How to Hire a Social Worker

Social workers are an incredibly important part of any community or organization. They act as counselors or safety nets for individuals, groups, or families who are facing problems in their lives, and help them cope with or address their issues. Many times, the person a social worker is assisting isn’t able to advocate for themselves, so the social worker is their only support.

What Does a Social Worker Do?

There are many types of social workers, but in general, their main job duties are as follows:

Empower individuals and communities in need by understanding their unique strengths and concerns
Offer support during life’s challenges, such as illness, unemployment, or family changes
Connect clients with essential community resources, like food stamps and healthcare, to enhance their well-being
Respond promptly to crises, including child abuse and mental health emergencies
Maintain comprehensive case records and provide impactful psychotherapy services
Develop personalized care plans for lasting positive outcomes
Monitor progress and celebrate improvements or reassess goals

A social worker’s chosen field will affect their job duties. For example, a child and family social worker will focus more on helping children in need, while a healthcare social worker will help clients understand a diagnosis and adjust their lifestyle. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics recognizes four types of social workers: child and family, school, healthcare, and mental health and substance abuse. However, each specialty can have sub-categories as well.

The job duties a social worker is allowed to perform will also depend on their licensing or credentials and any state regulations, which we will talk about below.

Highest Education Level

Social Workers offer the following education background

Master's Degree (57.0%)

Bachelor's Degree (30.8%)

Doctorate Degree (4.0%)

Associate's Degree (3.6%)

High School or GED (2.4%)

Vocational Degree or Certification (1.8%)

Some College (0.3%)

Some High School (0.1%)

Qualifications / Skills

The following top skills are often required or desired to land a social worker position

Community Resources, Psychosocial Assessment, School Social Work, Clinical Social Work, Master of Social Work, Social Services, Family Therapy, Marriage and Family Therapy, Crisis Intervention, Guidance Counseling, Group Counseling, Anxiety, Psychotherapy, Substance Abuse, Mental Health

Social Worker Requirements and Qualifications

So, what should you look for in a candidate when hiring a social worker? Social work is heavily regulated by a state’s government, and because qualifications differ depending on your location, you should check with your state to see what is required to practice. The Association of Social Work Boards also has information for each state. However, most education and licensing programs will follow a similar structure.

Social Worker Licenses and Education

A candidate’s education level will determine what licenses they are able to acquire. Some states allow aspiring social workers with an associate degree to practice in limited roles, but for most, a bachelor’s degree in social work (BSW), master’s degree in social work (MSW), or in rare cases, a doctorate in social work (DSW/Ph.D.) is required.

Typically, for licensed social work, a social worker will be either a Licensed Clinical Social Worker or Licensed Master of Social Work. Though, some states have a Licensed Bachelor of Social Work for those with a BSW. Here’s what each license entails:

Licensed Bachelor of Social Work (LBSW): Requires a BSW degree and the scope of practice is usually limited to needs assessments and referrals. Works under supervision in various social work settings.
Licensed Master of Social Work (LMSW): Requires an MSW degree and successfully passing the ASWB master’s exam. Can perform assessments, develop intervention plans, act as case managers, and provide advocacy and resources, but cannot diagnose and provide counseling for mental health conditions.
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW): Requires an MSW or DSW degree, passing the ASWB clinical exam, and supervised clinical experience. Authorized to diagnose specific mental health conditions and provide counseling, but not to prescribe medication. Can work in various settings, including correctional facilities, hospice care, and substance misuse treatment, and may have an independent practice.

Other Skills to Look for in a Social Worker

When hiring a social worker, it’s important to consider several essential skills. Effective communication and interpersonal skills are crucial, as social workers need to listen attentively and understand their clients’ needs to provide meaningful assistance. A social worker should also be compassionate, as they often work with individuals facing challenging circumstances, requiring patience and empathy to build strong relationships. Additionally, organizational skills are necessary to manage multiple clients and handle paperwork and documentation.

Take a look at the other most common skills and qualifications employers on iHireSocialServices look for in a social worker to get a better idea of what makes a good candidate.

Social Worker Salary Data

Offering a competitive social worker salary is one of the best ways to attract the best candidates. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and iHireSocialServices puts the median salary for social workers in the U.S. at just over $60,000, but that number will change drastically depending on the license needed and the location.

United States

**Data source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

For a look at local salaries, check our free salary tool.

Sample Social Worker Job Ad

To attract high-quality social worker candidates, you need an attractive job ad. At the minimum, you need the basics of what makes a good job ad, such as a clear job title and list of responsibilities. But to really stand out, you should also include anything that makes this position or your company unique. Including the salary, benefits, and hours or schedule will increase your chances of finding the right social worker applicants for the position. Take a look at the sample ad below to help you get started.

Social Worker

[Company Name] is seeking a compassionate and skilled Social Worker to join our dedicated team and contribute to our mission of empowering individuals and communities. As a Social Worker with our organization, you will have the opportunity to work with diverse populations and provide vital support to those facing challenging life situations. If you are dedicated to helping others and making a positive impact, join our team of passionate social workers and be part of a fulfilling and rewarding journey.

Responsibilities:

Conduct needs assessments and engage in active listening to understand clients’ challenges.
Develop personalized care plans to address clients’ needs and goals.
Connect clients with essential community resources and services, such as healthcare, food assistance, and housing support.
Provide counseling and emotional support to individuals and families.
Collaborate with colleagues and other support specialists to ensure comprehensive care.
Maintain accurate and detailed case files and documentation.
Advocate for clients and their communities, ensuring their needs are met.

Qualifications:

Master’s degree in social work (MSW), LMSW preferred
Licensure or certification, as required by the state
Previous experience working with [types of clients]
Strong communication and interpersonal skills
Empathy, compassion, and patience in working with individuals facing difficult life situations

Perks and Benefits:

Competitive salary and benefits package
Flexible schedule
Opportunities for professional growth and advancement

Job Interview Questions for Social Workers

When interviewing a social worker, you’ll want to ask questions that assess their qualifications, experience, approach to client care, and ability to handle challenging situations. Behavioral and situational interview questions will work best to determine how the candidate will deal with the various challenges of the job. Here are some job interview questions for social workers to consider:

How do you build a relationship and trust with a client?
What makes a client difficult to work with?
Tell me about a time when a client disagreed with your approach or treatment plan.
Describe a challenging case you worked on and how you handled it.
What are the signs of abuse?
What would you do if you had to quickly find resources for a client in a community that you were unfamiliar with?
If a client walked in for a session with you, but they were clearly under the influence of drugs, what would you do?
How do you approach working with diverse populations and cultures?
How do you handle disagreements or conflicts with clients, colleagues, or other professionals?