Тема 19: Skill

Skill is the practice component that brings knowledge and values together and converts them to action as a response to concern and need. A sociological definition of skill is also useful in understanding the meaning of the term: a complex organization of behavior (physical or verbal) developed through learning and directed toward a particular goal or centered on a particular activity.

Skill is the social worker's capacity to set in motion-in a relationship with the client (individual, group, community)-guided psychosocial intervention processes of change based on social work values and knowledge in a specific situation relevant to the client.

Social work does not have one skill but a wide variety of skills useful for many different situations.

Several attempts have been made to organized the skills component of practice into four areas: 1) information gathering and assessment; 2) the development and use of the professional self; 3) practice activities with individuals, groups, and communities; and 4) evaluations. They listed the needed skill cluster in each of these areas.

The "Curriculum Policy Statement" of the Council on Social Work Education provides the official statement of the skill level expected of baccalaureate and masters-level social work graduates. This is a complex document, but two types of skills are called for (although it is impossible to completely separate them): cognitive skills and interactive or relationship skills. Cognitive skills are those used in thinking about persons in situations, in developing understanding about the person and the situation, in identifying the knowledge to be used, in planning for intervention, and in performing evaluation. Interactive skills are those used in working jointly with individuals, groups, families, organizations, and communities; in communicating and developing understanding; in joint planning; and in carrying out the plans of action. A social worker must be proficient in both types of skills.

Тема 20: Getting a Social Work Job

Once a social worker has completed professional education, the next task is to secure employment in the field of a social work. That usually takes time and effort, as agencies are necessarily careful in their selection of staff to serve their clientele. It is important for the social worker who is seeking a job to present himself or herself in a manner that ensures the best chance of being hired.

The first step in finding employment is to discover the job openings. In most communities, several sources of information might be examined: newspaper advertisements, personnel departments of agencies, informal networks among professionals.

Once an open position is located, an application must be prepared. The application typically has two parts: a cover letter and a professional resume. The cover letter should focus on the particular job being applied for and should stress the applicant's qualifications for that position. It should be approximately one page in length and must be carefully written with no spelling, punctuation, or grammatical errors.

The professional resume is more generic than a cover letter and might be used when applying for several positions. It is an organized summary of one's professional qualifications. Its purpose is to present the applicant's background in a manner that will convince the employer to invite him or her for an interview. There is no prescribed format or style for a resume. At a minimum, the following information should be included in a resume:

. Personal data: your name, address, and phone number.

. Education: the name of your degree(s), your major, the colleges or universities you attended, and graduation dates. List all schools you have attended (listing in reverse order) and possibly add grade-point average, honors, special projects, or any special skills or training that might be relevant to a social work job (e.g., computer, foreign language, etc.).

. Experience: employment in reverse order (i.e., beginning with your current or most recent job), giving the job title, name of organization, dates of employment, and job duties. It is also helpful to list any volunteer experience that might have contributed to your social work competencies.

. Activities and interests: your professional interests as well as those that extend beyond social work, membership in professional organizations, your participation in various clubs or organizations and any offices held, and any hobbies or special interests.

. References.

. Other information: information such as publications, travel experiences, and unique experiences that may enhance your competence as a social worker.

If the application is successful, the applicant will be invited to an interview. The seven questions that are commonly asked in an interview are the following:

1. What are your qualifications for this job?

2. What are your strengths?

3. What are your weaknesses?

4. Why do you want this job?

5. What are your career goals?

6. What would you do in the following situation? (For example, a client tells you he wants to hurt himself. What is your response?)

7. Why should I hire you?