30 Social Work Supervisor Interview Questions & Answers
Below is a list of our Social Work Supervisor interview questions. Click on any interview question to view our answer advice and answer examples. You may view 5 answer examples before our paywall loads. Afterwards, you'll be asked to upgrade to view the rest of our answers.
Behavioral
1. How do you handle a dispute with a coworker or supervisor?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
It is not uncommon for coworkers or supervisors to have a dispute or disagreement with someone they work with. The interviewer knows this and wants to see how you have handled disputes in the past. Your response gives the interviewer insight into your problem-solving, communication, and conflict resolution skills, which are essential skills to possess as a Social Work Supervisor.
Written by Krista Wenz on April 5th, 2022
Focus Your Answer On
Focus on giving a detailed explanation of how you handled a past disagreement with a supervisor or coworker. You do not necessarily need to describe the reason for the dispute, just how you dealt with it. The interviewer wants to hear that you dealt with the conflict privately, calmly, and professionally and that there was a resolution.
Written by Krista Wenz on April 5th, 2022
What to Avoid
You do not want to say that you avoid or ignore disagreements or get angry when a dispute arises in the workplace. The interviewer does not want to hear that you lack conflict resolution and communication skills. You also want to avoid speaking poorly of the person you had the dispute with or placing the blame solely on the other individual. You need to be responsible and recognize your part in the conflict.
Written by Krista Wenz on April 5th, 2022
Answer Example
"Over the years, I have found all conflicts can be fixed with honest, open communication. When both parties can explain why they are bothered by something and decide how to handle the situation maturely, it seems less conflict will happen in the future. Most conflicts are the result of a misunderstanding or lack of communication."
Written by Krista Wenz on April 5th, 2022
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Behavioral
2. How well do you work under pressure?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
As a Social Work Supervisor, you must work well under pressure. You will be responsible for managing a team, assisting with crisis resolution, responding to customer and employee inquiries, and reviewing case records to ensure compliance and quality, among other tasks. You will encounter situations that add stress to the workday, and you must be able to manage your stress for a successful outcome. The interviewer wants to hear that you work well under pressure and stay focused on the task at hand.
Written by Krista Wenz on April 5th, 2022
Focus Your Answer On
Focus on an example of working under pressure related to your role as a Social Work Supervisor. The interviewer wants to hear that you can effectively work under pressure in your supervisory role. Using the STAR method is an excellent way to formulate your response to this question. STAR stands for Situation, Task, Action, and Result. Briefly describe the situation, explain your role, the measures you took to solve the issues, and the outcome.
Written by Krista Wenz on April 5th, 2022
What to Avoid
If you want to be considered for the position, avoid saying you do not work well under pressure. Social Work Supervisors need to be calm and focused on the task at hand when faced with stressful situations.
Written by Krista Wenz on April 5th, 2022
Answer Example
"I work well under pressure. I have worked in this field for eight years and have been exposed to many stressful situations. When faced with a stressful situation, I let my training kick in. I identify the issue causing the stressful situation and take appropriate action. I find that remaining focused on the task at hand keeps my emotions from taking over, which allows me to stay calm while working in stressful environments."
Written by Krista Wenz on April 5th, 2022
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the patient over the weekend as he was discharged 24 hours later."
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Communication
3. How would you describe your communication skills?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The interviewer asks this question to see that you have the solid oral and written communication skills required for Social Work Supervisor positions. The interviewer wants to hear that you have the necessary communication skills for the role. Your job duties will include speaking with clients, staff, and outside agencies. You will also testify in court when needed and must have excellent documentation skills.
Written by Krista Wenz on April 5th, 2022
Focus Your Answer On
Focus on describing your written and oral communication skills. If you have a former supervisor who commented on your excellent communication skills in a letter of recommendation or performance review, use their description in your response. The interviewer wants to know that you can speak clearly with others while properly documenting reports and other forms of written communications.
Written by Krista Wenz on April 5th, 2022
What to Avoid
Avoid saying your communication skills could use improvement. The interviewer will pass you over for another candidate if you have poor communication skills. If you need to strengthen your communication skills, you might want to enroll in a leadership course, public speaking class, or read or watch a video on improving your communication skills.
Written by Krista Wenz on April 5th, 2022
Answer Example
"I would describe my communication skills as very strong. I can communicate with diverse groups so that they understand without using complex terms. I also have solid written communication and documentation skills, with over fifteen years of experience honing these skills. I took writing and communications courses in college and feel those helped me develop my skills."
Written by Krista Wenz on April 5th, 2022
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Direct
4. Are you available to work weekends when needed?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
As a Social Work Supervisor, you must be flexible and available to work weekends, holidays, and overtime when needed. The interviewer asks this question to see that you are a team player and dedicated to your profession.
