Resume Guide for Social Workers

Resumes act as the first point of contact between a social worker and his/her potential employer, so it’s critical for resume writers to detail their professional experience and qualifications as effectively as possible. Aspiring social work employees should use their resumes to showcase their certifications or licensures, plus their supervised clinical hours and work experience. Social work resumes should also prove that a candidate is qualified to work with clients and has experience interacting with the people who will be in their care. On top of that, job applicants should tailor their resumes to fit the position for which they are applying.

How to Write a Social Work Resume

1. Do Your Research: It’s important for a resume to reflect the skills and work experience required by the position in question. Before drafting their social work resume, applicants should research their potential new employer to learn about which skills they value, and tweak the resume as needed to highlights those skills.
2. Write Down the Key Points: Start with an outline to organize the resume’s main points. Social work resumes should address a candidate’s strengths and weaknesses, and include details on how to overcome the specified weaknesses.
3. Format Your Resume: These resumes should be professional and easy to read. Start with an online search for sample resume formats, choose an appropriate design, and go from there. Headlines should separate resume categories (work experience, education, and skills, for example). Arrange the categories to reflect the employer’s priorities.

Types of Resumes for Social Workers

Resumes provide an overview of a job candidate’s skills and experience, and there are many ways to organize this information. Some resumes highlight work history first, while others focus on educational credentials. Applicants can alter the format of their resume to best suit the position in question. For example, employers who work closely with the community might prefer to see a resume highlighting experience with outreach programs, while recruiters hiring for clinical positions might be more interested in educational background. The three primary resume formats are as follows:

• Reverse-Chronological: Reverse-chronological resumes start with the applicant’s most recent work experience, and work down to the oldest. This format is ideal for candidates with recent work experience in their desired field.
• Functional: Functional resumes focus primarily on practical experience and skills, and less on job history. This format works best for candidates who are changing careers, have taken time away from work, or are just entering the workforce. Volunteer and coursework experience may be included on a functional resume.
• Combination: A combination resume incorporates aspects of both the reverse-chronological and functional formats. Combination resumes typically lead with a description of qualifications and related skills, followed by a breakdown of work experience.

Required vs. Preferred Qualifications

In job postings, employers often list required qualifications and preferred qualifications separately. Required qualifications are deal-breakers when it comes to being considered for a position, while preferred qualifications give candidates some bonus points in the hiring process. Applicants who have some of the position’s preferred qualifications should make sure to include them on their resume, but even those without required qualifications should still apply if they are otherwise qualified for the role.

What Should I Include on a Social Work Resume?

Education and Training: Social work careers require some level of higher education. Some social work positions only require a bachelor’s, but many call for a master’s degree. Any social work application must show that the candidate has met the minimum education requirements. It should also detail their prior training and certifications. Applicants who earned high a GPA in college may include this information on their resume, but in most cases GPA information isn’t necessary.

Experience: Applicants with relevant job experience should list this information in reverse-chronological order, including the dates of employment, the number of clients seen, the types of treatment offered, and the general client population. Candidates should also break down each job’s specific duties on their resume. Using positive adjectives and action verbs to describe these duties, and highlight how they pertain to the position in question. If a job posting includes a list of required and preferred qualifications, address those points in this section. Use the job listing’s specific wording in case applications are reviewed by a resume-reading robot. Applicants lacking in relevant job experience should follow the functional resume format to highlight their other skills and qualifications.

Skills: Applicants can devote a resume section to their personal skills, which exist outside of work or education experience. It’s important to note how those personal skills can apply to a career in social work. Candidates can use this section to note unique skills that might set their resume apart from the others.

Licensure, Certifications: Most social work positions require some form of certification or licensure, usually at the state level. In many cases, a license is required to qualify for social work positions, while certifications might be optional. Either way, it’s crucial to include all licenses and certifications when applying for a social work job, and beneficial to include their expiration and renewal dates, as well.

Awards, Accomplishments, Affiliations: Members of professional organizations should list their affiliations in this section. Applicants should also list their awards or accomplishments that relate to the job in question.

Volunteer Work: Hiring managers take notice of candidates who donate their time, especially if they volunteer in the same field as their desired career. Applicants with social work volunteer experience would boost their resume by including information on their duties and responsibilities. Applicants who lack professional social work experience might include volunteer social work on their resume instead.