1-2 months before graduation seems a bit too late. I was thinking a minimum of 3 months. I'd rather go through the hiring process while I'm still in school and be ready to start the job when I graduate.
You make a good point about government positions. I've heard that the hiring process for gov positions can take 8 months at times.
Asking alums is a great idea.
I will be looking at entry level positions. I went straight to MSW after getting my BA, so my work experience in the social work field very minimal and limited to my field placements.
I've heard of this happening, but I wasn't sure how common this was. Could you tell me how those students went about this? I would love to have a job with my field placement I'll be doing this year because it's in the exact area that I want to work in. Did their placements approach them and offer them the job outright, or did the students have to inquire and apply by themselves?