Social Worker

What isn't your strength, doesn't have to be a weakness for social work. While some of us have excellent communication skills, many of us are average in communication. But is still enough for a job in social sphere. And even if your communication skills, or your level of responsibility, is bad, you should never mention it in your answer. It's just too important You should rather choose a weakness that is not so important, or one that can be considered as a strength by some employers. To such weaknesses belong:

☛ Being over-friendly

☛ Being impatient sometimes

☛ Being too punctual

☛ Having your own opinion always

☛ Not being able to take decision independently

It is a technical question about a difficult situation you can face while performing your daily job. You can expect several questions of this type in an interview, mostly related to the particular job you want to have. Sometimes they can even put you under direct test, bringing a client in a room, or playing one. This is actually one of the best assessments of your readiness to do the job.

First of all, as a good social worker you need to be patient. You should not get distracted by it. You should stay calm and try to find an alternative way of communication.

One way to communicate is to go by an example. If you want your client to do something, but he does not understand it, demonstrate it. Show him what you expect him to do. Do it and he may repeat it.

To use pictures, gestures, and other forms of transferring your message is also something to mention. However, the most important part of your answer is the one when you mention that you would stay calm and communicate your message until the client finally understands it.

Role-plays have become very popular in all sort of job interviews. Social work is no exception. Especially in private institutions, interviewers use it pretty often. It is also quite common in agency recruitment. The interviewer plays a client (or brings one to the room), and you need to "perform your job" straight there. The guide on how to ace a role play exceeds the content of the free part of this website. However, I can give you at least few hints:

☛ Be yourself. Do not try to be a different man, just adjust your behavior a little to the situation.

☛ Accept the role play. Some people refuse it in an interview. It is a big mistake. If you refuse to do the tole play, they won't give you a job.

☛ Take it seriously. I know it is only a play. But anyway, you should take it as seriously as ever, because it is a part of your interview. And many times it is the most important part of the process… Do not forget on it.