2022 Social Work Resume Example & Tips

Social work is a fun and rewarding career. It’s also a fast-growing profession. Luckily, there are many opportunities for people with different backgrounds to get involved with social work. If you’re interested in pursuing this career path, it’s important that you know how to write your resume effectively. This article will walk through all the steps of creating an effective social work resume from beginning to end—from deciding what kind of experience you want to highlight on your resume (and why), through getting feedback on it from others who have been successful at landing jobs in social work (including me!).

Project manager resume examples

There are many options for a career in social work

Administrative Assistant Resume Example

There are many options for a career in social work. You could work with individuals, families, groups, or communities to enhance or restore their capacity for social functioning. Social workers help people deal with issues such as chronic illness and disabilities; mental illness; domestic violence; child abuse; unemployment; substance abuse; homelessness; family breakdowns (e.g., divorce); poverty-related problems including hunger and homelessness. They may also help people access resources such as financial assistance programs or housing options. The aim of all this is to improve the quality of life for those affected by such situations by helping them get back on track again so they can lead happy lives wherever possible.

    Important things to include in your social work resume

    You should also include a list of your skills and experience. This can be a bulleted list, which can be placed under “Skills” or “Experience” in your resume. You should make sure to include things like computer skills, language fluency, hobbies and interests that are relevant to the job you are applying for (e.g., writing poetry or singing opera), volunteer work experience and any relevant work history (such as internships).

    Examples of a great social work resume objective

    A good social work resume objective should be concise and clear. It should also be unique to you, as well as relevant to the job that you are applying for.

    Here are some examples of a great social work resume objective:

    • “To pursue a career in social services where I can use my experience to help those who need it most.” This is both specific (it indicates what kind of job she wishes to get) and clear (she states exactly what she wants). It’s also unique because it does not state that she wants to do anything else but help people.

    • “I would like to use my skills and knowledge from college classes as well as my past experiences working with children with special needs.” This example is very similar in tone and idea-wise, but has some differences: it doesn’t specify what kind of job or company the applicant is looking for; instead, it focuses on her qualifications for any type of position related to children with special needs.

    Social Work Resume Writing Tip #1

    Use social work terminology and acronyms. If you’re applying for a job as a social worker, it’s important that your resume sounds like it could have been written by one. Don’t be afraid to use words like “therapy” and “counseling,” or acronyms like FCS (Family Case Management) or SPMI (Serious Mental Illness). You’ll sound more professional and show off your knowledge of the field if you use them correctly.

     

    Key skills to include on a social work resume

    Social work is a broad field, and you should use this to your advantage. Social workers are often generalists who have a wide variety of skill sets. The skills you develop as a social worker are transferable to other professions, so don’t be afraid to include them on your resume.

    Here are some examples:

    • Understanding of human behavior; ability to communicate effectively with others

    • Ability to analyze complex problems and identify solutions

    • Experience working in teams on various projects

    The social work field is a fast-growing, high-demand area. Social workers can be found in schools, hospitals, private practice and other settings. Employers prefer to hire individuals who have experience working with children and families, as well as those who possess strong interpersonal skills

    Emphasize your social work experience

    You want to make sure your resume highlights the experience in social work that makes you a good candidate for the job. If you’ve been working as a case manager, for example, its important to mention what type of cases you took on and whether or not they were successful. Were they mentally ill? Did they have substance abuse problems? Did their children need care too?

    You should go into detail about any awards or recognitions that highlight your dedication and commitment to the field. Maybe another organization recognized your contributions by giving out an award for excellence in case management; include this on your resume so it can be seen by hiring managers who are looking for someone with qualities like yours!

      Social Work Resume Writing Tip #2

      It’s all about caring for people. Social workers are experts at helping people cope with their problems and get back on their feet—and they’re also great listeners who can give valuable advice when it comes to issues like addiction or mental illness. So don’t be afraid to mention how much empathy you have in your writing: if someone has reached out to you with a problem before, include an anecdote about how you helped them through it!

        Highlight your social work education and certifications

        • Social work degrees are highly respected. If you have a social work degree, include the name of your school, your major and any minors, and the year in which you graduated.

        • If you have certifications from social work organizations, include these as well. For example: Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC), Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor (CCMHC), Nationally Certified School Social Worker (NCSSW).

        • You can also mention if you were on any Honors or Dean’s Lists while in college as well as any special training that may be relevant to your career path such as Crisis Intervention Training or Crisis Prevention Intervention Training (CPIT).

        Special awards may also be listed under your education section if relevant to getting a job in social work. For example, the New York State Association of Licensed Social Workers offers an annual award for outstanding professional achievement in social work practice and research. This could help distinguish you from other candidates.

        Social Work Resume Writing Tip #3

        Show you’re a team player. Social work is all about collaboration—you’ll need to work with other professionals and clients alike if you want to succeed as a social worker, so make sure your resume shows that you’re ready for this challenge by listing all of the ways that collaboration has helped build your skillset!

          Include your photo on your resume

          You may be wondering, “What’s the point of including a photo on my resume? Won’t it just distract from the content?”

          Not necessarily. While you definitely don’t want to include a selfie that looks like you took it after you’ve been drinking all night, adding your photo can actually help your chances of getting an interview by making you seem more personable and relatable (which is important in social work). It also shows that you care about presenting yourself professionally, which is essential for social workers who are often dealing with clients’ vulnerable situations.

          A good rule of thumb is to wear professional clothing and keep your smile natural; avoid makeup at all costs! But if there’s one thing we learned from our high school yearbook pictures, it’s that we never look quite as good in pictures as we do in real life (or maybe it was just us?). So if taking photos isn’t really your thing—or if having fun isn’t exactly how most people describe their job search—then feel free not to include one. Good luck!

          Conclusion

          We hope we’ve helped you understand how important it is for social workers to have an excellent resume. A strong, compelling resume will get your foot in the door and help you land that first interview. From there, your social work experience and skills will shine through as you impress potential employers with what they need most: a compassionate person who understands the needs of others.