12 Interview Questions for OT School (With Answers and Tips)
An occupational therapist is a medical specialist who assists patients with daily tasks. Many occupational therapists work with patients who have disabilities, chronic illnesses, or injuries that require them to relearn basic skills like walking, eating, and dressing. Because occupational therapists perform specialized work, it is vital that they attend an accredited university that can offer them with the appropriate training and competence. In this article, we will look at 12 interview questions that you may be asked at an occupational therapy school interview. Questions for OT School
12 Interview Questions for Occupational Therapy Schools
Here are 12 possible interview questions for occupational therapy school:
Please tell me something about yourself.
An interviewer may ask you this question to gain insight into your personality. You might take this opportunity to tell your interviewer about your interests and to show areas of your personality that were not visible in your application.
Example: “My name is Cathy, and I’ve lived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for the past nine years. I’m originally from Malibu, California, and I love being outside in the summer, but I moved to Philadelphia for college. One of my favorite things to do is volunteer at my local hospital since I enjoy making folks feel at ease during medical visits. I also have a brother who has lost motor abilities, so I’ve spent a significant amount of time caring for him and assisting him with daily duties.”
What are some of your strengths and weaknesses?
This question might show an interviewer which skills you are confident in and which you would like to develop. The response of an interviewer may also reflect your self-awareness as a candidate and how well you can articulate your abilities to perform in the industry. To answer this question, identify occupational therapy strengths and limits that can be demonstrated positively.
Example: “My greatest assets are my communication abilities and compassion for the patients with whom I deal. These skills allow me to put any patient I help at ease throughout their appointment and boost my ability to engage with others. One aspect of my professional skill set that I’d like to improve is time management, as I can sometimes spend a considerable period of time with patients who like conversation and support throughout their treatments.”
Please describe one of your previous leadership roles.
This question may be asked by interviewers for occupational therapy programs to measure your leadership ability. To appropriately train and assist patients during treatment, occupational therapists who guide their patients through therapy frequently require exceptional leadership abilities.
Example: “Because my brother has battled with motor skills for the most of his life, I spent the majority of my childhood and adolescence aiding him with everything he needed. This means I’ve had to make decisions on how to best find solutions to make my brother’s life easier, such as making sure he went to his therapy appointments and creating a daily schedule for him. Managing my brother’s care taught me how to manage multiple visits at once and make decisions based on how well my actions would benefit my patients.”
What are your professional goals?
An interviewer may ask this question to determine how extensively an applicant has researched their prospective job options. Interviewers might also break this topic into two halves by asking about short-term and long-term goals. As a result, you can provide solutions for your short-term and long-term goals, as well as a schedule for each, indicating to interviewers that you’re prepared and have considered career advancement.
Example: “I hope to complete occupational therapy school and work as an occupational therapist within the next five years. After getting more professional experience and creating a client base, I hope to open my own occupational therapy office one day.”
How familiar are you with occupational therapy?
Because occupational therapy can be a hard subject, an interviewer can use this question to discover how much a candidate already knows about the field. Interviewers may be searching for responses that offer specific details about the field in general or about the responsibilities of an occupational therapist. You can include knowledge from personal learning and research, as well as areas of occupational therapy in which you have expertise, to answer this question.
Example: “I’ve known occupational therapists my entire life and am well-versed in their field. I spent my childhood attending my brother’s occupational therapy sessions, so I’m familiar with many common exercises, communication protocols with patients, and the overall responsibilities of an occupational therapist in the area.”
What inspired you to become an occupational therapist?
An interviewer may use this question to gain insight into a candidate’s interest in occupational therapy and why they want to work in the field. While there are many alternative solutions to this question, an interviewer for an occupational therapy school may require extensive and personalized responses. You could answer this question by discussing your own experiences with occupational therapy and emphasizing the aspects of the subject that most interest you.
Example: “I’ve always wanted to be an occupational therapist since I admired the therapists I observed while watching my brother go through it. My main goal is to provide occupational therapy in methods that make patients as comfortable and open to treatment as possible, because I’ve seen how a great occupational therapist can positively impact someone’s life and want to do the same.”
What drew you to the occupational therapy program at our university?
