A social worker helps individuals, families, and communities function and feel better, solve problems together, and find the resources they need. That definition covers a wide range of services, such as counseling individuals, setting up foster care for children, and finding housing or jobs, or supporting patients in hospitals or nursing homes.
One estimate predicts that the employment of social workers is expected to grow much faster than the average for other jobs, at 19%, creating over 114,000 new jobs by 2022, in part because of the aging population and in part because of new subspecialties.
As a social worker, your resume should begin with a statement of your licensure/education, experience, and areas of expertise since these are the facts that will qualify and distinguish you in applying for a specific job. Because social work varies so much, each position listed on your resume must:
- Describe briefly the goals of the organization you worked with and the types of clients (children, families, adults, patients, and so on).
- Indicate whom you reported to in each position so that your own status is clear.
- List your achievements and responsibilities; for example, “Provided testimony in court proceedings leading to the placement of at-risk children in foster homes.”
- Cite the therapies you used; for example, cognitive behavior therapy (CBT).
- Use numbers to quantify your achievements if possible; for example, “Launched 70 community gardens that produced 90,000 pounds of fresh vegetables annually for over 100 gardeners and their families.”
- Spell out acronyms and avoid overcapitalizing the names of therapies; for example, you do not need to capitalize “in-home therapy” or “geriatric social work.”
When you apply for your first position as a social worker, licensure and education are even more important. Detail the courses you took and the experience you accumulated as a volunteer, a participant in college activities, or an employee in dealing with people (most situations involve interacting with people at some level).
Whether you are an experienced or new social worker, your resume should make the most of your qualifications. Robin’s Resumes® is here to help.