Top 5 Tips For Landing Your Next Social Work Job
1. Be Visionary
Ever hear the saying, "When you don't know
where you're going, any road will get you there?" Does this
mantra guide your social work career? Have you thought about where
you want to be five or ten years down the road? We are trained to
ask this of our clients, but how often do we really ask this question
for ourselves?
When developing your career path, you may find
it helpful to think about a few things. You took the $13 an hour
youth counseling job because that is the only one you could get
at the time. Look around you. How many of your coworkers said the
position was just temporary, only to be in the same spot, burnt-out,
five years later? Are you where you thought you would be when you
decided to become a social worker? What was that original passion
and vision that moved you?
Have a future vision that motivates you and outline
all the small roads that will get you there. Start with one road
at a time (with time lines of course). Though following your passion
may at times be difficult, just remember what Henry Ford said, "Whether
you think you can or you can't, you're right." Believe you
can!
2. Who is in your Network?
As social workers we know everything is about our
network, from finding our dream social work job, to creating social
change. So, what area of social work do you want to be in and who
do you know associated with that field? Perhaps more importantly,
who don't you know that you need to know to get your break? How
are you going to meet them?
Tap into your social network to get leads. Let
EVERYONE know (by direct phone calls, emails, or visits) you are
searching and what social work position you are searching for. You
never know where an opportunity might come from. It can be helpful
if you have an in to get acquainted with an organization, but if
not, consider an internship or volunteer work. Many social workers
have landed jobs through these opportunities. It's a win-win scenario.
Perspective employers get to see a sample of your work and you get
to see if an agency is a good fit for you.
You may want to consider the internet as an option
for networking. You can find and introduce yourself to social workers
on sites like LinkedIn or Facebook. Social Work Network is a similar
site, but more specific to social work networking needs. You can
find social workers by location, degree, school, company, and expertise/interests,
as well as search thousands of social work jobs or internship and
volunteer opportunities. These sites are free resources, so why
not take advantage of them?
3. Be Assertive
Ever want to say to an employer, "Don't call
me, I'll call you"? You have the chance to do this at the end
of your cover letter. Simply let the employer know you will contact
them in a few days to discuss the position further. In a time where
competition for social work jobs is fierce, such a technique may
give you the edge.
Prior to calling, jot down a few things you want
to know about the position, as well as a few points of value you
add to it. Common questions are, "How did this position come
to be open?" and "What is your hiring time line?"
When you call, make sure the employer knows the call will only take
a few minutes of their time. Here is a sample intro, "Hello
Dr. Smith. My name is Andrea Ricci and I am calling about the Adult
Advocate position listed on Social Work Network. I'll only take
a few moments of your time [Shy away from asking whether or not
it is a good time to talk, you might get shut-off immediately. Instead,
get straight to the point]. I am interested in this position because
I have my Master's Degree in Social Work and worked for seven years
as the Adult Advocate for Yourtown Court [Just added value to the
position and probably peaked employer's interest]. How did this
position come to be open? [Nice open ended question]."
At the end of the phone call, ask for an interview.
You don't want to leave the phone call open ended with the ball
in the employer's court, so keep it in yours! Say something like,
"It seems like my experience and this position are a good fit.
Would it be possible to discuss this more in an interview? I have
a portfolio of my work I would like to share for your review."
You have nothing to lose by asking for an interview and now the
employer is put in a position where they might say yes -especially
if you're offering them a portfolio they may be interested in seeing.
4. What's in your Portfolio?
Portfolios are excellent tools to showcase your
skills and set you apart from the competition. It is generally a
sampling of the work you have done during your social work career.
Include, in a three ring binder, a label on the front with your
name and contact information using bold, clear, traditional fonts.
Use plastic sleeves to hold all of your documents and include a
Table of Contents.
Here are some things to include in your portfolio:
a resume (specifically tailored to the position you are applying
for), grant proposals, press releases, media relations, anything
that documents computer skills (presentation with PowerPoint, research
with SPSS), research proposals, policy analysis, a professionally
written letter, reference letters, supervisor evaluations, public
testimony, certifications, etc. If it is not clear from looking
at the document what it is, include a typed written white label
on the lower right hand sleeve that includes the purpose, your role,
and date of the project. Make sure to change the content of your
portfolio for each job you interview to reflect competence in the
skills necessary for each position.
Once you have a portfolio, hurl it in all your
cover letters, phone calls, and job interviews. It is an extra incentive
for employers to interview you and can sometimes make or break getting
a position. When you leave your portfolio with a prospective employer,
make a plan to pick it up. You may wish to ask the employer how
long they would like to have the portfolio or you may choose to
set a time line yourself, "I would like to leave my portfolio
for your review. Would it be convenient if I stopped back on Friday
to pick it up?"
5. Check Yourself
Job hunting in the social work profession can be
overwhelming. Make sure to take care of yourself through the process.
Some people find it helpful to develop check-boxes of personal and
professional tasks they wish to accomplish the next day. You may
want to apply for three jobs, go to your son's soccer game, wash
the car, and go to the gym. Include them all in one to do list,
mixing them up if needed. The truth is...we only have one life.
If one part of it is lapsing, it will affect the other. Tend to
your personal needs equally with your professional ones so that
both your private life and career are rising together and mutually
benefiting one another.
* * *
Michelle Bussolotti, MSW, has worked in the social
work field for seven years as a counselor, community educator, and
policy/legislative analyst. She graduated with her Bachelor's Degree
in Social Work from Eastern Connecticut State University and earned
her Master's Degree in Policy Practice Social Work from the University
of Connecticut. For more information on social work networking and
social work jobs, please visit her website at http://www.socialworknetwork.com.
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