Searching for the right job in ABA can be challenging, and at times genuinely frustrating. It's one of the reasons I founded Animate Behavior: to do things the right way, with a focus on ethics, person-centered care, and high-quality clinical teams. In that same spirit of giving back to our field, I wrote this guide to help you prepare for your search, evaluate the agencies you're considering, and land a role where you can do your best work. How do you prepare for an interview? How do you tell whether the agency across the table is a good fit for you, your values, and the way you work? When we meet people pursuing a career in ABA, we weigh both clinical experience and cultural fit. We ask ourselves: how will this candidate relate to clients, caregivers, and colleagues? How would they perform as a supervisor — or as a supervisee? Can they receive and apply feedback well? How are their play skills? Are they fun and Animated? It's just as important for you to evaluate us — and every other organization you apply to. Candidates new to the field often don't know what to ask or what to base their decision on. So here's a clear answer from a BCBA and business owner.
See our current ABA openings on Indeed. Keep Your Resume Short — No CVs
A great resume fits on a single page. That makes for a clear, strong first impression without overwhelming the reader. Remember: yours is likely one of dozens, if not hundreds, being read that day. You want it to stand out for the right reasons. Be professional and specific about your duties and experience. If you truly want a role, include a brief cover letter explaining why — it goes a long way. A Curriculum Vitae (CV) is built for academia; a resume is built to get you hired. Lead with the accomplishments and expertise you're most proud of and that would be most useful to an employer: certifications, awards, and completed trainings.
A strong resume includes:
- Your contact information and city/location
- Your highest level of education (note current enrollment, if any)
- Relevant training and certifications
- Relevant work experience
- Relevant personal and professional skills
- References (a plus, but not required)
- Clean grammar and spelling
Do Your Homework
If a company or position interests you, do your homework. Read their website, learn their mission and values, and get a sense of their size and culture. See what other roles they're hiring for, look them up on social media, and read their reviews on Glassdoor, Indeed, and Google. Walking in with this knowledge signals your professionalism and genuine interest — and just as importantly, it helps you confirm whether they're a good fit for you.
Prepare Questions — and Prepare to Be Questioned
One question I like to ask candidates is whether they have any questions about the company or the role. Come with at least one or two thoughtful ones; it shows genuine interest. The questions below are ones I'd recommend from my own experience — they'll help you separate a great place to work from a poor one.
Ask about supervision
How often is supervision provided, and by whom? A lack of supervision is one of the most common complaints in our field and a leading cause of turnover. Supervision is crucial — it should be frequent and ongoing on every case.
Ask about caseload, location, and training
It's all too common to be pushed into a role you aren't ready for, with little training to support you. A 'sink or swim' expectation is everywhere in this field, and it leads straight to burnout. A good company invests in thorough training, a gradual fade-in with clients, supervisor support, and fidelity checks and competency assessments to confirm you're ready. Location matters too. ABA is often delivered across multiple settings, and long drive times stuck in traffic can make or break both a position and your happiness in it. Find out where you'll be working and how many clients you can expect.
Ask who runs the company
This is a big one in ABA, given how many agencies are run by non-clinicians. I strongly recommend seeking out a clinician-owned company — one led by someone who genuinely cares about clients and staff and is committed to doing the right thing. Poor ethics and bad, sometimes illegal, practices do exist in this relatively young field. I say that from both first-hand experience and conversations with fellow clinicians.
Ask about growth
A good agency controls its growth and scales responsibly. An agency expanding rapidly with revenue as its primary focus will likely struggle in the areas that matter most. Growth itself isn't bad — but rampant expansion can be a warning sign. Look for reasonable, ethical growth plans.
Find the Right Fit
These questions will help you understand how an organization actually operates, what it values, and how closely its day-to-day practice matches its stated mission. At Animate Behavior, we welcome inquiry and love connecting with passionate ABA clinicians — as well as those just getting started. If you have questions about a career with us, or simply want to learn more about what this field can offer you, reach out and send us a message.
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