Social Worker 

How did you get your current job?
Met with one of the other social workers there, and found the actual job posted online at the website.

What was the application process?
Resume and electronic application

Did you have to interview for your current job? If yes, what did the interview process entail?
Yes, I had a brief telephone interview, then one interview with my supervisor and one with the HR Department.

If you can remember, what questions were you asked during the interview?
What I knew about the agency, what former supervisors would say about me, my comfort with the job, what I thought the job entailed, how I would handle certain situations.

Do you feel your employer properly prepared you for your job? Explain.
YES – I had a very sophisticated training program and felt very prepared. I learned about what was expected of me and the requirements of my postion. I also learned how to handle different situations.

Was there training for your current position? If yes, what did it entail?
Yes, I had an in-depth training period. I had a preceptor – one person in my position- who showed me everything. I shadowed her on visits and learned the policies and procedures. She also accompanied me to my first visits with clients and helped me enter my data in the computer system. The process took about 3 weeks in total. I also went to several agency trainings that went over additional policies and procedures.

Do you feel your educational background prepared you for your job? Explain.
Yes – I had coursework and fieldwork training that was relevant to my job. I studied about older adults and hospice in particular.

If applicable, do you feel your internship experience helped you prepare for your job?
yes – I worked with older adults with teminal illness in my internship and learned how to provide social work services for that population.

If someone wanted to go about getting a job similar to yours, what would you recommend for him or her to do?
Network with others! Set up informational interviews and meet with people at the organizations you are interested in. Also volunteer – gain experience in Hospice.

What skills do you think a person should have if they want to pursue a position like yours?
Willing to go into client’s homes, empathy, tolerating others’ points of view, comfort with illness, death, and dying, ability to handle crises.

Do you feel that you need a certain level of education or training to be successful in your job?
Yes – you really need a Master of Social Work degree

What advice would you give to someone who was about to start work in your position/ line of work?
Take some time to reflect on your own experiences with death and dying and how that may impact your work.