Written by Krista Wenz on April 5th, 2022
Focus Your Answer On
Focus on assuring the interviewer you understand the nature of the business and that working weekends is part of the job. Let them know that you are flexible with your schedule and willing to work whatever hours they need, including weekends.
Written by Krista Wenz on April 5th, 2022
What to Avoid
If you want to be considered for the position, avoid saying that you cannot work weekends without explaining why. If you have a personal obligation, such as caring for a child or family member on the weekends, describe your situation to the interviewer and explain that you will look for help with your child or family member on the weekends you need to work. If you are honest in the interview, the interviewer will understand if there are some weekends you might not be able to work.
Written by Krista Wenz on April 5th, 2022
Answer Example
"Yes, I am available to work weekends when needed. I understand the nature of this industry and have no problem working weekends and holidays if needed. I have a class I take every Saturday, but my professor will let me make up the class if I have to work."
Written by Krista Wenz on April 5th, 2022
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Direct
5. Besides vacation and holiday time, how many days were you absent from work last year?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The company wants to hire a Social Work Supervisor who is responsible and dependable and shows up to work when scheduled. As the Supervisor, the interviewer wants to ensure you will be a good role model for the other employees. The interviewer asks this question to evaluate your work attendance in the past year. If you called off work many times in the past year, they might hesitate to offer you the position unless your reasons were excusable.
Written by Krista Wenz on April 5th, 2022
Focus Your Answer On
Focus on giving the exact number of days you missed work and why. If the interviewer deems your absence from work an excused and unavoidable reason to miss work, it will likely not be an issue. If you have many unexcused absences, they may disqualify you as a viable candidate.
Written by Krista Wenz on April 5th, 2022
What to Avoid
Avoid saying you cannot remember how often you missed work or answer untruthfully. The interviewer will contact your former employer for a reference and ask them the same question. It is best to be honest and explain any absences from work in the past year, allowing the interviewer to decide if your reasons were unavoidable or not.
Written by Krista Wenz on April 5th, 2022
Answer Example
"I was absent from work five days last year. I had LASIK surgery, and my doctor recommended taking one week to recover. I arranged the time off with my supervisor before scheduling the surgery, and she allowed me to use sick leave. Other than that, I did not miss any other days last year."
Written by Krista Wenz on April 5th, 2022
Direct
6. What are your salary expectations?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Be open and honest. Transparency is the best choice when salary based questions arise. The interviewer wants to hear if your expectations are within the company's budget and whether you are willing to negotiate if necessary. The best way to discuss your salary expectations is to use your current earnings as an example.
Written by Krista Wenz on April 5th, 2022
Focus Your Answer On
Focus on your current salary and benefits, and explain that you would like to stay in the same range or slightly higher, based on your experience. If you are more comfortable giving a range, shoot for higher than you want, so there is room for negotiations. However, do not name a range higher than the job description lists, or you might talk yourself out of a job.
Written by Krista Wenz on April 5th, 2022
What to Avoid
If the job announcement lists a salary range of $80,000 to $85,000 per year based on experience, avoid asking for less than or more than the company's budget. If you ask for less than offered, it shows you do not value your education and experience. If you ask for more than suggested, the interviewer may be hesitant to hire you unless you have advanced skills that will significantly benefit the company.
Written by Krista Wenz on April 5th, 2022
Answer Example
"I am currently making $76,000 per year with full medical benefits. I am looking for compensation aligned with the role and provides an opportunity for growth."
Written by Krista Wenz on April 5th, 2022
Direct
7. How did you hear about this position?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Companies invest a lot of money advertising their job openings. The interviewer wants to hear what methods are effective and which are not. They also want to hear if an employee of their agency referred you. Explain how you heard about the position, and be sure to give the name of the employee or recruiter who referred you if applicable. Some companies offer their employees a referral fee when referring a candidate, while others hire recruiters to seek out qualified candidates.
Written by Krista Wenz on April 5th, 2022
Focus Your Answer On
The interviewer wants to briefly hear how you heard about the position. Be concise in your response, focusing on the recruiter's name, the website where the agency posted the job, the agency website, or an employee referral.
Written by Krista Wenz on April 5th, 2022
What to Avoid
Avoid forgetting where you heard about the position. If you cannot remember where you learned about the job opening, the interviewer will determine that you do not pay attention to detail and might be applying to many other positions.
Written by Krista Wenz on April 5th, 2022
Answer Example
"I heard about this position from my friend, Breanna Holtman, a Social Worker with your agency. She knew I wanted to work for your agency, and she alerted me when the position opened up."
Written by Krista Wenz on April 5th, 2022
Direct
8. Why did you leave your last job?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The interviewer wants to know if you were fired, gave notice, or were furloughed. If you were fired, they want to see if you admit why you were fired, if you take responsibility, and what you learned from the experience. If you gave notice, they want to understand what you did not like about your job to see if you will fit in with their company culture.
