Social Work Jobs Overview
Social work jobs are vital for the health, safety, and well-being of people all across the United States. Social workers are often the first person someone talks to when they're in need. They're also among the first responders in a crisis that involves emotional or mental challenges, neglect, or abuse, and they partner with government agencies to address these emergency situations.
As a social worker, you really are a jack of all trades. There are social work positions in schools, hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, detention centers, and community development organizations. You'll protect at-risk children, work with people in vulnerable communities, and help families navigate the foster care system or access services such as SNAP and affordable housing. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that the need for these services will not decrease any time soon. In fact, they project a 13% increase in social worker jobs over the next 10 years.
If you're ready to make a real difference in someone's life, you may want to browse all of our social service jobs, which include:
Social Worker Education and Skills
Different jobs in social work require different skill sets and knowledge depending on the work setting and specialty. But there are a few qualities that will serve you well across all roles, including multitasking skills, empathy, and good communication skills. Most social work jobs also require the following:
- A bachelor's or master's degree in social work or a similar field.
- A license in the state in which you want to practice.
- Prior work or internship experience.
- The ability to handle emotional stress while remaining calm and professional.
- Knowledge of how to comply with and enforce federal, state, and local legal requirements.
- A valid driver's license.
Interested in becoming a social worker but don't know where to start? Read our article on how to become a social worker for more information.
Update Your Social Worker Resume
After you've earned your degree and gotten a few years of work experience under your belt, it's time to start applying to social work jobs. But before you do, take a look at our social worker resume template to find out how to create a resume that can help put you at the top of the hiring manager's pile. You can also attach a cover letter that highlights your relevant achievements and expresses why you're the perfect fit for the position. Read our cover letter for social workers before writing your first draft to learn how weave your passion for helping others into a solid cover letter that displays professionalism and expertise.
Interviewing for a Social Work Job
We know that preparing for a job interview can be stressful. Visit Monster’s interview questions page for advice on how to prepare thoughtful answers to standard questions that you'll be asked in any interview.
How Much Do Social Work Jobs Pay?
As a family, school, or general social worker, you can expect to earn a median salary of $51,393. Find out what you can expect to earn in your area with Monster's Salary Tools. And while you're there, you can find median salaries for related jobs that you might be interested in pursuing.
Want to Find Social Work Jobs? Hit That Apply Button
Ready to help people in need? No need to wait—just click on the social work jobs on this page to apply. You can also build your profile on Monster to let recruiters know you're looking for a new opportunity and to receive custom job alerts in your inbox.