1. Why do you want to become a social worker?
To make things better, to help the others, to make a difference in this world. This should be your aim and your answer to this interview question.
2. Why are you applying for a job in our institution?
You should be aware of the problems in the institution, before the start of the interview. To mention that you are aware of the concrete problem and believe that you can be the right person to solve it is actually a good answer. Just do not forget to be specific when answering this question. If you apply for a job at school, mention that you are good in dealing with problematic students and like to communicate with the youngsters. You should simply adjust your answer to the exact role you are applying for right now…
3. What is your experience with the targeted group?
Clever applicant will not only list his related experience, but also mention specific achievements from his job. Did you help a child to change his lifestyle? Did you help the sufferers to find new hope? If yo did so, do not hesitate to mention it in the job interview. You can even become a little emotional. It is okay in this type of job interview. And if you touch the emotions of the hiring committee, your chances of being hired will increase immediately.
4.How do you imagine your normal working day?
The key is to answer it with a list of duties. Present yourself as someone who wants to work and who has always something to do in the office. You can mention for example that if there are no duties, you plan to study and research to make the plans how to make things better in the institution and for the targeted group.
5. Where do you see yourself in five years time?
Honestly, there is not too much space for career growth on social work positions (may be different is some social institutions though, but the exception just proves the rule). That is why it is advisable to simply say that you would still love to do the social work in which you see meaningful purpose of your life.
6. How would you build relationships with the target population?
This is one of more difficult social work interview questions. However, to mention that you always try to think on the same wavelength and look at the situation from the point of view of the other person is definitely a good base for an excellent answer.
7. What would you do to solve conflict situations with the others?
First of all, you should mention that you do your best to avoid conflicts at all. As a social worker, you try to be as calm and focused in your job as possible. This is what the employers want to hear from you.