Written by Krista Wenz on April 5th, 2022
Focus Your Answer On
Focus on being direct and honest and explain why you left your last place of employment. If you gave notice, were furloughed, or fired, describe the circumstances behind your leaving. Be sure to end your response on a positive note and tell the interviewer that you are excited to have the opportunity to interview for the position with their company.
Written by Krista Wenz on April 5th, 2022
What to Avoid
Avoid saying anything negative about your previous employer, supervisor, clients, or coworkers. When you speak poorly of others, it shows the interviewer that you may be a challenging person to work with and talk about others behind their backs.
Written by Krista Wenz on April 5th, 2022
Answer Example
"I left my last job because there was no room for professional growth or advancement. I want to work in a supervisory position, but that was not possible in my previous place of employment because of the company structure. I gave my two weeks' notice and left on good terms. I have an excellent letter of recommendation if you would like a copy for your records."
Written by Krista Wenz on April 5th, 2022
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9. This concludes our interview. Do you have any questions for me?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The interviewer wants to make sure that all of your questions about the company or job role are answered during the interview. It is best to ask a question or two, showing the interviewer your eagerness to learn all you can. Review the job announcement and research the company beforehand so you do not ask questions that could be answered during your research.
Written by Krista Wenz on April 5th, 2022
Focus Your Answer On
Focus on asking questions specific to the role you are interviewing for or the company culture and work environment. Examples of good questions to ask the interviewer are how you performed in the interview or if you need to clarify anything, what the interviewer likes most about working for the company, or if they have any hesitancy about hiring you.
Written by Krista Wenz on April 5th, 2022
What to Avoid
Avoid asking questions about salary or benefits. The salary and benefits package is often listed on the job announcement or discussed with Human Resources when offered the position. If you ask about money or the benefits package, it makes the interviewer think you are most interested in the monetary aspect of the job.
Written by Krista Wenz on April 5th, 2022
Answer Example
"Yes, I do have a question. Thank you for asking. After everything we have gone over in this interview, do you have any hesitancy in offering me the position?"
Written by Krista Wenz on April 5th, 2022
Discovery
10. What is your greatest weakness, and what are you doing to improve?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The interviewer wants to hear about your greatest weakness as a Social Work Supervisor to see that you are self-aware and can identify an area that needs improvement. When you admit you have a deficiency in a particular aspect of your profession and take steps to improve, it shows the interviewer that you are motivated and inspired to grow professionally.
Written by Krista Wenz on April 5th, 2022
Focus Your Answer On
Focus on a weakness related to your profession but not one that is an essential job duty. For example, if you say your weakness is your verbal communication skills, the interviewer may pass you over for another candidate since that skill is an essential part of being an excellent Social Work Supervisor.
Written by Krista Wenz on April 5th, 2022
What to Avoid
Avoid describing a weakness that is a crucial responsibility as a Social Work Supervisor or one that is not work-related. The interviewer wants to hear what weakness in your profession you have identified and how you plan to improve.
Written by Krista Wenz on April 5th, 2022
Answer Example
"My greatest weakness is using the Prezi presentation software. I am confident in my skills using Microsoft PowerPoint and Google Slides but have little experience with Prezi. I see that is one of the job requirements, so I have been watching YouTube videos since I applied for the job to learn how to use the software. I also signed up for a 14-day free trial and have been navigating my way around the Prezi tutorials. I feel that I will improve my skills using the software in the next two weeks or so."
Written by Krista Wenz on April 5th, 2022
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Discovery
11. What are the three top skills needed to be an excellent Social Work Supervisor?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The interviewer wants to hear that you have the qualities they are looking for in a Social Work Supervisor. The interviewer asks this question to see what you believe are the top three skills needed to be an excellent Social Work Supervisor. When you respond, the interviewer will determine that you have those skills yourself since you believe they are essential to your profession.
Written by Krista Wenz on April 5th, 2022
Focus Your Answer On
Review the job announcement before your interview and use three skills listed in the job description. Using skills listed in the job description will show the interviewer you have the qualities they are looking for. Explain why these skills are essential to your job.
Written by Krista Wenz on April 5th, 2022
What to Avoid
Agencies are typically very specific in their job description of what they seek in a candidate, and you want to show the interviewer you have the skills they need. Avoid using skills not mentioned in the job description as your top three skills. If you describe other skills that the company is not looking for, they may pass you over for another candidate.
Written by Krista Wenz on April 5th, 2022
Answer Example
"After working as a Social Work Supervisor for three years, I believe the top three skills one needs to be an excellent supervisor are communication, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills. Written and verbal communication is essential when writing reports and documenting cases. Excellent Social Work Supervisors can work with diverse groups, collaborate with others, and problem-solve in different situations."
Written by Krista Wenz on April 5th, 2022
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Discovery
12. What do you like least about your current job?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The interviewer asks this question to determine why you are looking for a new place of employment. When the interviewer understands why you are leaving your current position, they can see if the company can provide you with what you are seeking.
