By Emily Farley, PT — Primary Recruiter at Sanctum Health Partners
Starting your career is exciting, but it can also be overwhelming when you’re staring down job postings and recruiter calls. I’ve been there. The number one thing I looked for when I graduated was mentorship. It’s easy for companies to promise it, but not all of them deliver.
That’s why it’s important to ask specific questions: What kind of mentorship is offered? Are there scheduled check-ins? Can you speak with current mentors about their experience? Empty promises leave you isolated and burnt out, while real mentorship lays the foundation for growth.
Beyond mentorship, think about your long-term clinical development. Does the company support CEUs? Do they host collaborative meetings? These details shape your growth as a clinician, even if they don’t feel urgent on day one.
Graduating and landing your first role is a milestone, but it’s not the end of the story. The real question: where can you go from here? Some companies treat therapy as a flat path—you’re hired, you treat patients, and that’s it. Others invest in clear ways for you to advance.
Ask about development: Are there supervisory roles later? Is there leadership training? Could you take on education, recruitment, or mentorship? At Sanctum, we’ve built pathways for every discipline, including the Sanctum Leadership Academy (SLA)—a six-week program that equips clinicians to guide others.
The best job isn’t just about pay—it’s about whether the company’s values align with yours. Do they prioritize patient care or productivity numbers? Do they encourage collaboration between PTs, OTs, and SLPs? Do they respect work-life balance and protect you from burnout?
“When we pour into our therapists’ growth, they’re better equipped to pour into their patients.”— Sanctum Health Partners
Your chosen setting—home health, clinic, skilled nursing, or assisted living—affects how you’re paid. Home health often follows a pay-per-visit model, while clinics lean salary-based with bonuses. Neither is “better.” It’s about what works for your lifestyle and priorities. Some therapists prefer flexibility, others prefer stability.
Be cautious if a recruiter says they have mentorship but can’t provide names or examples. Or if they promise growth but have no real stories of advancement. And if they avoid transparency about pay altogether? That’s a major red flag. You deserve clarity.
It might seem small, but your documentation system (EMR) can make or break your day-to-day. A clunky system wastes time and energy. At Sanctum, we use CubHub, a mobile-first app that lets therapists complete notes quickly and easily. Don’t overlook this detail—it directly affects your workflow.
Before saying yes to an offer, check reviews on Indeed, Glassdoor, ZipRecruiter. Look for patterns around pay, benefits, mentorship, and culture. You’ll notice the difference between genuine feedback and fluff quickly. Use those insights to cross-check what recruiters tell you.
We’re proud to offer more than the basics. Our Residency Program (currently for OTs, PT in development) gives new grads structured mentorship right out of school. Weekly guidance from seasoned clinicians provides real-world support. And our career pathways let you grow into leadership roles, no matter your discipline.
It starts with your résumé: keep it clean, easy to read, and always include clinical experiences. When you get that first call, remember—it’s not a test. It’s simply a conversation. Be transparent about what you’re looking for, and share your priorities honestly.
Only you can decide what matters most in your career. For some, it’s higher pay. For others, mentorship, growth, or work-life balance. There’s no wrong answer—just the one that’s right for you.
Emily Farley, PT & Recruiter at Sanctum Health Partners, shares insider tips for new graduates on acing therapy job interviews.