Interview for Social work

[Deleted User]

I got a call from my chosen uni today to ask me if I'd like to come in for an interview on Thurs. I obviously agreed, but now I'm worried, The lady who called me told me she was posting out some info for me to look over, which would include a list of question i may be asked, but not to worry if I didn't get them.
Of course now I'm really worried that given such short notice I'm going to be completally unprepared and balls it up.
Anyone got any advice for me please.
PS. I know it's an interview but should I dress as I would if I was going for an interview for a job ( I know this may sound daft but I don't want to be overdressed either).
Many many thanks
SL X

LoLo

Hi, firstly good luck with your interview. I am trying to recall what I was asked as I have just started a social work degree. I dressed smartly cos wanted to give a good impression. I think I was asked why I wanted to be a social worker, what experience I have had, what did I think I could improve on etc. They also asked about childcare for my children as the course is quite a demanding one so think they were just trying to make sure that i would be able to keep up to the work etc. I will have another think about what I was asked and post again if I think of anything.

alwaysonthego_2

You should dress smartly for the interview, you need to prove that you will make a good social worker. The questions I imagine they will ask are why do you want to be a social worker and maybe look up any current affairs etc. Good luck!

[Deleted User]

I am kind of stugggeling with hte " why do you want to be a social worker" question, I'm finding it really difficult putting it into words that does sound silly. Does that make sense?

Theboys!

Congratulations on getting an interview.
when i went to mine i dressed quite smartly, black trousers and a nice top.
I was not asked why i wanted to be a social worker, but has to address why i felt i was ready/able to do the course/job within the written essay we did during the interview.
This essay was then used as a basis to ask questions later in the day at the individual interview stage.
I was also asked about discrimination etc.

Theboys!

I have just looked at my interview guidance notes and they recommend reading two websites: https://www.communitycare.co.uk and also https://www.cre.gov.uk
my notes also say my university had five selection criteria:
Academic ability and potential
Potential for using learning experiences
Strong motivation based on a realistic understanding of the demands of the course
Relevant experience and use made of it
Attitudes and values relevant to social work practice:awareness of racism and equal opportunities.

Hope this helps!

takoo

Hi Sillilizzie
Much of the questioning depends on:
o the quality of the interviewer
o your background, if any, in socail work
Questions may be divided into areas (but some topics may not come up)The areas may include:
1 Question or two to put you at ease, perhaps.
2 Questions to confirm details in your application form/ CV.
3 Questions about your academic attainments at school:
o What subjects did you find most relevant to your career aspirations?
o Why did you do any work experience in field
o Why did you choose certain options linked to social work?
4 Questions about your values/ aspirations/ qualities/ skills/ competencies
o What are your interests/ hobbies/ sports?
o What work experiences do you have?
o Membership of organisations and roles and activities taken on in it at school/ church etc?
5 Questions on the profession(s)
o What role(s) and activities you aspire to in say 10 years?
o What do you see as the functions of the professional bodies in the field (perhaps for a student member if possible )
o What life long learning involves?
o Have you attended professional meetings/ read the jounals/ networked in social work circles?
6 Questions about the university / department / course you seek to attend.
o What do you know about us/ our structure/ programmes, etc ?
o Have you read our report? (if listed) The question will probably not be so direct!
o What would you like to be doing with us, eg options?
7 Questions on general or specific professional / technical matters. A topic may be introduced with questions at a "low" level and followed more in increasing depth. Here the field is wide open.
Even if you are still at school you may get technical-like questions. But don't worry about that the interviewer may not be expecting the correct answer but the quality of :
o how you respond (perhaps under pressure)
o you ability to say "I believe it is ... but I am unsure and would want to look up in X book / Act..."
o your use of 'commonsense'.
8 Questions to see how well read you are or your views on on matters affecting society:
o NHS structure
o preventive haealth
o the list goes on.
Have a good time at the interview.

Takoo

shelley_crow

have you had previous work experience in the social care field? I'm a first year and i found i was able to use my experience with answering questions. Did you keep a copy of your application? If so it will be worth reading over it, they may formulate questions based on these details. Part of my interview involved an writing a report on a social care video. Check out basw for some background on social work values that you may be able to include in your answers. x

[Deleted User]

I didn't realise people had replied to my post. I normally get e mails to inform me of a reply, though for this post I didn't seem to.
Thank you everyone who replied though. My interview was yesterday. I got the call Monday night to tell me my interview was Fri ( yesterday) unfortunalty I didn't recieve any paper work until yesterday morning. I didn't get any questions like last years students I wasn't asked why I wanted to be a social worker but what duties I felt a social worker might do.
I too was asked if I was faced with an immigrant in my role as a social worker what would the first things I Would do ( not the way she phrased the question lol)

I had to answer some questions about end of life care for ethnic minorities (The artice upon which the questions were based came in my pack Fri morning so I had change to read through it on the way there) and a personal interview.
I was there 5 hrs in total and was the last one to be interviewed.
I do have relevent experience through paid and volunteer work. Unfortunatley I felt I didn't do too well in the interview, and totally bombed on the last question which was how did I think I would grow in the next 3 years ( of course as soon as I came out of the interview I realised what I neeeded to say but it was too late)

I'm trying not to worry about it too much, it's out of my hands now, but they said it can take upto 2 weeks to let me know.

SL x

Theboys!

When i came out of my interview i thought it had gone terribly, i think its only natural !!
Fingers crossed, and hopefully a speedy reply

shelley_crow

Try not to worry, they won't be judging you on any technical knowledge, only on the way you interacted and approached questions. Fingers crossed for you. If the very worst happens then there's always entry through clearing in august. If you don't get in email back and ask for feedback, then use the information to prepare for clearing interviews. I really hope you get it x