Here are 10 top tips to help you find a position as an occupational technician.
Tip #1
Do some research as to the primary requirements for jobs in occupational therapy in your state. Do you need to undertake formal training, or can you be employed with just a high school diploma and the commitment to complete job-related training courses? Every state will have slightly different requirements, so take the time to read the selection criteria of a number of different ads for jobs in occupational therapy. If you need to complete an associate's degree, then your first step toward obtaining this position is to enroll in an appropriate course if you haven't already done so. If you have completed a relevant associate's degree, then you're in an ideal position to obtain a technician job in occupational therapy.
Tip #2
If you need experience to obtain a position and you haven't gotten any, consider volunteering in a career-type position, as this is often enough to satisfy a requirement for experience. If you are studying at an associate's level, take the opportunity to do internships or work-placements to ease your transition into the workforce.
Tip #3
Carefully consider the type of environment you want to work in. For example, do you want to work in geriatric care, rehabilitation, or disability support, amongst other possibilities? Begin to peruse job ads well before you are ready to apply because this will give you a list of potential employers you can contact directly when you're ready.
Tip #4
Keep an eye on the websites of these employers. You can save a lot of time by targeting your ideal employers. Most employers have websites these days on which they advertise job vacancies. Not only can you read the job descriptions and essential criteria online, you can often apply online as well for jobs in occupational therapy. This gives you a head start in the job-search process.
Tip #5
When you're ready to begin applying for jobs in earnest, online job sites can quickly show you the available jobs in a particular category. You can request email alerts when any new jobs are available that meet your requirements. This can save you a lot of time in actually locating suitable jobs.
Tip #6
Don't forget your local and regional newspapers. Browse their employment sections every week to see if a suitable job is advertised. Respond immediately to any positions you're attracted to.
Tip #7
Specialist health or medical employment agencies can also be excellent sources of occupational therapy jobs. In fact, many of these agencies provide temporary staff to clients. These temporary occupational therapy jobs often pay reasonable hourly rates and offer great opportunities to gain experience and access to different workplaces. Often enough, in fact, temporary employment is a pathway to a good full-time job. Some people find that they actually prefer the variety and flexibility of temporary work, though, and decide not to accept a permanent position.
Tip #8
Be willing to phone, write to, and visit potential employers. You can sometimes find work by making contact at just the right time. You can suggest that you are willing to be on-call as a casual until you find a permanent job you like. If they take you up on this and you get some experience at their workplace, they may offer you permanent work as a result.
Tip #9
It is also a good idea to adjust your resume slightly for different jobs so that you can emphasize the different achievements and skills that would be most relevant for each of them. Your resume and application letter also need to be neat, clean, and professional, with no spelling or grammatical errors. If you feel unable to make certain of this yourself, have someone you trust read through and edit these documents for you. It can even be worthwhile to employ a professional resume writer to create professional documents for you if you are not confident of your own abilities in this area.
Tip #10
When you attend a job interview, it's important to dress neatly and appropriately. Neat, casual clothing will be acceptable for most workplaces. Take copies of any academic transcripts and certificates, along with any written references, in a folder. Be professional, courteous, and friendly in manner during your interview. Also, be prepared to answer and ask questions of your interviewer or interviewers. You will need to show genuine interest, care, and concern for your potential clients and in the values and goals of the given organization.
Occupational therapy technicians enjoy many of the benefits of working in an occupational therapy role without the responsibilities shouldered by a professional occupational therapist. You can also gain a lot of knowledge and experience of occupational therapy working as a technician, which will no doubt help you should you decide to undertake further studies. By following some or all of these tips, you will be able to get the right technician job in the right work environment for you.
