By Kate Hunger, freelance writer

The timing of a job search advice session hosted by the School of Health Professions in October was perfect for third-year occupational therapy student Gayle Tabotabo . “This was a really great opportunity to get that information right before graduating,” said Tabotabo , who is currently in her second field work rotation and will graduate in December.

The October 13 event featured guest speaker Lauren Brody-Terrill, student and new graduate programs manager for Kindred Healthcare. Brody-Terrill shared examples of good and bad resumes, encouraged students to highlight their clinical experience and emphasized the importance of beginning to prepare for a job search four to six months before graduation, Tabotabo said “For me, that’s now.”

Students had an opportunity to practice their interview skills before the program. Ben Rivers, associate director of student activities for the Office of Student Life, conducted videotaped mock interviews with students. He asked them a series of questions typical of those they might encounter in job interviews, from general background questions to hypothetical questions about what path they would pursue if they weren’t entering the health professions field. “We stopped the tape and went through the questions,” Rivers said, adding that each participant received a link to the interview video. Reviewing the video will help them see how their facial expressions and mannerisms come across, he explained.

“The tape doesn’t lie,” said Rivers, who plans to offer mock interviews each semester.

Tabotabo did a mock interview and was surprised how much some of the questions threw her. She plans to put what she learned during the advice session and mock interview at the Texas Occupational Therapy Association Mountain Central Conference in early November.