Written by Krista Wenz on April 5th, 2022
Focus Your Answer On
Focus on being positive in your response. Even though the interviewer wants to hear what you like least about your current job, they do not want to listen to you bad-mouth your coworkers, clients, or management. Highlight the opportunities offered by the company you are interviewing with. For example, you may not like your current job because there is no opportunity for growth or it is a part-time position. In that case, point out that this agency offers opportunities for professional development or a full-time schedule.
Written by Krista Wenz on April 5th, 2022
What to Avoid
Avoid talking poorly about your supervisor, colleagues, or clients. Even if they are what you like the least about your current job, the interviewer will feel as if you are a challenging person to work with. Instead, describe another aspect of your current job you like the least, such as the lack of opportunity for professional growth or the high caseload because the agency was short-staffed.
Written by Krista Wenz on April 5th, 2022
Answer Example
"What I like least about my current job is the lack of opportunity for professional development. I am one year away from obtaining my Doctoral Degree in Social Work, and there is no room for me to grow with my current employer. I like that your agency encourages professional growth and offers opportunities to advance within."
Written by Krista Wenz on April 5th, 2022
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13. After reading the job description, what do you like most about this position?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The interviewer asks this question to see that you have read the job description in its entirety and determine what aspect of the role you like the most. Most Social Work Supervisor job postings have many job duties you will be asked to perform. The interviewer wants to know what you like the most to see where your strengths lie.
Written by Krista Wenz on April 5th, 2022
Focus Your Answer On
Focus on describing what you like most about the job and provide your reason. For example, you might like that you will be responsible for training all new employees and providing regular performance evaluations. Tell the interviewer why this particular job duty excites you.
Written by Krista Wenz on April 5th, 2022
What to Avoid
Avoid being unprepared to answer this question. If the interviewer feels that you did not read the job description, they will question your attention to detail and enthusiasm for this position.
Written by Krista Wenz on April 5th, 2022
Answer Example
"There are many aspects of the job description that are appealing. What I like most about this position is being in charge of training new employees and conducting annual performance evaluations. I have worked in a teaching capacity for the past five years and love sharing my knowledge and experience with others. I also enjoy the annual reviews because it lets me show my staff how well they are doing and how much I appreciate their work."
Written by Krista Wenz on April 5th, 2022
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Discovery
14. Tell me about your relationship with your previous boss.
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The interviewer asks this question to see how you work with and speak of others. They want to know if you will be an easy person to work with or a challenge. When you answer this question, remain positive, even if the experience was not. Keep your answer short and respectful. Avoid talking about any previous drama, and do not speak poorly of your employer.
Written by Krista Wenz on April 5th, 2022
Focus Your Answer On
If you had a great relationship with your previous boss, explain what made it great. If you did not have a good relationship with your former boss, say something like, 'I have had healthier relationships in the past with previous employers, but we did the best that we could. Our communication styles were very different, making it challenging at times.' Be sure to have a follow-up answer if the interviewer asks you to expand on what you have just said.
Written by Krista Wenz on April 5th, 2022
What to Avoid
Avoid speaking poorly of your former boss, even if you did not get along. You should also avoid saying you had an excellent relationship with them if you did not. The interviewer will call your references and find out if you were dishonest in the interview.
Written by Krista Wenz on April 5th, 2022
Answer Example
"I make a point of investing in coworker relationships. It's important to me that these relationships are established early on, especially with my boss. My current boss knows she can rely on me for anything in her absence, and my responsibilities have consistently increased to reflect that level of trust."
Written by Krista Wenz on April 5th, 2022
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Discovery
15. What are your professional goals for the next five years?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The interviewer asks this question for two reasons. They want to see if you have professional goals and a plan to achieve them. When you set goals to improve and grow professionally, it shows that you are motivated and dedicated to your profession. The interviewer also wants to see if your plans include working for the company. Companies invest a lot of money and time to hire and train employees, and the interviewer wants to know that you will be a long-term employee if hired.
Written by Krista Wenz on April 5th, 2022
Focus Your Answer On
Focus on your professional goals for the next five years and how you will achieve them. If you are new to the industry, you might want to concentrate on gaining experience and taking continuing education courses. If you have been working as a Social Work Supervisor for some time, you may plan on pursuing higher education or a higher administrative role. Be sure to highlight that you see yourself with the company in the next five years.
Written by Krista Wenz on April 5th, 2022
What to Avoid
Avoid saying you have not planned that far in advance or that you see yourself with another company in five years. If you do not have professional goals, the interviewer will determine that you are not motivated and inspired to grow as a Social Work Supervisor. If your goal is to move on to another company, the interviewer may not want to invest time hiring and training a short-term employee.
