Guide to Building a Standout Occupational Therapist Resume

For occupational therapists, your resume is often the first impression you make on a school. Whether you’re entering the field or pursuing your next opportunity, your occupational therapist resume should clearly communicate how you help students build functional skills, independence, and confidence in everyday activities.

A compelling occupational therapist resume goes beyond listing credentials. It shows how your interventions improve participation in school, play, and daily life. This guide walks you through how to structure your resume so it highlights your strengths, experience, and impact in a way that resonates with hiring managers.

Must-Have Sections for Your Occupational Therapist Resume

When creating your occupational therapist resume, each section should clearly showcase your qualifications and the value you bring to your clients or students:

• Contact Information: Include your full name, professional email address, phone number, and general location. Make sure your information is current and easy to find.
• Professional Summary: Start with a brief overview of your background as an occupational therapist. Highlight your primary areas of practice—such as pediatrics, school-based therapy, sensory integration, or rehabilitation—and emphasize your approach to supporting functional independence.
• Licensure and Certifications: List your OT license, NBCOT certification, and any state-specific credentials. You can also include relevant continuing education, specialty certifications, or therapy-focused training.
• Professional Experience: Detail your work history in reverse chronological order. For each role, include your job title, employer, location, and dates of employment. Use bullet points to describe key responsibilities such as conducting evaluations, developing treatment plans, implementing interventions, collaborating with interdisciplinary teams, and documenting progress.
• Education: Include your degree(s) in occupational therapy or related fields, along with the institution names and graduation dates. You may also note fieldwork placements, clinical rotations, or internships that demonstrate hands-on experience.
• Skills: Feature a mix of clinical and interpersonal skills. This section should reflect both your technical expertise and your ability to communicate, adapt, and collaborate effectively.

Key Skills to Feature on Your Occupational Therapist Resume

As an occupational therapist, your skill set is central to helping students improve function and quality of life. Showcasing both hard and soft skills on your resume demonstrates that you can deliver effective therapy while working well with students, families, and care teams.

Clinical and Technical Skills

These skills reflect your professional training and hands-on experience in occupational therapy practice:

• Functional and standardized assessments
• Treatment planning and goal setting
• Fine motor and sensory integration interventions
• Activities of daily living (ADL) training
• Assistive technology and adaptive equipment
• Documentation and progress monitoring

Interpersonal and Professional Skills

Equally important are the qualities that support strong therapeutic relationships and effective teamwork:

• Empathy and student-centered care
• Collaboration with families and multidisciplinary teams
• Problem-solving and critical thinking
• Clear verbal and written communication
• Organization and time management

Tips to Help Your Occupational Therapist Resume Stand Out

In addition to strong content, these best practices can help your occupational therapist resume catch the attention of recruiters and hiring managers:

• Use role-specific keywords: Terms such as “occupational therapist resume,” “functional assessments,” “treatment planning,” and “ADL interventions” can improve visibility in applicant tracking systems.
• Choose a simple, professional layout: Clean formatting, consistent headings, and readable fonts make your resume easier to scan.
• Focus on outcomes: Use bullet points that begin with action verbs like “evaluated,” “implemented,” “collaborated,” or “improved.”
• Include measurable results: When possible, note outcomes such as improved fine motor skills, increased independence, or successful goal attainment.
• Customize for each role: Tailor your resume to match the school needs by emphasizing the most relevant experience.
• Proofread thoroughly: Attention to detail matters. Review your resume carefully to eliminate spelling, grammar, or formatting errors.

Take the Next Step in Your Occupational Therapy Career with VocoVision

Occupational therapists play a critical role in helping students participate more fully in school and daily life. VocoVision connects experienced therapists with schools and organizations nationwide, offering flexible opportunities to make a meaningful impact.

If you’re ready to put your occupational therapist resume to work, explore current OT opportunities with VocoVision and take the next step in growing your career.