| Career Services |
Career ServicesAn NASW-MA Membership Benefit Just for You!
Job seekers from all ages, backgrounds, and experience levels can receive individualized coaching, counseling, and resume/cover letter assistance via email as NASW-MA members. This includes: new graduates, career changers, and those re-entering the field after taking time off to raise a family or caring for a sick parent.
For more information and to set-up free one-on-one e-coaching, please contact Elyse Pipitone, LCSW, at epipitone.naswma@socialworkers.org. Elyse typically responds to career services inquiries within 4 business days or less. Be on the lookout for Elyse's Career Services articles in our bi-monthly Social Work Voice magazine, which covers unique and timely information for social work job seekers.
For those looking for social work jobs, you can also check out our employment opportunities webpage. National NASW’s Career Center also includes additional professional development tools, tips for job seekers, information for social work students, and much more!
JOB HUNTING DURING COVID-19? CHECK OUT THIS GUIDE.
Career Tips & Related Career Services ArticlesView all past Career Services articles by logging in to your NASW-MA account here
Cover letter: Describe how your skills match the qualifications and requirements outlined in the job description. It is also important to mention your interpersonal skills with both clients and co-workers. Things like teamwork and collaborations, leadership skills, and advocacy and community organizing are important and often expected qualities in social service positions. Other important aspects include mentoring and supervising others, developing and executing programs, and spearheading community partnerships.
Cover Letters: An Essential Part of the Job Search (Vol. 2, No. 2)
Resume: Hiring managers take an average of six seconds to skim a resume when deciding if the applicant is a good fit for the job. Your resume should be a document that narrates your employment story, your accomplishments, and your skills. Most importantly, it should be one that you feel represents you as a social work professional.
Resumes: How Many Do I Need? (Vol. 2, No. 3)
Prepare answers to commonly asked questions: “Tell me about yourself.” Prepare a brief “sound bite” -- two to three sentences -- describing your professional achievements, qualifications and career goals. “What interests you about this job?” OR “Why do you think you’d be a good fit for this job?” Discuss why you would like to work there and how your qualifications match the position. “What are your strengths?” Talk about projects you’ve handled or crises that you’ve managed that show your ability to do the job. “What are your weaknesses?” Address a skill that you’re developing but would like to improve.
Your handshake: When you shake hands with the hiring manager, your grip should be firm, regardless if you are a man or woman. If your hand is limp and lifeless (what many call the “dead fish”), this will be conveyed as weakness and/or lack of enthusiasm. If your palms are sweaty, quickly blot them on the sides of your slacks or skirt before extending your hand. As you shake hands, you should smile and make eye contact.
Networking: Every live continuing education event is an opportunity to network. Networking can advance your career in meaningful ways.
Networking: Using Connections as a Job Hunting Tool (Vol. 1, No. 3)
Volunteering: This is another option to keep your mind sharp and skills fresh, and it is a win/win situation - while you are helping others, you are also helping yourself. It is an effective way to keep busy, meet new people, AND add experience to your resume. Volunteering can also help you shine a light on your talents and expertise, and perhaps grab the attention of the agency’s hiring manager. At the very least, you can increase your networking circle and gain a new professional reference or two. If you need some ideas for volunteer opportunities, check out www.idealist.org or www.hireculture.org.
Temping: Many organizations turn to temporary staff when they are trying to keep administration costs low, or they are seeking to fill a maternity leave or other long-term absence. If you are out of work, consider a temp or contract assignment. Not only will you keep your skills sharp, you also can learn about new agencies and social work concentrations. Additionally, sometimes temp positions turn into permanent ones.
Getting Your Foot in the Door: Working with Staffing Agencies (Vol. 1, No. 5)
Salary range: If the job description asks for salary requirements/expectations, give a range or leave in a $5,000 -$10,000 span with which you are comfortable.
You are not alone: Job support groups are available at most of the MassHire Career Centers free of charge. Visit https://www.mass.gov/masshire-career-centers for a listing. Or try a group like WIND — Wednesday Is Networking Day — one of the oldest and largest job search support groups in Massachusetts. The Alumni Relations and Career Services departments of your alma mater can often be a helpful resource, and Job-hunt.org offers a listing of networking and support groups by location, including some tailored specifically to women, veterans, and other interest groups.
Other Career Resources
Praise for Elyse and NASW-MA's Career Services Offerings
"Dear NASW-MA, I just wanted to give a thank you to Elyse Pipitone, LCSW, for her recent assistance in updating my resume. I contacted her through the NASW website, under Career Services. She was very helpful, prompt, and pleasant to deal with. I sent her my resume, she looked at it immediately, asked me several pertinent questions, updated it, got rid of unnecessary information, and returned it to me formatted very nicely, and even got back to me on a Saturday, a non-work day! I really appreciated her help, as I am starting to look for a new job, and needed to have an updated, more social-work focused resume. I wasn't expecting such a quick response, and I just wanted to let you all know how much I appreciated her time and effort. She did a great job. So, now, hopefully that will help me get a great job!" - An NASW-MA member |
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