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If you are applying for a position in social services, proper preparation is necessary to not only ace your interview but also to make responsible decisions about your professional development and the quality of care you can provide a potential employer's clients.
Taking the time to identify fundamental information about an organization -- and yourself -- is a relatively small investment when you consider the amount of time you will devote to your professional life and how your profession impacts others. These steps can help you uncover and clarify this information.
Investigate Organizational Culture
Employers evaluate candidates based on organizational fit. While relevant experience and skills are important parts of the selection process, how a candidate's attitude, values and goals align with the organization's culture can be the deciding factor in hiring.
A visit to a potential employer's Web site or a discussion with a recruiter can reveal important information about the organization and how you might fit in. Take advantage of these resources before the interview to learn about the organization's mission, services, approach to treatment and client population.
Identify Your Goals
Take inventory of your professional goals and the resources you will need to pursue them. If you are eligible for a professional license, research its specific requirements. During the interview, ask about what's available to help you pursue your goals. For instance, does the organization offer the supervision or continuing education necessary to achieve and maintain a professional license or certification? If not, can employees attend outside training sessions or seminars?
Discussing your professional development during the interview will demonstrate your commitment to building a career and help you evaluate the developmental opportunities available with that organization.
Develop an Interview Strategy
Be ready to answer the basic job interview questions and showcase your strengths during the interview. To prepare for behavioral questions, practice presenting a challenging or rewarding case that demonstrated your clinical and decision-making abilities. Include specific examples of your ability to work effectively with clients, collaborate with other professionals and reach desired outcomes.
Also prepare some thoughtful questions for the interviewer to help determine your fit and demonstrate your interest. The interview is the best forum to ask about the organization's community, client population, work environment and culture. Above all, remember: A positive attitude and enthusiasm about your work can take you a long way in social services.
Assess Your Fit
Use resources outside of the traditional interview to help you assess how you fit with a potential employer. Your college or university career office is a great starting point for information about local organizations. Many colleges and universities maintain a professional network of alumni working in social services. For an insider's perspective, contact a fellow alum working for the organization you're considering or one active in that organization's community.
If during the application process you have the opportunity to speak with or shadow employees, be sure to participate. You can learn a lot about potential fit while interviewing on the job or speaking with a potential coworker.
Understand the Greater Implications
Considering the professional and ethical ramifications of your job search could change the way you prepare for interviews. Accepting a position to which you are not fully committed could be a costly diversion from your career path as well as affect the continuity of care for an organization's clients. When you accept a position in social services, you are not just making a commitment to your employer. Your commitment extends to your career, and most importantly, to the individuals and families you will work with. Remembering why you chose to pursue a career in social services is the best motivation for conducting a responsible job search.
[Derek Snyder has served as the staff development coordinator for South Bay Mental Health Center, a community-based behavioral healthcare agency in Massachusetts, since 2001. His current interests center around retention strategies in behavioral healthcare. Prior to his tenure in social services, he worked as a human resources consultant. He holds a degree in industrial and labor relations from Cornell University.]
