Your Social Work Career Coach: How To Embrace a Job Seeker’s Market in Social Work

by Jennifer Luna, MSSW

     Social work career professionals from universities across the country have seen a surge in jobs for social workers. These opportunities have increased in terms of number of jobs available, salaries, sign-on bonuses, and working conditions. If you are seeking your first social work position, or a change in position, keep reading for tips on how to navigate a job seeker’s market.

     According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, social work is expected to grow by 9% by 2031. This is more than average, and the BLS predicts that there will be 74,700 job openings, on average, every year over the next decade. This makes for a “job seeker’s” market, a market in which there are more jobs than there are people searching for jobs. Although we have seen a strong market in social work for many years, this time it appears to be different. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and other societal factors, such as civil unrest, there has been a greater need for social workers in organizations across the board.

How have work conditions changed?

     Many job search engines and job postings will include whether or not the job can be done remotely. While most social work jobs (especially those in direct practice) remain in person, there are a good number that can be done remotely. These jobs include mental health counseling, macro positions such as research and policy, and even virtual case management and coordination of services. The following key words might be used to describe the work location:

• Hybrid: Work is flexible and allows a combination of remote work and onsite work, in the office.
• Remote: Work can be done offsite, usually at home, and does not require the employee to report to an office.
• Onsite: Employees are required to be in the office to complete their work.

Prepare for the job search.

     A job seeker’s market means there are more jobs to search for. We always want more jobs to choose from. Still, we must continue to be strategic about the search. Before you begin your job search, make sure that you take the time to prepare. Many job seekers begin applying for jobs before they have fully considered this step. So, what does it mean to prepare for your job search? 

     Have your résumé job search ready! Make sure it is updated and targeted toward the jobs you will be applying for. Check industry language to make sure you are using the most updated terms to describe your work. Add unique skills that you may have gained during the pandemic—for example, the utilization of technology,

     As with your résumé, make sure that you’ve made the same changes on your LinkedIn profile page. Since many were working remotely for so long, many social work employers have become more adept at online networking, and LinkedIn is the premier platform. If you haven’t updated your LinkedIn profile in a while, do it before you begin applying for jobs. Even if you don’t have a lot of updates pertaining to your current job, freshen up your profile with a new headshot or cover photo. Check your headline to be sure it is catchy and describes your career interests, skills, and knowledge areas. Remember, LinkedIn is a search engine, so you can’t simply rely on your job title for your headline.

     Prepare your budget. As we all have witnessed recently, inflation has caused prices to soar. Make sure you have prepared a personal budget considering all of your current expenses, as well as those you anticipate. These may include student loans, gas for commuting, and housing costs. If you are planning to seek a remote job, you will want to consider costs related to internet access (although most employers will provide a laptop and supplies), rising utilities, and room modifications. 

Negotiate compensation in a job seeker’s market.

     Many job seekers will be pleasantly surprised by the salaries and other perks that employers have put into place to be competitive in the job market. As a job seeker, you are in a great position, but only if you are willing to negotiate. Now is not the time to be insecure or modest. You must advocate for yourself just as you would advocate for your clients or your organization, and now is a perfect opportunity to demonstrate these skills.

Salary

     Remember, your base salary is what all of your raises in the future will be based on, and there is no time better than the present to negotiate your salary. However, you always want to wait until an offer is made before you negotiate. If you are asked about salary in the interview, simply say, “I am strongly interested in learning more about this position and am not prepared to discuss salary.” 

     There are several online tools to research salaries. However, it is best to try to find the information based on similar positions in your geographical area. There are some organizations that post salary data on their human resources websites. You may also try using Onet.com or the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which will give information based on the state you live in. One of the most accurate ways to get salary information is to talk with people in the field. This can be done through informational interviewing, but it must be done with discretion. For example, you might ask, “What would be a good salary range for social work positions in this area of practice?” 

Sign-on Bonus

     We are also seeing more organizations offering sign-on bonuses as part of the hiring package. These bonuses may be paid in one lump sum, over a period of time, or through stock options. The sign-on bonus is always paid after you have accepted the position, and there may be terms and conditions attached. Be sure to read the fine print of your job offer so you know what to expect. Also, keep in mind that the sign-on bonus is taxable income.

     Now you may be wondering if you can negotiate a sign-on bonus. The answer is yes! However, it would be better to negotiate a higher salary, because all of your raises will be based on your salary. If you are offered a sign-on bonus, one of your negotiation strategies may be to take a smaller bonus in exchange for negotiating a higher base salary.

Consider health, well-being, diversity, equity, and inclusion.

     As we all know, self-care is essential in social work. One of the most significant factors in this market is that employers are beginning to focus more on employee well-being, mental health, and wellness programs. These programs can take the form of “mental health days,” which can be Paid Time Off (PTO); a day without meetings; or flex time. Many employers recognize that social work is stressful, and they are willing to make concessions for such.

     Additionally, many organizations are recognizing the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion and have created positions or programs to this end. All of these practices are meant to create harmony in the workplace and reduce stress. They are also in line with our code of ethics as social workers, so make sure you consider these in your search.

     Regardless of the job market, it is important to set goals, know what you need for compensation, and stand out as a candidate.  Even though there may be an abundance of opportunities, don’t take this for granted. If you are offered an interview and change your mind about the job, don’t be a no-show. Employers have seen many great candidates “ghost” them when called in for an interview or offering a job.

     Remember, your reputation is on the line, and social work in general is a very close community. If you have multiple job offers, be transparent with the hiring manager and make your decision in a timely fashion.  Always practice professionalism and humility. It goes a long way in our field. 

Jennifer Luna, MSSW, writes about social work career development. Jennifer is a social worker, career coach, keynote speaker, and trainer. She serves as Director of the DiNitto Center for Career Services at the University of Texas at Austin, Steve Hicks School of Social Work. Jennifer utilizes a collaborative yet strategic coaching approach to assist social workers in identifying their strongest skills, areas of knowledge, key strengths, and leadership characteristics.