Setting yourself up for success is an essential step to securing your next physical therapy job. Whether you’re a new grad and looking to start your career off on the right foot or you’re an experienced PT looking to elevate your career, your physical therapy job search starts with submitting a job application. Upstream Rehabilitation and our family of brands are actively hiring for clinical and non-clinical physical therapy roles across the country.
Take a look at some of the many ways you can set yourself up for success in your PT job search by starting strong with the physical therapy job application.
Be Intentional About the Physical Therapy Jobs You’re Applying To
One of the most important things you can do when beginning the process of a physical therapy job search and filling out those PT job applications is to make sure that you are intentional about which jobs you’re applying to. This means that you should not be spam-clicking the apply button without reading the job description, learning more about the employer, and understanding what makes the position unique compared to other positions.
Be intentional about the jobs you’re applying to because you don’t want to go through the interview process and then realize at the last minute with an offer on the table that you’re not interested in working in a particular clinic, location, or in a specific PT role.
Take the time to learn more about the organization, read more about the role and what might be asked of you, and see if you think you’d be a good fit for the physical therapy position.
As the largest outpatient physical therapy provider in the United States, learn more about how Upstream Rehabilitation is passionate about helping you build a rewarding physical therapy career with our nationwide family of brands.
Review the Job Application and Job Posting
Take the time to read both the job posting and the job application instructions before getting started. In some cases, there can be additional instructions included that will help you overcome any issues you might encounter while filling out your job application or special instructions on what to include to make sure that you’re considered for the position. A good example might include instructions on things to attach to your application like a resume, cover letter, or additional licensure information.
Following all the instructions prior to getting started on the application can help you save time and avoid causing any unnecessary work that might need to be completed before you can be considered for an open physical therapy position.
Use a Professional Email Address
One of the very first things you often do when building out your physical therapy job application is to create an account or profile in the applicant tracking system of choice for the physical therapy employer. Depending on the applicant tracking system, you might have to create a robust profile or simply enter your email address. Regardless of the complexity of building your ATS profile, you want to ensure that you start your physical therapy job search off on the right foot by using a professional email address.
Your professional email address will be saved in the applicant tracking system, and it is one of the things that will go along with you as you progress through the candidate journey and provide a way for recruiters and hiring managers to get in touch with you. An inappropriate email address or one that is too confusing may cause your application to get shuffled to the back or rejected. Make sure you create a professional email address that you can use and ensure that it also lines up with the contact information you’ve listed on your resume and cover letter.
Carefully Read the Instructions
As we’ve outlined above, you want to read the instructions before you begin your application, and for each section or question on the job application itself. Some applicant tracking systems might reject your submission automatically if it’s missing important information or flag it as incomplete if it doesn’t have certain details.
Depending on the sections in the job application, you might be asked to reply with full sentences, paragraphs, true/false questionnaires, selections from a drop-down field, and more.
Make sure to read every section as you fill out the physical therapy job application to ensure that you avoid simple mistakes.
Before Advancing to the Next Page/Section, Review Your Answers/Submissions
Some applicant tracking systems are short and concise while others use multiple pages and/or steps. Depending on the applicant tracking system, you might not be allowed to go back and revise your submissions or answers from previous pages. Before advancing to the next page when filling out your physical therapy job application, take the time to review and correct any mistakes on the page before hitting next.
Align Your Application with the Resume and Cover Letter
In the same way that you tailor your resume and cover letter to the physical therapy job posting, you also want to make sure that your job application aligns with what you’ve listed on both of those documents. This means checking to ensure that the same positions you’ve listed on your resume are the same ones you’ve highlighted on your application.
As you’re reviewing the positions you’ve included on your application, make sure you’re pleased with the formatting and timeline of those positions. Some applicant tracking systems will have different formatting for your positions and might sort them most recently to oldest or vice-versa. Make sure that you’re pleased with the order and that it’s following the instructions for that section on the job application.
Another thing to double-check is the accomplishments section of your application. Some applicant tracking systems allow you to highlight key accomplishments you’ve had throughout your career, and you should make sure they are similar or match the ones you’ve written in your cover letter.
One Last Run-Through Before Hitting Submit
Before you hit submit, do one last run through to make sure you’ve checked all the boxes you needed to, filled out each section appropriately, and you’re putting your best foot forward. Once you’re pleased with your job application, you’ve attached all of the necessary documents and followed all the instructions, go ahead and hit submit.
Keep Track of Your Applications
The next important thing you can do throughout the course of your physical therapy job search is to keep track of your physical therapy job applications. There are several tools available that make tracking your applications easy or you can simply create a quick spreadsheet where you track the position name, employer, date applied, any correspondence back and forth, notes, and additional information you’d like to keep track of. In doing so, you can avoid resubmitting your application for jobs you’ve previously applied to.
Submit Your Physical Therapy Job Application with Upstream Rehabilitation!
Filling out your job application can be an exciting process when you submit an application for a physical therapy employer you really want to work for. Upstream Rehabilitation and our family of brands are expanding nationwide, and we’re actively hiring for physical therapy roles in clinical and non-clinical positions. We’re passionate about investing in our associates and helping them grow throughout their careers. If you’re excited about pursuing your next physical therapy opportunity, you should elevate your career with Upstream Rehabilitation.
Browse and apply to our physical therapy job postings nationwide today!
