Occupational Therapist Interview Questions (2025): The Ultimate Guide to Acing Your OT Interview

What Makes Occupational Therapist Interviews Unique in 2025?

Occupational therapist (OT) interviews go far beyond technical skills. In 2025, employers seek practitioners who combine clinical expertise with empathy, adaptability, and a passion for helping clients thrive across diverse environments. With the rise of telehealth, interdisciplinary care, and DEI initiatives, today’s interviews test everything from cultural competence and problem-solving to communication style and resilience.

• ☑️ Scenario-based questions reflect real-world challenges in OT settings
• ☑️ Behavioral interviews assess teamwork, leadership, and empathy
• ☑️ Telehealth & technology questions are increasingly common
• ☑️ Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) scenarios gauge cultural competence

Whether you’re a new grad or a seasoned OT, tailored preparation is key to standing out. Thankfully, Huru.ai’s mock interview platform empowers you to rehearse unlimited interviews, get instant AI feedback, and practice both common and niche questions.

The 2025 Occupational Therapist Interview Blueprint: Core Topics & Must-Know Questions

Let’s break down the major categories of OT interview questions you’ll face—plus what employers are really looking for with each.

For deeper dives, see our guides for Physical Therapist Interview Questions and Speech Therapist Interview Questions.

Top 20 General OT Interview Questions & Model Answers

Here are some of the most common and impactful questions, with sample answers to spark your own preparation:

• 1. Why did you choose a career in occupational therapy?
  Sample Answer: “My passion for OT began when I witnessed the transformative power of therapy during my grandmother’s stroke recovery. I’m driven by the opportunity to empower clients to regain independence and improve quality of life.”
• 2. Can you walk me through your OT evaluation process?
  Sample Answer: “I start with a holistic assessment, reviewing both physical and psychosocial factors, collaborating with family and interdisciplinary teams, and using evidence-based tools to craft a personalized intervention plan.”
• 3. How do you handle difficult patients or families?
  Sample Answer: “Empathy and active listening are key. I validate concerns, set clear expectations, and involve families as partners in care, always maintaining professionalism.”
• 4. What’s your experience with electronic documentation?
  Sample Answer: “I’m proficient with major EMRs and use templates to ensure accuracy and compliance, while still personalizing notes to reflect unique client stories.”
• 5. Describe a time you advocated for a patient.
  Sample Answer: “I once coordinated with a school district to secure adaptive equipment for a child with CP, ensuring access to inclusive learning. Advocacy is a daily part of my practice.”
• 6. How do you ensure cultural sensitivity in your approach?
  Sample Answer: “I take time to understand each client’s background, ask culturally-informed questions, and adapt interventions to honor traditions and beliefs.”
• 7. Tell me about a team conflict and how you resolved it.
  Sample Answer: “During a care planning meeting, I facilitated open dialogue, acknowledged all perspectives, and helped the team reach a consensus focused on the client’s best interest.”
• 8. How do you stay updated on OT best practices?
  Sample Answer: “I’m an AOTA member, attend webinars, and regularly review the latest research to ensure evidence-based care.”
• 9. Share a moment you made a measurable difference for a client.
  Sample Answer: “After months of intensive therapy, a stroke survivor regained the ability to dress independently. Witnessing her pride was incredibly rewarding.”
• 10. How do you prioritize tasks on a busy day?
  Sample Answer: “I triage by acuity, utilize scheduling tools, delegate when possible, and communicate proactively with my team.”
• 11. What’s your approach to family education?
  Sample Answer: “Education is collaborative. I use hands-on demonstrations, written guides, and encourage questions to empower caregivers.”
• 12. How do you document progress?
  Sample Answer: “I use objective measures and qualitative notes to capture both progress and barriers, ensuring transparent communication and compliance.”
• 13. What motivates you to work with a specific population?
  Sample Answer: “I’m passionate about pediatrics because early intervention can change lifelong trajectories.”
• 14. Give an example of a creative intervention you’ve used.
  Sample Answer: “I turned a child’s favorite board game into a fine motor skills exercise, making therapy fun and engaging.”
• 15. How do you handle ethical dilemmas?
  Sample Answer: “I consult my professional code of ethics, seek supervision, and prioritize the client’s best interest in all decisions.”
• 16. What’s your process for setting goals with clients?
  Sample Answer: “I use SMART goals, involving clients in every step to ensure buy-in and relevance.”
• 17. How do you maintain work-life balance?
  Sample Answer: “I practice self-care, set boundaries, and lean on peer support to prevent burnout.”
• 18. How do you handle feedback from supervisors or colleagues?
  Sample Answer: “I welcome constructive feedback, reflect on it, and see it as an opportunity for professional growth.”
• 19. What would you do if you disagreed with a treatment plan?
  Sample Answer: “I’d openly discuss my perspective with the care team, sharing evidence to support my view while respecting others’ expertise.”
• 20. How do you contribute to a positive workplace culture?
  Sample Answer: “I lead by example, celebrate team wins, and foster open communication. Culture shapes outcomes!”