Written by Krista Wenz on April 5th, 2022
Answer Example
"I am interested in receiving my Doctoral Degree in Social Work and am researching online programs to see what best suits my needs while working full-time. In the next five years, I will be close to obtaining my degree and see myself advancing to a higher level administrative position within your company."
Written by Krista Wenz on April 5th, 2022
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Discovery
16. What makes you the best candidate for this position?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The interviewer asks this question to hear what qualities you will bring to the agency and how it will benefit them if hired. Now is your chance to highlight your best characteristics and experience, showing them you have all the qualifications they require.
Written by Krista Wenz on April 5th, 2022
Focus Your Answer On
Review the job announcement before your interview and highlight the keywords of the qualities, experience, and education the agency seeks in a Social Work Supervisor. Then, focus on using those keywords in your response. When describing how you meet all of their job requirements, the interviewer will see that you are a highly qualified candidate and place you high on the candidate list.
Written by Krista Wenz on April 5th, 2022
What to Avoid
Many qualified candidates are interviewing for the same position. Avoid speaking negatively of the other candidates or sounding arrogant when responding to this question. You want to sell yourself in the interview, but don't make the interviewer think you will be a challenging person to work with.
Written by Krista Wenz on April 5th, 2022
Answer Example
"I am the best candidate for the position because I meet and exceed your job qualifications. I have over five years of experience working as a Social Work Supervisor with diverse groups and cultures. I am empathetic, compassionate, level-headed, and work well under pressure. I have exceptional communication, organization, and interpersonal skills, and I look forward to bringing my skills and experience to your agency."
Written by Krista Wenz on April 5th, 2022
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17. What do you like most about working as a Social Work Supervisor?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The interviewer asks this question to see what aspect of the job you enjoy the most. When you respond, the interviewer can gain insight into what drives and motivates you in your profession and determine if your passion aligns with the company's mission and culture.
Written by Krista Wenz on April 5th, 2022
Focus Your Answer On
Focus your answer on showing the interviewer you genuinely care about helping the community or working with like-minded individuals. You might enjoy working with families to make a difference, mentoring new Social Workers, or problem-solving and finding solutions to a problem. Whatever you enjoy the most, the interviewer wants to hear!
Written by Krista Wenz on April 5th, 2022
What to Avoid
Avoid saying you like the salary or benefits package of a social work supervisor. If the interviewer doesn't feel that your heart is in the job and you are only concerned about money, they will look for a candidate in the profession for the right reasons.
Written by Krista Wenz on April 5th, 2022
Answer Example
"What I like most about working as a Social Work Supervisor is mentoring new Social Workers. I enjoy offering advice and support to those entering this wonderful field. I have over ten years of experience in social work and feel I have a lot of good advice and knowledge to share."
Written by Krista Wenz on April 5th, 2022
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Discovery
18. What is your greatest strength as a Social Work Supervisor?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The interviewer asks this question to determine if you have the qualities they seek in a candidate. Review the job description before your interview and look for keywords the agency used to describe its ideal candidate. Then, choose one of those keywords to describe your greatest strength, showing the interviewer that you have the characteristics they are looking for.
Written by Krista Wenz on April 5th, 2022
Focus Your Answer On
Suppose the job description says the agency seeks an experienced Social Work Supervisor with solid communication and interpersonal skills to work in a collaborative leadership position. In that case, describe your greatest strength as either your experience or your communication, interpersonal, or collaborative leadership skills. Focus on using a keyword in the job description so the interviewer can see that you have one of the qualities they are looking for in their ideal candidate.
Written by Krista Wenz on April 5th, 2022
What to Avoid
Most job descriptions use several keywords to describe the qualities they are looking for in their ideal candidate. Avoid using a strength that is not in the job announcement or that is not related to the job of a Social Work Supervisor. The interviewer wants to hear that your strength is a quality they seek in a candidate and that you will benefit the company if hired.
Written by Krista Wenz on April 5th, 2022
Answer Example
"My greatest strength as a Social Work Supervisor is my interpersonal skills. I am an active listener and a strong communicator, and I work well with diverse groups and cultures. I am patient, compassionate, and honest, which are skills needed in my profession. I have over seven years of experience honing these skills, and I look forward to the opportunity to bring these skills to your agency."
Written by Krista Wenz on April 5th, 2022
Discovery
19. Why do you want to work for our agency?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The interviewer wants to hear that you have researched their agency. When responding to this question, highlight unique aspects of their company that stand out from others. You may want to work for their agency because of the population they serve, their opportunity for professional growth and advancement, or their high number of cases.
Written by Krista Wenz on April 5th, 2022
Focus Your Answer On
Instead of giving a generic answer to this question, focus on showing the interviewer that you have thoroughly researched their agency. For example, if you say that you want to work for their company because they help the community, that could apply to many other agencies. Instead, say that you want to work for their agency because they enable more of the population to achieve permanent housing than other similarly sized agencies.
