Physical therapy is an incredibly rewarding field that allows you to help people recover from injuries, illnesses, and surgeries. But with so many qualified candidates out there, landing your dream physical therapy job can be a challenge. In this article, we'll discuss key resume elements and interviewing tips to help you stand out from the competition and secure the job of your dreams.

Work on your communication skills

There is perhaps nothing that separates you more from the stack of qualified candidates than your communication skills. You desire to work in a field where you will be caring for people in various levels of pain and distress. Working to hone your communication skills will help you do well in your interview, build better rapport with your patients, and work more effectively with your colleagues.

Good communication is clear, concise, correct, complete, consistent—and for physical therapists—compassionate. If you’re weak in one of these areas, work on improving it. Don’t forget about your body language and other nonverbal cues. Smile, make eye contact, look interested. People can tell when your face says one thing and your mouth says another. Good communication will open doors for you over and over again.

Create an outstanding resume

Most companies use an applicant tracking system (ATS) to screen resumes before they ever reach the hiring manager. So, if you don’t want to get weeded out before anyone puts eyes on your resume, you’ll need to do a few things to prevent it:

• Incorporate keywords from the job listing throughout your resume
• Mention the job title and name of the company in your summary section
• Save your resume in a .doc or non-image PDF format to ensure the ATS can read it
• Avoid using tables, charts, and wingdings as those can trip up an ATS

Once you get past the ATS, you need to grab attention. Use strong active verbs as they make you seem proactive and responsible. Always tailor your resume to a specific job. If the job requires certain skills, certifications, or accomplishments, highlight where you match those requirements. If you haven’t had any relevant work experience, place the educational section of your resume first to highlight academic achievements. Keep your resume updated at all times—even when you are happily employed. You never know when you might need to take advantage of an unexpected opportunity.

Write a compelling cover letter

When writing a cover letter, think of it as your elevator speech—it should be no longer than three paragraphs. In the opening paragraph, introduce yourself (briefly!), explain what job you’re applying for (use the exact title from the job posting), what attracted you to that organization, and how you heard about it. In the second paragraph, show them how your unique background matches your skills to their needs. Be specific, concise, and appealing. Include key points that make you stand out from other applicants. In the final paragraph, refer to your resume and ask for an interview. Don’t forget to proofread your resume and cover letter before you send them!

Nail your interview

Preparation breeds confidence. Review what you know about the organization. Dress professionally, even if you know it’s a casual office (one step up from their standard dress code is a good rule of thumb, unless it’s already a business suit). Most importantly, know your stories! How did your compassion help someone in your life? How did you become interested in physical therapy? People remember stories! Use them to make your resume come alive.

Be prepared to answer the big questions

Prepare yourself to deliver polished answers to some of the most common interview questions, such as:

• What do you know about our organization?
• What are your biggest strengths and weaknesses?
• Where do you see yourself in five years?
• Why do you want this job?
• How do you stay on top of the current trends in physical therapy?
• What is your treatment style?

Ask the right questions

Interviewers expect you to ask questions. It shows that you are truly trying to find the right fit, not just take the first offer that comes your way.

These questions will help you discern if this is truly your dream PT job:

• To whom will I report directly, and what is his or her management style?
• How would you describe the culture here?
• How will you measure my success in this role?
• What are some of the ways this organization would support my professional development?
• What are some of the organization’s recent challenges or achievements?

Ultimately, you want to be memorable. This is your opportunity to stand out from the rest of the applicants, so take advantage of that. Bring all your knowledge, accomplishments, and experience to the interview. Let them know you are the person they should hire.

Follow up professionally

To make a good impression, take business cards from everyone you meet. Follow up with individual thank you notes for each person after the interview within 24 hours.

You can land your dream job in PT if you approach the process with patience and perseverance. Figure out what you want, do your research, and prepare yourself for a successful interview. Go get the job of your dreams!