Practice 30 Social Work Internship interview questions covering ethics, case scenarios, and field placement readiness.
Question 23 of 30
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Focus Your Answer On
What to Avoid
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Krista Wenz has been on thousands of interview panels hiring EMS professionals and firefighters for public and private agencies.
In social work, there are many different populations that you could choose to work with. Many social workers choose a particular population based on life experience. The interviewer wants to understand why you chose this specific target population to understand what motivates and inspires you to help this demographic.

Krista Wenz has been on thousands of interview panels hiring EMS professionals and firefighters for public and private agencies.
Focus on explaining what made you choose to serve the population you are interviewing to work with. You may choose to work with children with disabilities because you have a disabled family member, or you want to work with the homeless because you once were without a home. The interviewer wants to hear your personal reason for choosing to work with this group of people.

Krista Wenz has been on thousands of interview panels hiring EMS professionals and firefighters for public and private agencies.
You must have a reason for choosing to work with a specific group. For the interviewer to see your motivation and desire to help their target population, you want to avoid saying you do not have a particular reason. If you do not specify who you want to serve, the interviewer may feel that you are not focused and lack direction in your career.

Krista Wenz has been on thousands of interview panels hiring EMS professionals and firefighters for public and private agencies.
"I chose to work with veterans because I come from a military family. Both my grandparents and father served our country, and their service severely impacted them. I see there is a lack of support for our veterans, and I want to be that support they so desperately need."

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Written by Krista Wenz
30 Questions & Answers • Social Work Internship

By Krista

By Krista