Text 7 job outlook (1)

Competition for social worker jobs is stronger in cities where demand for services often is highest, training programs for social workers are prevalent, and interest in available positions is strongest. However, opportunities should be good in rural areas, which often find it difficult to attract and retain qualified staff.

Employment of social workers is expected to increase faster than the average for all occupations through 2010. The elderly population is increasing rapidly, creating greater demand for health and social services, resulting in particularly rapid job growth among gerontology social workers. Social workers also will be needed to help the large baby-boom generation deal with depression and mental health concerns stemming from mid-life, career, or other personal and professional difficulties. In addition, continuing concern about crime, juvenile delinquency, and services for the mentally ill, the mentally retarded, the physically disabled, AIDS patients, and individuals and families in crisis will spur demand for social workers. Many job openings also will stem from the need to replace social workers who leave the occupation.

The number of social workers in hospitals and long-term care facilities will increase in response to the need to provide medical and social services for clients who leave the facility. However, this need will be shared across several occupations. In an effort to control costs, these facilities increasingly emphasize discharging patients early, applying an interdisciplinary approach to patient care, and employing a broader mix of occupations – including clinical specialists, registered nurses, and health aides – to tend to patient care or client needs.

Text 8 job outlook (2)

Social worker employment in home healthcare services is growing, in part because hospitals are releasing patients earlier than in the past. However, the expanding senior population is an even larger factor. Social workers with backgrounds in gerontology are finding work in the growing numbers of assisted-living and senior-living communities.

Employment of social workers in private social service agencies also will grow. However, agencies increasingly will restructure services and hire more lower-paid social and human service assistants instead of social workers. Employment in State and local government may grow somewhat in response to increasing needs for public welfare and family services; however, many of these services will be contracted out to private agencies. Employment in child protection services will grow due to increased concern over the safety of children. Employment levels may fluctuate depending on need and government funding for various social service programs.

Employment of school social workers is expected to grow due to expanded efforts to respond to rising student enrollments. Moreover, continued emphasis on integrating disabled children into the general school population will lead to more jobs. However, availability of State and local funding will dictate the actual job growth in schools.

Opportunities for social workers in private practice will expand, but this growth will be inhibited to a certain degree by funding cutbacks and by restrictions that managed care organizations place on services. The growing popularity of employee assistance programs also is expected to spur some demand for private practitioners, some of whom provide social work services to corporations on a contractual basis.

HOW TO GET A JOB

You want to get yourself a good job? Your CV has to draw attention to you and then you yourself have to impress the boss at interview.

Here are some tips on how to give yourself the biggest chance of getting that dream job.

You should never try to write an all-purpose CV. Rather, you should have several versions at hand. In Russia, a CV is normally one side of A4 containing a summary of your relevant qualifications and experience. You have to be succinct, so don't generalise. Your achievements are your trumps, so use them. It is a good idea to state concrete achievements - "sales have doubled" or "a business plan was compiled". Use positive verbs that describe completed action, not the process: "done", "completed", "achieved". You can mention significant projects, awards, positions you have held, public appearances and any works you have had published. References are always a plus.

Be careful with the presentation of your CV. Check for spelling mistakes, continuity in formatting and leave sufficient margins for the interviewer to make notes, about 2cm.

Once you’ve been invited to interview, what should you take with you?

Here is a shortlist:

1. Two or three copies of your CV. It is possible there will be several people at interview.

2. All the documentation relating to your qualifications, degree, previous employment.

3. A portfolio of your work.

4. Letters of recommendation, photos of you with famous figures in your field, awards. Although you are welcome to leave the corporate paintballing trophy at home.

5. Pen and paper. When the interviewer tells you about the position - make notes. You will make a good impression.

6. If you have a particularly large portfolio to show, why not prepare a PowerPoint presentation or even a video presentation!

7. Take your business cards, but don't hand them out right and left. Your contact details are already in the CV. Have it ready if anyone asks...

8. Arrange all the paperwork into a professional looking folder or a case.

What are the most common mistakes at interview?

People can be late, forget to switch off their mobile phones or be reluctant to talk about themselves. You ought to be able to talk clearly, with dignity and without going into a whole load of unnecessary details. You are certainly going to be asked why you want to change jobs. You have to convince the interviewer of your professional loyalty without angry outbursts about your previous employer. You should never say that you "don't know" or "have forgotten" something. Find something to say, think out loud, but do not be silent!

What kind of questions should the interviewer ask?

An interview is not a Q&A session, but one way or another, the interviewee should ask for the following information: General information about the company and its market; Key responsibilities of the job; under what circumstances the position has become avail­able; where the position is in the heirarchy of the company, who you report to; terms of employment; working hours; if there is any prospect of career development and if so when and what kind.

The most uncomfortable question is about money, but you have to know!

Should you agree to the position as soon as you get the offer or should you spend a couple of days thinking?

It's always better to have a time-out. Such an important decision should never be taken off-the-cuff. Besides, this time could give you another chance to discuss the terms of employment.