Written by Krista Wenz on April 5th, 2022
What to Avoid
When responding to this question, avoid saying that you want to work for their agency because they pay more than other agencies or offer a more comprehensive benefits package. The interviewer will feel that you only want to work for their agency for monetary reasons. Instead, describe your reason as aligning with the company's mission statement, reputation, or company culture.
Written by Krista Wenz on April 5th, 2022
Answer Example
"I want to work for your agency because your mission statement and values align with mine. My goal as a Social Work Supervisor is to aid in rehabilitating parents who are separated from their children so they can be reunited with them. I strongly believe that families need to stay together, and your mission statement explains that clearly."
Written by Krista Wenz on April 5th, 2022
Discovery
20. What made you decide to pursue a career in social work?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The interviewer asks this question to understand what motivated and inspired you to pursue this career. They want to hear if you were mentored by a social worker, have family or friends who work in this industry, faced poverty or violence, or were told about this career by a guidance counselor or professor.
Written by Krista Wenz on April 5th, 2022
Focus Your Answer On
The interviewer wants to gain insight into your background and the motivating factor in pursuing a social worker career. Give a brief story about why you chose to dedicate yourself to this field. Focus your answer on describing your reason for choosing this career path.
Written by Krista Wenz on April 5th, 2022
What to Avoid
Avoid saying that you are pursuing a career in social work to help others. Interviewers know that people who enter this field want to help others, but they want to hear your reason and commitment to pursuing this career. Many social workers enter the field due to their life experiences. The interviewer wants to understand what challenges you or others close to you have faced that directed you towards this profession.
Written by Krista Wenz on April 5th, 2022
Answer Example
"I chose to pursue a career in social work after seeing my family torn apart from my father's alcohol and drug abuse. My mother raised my brother and me on the streets and in shelters at times. It was difficult for all of us, but with the help of a Social Worker, we were able to get into permanent housing and attend school full-time. I decided to pursue this career to give back to my community and help families who were struggling like mine."
Written by Krista Wenz on April 5th, 2022
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Education
21. Tell me about your education.
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The interviewer asks this question to determine if you have the education needed to perform your job as a Social Work Supervisor. They want to hear if you have a degree, certificates, or specialized training that qualifies you to work in this field.
Written by Krista Wenz on April 5th, 2022
Focus Your Answer On
Focus on describing your education as it relates to the position. You do not need to start with receiving your high school diploma or GED. Start with post-secondary training and beyond. Many Social Work Supervisor positions require a Master's Degree in Social Work (MSW) or a related field or a Bachelor's Degree in Social Work (BASW) or related with five or more years of supervisory experience.
Written by Krista Wenz on April 5th, 2022
What to Avoid
Avoid not having the education required for the position. Suppose the job description calls for a Social Work Supervisor with a Master's Degree in Social Work. In that case, you want to be sure you meet the requirements before applying for the job.
Written by Krista Wenz on April 5th, 2022
Answer Example
"I received my Master's Degree in Social Work three years ago from California State University Fresno and have been working as a Social Work Supervisor since. I am interested in receiving my Doctoral Degree in Social Work and am researching online programs to see what best suits my needs."
Written by Krista Wenz on April 5th, 2022
Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback
Anonymous Answer
Jaymie's Feedback
Experience
22. Have you ever testified in court? If so, how was your experience?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Testifying at court proceedings can be one of the job duties of a Social Work Supervisor, and the interviewer wants to hear about your experience. The interviewer asks this question to see if you have testified in court and how comfortable you were doing so. If you have never testified in court, be honest and say that you have not. Then, explain that you feel you will do well since you are comfortable speaking in public and have excellent communication skills.
Written by Krista Wenz on April 5th, 2022
Focus Your Answer On
If you have testified in court, describe approximately how many times and your comfort level in doing so. It is normal to be nervous when testifying in court, but most Social Work Supervisors become more confident and less anxious over time.
Written by Krista Wenz on April 5th, 2022
What to Avoid
If you have never testified in court, avoid saying that you have. The interviewer will find out when contacting your references, and you never want to be dishonest in an interview.
Written by Krista Wenz on April 5th, 2022
Answer Example
"As a new Social Work Supervisor, I have never testified in court. However, I feel confident in my skills and do not have an issue speaking in public. I have excellent communication and documentation skills, and I feel those skills will help me when testifying in court for the first time."
Written by Krista Wenz on April 5th, 2022
Experience
23. Tell me about an organization or group you have contributed to outside of work.
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Many hiring managers will choose one candidate over another because of their volunteer experience. They feel that it shows strong character and selflessness, qualities that make a great employee. Talk to the interviewer about your willingness to give back to your community through some form of volunteerism. If you do not have formal volunteer experience, draw on things you do in your spare time to assist friends, family, or even your current employer.
