Finding your first post as an occupational therapist

Advice and resources to help you navigate the entire job application process

Joining the occupational therapy workforce

You're nearly there—your studies are wrapping up, and you're ready to take the exciting leap into the world of occupational therapy!

To help you navigate the next steps, we’ve pulled together some useful information to support you through the recruitment process as you search for your first graduate role. This is your time to explore what’s out there, discover the kinds of roles that spark your interest, and start shaping your future in the profession.

Our top tip? Start your job search early. The more time you give yourself, the more confident and comfortable you’ll become at spotting opportunities that feel like the right fit for you.

Finding vacancies

The following sites are useful sources of job vacancies. There are many more sites though, so do take the time to explore where your dream job might be advertised.

Set up alerts, where available, and check these regularly so you never miss out on an opportunity.

Social media (sucah as Linkedin and Bleusky) can be a valuable source of information about upcoming posts. Your university may also share details of vacancies they have been made aware of via employers they work with.

Think laterally about job advertisements! It is important to consider the transferable skills you have gained as an occupational therapist and seek out what employers are asking for - not simply the title of the post. The employer may be asking for the skills and knowledge and understanding you gained from your occupational therapy pre-registration education without calling specifically for an occupational therapist.

Application process

Completing an application form

Having found a job you would like to apply for, take the time to read all the relevant documents provided. There will be information on the organisation, and the role itself. There’s likely to be a job description and person specification provided. Read each document carefully and be clear on what the organisation is requesting is submitted within your application.

Even if you’re applying for multiple roles, make sure to tailor each application to the specific job. Be clear on the deadline date and time.

Make sure you’ve filled in every section using the format requested by the potential employer.

Detailing every qualification might take time, or using a set font might cramp your style, however following instructions, attention to detail etc are likely to be a skill the organisation is looking for, so don’t cut corners.

Check and double check there are no errors. Give yourself plenty of time. Its often worth downloading an editable version of the form so that you can prepare responses and then just cut and paste these when you are ready.

Have all the documents ready to upload before you commence the application – you don’t want to be timed out due to hunting for a GCSE certificate in the garage!

Allow plenty of time – days even – to submit the form. Sometimes documents can take ages to upload, or the server is down. You don’t want to miss out on the perfect job because of a last-minute application.

Preparing your Curriculum Vitae (CV)

Most jobs will ask for an up-to-date CV - so make it count! Tailor your CV for each role by spotlighting the skills and experiences that match what the employer is looking for.There are many places on the web that give good advice regarding CV writing. Here’s a couple:

Prospects (also gives some guidance about using AI to write your CV)

NHS Health Careers

Additionally, do utilise the career guidance and resources that your university offers. Often this guidance is available beyond the completion of your studies, so do check how long they are able to support you for.

Be clear, relevant, succinct, accurate and positive! Proof-reading is essential and it is often easier for someone who has not written the text to spot mistakes, so ask a friend to check it for you. It is better to have a draft or skeleton CV prepared before you begin to search for vacancies. Each stage of the process is time-consuming and there is often not long between finding a vacancy that appeals to you and the deadline for completing the application. When a job catches your eye and matches your skills, tailor your CV to highlight exactly what that employer is looking for.

Writing a personal statement

This is your chance to tell your potential employer exactly why you are the perfect person for the job!

Make sure that, while you might have a generic statement, you amend it for each application to demonstrate the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed for each role. Use the job description and person specification to assist in this.

When you identify a skill you have, provide an example of how you have used this in an impactful way.

In my final placement, my practice educator was redeployed due to staff shortages. I successfully continued my practice placement in this new area utilising my ability to be flexible and a ‘can do’ approach.

Use placement reports, feedback from practice educators, tutors and colleagues to help identify skills that you have and how you have utilised these and how they will be valuable within the job role you are applying for.

Include skills and experiences wider than those gained through your OT education. Just be sure to show how they are relevant to role you are applying for.

Be clear, relevant, succinct, accurate and positive.

If possible, ask someone you trust to give you feedback on the statement to ensure it reads as you intended.

You may find this approach useful:

National Careers Service, The STAR Method

Help from your education provider Careers Advisory Service

A key selling point for universities is how many of their graduates go on to find employment. There are often excellent facilities available to support you in finding the career that suits you. Take advantage of any resources and advice offered by your place of study both within the programme team and the wider university services.

National Guidance to support the recruitment process

England National Careers Service

NIdirect government services

Scotland Skills Development Scotland

Wales Careers Wales Gyrfa Cymru

These sites provide comprehensive guidance for the whole recruitment process. Further relevant websites are also provided in the sections below.

Recruitment agencies

These are too numerous to mention individually. A good idea would be to use a search engine, such as Google, to search for occupational therapy recruitment. Many agencies will help you with compiling your CV and support you through the application process, for example carrying out necessary DBS.

Many of the posts offered through agencies will be locum posts. These can offer unique challenges, so it is important to choose an area that you feel confident in through the experience you gained on practice placements, or previous health and social care work.

Help from your HEI Careers Advisory Service

National Guidance

Recruitment agencies

Interview

Congratulations on being offered an interview!

There are many different formats to these, and it’s important that you understand the requirements of the interview. If you have any uncertainties, do contact your future employer. Do also contact the employer in advance if you have any additional needs so that you can both ensure you are prepared for the interview and put in place any adjustments.

Several of the links in the sections above had some great information about preparing for different types of interviews (e.g. in person or virtual) and how to answer some common questions. The STAR method can be useful in interview situations too.

There is additional comprehensive guidance here in relation to interviews:

NHS Jobs

Don’t forget. As a member of RCOT you will have had the opportunity to join in RCOT’s extensive networks and engage with other professionals who can help you navigate your career. Do include how you have engaged with your professional body to support your personal and professional development.

Good luck with the recruitment process! We’d love to hear about your first roles, and we’re there to support you as you begin your career as an occupational therapist. As an RCOT member you can access RCOT Communities where you can connect, share, and learn with diverse members based on your region, practice area, career level or professional interests.