for healthcare workers, one might assume that getting hired as an OT is easy. But the reality is, competition remains fierce. Hundreds of qualified applicants often apply for the same position, especially in urban hospitals or specialized facilities.
A resume that simply lists job duties may not be enough to differentiate you. Instead, you need a resume that:
- Showcases your impact (how your work improved patient outcomes or program efficiency).
- Demonstrates versatility (experience across pediatrics, geriatrics, mental health, or orthopedics).
- Highlights certifications and licenses (state licensure, NBCOT certification, specialized training).
- Communicates soft skills like empathy, problem-solving, and communication, which are as essential as technical knowledge.
Think of your resume as your first client session—it’s where you establish trust, set goals, and demonstrate value.
Key Elements of a Strong Occupational Therapist Resume
Your resume should follow a clear, professional format that makes it easy to scan. Here are the must-have sections:
1. Header with Contact Information
This is the simplest part of your resume, but it must be done correctly. Hiring managers should immediately know how to reach you without wading through unnecessary details.
What to include:
- Full name – Bold at the top, slightly larger font than the rest.
- Phone number – Direct line, avoid work numbers.
- Professional email address – Use a format like firstname.lastname@email.com. Avoid casual emails (e.g., otgal4life@gmail.com).
- LinkedIn profile – Optional but recommended; make sure it’s updated and matches your resume.
- City/State – Enough to indicate your location without a full street address.
Tip: If you hold professional credentials (e.g., OTR/L), add them next to your name in the header: Jane Smith, OTR/L.
2. Professional Summary or Objective
This is your elevator pitch—a short introduction that tells employers who you are and what you offer. It should be tailored to the job you’re applying for.
- For experienced OTs: Use a professional summary that emphasizes your background and results.
- For new grads: Use a career objective that highlights your education, clinical rotations, and career goals.
Example – Experienced OT:
“Compassionate and licensed occupational therapist with 5+ years of experience in pediatric and geriatric rehabilitation. Skilled in developing individualized treatment plans, improving patient mobility, and collaborating with interdisciplinary teams. Dedicated to empowering clients to achieve greater independence and quality of life.”
Example – Entry-Level OT:
“Recent Master of Occupational Therapy graduate with clinical experience in acute care and school-based therapy. Skilled in patient assessment, ADL training, and sensory integration strategies. Seeking to bring passion and evidence-based care to a pediatric OT role.”
Tip: Keep this section to 3–4 sentences, focused, and aligned with the job posting.
3. Core Skills Section
This section gives hiring managers a quick snapshot of your competencies. Use bullet points or a grid layout to make it easy to skim.
Examples of core skills for OTs:
- Patient Assessment & Evaluation
- Treatment Planning
- Neurological Rehabilitation
- Pediatric Therapy
- Sensory Integration
- ADLs (Activities of Daily Living)
- Assistive Technology Training
- Documentation & EMR Systems
- Interdisciplinary Collaboration
- Patient & Family Education
Tip: Choose 8–12 skills that best match the job description. For ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems), use exact keywords from the posting.
4. Professional Experience
This is the heart of your resume. Employers want to see how you’ve applied your skills in real settings and what results you achieved.
What to include for each role:
- Job title
- Employer name and location
- Dates of employment
- 4–6 bullet points highlighting accomplishments (not just duties)
Example Entry:
Occupational Therapist
St. Mary’s Rehabilitation Center | New York, NY | June 2019 – Present
- Conduct individualized patient assessments and design treatment plans for patients recovering from stroke and traumatic brain injuries.
- Implement adaptive equipment training that improved patient independence scores by 25%.
- Collaborate with physical therapists, speech therapists, and physicians to create comprehensive care plans.
- Document progress using EMR systems, ensuring compliance with HIPAA and facility standards.
Tip: Use action verbs (developed, facilitated, improved, implemented) and quantify results when possible (e.g., “reduced fall incidents by 15%” or “helped students improve handwriting speed by 30%”).
5. Education
OT positions require at least a Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy, and some professionals also pursue doctoral-level education.
How to format:
- Degree(s) earned
- University name and location
- Graduation year (optional if you prefer not to disclose)
Example:
- Master of Science in Occupational Therapy – XYZ University
- Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences – ABC College
Tip: If you’re a new graduate, list relevant coursework, fieldwork placements, or capstone projects to showcase your applied learning.
6. Licenses & Certifications
Licensure and certifications are non-negotiable in this field. Without them, employers cannot consider your application.
Common listings:
- NBCOT Certification (OTR/L)
- State License (list the state(s) you’re licensed in)
- CPR/First Aid Certification (if relevant)
- Specialty training (Hand Therapy, Sensory Integration, Neurodevelopmental Treatment, LSVT BIG, etc.)
Tip: If you hold multiple state licenses, highlight them—it shows flexibility and eligibility for broader opportunities.
7. Additional Sections (Optional but Valuable)
These extras can set you apart from candidates with similar qualifications.
- Professional Affiliations: Membership in AOTA or state OT associations shows commitment to the field.
- Research or Publications: Particularly valuable if you’ve contributed to OT journals or presented at conferences.
- Conferences & Workshops: Highlights continuous learning and professional development.
- Volunteer Work: If you’ve volunteered in clinics, schools, or community outreach programs, it demonstrates your passion and initiative.
