Social Worker

Social Worker qualifications to look for 

Social workers work in various settings with different populations to diagnose emotional, behavioral, or mental health disorders. They may focus on different situations such as child welfare, veterans, or addiction. 

A bachelor's degree in social work (BSW) is common for this position. However, a degree in a related field such as psychology, sociology, and public health administration may also qualify you for some entry-level jobs in the field. Many social workers have obtained or are working toward advanced degrees.

📌Don’t forget: Check local legislation as licensure requirements vary per location and job description. 

Keep an eye out for candidates who have:

• High emotional intelligence
• Strong communication skills 
• Compassion
• Empathy
• Strong conflict-resolution skills
• Solid listening skills
  

Top tip: Hire candidates willing to grow by making sure their personal career goals align with your company's mission.

Social Worker interview questions

• Why did you choose this career?
• Discuss your previous work experience. What population did you work with? 
• How do you keep up with your continuing education requirements? How often do you attend courses and seminars? 
• What interests you about working with the population we serve?
• How much experience do you have working with people whose culture, race, or sexual orientation mirror the population we work with? 
• How would you go about finding community resources for your clients in an unfamiliar community?
• Describe a major accomplishment in your fieldwork. How did it help you grow in your profession? 
• Talk about a disappointing fieldwork experience. What happened and how did you manage it? 
• Describe one of your more complex cases. What were the situation and the outcome? 
• As a social worker, have you ever faced any ethical conflicts? Tell us about a specific incident and how you handled it. 
• Have you ever disagreed with a colleague about a treatment plan? What did you do?
• What information would you include in a psychological assessment? Why is it important? 
• What is your approach to case recording? Do you use specific software or tools?
• How would you rate your active listening skills? Why is this important? 
• Describe a time you worked with a difficult client. How did you manage countertransference?
• What would you do if one of your clients started behaving aggressively towards you? What is the standard protocol?