Written by Krista Wenz on April 5th, 2022
Focus Your Answer On
The interviewer wants to hear about contributions you have made to the community. If you have volunteered specifically in a manner related to your role as a Social Work Supervisor, focus on the projects you have contributed to. If your volunteer experience does not include work-related contributions, that is fine.
Written by Krista Wenz on April 5th, 2022
What to Avoid
If you do not have volunteer experience, avoid saying that you do. The interviewer may ask for a letter of recommendation from the volunteer coordinator or for a phone number they can call for a reference. You will not be disqualified as a candidate for not having volunteer experience, but you will be if you are dishonest in your interview.
Written by Krista Wenz on April 5th, 2022
Answer Example
"For the past three years, I have volunteered every Saturday at a local homeless shelter. I help serve hot meals, stock the pantry shelves with donated items, and hand out essential toiletry kits. It's been an enjoyable experience and rewarding at the same time."
Written by Krista Wenz on April 5th, 2022
Experience
24. What is your experience working as a Social Work Supervisor?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The job announcement should say how many years of experience the agency requires. The interviewer wants to hear about your experience to ensure you are qualified for the position. Give examples of how many years of experience you have and who you have worked with previously.
Written by Krista Wenz on April 5th, 2022
Focus Your Answer On
Focus on the number of years of experience you have and with what target populations. Many employers require previous experience working with the people they serve, such as healthcare, foster care, incarcerated individuals, or unaccompanied minors.
Written by Krista Wenz on April 5th, 2022
What to Avoid
You always want to have the minimum qualifications needed before applying for a job. If the job announcement says the company requires a minimum number of years of experience, avoid saying you have more experience than you do. The interviewer will contact references and determine that you were untruthful in the interview.
Written by Krista Wenz on April 5th, 2022
Answer Example
"I have worked as a Social Work Supervisor for six years in the foster care delivery program. My job duties included conducting weekly individual and group supervision with staff members, supporting clinical training and skill building with staff in the Foster Care Department, and providing assistance with clinical interventions. I feel confident in my skills as a Social Work Supervisor and look forward to bringing my experience to your agency."
Written by Krista Wenz on April 5th, 2022
Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback
Anonymous Answer
Jaymie's Feedback
Experience
25. What experience do you have working with our target population?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The interviewer asks this question to see if you have experience working with the agency's target population. If you have experience working with the people they serve, the interviewer may feel that you are a better candidate than others for the job. They intend to determine how much training you might need to understand the people you will be working with.
Written by Krista Wenz on April 5th, 2022
Focus Your Answer On
Focus on any past work you have done with the population the agency serves. Even if you were not paid to work with this group of people and worked in a volunteer capacity, the interviewer wants to hear of any related experience. If you do not have experience working with the agency's target population, explain that you do not have experience but are excited to learn all you can.
Written by Krista Wenz on April 5th, 2022
What to Avoid
Avoid saying you have experience with the agency's target population if you do not. The interviewer will review your resume and talk to previous employers, and you do not want to appear untruthful.
Written by Krista Wenz on April 5th, 2022
Answer Example
"I have five years of experience working with your target population. I have volunteered for the last five years with the Feed the People organization and am very familiar with homelessness and hunger. I am excited about this opportunity to interview for this position, as I want to continue working with the homeless and helping to feed the community in which I live."
Written by Krista Wenz on April 5th, 2022
Leadership
26. As a Social Work Supervisor, what experience do you have training others?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The interviewer will ask this question if one of the job duties is to train others. It could be that your job would be to train interns, staff, and the community. The interviewer wants to determine your experience and qualifications in a teaching capacity to see if you will be a good fit for their agency.
Written by Krista Wenz on April 5th, 2022
Focus Your Answer On
Focus on the number of years of experience you have training others and in what capacity. Describe your experience training and mentoring new Social Workers, providing continuing education training, or teaching the public community awareness programs.
Written by Krista Wenz on April 5th, 2022
What to Avoid
This question applies to training others while working as a Social Work Supervisor. Avoid describing training others in a different capacity unless you are a new Social Work Supervisor with no prior experience. If that is the case, you can use an experience where you trained others as a coach, a tutor, or new employees at a previous job.
Written by Krista Wenz on April 5th, 2022
Answer Example
"I have worked as a Social Work Supervisor for the past ten years and have trained the public on community awareness programs, social work students at a University, and mentored new Social Work Interns at the agencies I have worked for. I feel confident in my teaching capabilities."
Written by Krista Wenz on April 5th, 2022
Leadership
27. What is your leadership style?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The interviewer asks this question to see if your leadership style will work with the company culture. There are many different leadership styles: autocratic, democratic, servant, pacesetting, coaching, collaborative, affiliative, etc. If the job description specifies a particular leadership style they are looking for in a Social Work Supervisor, make sure your response aligns with that.
