Occupational Therapist Cover Letter

Occupational therapists help people overcome barriers caused by chronic pain, illness, disability, or injuries.

They work with a variety of patients, including the elderly, working-age adults, and children. OTs provide patients with diverse forms of practical support so they can return to work or school, or live an independent life.

According to the US Bureau of National Statistics, occupational therapists make $85,570 on average in the US, though this number varies considerably from state to state.

As the average age in the US continues to rise, forecasters predict the number of occupational therapy jobs will grow by 14% between 2021 and 2031.

But occupational therapy is competitive, and getting NBCOT-certified won’t guarantee you work in your dream setting.

Here are three things to remember when you write your occupational therapy cover letter.

1. Use the right cover letter format

Occupational therapist cover letters follow the same cover letter format used for most industries.

Your cover letter should be concise and well-structured so the employer can scan it and quickly determine if you’re qualified for the job.

Similar to a standard business letter, your occupational therapist cover letter should open with the following:

• Cover letter header with your name and contact information
• The contact information of the addressee
• A formal salutation (to a named contact person)
• A brief introduction (including your name, specialty, the job title you’re applying for, and your reason for applying)

In the body of your cover letter, you should outline your suitability for the role and state your reasons for applying.

Finally, end your cover letter with a call-to-action requesting an interview and thanking the employer for the opportunity.

2. Demonstrate the right occupational therapist skills

As occupational therapy roles involve both medical and caregiving duties, occupational therapists need to demonstrate several hard and soft skills (technical skills and personality traits).

Review the job description and employer website to understand exactly which skills the employer is looking for.

Look for information related to:

• the job’s core responsibilities
• what kinds of patients you’ll be working with
• the size and type of center you’ll be working at (e.g., clinic, hospital)

Different positions will need certain skills more than others. Highlighting the right skills for the specific position demonstrates a proper understanding of the role and will make your application stand out.

This example would work well in a cover letter for an occupational therapist job at a hospital, where the hire would be expected to deal with larger caseloads.

3. Outline your motivations for applying

In addition to wanting qualified, knowledgeable staff, employers want occupational therapists that will reflect their organization’s core values and principles.

Show that your values are aligned with the employer by doing background research.

Look at the employer website’s “About Us” section and any press releases they’ve put out to identify core values, brands, and areas of specialty. You can use this information to show how working for the employer serves your professional interests or career path.