Graduating soon - applying for jobs

[Axolotl]

Hi everyone,

I will be graduating with my MSSA (equivalent to MSW) from Case Western in December 2016. I was wondering if anyone could give me some tips about applying for social work jobs.

Here's a little bit about my experience: I do have my Bachelor's of Social Work and my LSW. I'm looking to get a job as a medical/hospital social worker. My BSW field placement was working with those experiencing homelessness, and also helping run a free medical clinic. I had two semesters of field at a cancer treatment center, and my role was providing supportive counseling, resources, and advocating for women with breast cancer as they went through chemo. For my final semester, I am doing my field experience at a children's hospital in the palliative care and bereavement center. 

I just have some general questions such as when do I start applying, how do I negotiate salary, what can I expect for my first job after graduation. I would love to hear about any experiences you all have had in the job application process and what it is (or was) like having your first job. 

Thank you! 

[hellohelen]

Hi, 

Congrats on almost graduating! I graduated this past May and I can give you some information on my experience after graduation. So I decided to travel a bit after graduation, then took some time to study for my license exam. In Hawaii, I took the masters license exam mid July and obtained my LSW. I started to apply to hospital jobs in early August. I was very selective (only applying to around 3-5) and thought I had a chance since these were "entry level" social work positions. Not hearing back for a couple weeks is daunting and stressful. Eventually, I started to apply to multiple jobs (20-30) started to hear back in early September for interviews. I interviewed for 6 social work positions. After receiving some offers, I decided to accept a medical social worker position at a hospital. 

My advice on when to start applying is around 1 month before graduation. Application process, especially doing it online, can take up to weeks or months. After filling out applications, the waiting game is the hardest. I have heard people not hearing back from applying for months, but you have to be persistent. Update your Linkedin, start to network, figure out who you want as your references. Since you want to be a medical/hospital social worker, references are important. In my experience, they called all my references, called all my past employers, did background check, physical exam, and blood exam. 

 

For negotiating salary, do your research. Search the salary range in your state, use Glassdoor as a reference for specific jobs in hospitals (but cautious the salary figure can be dated). I have had low ball salary offers from a company, and it is important to know your worth. I was fortunate the medical social work salary offer was very reasonable and I did not negotiate for more. When I searched Hawaii's medical social worker salary, the range was $58,000-62,000. I was offered $67,000 and did not need to negotiate higher since this was my first social worker job after graduation. 

I hope this helps a little bit. Feel free to ask any more questions!