Writing a CV or resume as a social worker can be a challenging task. You need to showcase your skills, experience, and passion for helping others in a way that stands out to employers. This article aims to guide you through the process of creating a compelling social worker CV or resume. We will provide practical tips, straightforward advice, and real examples to help you highlight your professional journey effectively. Whether you are starting your career or looking to advance, these insights will assist you in crafting a document that truly represents your abilities and dedication to social work.
Read The Job Description / Advert
The first step is, of course, to read the job description. We need to know what the firm is looking for so that we can properly highlight these characteristics in our CV. So read back over the job description and try to pinpoint the important points. A lot of times a firm will call things “required”; if you see this, you need to make sure you include that in your CV. Similarly, if certain things are repeated throughout the advert, this indicates they are of high importance, so we will want to make sure our CV shows that as well.
When performing this analysis, take care to copy the ‘exact’ words and phrases that are being used by the hiring manager. We will want to pepper these into our CV later.
Social Worker Job Description Example
Social Worker – Opportunity to Make a Difference
We are seeking a dedicated and compassionate Social Worker to join our dynamic team. This role offers the opportunity to make a significant impact in the lives of individuals and communities. As a key member of our organization, you will be instrumental in providing support, guidance, and resources to those in need.
Responsibilities:
- Conduct comprehensive assessments of client needs and develop tailored care plans.
- Provide crisis intervention services as needed, offering immediate support and solutions.
- Collaborate with other professionals, such as healthcare providers and educators, to ensure a holistic approach to client care.
- Advocate for clients’ rights and access to services, navigating complex social systems to obtain necessary resources.
- Develop and facilitate group therapy sessions, workshops, and community outreach programs.
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date client records, adhering to ethical guidelines and confidentiality requirements.
- Participate in continuous professional development to stay informed of best practices in social work.
Requirements:
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Social Work from an accredited institution.
- A valid social work license or the ability to obtain one before employment.
- Demonstrated experience in case management, counseling, and crisis intervention.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with diverse populations.
- Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple cases simultaneously.
- Compassion, resilience, and a commitment to empowering individuals and communities.
- Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team.
We Offer:
- A supportive and inclusive work environment.
- Opportunities for professional growth and development.
- Competitive benefits package, including health insurance and professional development allowances.
- Flexible working arrangements to support work-life balance.
This role is ideal for someone passionate about social justice and committed to making a positive difference. If you are a dedicated social worker eager to contribute to a meaningful cause, we would love to hear from you.
Research The Company
Time to put on your detective hat and do some research on your target company. Look at their website, LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and other platforms. You are looking for any piece of intel that will give you the leg up.
- Find out about recent work/projects they have undertaken or will be embarking on (highlight your experience in these areas on your CV)
- Find out what software/processes they use and make sure you include your proficiency in them in your CV
- Learn what interview questions you might expect should you make it that far
See if you know anyone who works there and/or connect (LinkedIn) with people ahead of the interview. A little nepotism could never hurt, and you might be able to glean more information about the role/hiring process in the meantime.
Find A Good CV Template
When selecting a CV template, it’s essential to opt for a simple design and structure. Not only are straightforward layouts more compatible with Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), but they also make it easier for recruiters and hiring managers to quickly identify and understand key details. A clutter-free and organized CV ensures that your most important information stands out, facilitating a smoother review process for potential employers.
This is the CV template that we recommend (click here)
Write 2 Or 3 Bullet Points As A ‘Professional Summary’
A handy approach is to craft three sentences: the first highlighting your qualifications and experience, the second showcasing your biggest professional achievement, and the third detailing your most recent experience.
Social Worker Professional Summary Example
- Over 8 years of experience in social work, specializing in mental health and community outreach, backed by a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree. Skilled in applying therapeutic techniques like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Motivational Interviewing, along with proficiency in case management software like ClientTrack and HMIS for effective client data management and reporting.
- Led a transformative mental health initiative in a mid-sized urban community, achieving a 30% reduction in homelessness among the mentally ill population within two years. This involved coordinating with local healthcare providers and NGOs, implementing a holistic support system integrating healthcare, counseling, and housing assistance.
- Most recently, focused on adolescent mental health in a school setting, developing and executing a mindfulness-based stress reduction program. This initiative, grounded in evidence-based practices, resulted in a 25% decrease in reported anxiety and stress-related incidents among high school students, demonstrating the impact of targeted mental health interventions in educational environments.
Detail Your Employment History
Begin by listing your employment history in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent role. This allows potential employers to see your recent experience upfront, which holds greater value. Keep in mind that brevity is key.
As you go further back in time, reduce the level of detail to ensure your CV doesn’t exceed two pages. Employers are less likely to read lengthy CVs.
