How to Land a Job as a Behavior Analyst
By: J. M. Coimbra, MS, BCBA, LBA
If you’re looking for an ABA therapy job or how to become an ABA therapist, then you’re in the right place. Beyond dressing to impress and having the right credentials, there’s a lot more to acing your interview. What’s involved? Here are four ways to “wow” your interviewer and land the job you’ve always wanted.
1 – Be Approachable
One of the first things taught in my master’s program was to never use our language with parents, families, teachers, community members, friends, doctors, occupational therapists, speech and language pathologists, spouses, and anyone else who is not also a behavior analyst. In the interview you think, “I can use the language now!” but, remember you are showcasing your abilities here. Take a moment to show how you can talk about escape extinction in a way that is neither robotic nor terrifying. Let your interviewer know that you’re compassionate and cordial with clients, while at the same time fulfilling your duties as a behavior analyst.
2 – Provide Data
If you don’t love raw bits of data, then you’re in the wrong field. Seduce your interviewer with some data – maybe an entire folder with your certification records, degrees, writing sample (e.g., mock behavior intervention plans or progress reports), behavior change graphs you’re most proud of (that you obtained consent to share), letters of recommendation, your CV/resume, and a cover letter. Back up all the self-reporting you do in the interview with some clear and concise evidence that make it difficult for your interviewer to doubt you.
3 – Respect Your Role
A small change to a train track can cause derailment, necessary route change, or have no effect. We are that small change. In an interview, it is wise to let your interviewer know exactly where you are on the railroad and what possibilities exist. Convey your confidence that you know what to do to shape an amazing repertoire, but at the first sign of derailment you also know what to do. You know whom to consult and from where to seek assistance. You know that sometimes interventions don’t work and if you haven’t produced results one way, then you’ll try another. Humility and confidence make an attractive combination.
4 – Promise Integrity
Integrity is one of those things that is hard to demonstrate in an interview, so I propose you just express it explicitly. Give your interviewer confidence that whatever you do you will do under the guidance of the Behavior Analyst Certification Board’s good-and-always-getting-updated Professional and Ethical Compliance Code for Behavior Analysts. When in doubt, fall back on science. Show them what you can when it comes to your integrity from the time you apply and submit a cover letter (in which you describe all of these amazing behaviors you have in your repertoire) and promise to follow up, actually follow up, and in the interview give examples of each of these skills. And in the end (or is it beginning?), work in your new position with integrity.
If you’re looking for an amazing work environment and a real opportunity to become the best behavioral analyst you can be, consider applying for a job with Attentive Behavior Care today.