5 questions you may get asked in an occupational therapist interview

Unfortunately, we don’t have a magical crystal ball to reveal precisely what will be asked in your upcoming occupational therapy interview. We can, however, give you a list of FAQs to help you prepare. Here’s a sneak peek of what to expect…

1. What inspired you to work in occupational therapy? 

Here, it is likely that the interviewer wants to hear the specific reason(s) that occupational therapy stood out to you over the multitude of other healthcare careers. You also need to showcase your passion for the industry, perhaps by offering up a recent anecdote on a time you felt you made a real difference to a client. 

2. What makes a successful occupational therapist? 

Make sure to give equal attention to both your soft and hard skills in this answer, all backed up by practical evidence and examples. For instance, if you choose to talk about problem solving then reinforce that it is a crucial quality to have as an OT because the role is centred around creating individualised recovery plans for the patients under your care. Highlight any technological skills here too – perhaps you have experience using text-to-speech software or have an in-depth knowledge of data analysis, all of which you could tie into your answer. 

3. How would you deal with a client who doesn’t want to cooperate during a therapy session? 

Show that you are patient and not going to lose your cool at the first given opportunity. Occupational therapists are in a position of trust so you need to demonstrate that you can be emphatic while maintaining your authority in challenging situations. 

4.How does an occupational therapist fit into a multidisciplinary team? 

This question gives the candidate a chance to illustrate their understanding of the roles of those who they’ll be working closely with everyday. Reiterate which skills you’ll be bringing to the table to help deliver a great service as part of the wider team. 

5. Tell us about a time you felt proud as an occupational therapist? 

The interviewer wants to be assured that this is the right role for you and that you will find it fulfilling. Don’t be shy about highlighting your passion for occupational therapy here – perhaps share an occasion where your client made exceptional progress thanks to your input. 

Note down some answers for these questions ahead of your interview – even if they don’t come up, you’ll go in feeling confident and prepared with an abundance of ideas in your back pocket! 

While you’re here, be sure to check out our general interview tips for further guidance on preparing for the big day. Amaré Health also offers all its candidates detailed feedback after the interview process has drawn to a close, so you can discuss anything that didn’t go to plan (or did!) with our experienced team. 

Until then, good luck!