Let the Right Employer Find You: How to Set Up Your OT Jobs Australia Profile

Most of us think of job hunting as something we do: scrolling listings, tailoring a cover letter and hitting apply. That is still important, but there is another side to it that many OTs overlook. When you set up a profile on OT Jobs Australia, employers who are hiring can find you, even on the days you are too busy with clients to look at a single job ad.

I built the board so that OTs and the practices looking for them could meet in one place. Your profile is how you take part in that from your side, and it only takes a few minutes to set up well.

Why your profile matters

Every employer with a job listing on the board can browse job seeker profiles. That means a practice owner reading your profile may already be looking for someone with your experience, in your area, for the kind of hours you want. A clear, current profile helps them recognise quickly that you could be the person they need.

It also suits OTs who are not actively searching but would move for the right role. You can keep your profile up to date and let the opportunities come to you.

What to include

Here is what I would suggest covering. You do not need to write an essay, because a few clear sentences under each point will do far more than long paragraphs.

• • Your areas of practice: the settings and client groups you have worked with, such as paediatrics, aged care, mental health, hand therapy, NDIS or hospital work.
• • Location: where you are based and how far you are happy to travel, as well as whether you are open to telehealth or community-based work.
• • The type of work you want: full-time, part-time, casual, contract or locum, and the days or hours that work for you.
• • Availability: when you could start, so an employer knows whether the timing suits them.
• • Registration: confirm that you hold, or are about to hold, AHPRA registration.
• • What you are looking for: a sentence or two about the kind of workplace where you do your best work, whether that is a supportive team, plenty of supervision, or the freedom to run your own caseload.
• • Be specific. An employer would rather read three honest, specific sentences than a page of general claims. Name the assessments, programs or approaches you actually use.
• • Keep it current. If your availability or location changes, update your profile so employers are not contacting you about roles that no longer suit you.
• • Protect your privacy. Leave out your home address, date of birth and anything else you would not share with a stranger. Employers only need enough to know whether to get in touch.

A few tips

If you are a new graduate

Please do not hold back because you feel you have little to put on a profile. Your placements count, so list the settings you worked in and anything you particularly enjoyed. Many employers are looking for graduates and want to know what kind of support you are hoping for, so say so. Being clear about wanting good supervision is a strength, not a weakness.

More time to find the right role

I have also made a change to how long jobs stay on the board. Listings now run for 60 days instead of 30, which gives you more time to see a role, think it over and apply when it suits you.

That said, I would still encourage you to apply sooner rather than later when you see something you like. Good roles are often filled before the listing ends, and employers usually start reading applications as soon as they arrive.

A note for employers

If you are hiring, each $49 listing now runs for 60 days, twice as long as before. Finding the right OT can take time, so I wanted to give your role more time in front of job seekers.

Ready to set up your profile?

Head to otjobsaustralia.com.au and create your profile today. It takes a few minutes, and it means the right employer has a much better chance of finding you. I look forward to seeing more of you on the board, and I hope your next role is a great one.