Interviewers might use this question to see how much research a candidate has done on their school and occupational therapy program. This can show an interviewer how enthusiastic a candidate is about their particular school or program, as well as provide insight into the aspects of an educational program that they value the most. Look up pertinent facts about the school you’re applying to on their website or speak with someone in the admissions department to prepare for this question.
Example: “Your school’s occupational therapy program is ranked second in the state, which impresses me. This, I believe, indicates how well your program can prepare students for work in the occupational therapy field and makes me excited to learn from such knowledgeable professionals. Another reason I’d like to attend your school is because of the testimonies I’ve read from previous students who have gone on to establish their own occupational therapy practices, since each entry is filled with passion, and I aim to open my own practice in the future.”
What can you do to assist our occupational therapy program?
An interviewer may ask you this question to judge your commitment to the study of occupational therapy. Because many occupational therapy programs require applicants to work in the field and witness occupational therapists in action, knowing that a candidate is prepared for the demanding work that the business requires might be useful. In schools with major research departments, this inquiry can also identify individuals who, if allowed, may be able to undertake useful research for the department. You could answer this question by defining your objectives for your time in occupational therapy school.
Example: “I am a hardworking student who believes that if admitted to your occupational therapy program, I will be able to provide meaningful coursework and research to your department. Because I have substantial personal experience with occupational therapy, I can also share insights into the most effective occupational therapy practices I’ve seen. Overall, I am confident that I can provide hard work and dedication to your curriculum, which I believe will benefit my fellow students.”
What characteristics do you associate with a great occupational therapist?
This question may be asked during an occupational therapy school interview to determine a candidate’s understanding of the abilities needed to succeed as an occupational therapist. You might use this opportunity to emphasize abilities and traits you’ve observed in practicing occupational therapists, as well as skills you already possess, in order to connect yourself with experts in the area.
Example: “In my opinion, a fantastic occupational therapist knows how to communicate with people swiftly and courteously so that patients receive and thoroughly comprehend any critical information. Occupational therapists must also be well-versed in the field’s fundamental processes and treatments in order to properly guide patients through exercises, stretches, and any other therapy that may be required.”
Please give an example of a time when you advocated for occupational therapy.
An interviewer may use this question to gain a better grasp of a candidate’s passion for occupational therapy and to determine how far it extends beyond academic duties. You could, for example, answer to this question by telling a story about a time when you successfully delivered occupational therapy outside of a classroom or an occupational therapy office. This could highlight both your interest for the field and your particular skills.
Example: “Because I’ve spent my whole career in occupational therapy, I try to advocate for the profession by suggesting it to anyone who I believe would benefit from it. For example, when a friend of mine was injured in an accident and required assistance with daily duties, I advised her about the benefits and comforts that completing occupational therapy may give, such as boosting her strength and learning new methods for accomplishing everyday tasks.”
What is your most cherished accomplishment?
By asking you to identify and describe an experience you’re proud of, this question can show your values to an interviewer. Interviewers can determine whether a candidate’s values align with those of the institution by analyzing which values are highlighted in their response. When answering this question, it can be helpful to choose anything related to occupational therapy or the specific school to which you are applying.
Example: “As I near the finish of my bachelor’s degree, I consider my greatest achievement to be maintaining a 4.0 GPA throughout my undergraduate studies. This includes labs and scientific classes where I learnt about new ways in occupational therapy and medicine, displaying my dedication to learning about the industry and best practices for success.”
Do you have any queries for us?
An interviewer may ask this question to gauge your interest in and knowledge of their program and school. It is critical to prepare one or two questions to ask so that you may demonstrate passion and stand out as a prepared candidate. Any reservations you have about the program’s coursework, campus climate, or the specific occupational therapy skills it teaches can be addressed in your response.
Example: “One question I have is how long it takes students to complete your occupational therapy program and if there are any early graduation possibilities. I was also wondering if you might suggest any other classes I could take during the program.”
Tips for Occupational Therapy School Interviews
Consider the following tips as you prepare for occupational therapy school interviews:
- Make sure you arrive on time for your interview.
- Describe your experiences with occupational therapy.
- Prepare questions to ask the interviewer before you leave for the interview.
- Investigate and become acquainted with the school with which you are interviewing.
- Maintain a cheerful demeanor throughout the interview.
- Interview responses should represent your personality.
