Finally ... A Career Resource Just For Social Workers!
Ever notice that most books, software, and websites about career
development are simply not relevant to social work professionals? Take
heart ... social workers finally have an outstanding resource for
positive and rewarding career management.
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Social Work Career Development:
A Handbook for Job Hunting and Career Planning by Carol
Nesslein Doelling, Director of Career Services at the George
Warren Brown School of Social Work. |
Steer Your Career
Author Carol N. Doelling has written a masterpiece which you can use
to guide your career based on your professional competencies and
interests. Whether you're satisfied with the social work profession or
contemplating a change, Doelling provides the expertise you need to make
wise career choices.
Burned Out?
If you're feeling burned out, you will discover a valuable tool in
this book ... Doelling's appendix of questions related to your
work preferences. This material is of primary importance for all
Fried Social Workers! Why? Because you want to find a job in which
your needs, skills, and interests are in balance with your
employer's work environment. This tool will clarify for you what
you want to look for in your next job.Other self-exploration
exercises direct your job search toward an area of practice which
you will enjoy ... and in which you will excel. The end result of
completing the self-assessment exercises is a revelation of your
sharpest clinical skills and areas of expertise in which you have
the most confidence.
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Revitalize Your Resume
Doelling's expertise really shines in her self-assessment exercises.
If you invest the time to complete them, your reward will be a list of
descriptive performance statements for an effective social work resume.
Her exercises practically prepare your resume for you so that your
relevant skills are showcased.
If that isn't enough, you can enhance your resume presentation by
scanning page after page of social work-related
keywords and
skill lists. And if you still need a creative boost,
you can study a variety of sample social work
resumes and CVs included in the book.
Another valuable resource is a helpful discussion of resume vs.
curricula vitae format, as well as the development of your own social
work portfolio. We can't think of enough good things to say about the
resume resources in this book. Doelling's is the only book we've
seen to date with solid resume and CV samples for social workers.
Jump Start Your Job Search
It's also the only publication out there
which gives social workers the expertise they require to research social
work job markets, set a direction for their job search ... and discover
where the jobs really are. Real life case studies of BSW and MSW job seekers
are interwoven between resource lists, practical advice, and
self-exploration exercises for the job searcher. We were impressed by
the thorough coverage of this topic in the book.
Interview Jitters
Ever get sweaty palms and a knot in your stomach before an interview?
Doelling offers sound interview preparation advice with
sample interview questions based on
a variety of social work areas of expertise. Additional goodies include
sample job correspondence such as cover letters, letters of
introduction, etc. And she doesn't leave you hanging either! She offers
valuable insights necessary to
evaluate a job offer and negotiate
salary and benefits.
Transition Time?
If you're considering a change to another area of specialty within the
profession, Doelling helps you evaluate your options, explore
credentialing issues, and discover employment possibilities. Helpful
suggestions for further reading are interlaced with case studies and
resources.
And if you want to leave the social work profession, you'll find help
in Doelling's appendices of professional associations and other fields
in which your social work degree is relevant.
Satisfied With Social Work?
Even if you're satisfied with your career, do you know how to assess
current trends in the field, expand your professional goals, and develop
additional qualifications? Doelling provides an extensive list of
relevant resources to enhance your career.
Want a Sneak Peak into the Book?
Here are some questions which Doelling will answer for you:
- How do I decide on a job search objective?
- How do I transition into another area of social work practice?
- Do I have relevant skills to switch careers to another field
entirely?
- How do I list statements of my accomplishments on my resume?
- What are my strongest qualifications ... and how do I best present
them?
- Which of my work preferences are most important in choosing a job?
- Which areas of knowledge have I effectively mastered, and which do
I need to enhance?
- What kind of market and salary information should I have during my
job search ... and where do I get it?
- How do I best prepare a social work resume, CV, and references?
- Should I have a portfolio?
- Are there references I should avoid?
- Where do I find out about social work jobs, and how do I best
pursue job leads?
- What should I say in my cover letter?
- How should I handle difficult or improper questions during an
interview?
- What should I consider in evaluating a job offer? How do I
negotiate salary and benefits?
- How do I proactively manage my career? What kind of professional
goals do I have?
- How do I evaluate advanced degree programs or fellowships?
Whether you're a satisfied social worker who wishes to proactively
manage her career ... or you're looking for a new career in which your
degree is relevant ... or you simply want a new and different social
work job ... Get the expertise you need to effectively manage your
career!
You probably won't find Social Work Career Development in the
bookstores but can get it at Amazon.
