Mock Interview Reflection

I feel that the mock interview process was very beneficial in preparing for future job interviews. In preparing for this interview, I brainstormed my own distinct value to the profession, my strengths and weakness, and other answers to questions I might be asked. Because this was a “low stakes” environment, I felt very calm when doing this interview. I feel that I answered the questions well but in future interviews, I will make sure to remembers the tips that the proctor/interviewer gave us. She advised us to research the facility and mention the mission statement and things we noticed on the website in the interview. This tells the interview that we are truly invested in the company and sets us apart from other interviewees. In terms of salary, she suggested that we wait until the interviewer addresses the topic. Then it is “fair game,” but if we bring it up in the first interview, it may come across as greedy or money-focused. This experience has made me feel more confident in my interviewing skills. 

OT630 Missed Class - NBCOT Exam and Licensing

Although I was disappointed to have missed the lecture on the NBCOT exam, I feel very comfortable with the information I have received from my classmate’s notes, the in-class handout, and the resources on Blackboard.

Before this class, my biggest question about the NBCOT exam was “how should I study for the exam and when should I plan on doing this?” I feel that this question was thoroughly answered – I should plan on studying for about 6 weeks, 4-8 hours per day (like a full-time job). The how is a bit more complex – I will need to create a study plan including dates/weeks, topics, resources on those topics, and practice questions. I like the example schedule on Blackboard and plan on using that as a template to create my own. Before I make the schedule, I would like to look through some practice questions/exams and see what areas I feel need the most energy. The topics of concentration may also depend on how secure I feel after my fieldwork rotations at the burn unit (focus on physical dysfunction and wound care) and an inpatient psychiatric hospital (focus on mental health, group therapy).

In terms of licensing, my concern was that I plan to practice in Virginia, so will it complicate things to take the NBCOT exam in Tennessee? The answer is no, the NBCOT can be taken anywhere and I can choose to send my results to the Virginia licensing board. Using the resources on Blackboard, I discovered that in Virginia, I can practice as an “OT-License Applicant” for 6 months after graduation or until I receive my NBCOT scores, whichever comes first. It is recommended that I apply for my Virginia license when I register for the NBCOT exam.

I have saved all of these resources in my “important documents” folder and am excited to begin this process after fieldwork. I found the resources and notes from this lecture to be very informative! They have eased my anxiety about the NBCOT and licensing process.