💡 Key Takeaway

Ace your OT interview by blending clinical knowledge with compassion, adaptability, and clear communication. Practice tailored, scenario-based responses with Huru’s instant feedback platform to boost your confidence—and your score!

Mock Interview: See a Real OT Interview in Action

Want to see how top candidates answer—and where they stumble? Watch this comprehensive guide to occupational therapist interview questions and answers, featuring tips, strategies, and real examples.

Niche-Specific Questions: Pediatrics, Geriatrics, Mental Health & More

Each OT setting comes with its own challenges. Here are tailored questions by specialty—and what interviewers want to hear:

• 🧒 Pediatrics: “How do you involve families in pediatric therapy?”
  Tip: Share examples of parent education, play-based techniques, and IEP collaboration.
• 👵 Geriatrics: “Describe your approach to fall prevention in older adults.”
  Tip: Reference home safety checks, adaptive equipment, and interdisciplinary teaming.
• 🧠 Mental Health: “How do you support clients with anxiety or depression?”
  Tip: Highlight occupation-based interventions, activity scheduling, and stigma reduction.
• 🏥 Acute Care: “What’s your process for rapid discharge planning?”
  Tip: Talk about communication with social work and prioritizing ADL retraining.
• 💻 Telehealth: “How do you build rapport virtually?”
  Tip: Discuss engagement strategies, tech troubleshooting, and privacy concerns.

Behavioral & Situational Question Mastery: The STAR Technique

Behavioral and situational questions are designed to assess how you think—and act—in real-life scenarios. Use the STAR method to organize your responses:

• Situation: Set the context
• Task: What was your responsibility?
• Action: Steps you took
• Result: The impact of your actions

Example:
“Tell me about a time you managed a heavy caseload.”
Sample Answer with STAR:
S: In my previous rehab role, I covered two therapists’ caseloads during staff shortages.
T: My priority was to ensure all clients received essential care.
A: I triaged needs, delegated non-clinical tasks, and coordinated with PT/SLP to streamline sessions.
R: All clients’ therapy sessions continued on schedule, and feedback from families was positive.

Post-Interview Success: Follow-Up, Thank-You Notes & Next Steps

The interview isn’t over when you leave the room (or log off!). Follow-up etiquette can set you apart:

1. Thank-you email: Send within 24 hours. Personalize it with details from your conversation.
2. Reflection: Review what went well, what you’d improve. Use Huru’s feedback to target future growth.
3. Documentation: Record new questions or scenarios for your ongoing interview prep.

Template thank-you note:
“Thank you for the opportunity to interview for the Occupational Therapist position. Our discussion about your clinic’s interdisciplinary model resonated with me, and I’m excited by the potential to contribute to your team’s mission. Please let me know if I can provide any additional information. I look forward to hearing from you soon.”

💡 Key Takeaway

Mastering the OT interview means combining preparation, self-reflection, and real-world practice. Use Huru.ai to simulate unlimited OT interviews, get actionable feedback, and walk into your next role with confidence.

Further Resources for OT Interview Prep

Want to explore further? Check out:

• Physical Therapist Interview Questions Get Patients Moving With Confidence
• Speech Therapist Interview Questions Communicate Your Passion For Language
• Healthcare Administrator Interview Questions Lead With Compassion And Efficiency

For more expert interview advice, see the AOTA Career Center Mock Interview Questions and Indeed’s OT Interview Guide.

About the Author

Elias Oconnor is a seasoned content writer at Huru.ai, specializing in career development and interview coaching for healthcare professionals. He is passionate about empowering OTs and other therapists to present their best selves and land their dream roles. Connect with Elias by following the latest resources on Huru.ai.