Written by Krista Wenz on April 5th, 2022
Focus Your Answer On
Suppose the job description specified a collaborative or servant leadership style. In that case, focus on using one of those two styles in your response. Collaborative leadership is a management practice that brings staff, executives, and managers together and shares information organically. The servant leadership style focuses on leaders prioritizing serving their team and organization first. Servant leaders do not prioritize their own objectives but seek to achieve a vision by providing substantial support to their staff.
Written by Krista Wenz on April 5th, 2022
What to Avoid
Avoid describing your leadership style as something opposite of what the agency is looking for in a candidate. If they specifically state they seek a Social Work Supervisor with a servant or collaborative leadership skills, choose one of those styles. If you say your leadership skills are different from what they are looking for, they may pass you over for a candidate who has the style they seek.
Written by Krista Wenz on April 5th, 2022
Answer Example
"I describe my leadership style as collaborative. I like to seek out a diversity of ideas, opinions, and thoughts from my team to build strategies and solve problems. I find this leadership style effective since my team members feel included and trusted and are more likely to take pride in ownership of their work."
Written by Krista Wenz on April 5th, 2022
Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback
Anonymous Answer
Jaymie's Feedback
Operational
28. Would you describe yourself as a detail-oriented person?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
As a Social Work Supervisor, you must be detail-oriented. You will be responsible for reviewing case records to ensure compliance and quality, writing reports, and reviewing staff's written work. Describing yourself as a detail-oriented person will indicate to the interviewer that you will be an excellent addition to their team.
Written by Krista Wenz on April 5th, 2022
Focus Your Answer On
If you have a letter of recommendation or performance review from a previous employer that describes your attention to detail, let the interviewer know when responding to this question. When a former employer or supervisor comments on your attention to detail, it carries more weight than when you describe yourself. If you do not have a letter or performance review, give an example of why you consider yourself a detail-oriented person.
Written by Krista Wenz on April 5th, 2022
What to Avoid
To be considered for the position, avoid saying you are not detail-oriented. The interviewer does not want to hire a Social Work Supervisor who may miss small details or whose work may need correcting. If minor details are missed, it could cost the agency money and its reputation.
Written by Krista Wenz on April 5th, 2022
Answer Example
"Yes, I would describe myself as detail-oriented. I pride myself on my ability to catch even the slightest errors in reports and remember the smallest details when working with clients and staff. My attention to detail has uncovered several compliance issues that our agency was able to correct before they became problems."
Written by Krista Wenz on April 5th, 2022
Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback
Anonymous Answer
Jaymie's Feedback
Operational
29. How do you stay up-to-date on the latest trends in your profession?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The interviewer asks this question to see how you stay up-to-date on the latest trends and techniques used by Social Work Supervisors. There are publications, webinars, conferences, podcasts, in-person training, and continuing education courses to offer Social Work Supervisors training on the latest issues and techniques confronting Social Workers. The interviewer wants to see that you take your profession seriously by staying current on the latest trends.
Written by Krista Wenz on April 5th, 2022
Focus Your Answer On
When responding to this question, focus on describing how you stay current in your industry. The more methods you have to keep up-to-date on the latest issues confronting Social Work Supervisors, the better.
Written by Krista Wenz on April 5th, 2022
What to Avoid
Avoid saying you do not stay current on the latest trends. There are many avenues available to keep current on the latest trends, and the interviewer wants to hear that you take advantage of the information that is out there. If you do not follow the industry trends, the interviewer will determine that you lack the passion and motivation to improve your knowledge as a Social Work Supervisor.
Written by Krista Wenz on April 5th, 2022
Answer Example
"I am a member of the National Association of Social Workers and attend their annual conference and read their industry journals. I also subscribe to Social Work Today and read about social workers' challenges working with certain populations. Additionally, I monitor the online state social work board where I keep current on rule and policy changes."
Written by Krista Wenz on April 5th, 2022
Technical
30. What are the three main sections of a psychosocial assessment report?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
A psychosocial assessment is a comprehensive evaluation of a client's mental, emotional, and physical health. The report also includes the client's perception of themself and their ability to function in the community. The interviewer asks this question to determine if you understand the three main sections of a psychosocial assessment report or if you will need to be trained on this assessment tool if hired.
Written by Krista Wenz on April 5th, 2022
Focus Your Answer On
Focus on the three main sections of the psychosocial assessment. The sections are:
- Basic client information
- Background and current functioning
- Summary, assessment, and recommendations
Written by Krista Wenz on April 5th, 2022
What to Avoid
Avoid not being able to answer the question. If you are unfamiliar with the psychosocial assessment at this stage of your career, the interviewer may question your ability to perform the job of a Social Work Supervisor.
Written by Krista Wenz on April 5th, 2022
Answer Example
"The first section of a psychosocial assessment is the client's basic information, such as their name, address, referral, and presenting problem. The second section is the client's background and current functioning, and the third section is my summary, assessment, and recommendations."
Written by Krista Wenz on April 5th, 2022