This entry-level occupational therapist CV guide helps you present relevant experience so UK employers see your clinical readiness. You will learn which sections matter most, how to write achievement-focused bullets, and how to tailor your CV to each role.
Follow these steps to highlight clinical placements, transferable skills, and HCPC registration status and UK qualifications for early-career OT roles.
Building a Occupational Therapist resume?
Skip the blank page. Start with a template built for this role, then tailor it for each job you apply to.
Occupational Therapist CV Template
Preview the template, then edit it in JobCopy for your experience.
Tip: use the template as a starting point, then swap in your own numbers and project names.
How to format a UK entry-level occupational therapist CV
Format matters when you have limited paid experience because clarity helps you pass shortlisting screens. Use a clean, professional layout with clear headings, 10 to 12 point type, and consistent spacing so your placement experiences and competencies stand out.
Start with contact details, then a brief professional profile, followed by education, clinical placements/experience, core skills, and professional registrations. Keep the CV to two pages for most early-career UK roles unless you have multiple substantial placements or projects that justify a second page.
If aiming for NHS posts, be mindful of typical Band 5 to Band 6 pay scales and NHS career progression.
Entry-level occupational therapist CV: Contact and header
Place your name, city, country, telephone number, and a professional email at the top so recruiters can contact you quickly. Add a LinkedIn URL if your profile is complete and a link to a portfolio or a concise summary of outcomes from treatment plans where permitted.
Do not include personal details such as date of birth, marital status, or NI number. If you have HCPC registration status or a professional designation, list it beside your name (for example HCPC-OT or OT, with status).
Entry-level occupational therapist CV: Professional profile
Write a 2 to 3 sentence professional profile that focuses on your clinical strengths, key practice areas (e.g. paediatrics, neurology, rehabilitation), and HCPC registration status. Mention specific clinical placements or client groups you worked with so UK employers immediately understand your relevant experience.
Include one measurable outcome from fieldwork if possible. Use concise language and avoid vague descriptors.
Education section for a UK entry-level occupational therapist CV
List your UK degree (e.g. BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy or MSc Occupational Therapy), university, city, graduation month and year, and classification if awarded (e.g.
2:1). Include relevant UK modules such as paediatrics, neurological rehabilitation, and assistive technology.
If you completed a capstone project or dissertation relevant to the role, add a one-line description with the outcome or skills gained. You may also list academic honours or scholarships.
For school-leavers, you may include GCSEs and A-levels with grades if they strengthen your application, and note UCAS entry where relevant.
Additional Tips
- 1Prepare 2 to 3 short case studies from fieldwork that demonstrate clinical reasoning and measurable patient outcomes for interviews.
- 2Maintain a master CV with all roles and bullet points, then tailor a concise one-page CV for each application by selecting the most relevant items in line with the job description.
- 3Ask a clinical supervisor, tutor, or mentor to review your CV for accuracy of clinical terminology and competency descriptions in the UK context.