When writing about your duties on your CV, make sure you don’t just list them. Instead, use them to highlight your achievements. For instance, instead of saying “Worked with at-risk youth,” you could say, “Guided 50+ at-risk youth through counseling programs, achieving a 70% improvement in their school attendance and behavior.” This way, you’re not just saying what you did, but also showing how well you did it and the positive impact you made. It’s more about showing the results of your work, not just the work itself. This helps potential employers see the real value you can bring to their team.
Detail Your Education History
Keep your CV concise, aiming for a two-page limit. The education section can often be streamlined.
Highlight the most relevant qualifications. For instance, if you have a degree, your A-levels become less significant. Similarly, if you’re in the U.S., having an MBA overshadows your high school GPA.
Unless an older educational milestone is crucial for the job or highly pertinent, focus on showcasing your Bachelor’s degree, post-graduate studies, or professional certifications. If you lack these, mention your latest qualifications. Remember, having a Master’s suggests you’ve finished school, so no need to state the obvious. Only include your educational background if it’s pertinent to the job.
CV Structure
Tactically structure your CV to the ‘most wanted’ attributes of the job description. For example, if the job description values “qualified”, then place your qualifications first; if they want someone with RECENT experience, put your last job up top. If they want multiple years of experience, highlight your tenure.
We always recommend that you have a Professional Summary up top (after your name/contact info), as it will be the first thing that anyone reads. As discussed earlier, this should be tailored towards the job advert and showcase your experience and skills in what the employer is looking for.
A fairly typical structure would go:
- Name and contact info
- Professional Summary
- Current (or most recent employment)
- Education & Professional Qualifications
- Employment History
WHAT NOT TO DO
Now that we’ve discussed what you should be including in your CV, let’s look at some things that you should avoid doing.
- Do not include personal history or likes. Employers are not going to care about your hobbies, so unless you have some inside information that the hiring manager only hires people who play a particular sport, for example, then leave your extracurricular activities off your CV. This does not extend to things like volunteer or charity work. Definitely include that if you have the space.
- Do not list your skillset and the tools/applications you have experience with. It takes up valuable space and is often obvious (Skilled in Excel…?). Instead, include these in your achievements section (Example: “Used Asana to manage and coordinate tasks for a remote team of 25 members”).
- Do not include references or “references available on request”. If employers want a reference, they will ask you for them; otherwise, this is just wasted space on your CV.
- Do not include a photo of yourself unless specifically asked. In many countries, including the UK and US, you should not include a photo of yourself on your CV/resume. Companies don’t want you to do it, as it opens them up to liability, and there is absolutely nothing for you to gain by doing so – plus, you are making it easier for firms to discriminate against you, either implicitly or explicitly.
- Do not use any fancy graphic or artistic CV format. Most CVs come in a standard format, allowing Application Tracking Software, recruiters and hiring managers to easily pick out the key pieces of information they need quickly based on their experience. If you throw them a CV in an artistic format, they are more likely to get annoyed and throw your application away. This is not a situation where standing out is good. You want your skills/experience to be noted, not your CV format.
- Do not include your previous salaries. This will severely impact your negotiation abilities down the line.
Social Worker CV Tips – Recap
Let’s recap what we’ve discussed so far:
1. Highlight Your Qualifications 🎓
Start your CV by listing your educational background, including your degree in social work and any relevant certifications. If you have specialized training in areas like child welfare, mental health, or substance abuse, make sure to include these as well.
2. Showcase Your Experience 💼
Detail your work history, focusing on roles relevant to social work. Explain what you did in each role and, more importantly, the impact you made. Use numbers and specifics to demonstrate your achievements, like “Managed a caseload of 30 clients, improving their access to essential services by 40%.”
3. Skills and Techniques 🛠
Mention specific social work skills you possess, such as crisis intervention, case management, or counseling. If you’re skilled in certain methodologies or tools, like cognitive-behavioral therapy or family systems therapy, include these too.
4. Tailor Your CV 🎯
Customize your CV for each job application. Emphasize the experience and skills that are most relevant to the job description. This shows that you’ve read the job advert carefully and understand what the employer is looking for.
5. Volunteer Work Counts 👐
Include any volunteer work or internships, especially if they’re related to social work. This can show your commitment to the field and provide additional evidence of your skills and experience.
6. Professional Memberships 🌐
If you’re a member of any professional social work organizations, like the National Association of Social Workers, add these to your CV. It shows you’re engaged with the broader social work community.
7. Keep It Clear and Concise ✂️
Your CV should be easy to read and to the point. Avoid jargon and use simple language. Make sure it’s well-organized and free of any spelling or grammar mistakes.
8. Personal Statement 🌟
Start with a brief personal statement summarizing your professional background, key skills, and what you’re looking for in your next role. This is your chance to make a strong first impression.
Social Worker CV Sample
Below is an example CV from someone with a number of years experience in the field. For an editable .DOCX version, click here.
