Interviewing can be a pretty nerve-wracking experience, especially when it comes to something that you’re very passionate about- like getting into OT school! And like most things, preparing in advance is a sure fire way to help ease nerves and set you up for success. So I’ve put together a list of interview questions, both common and unique, to get you thinking and to help guide your preparations for the interviews that will hopefully be coming your way once you’ve applied to grad schools!
I’ve also included some tips to better help you prepare before the interview and on interview day with the help of some fellow OT students and OT grads!
Interview Questions:
- Tell me about yourself.
- What are your strengths?
- What are your weaknesses?
- Why do you want to be an OT?
- What was one defining moment that made you realize you wanted to be an OT?
- How would you deal with conflict?
- Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
- Describe the profession of occupational therapy.
- What is the difference between occupational therapy and physical therapy?
- How do you think this specific program will benefit you and your goals?
- Why would you choose OTD over MOT, or vise versa?
- Tell me about your involvement in your community.
- What do you think is the most important quality in being an OT?
- Why do you think you would be a good fit here?
- How do you cope with a busy schedule? Stress?
- What challenges are you looking for?
- Are you an organized person?
- How do you prioritize?
- What is your favorite book to read and why?
- Give an example of a time when you went above and beyond in your academics.
- What aspect of OT do you like best?
- Are you interested in one specialty? Why?
- What was something that stood out to you during your observations?
- What are your goals?
- Do you have any questions?
Tips for Interviews:
- Don’t forget to smile!
- Prepare some questions beforehand, they may open the floor up for the interviewees to ask questions.
- Bring mints, not gum!
- Don’t be afraid to show your personality.
- Be authentic.
- Keep your answers concise, and focus on the topic at hand.
- Bring copies of your resume, just in case.
- All of the other people interviewing are in the same shoes as you, they may seem more put together or more prepared, but they are just as nervous as you are. Don’t be intimidated.
And just remember, out of all the applicants that tried to get into the program, YOU got an interview! That is no small feat! Not everyone even gets to have an interview. So walk in there with confidence, know WHY you’re there, show your passion and your personality, and you’ll be golden.
Good luck!
Instagrammers that submitted sample questions and tips for me to use on this blog:
@jeanette.otr @amandaceleste7 @olivera.health.and.happiness
Go check them out!
OT Caroline 