Tip: Only include these if they add value. For example, mentioning you attended the AOTA Annual Conference is helpful; listing a generic unrelated workshop is not.
Tips for Writing a Compelling Occupational Therapist Resume
Even with the right structure, the way you write and tailor your resume makes all the difference.
1. Use Action Verbs and Quantifiable Results
Instead of saying “Responsible for patient evaluations”, say:
“Performed comprehensive patient evaluations, resulting in tailored therapy plans that improved recovery time by 15%.”
Action verbs like developed, implemented, improved, coordinated, facilitated, enhanced give your resume more impact.
2. Tailor to the Job Description
Hiring managers often use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to filter resumes. To pass through, make sure your resume includes keywords from the job posting. For example, if the job description emphasizes “neurological rehabilitation” or “pediatric therapy,” include those terms where applicable.
3. Keep it Professional and Concise
A resume should typically be one to two pages. Focus on your most relevant experience and cut out unnecessary details like unrelated jobs from over a decade ago.
4. Highlight Both Clinical and Interpersonal Skills
OTs need more than technical expertise. Employers want to know you can communicate with families, motivate patients, and collaborate with colleagues. Balance hard and soft skills in your resume.
5. Don’t Forget Continuing Education
The OT field evolves constantly. Highlight recent workshops, CEUs, or training programs to show your commitment to growth.
How to Tailor Your Resume for Different Occupational Therapy Roles
The OT profession is diverse, and each setting values different skills and experiences. By tailoring your resume, you can show employers that you’re the right fit for their specific needs.
Pediatric Occupational Therapist
When applying for pediatric roles, highlight your ability to connect with children and support their developmental needs.
- Highlight work with children who have developmental delays, autism spectrum disorders, or sensory processing issues.
- Show experience using play-based therapy, sensory integration, or fine motor skill programs.
- Emphasize your ability to collaborate with parents, teachers, and multidisciplinary teams to support a child’s growth.
- Example impact: Helped improve classroom participation or daily living independence for young clients.
Geriatric Occupational Therapist
For geriatric positions, focus on your skills in supporting older adults to maintain safety, mobility, and independence.
- Focus on experience supporting older adults with stroke recovery, arthritis management, dementia care, or fall prevention.
- Demonstrate knowledge of adaptive equipment and home modifications that promote safety and independence.
- Highlight your patience and communication skills when working with elderly clients and their families.
- Example impact: Enabled seniors to regain mobility and confidence in performing activities of daily living (ADLs).
Mental Health Occupational Therapist
In mental health settings, show how you’ve contributed to patient recovery and independence through therapeutic interventions.
- Showcase work in psychiatric facilities, rehabilitation centers, or community programs.
- Emphasize skills in therapeutic communication, behavior modification, and group interventions.
- Show how you’ve helped patients build coping strategies, manage stress, or develop social skills.
- Example impact: Supported clients in achieving greater independence through structured daily routines.
School-Based Occupational Therapist
When applying to schools, highlight your ability to integrate therapy into educational settings and support student success.
- Emphasize experience creating and implementing Individualized Education Programs (IEPs).
- Highlight collaboration with teachers, administrators, and parents to support student learning.
- Show ability to adapt therapy to the classroom, focusing on handwriting, sensory needs, or participation in academic activities.
- Example impact: Helped students improve focus and performance in the classroom environment.
Should You Include a Cover Letter with Your OT Resume?
While your resume provides a snapshot of your qualifications, a cover letter allows you to tell your story in a more personal way. For occupational therapists, where compassion, empathy, and communication are as important as clinical expertise, a cover letter can make a powerful impression.
Why a Cover Letter Matters
- Showcases Personality: Employers want to know you’re not just skilled but also approachable, caring, and passionate about patient care.
- Demonstrates Motivation: Explaining why you’re drawn to their specific facility or population shows genuine interest rather than a generic application.
- Expands on Key Achievements: Your resume may list outcomes, but the cover letter allows you to describe one or two meaningful success stories with context.
- Bridges Career Gaps or Transitions: If you’re switching from pediatrics to geriatrics, or moving from a school to a hospital setting, a cover letter helps you explain the transition.
Take the Next Step in Showcasing Your OT Expertise
You’ve seen how tailoring your resume for different occupational therapy roles can make all the difference. If you’re ready to present your skills with the same precision you bring to your patients, our professional resume writing service is here to help.
Let us craft a customized OT resume that highlights your achievements, resonates with employers, and gets you interviews faster.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to include my fieldwork experience on my OT resume?
Yes, especially for new graduates. Fieldwork demonstrates hands-on training and can be presented like professional experience until you gain more paid roles.
How far back should I go when listing work experience?
Generally, highlight the last 10 years of relevant experience. Older roles can be summarized if they’re still valuable to your OT career path.
Should I include GPA on my occupational therapist resume?
Only include GPA if you’re a recent graduate and it’s 3.5 or higher. Once you have significant work experience, it’s no longer necessary.
Is it acceptable to include non-clinical jobs on my OT resume?
Yes, if they highlight transferable skills like communication, leadership, or teamwork. Just keep the descriptions brief and tie them to qualities useful in occupational therapy.
How do I handle employment gaps in my OT resume?
Be honest and keep it simple. If you took time off for family, further education, or travel, you can mention it briefly in a cover letter or interview. Focus on what you gained during that period.
