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Need staff urgently
by Jamie Langlois, DSW, LMSW
New social work graduates are better positioned than ever to seek desired employment. At a recent meeting with local supervisors, faculty at our institution were asked what nonprofits can do to get more interest. Employers were bemoaning the many open positions they have without applicants. A local community mental health supervisor stated that they pay a higher salary, so they usually have many applicants, but they also had open positions with no applications. Furthermore, they historically required full licensure, and they have reduced the qualification to a limited license, and they are still unable to fill positions.
These employers are experiencing an issue that is pervasive across the U.S. A recent article in USA Today calls this labor shortage the “Great Resignation” (Davidson, 2022). According to the article, the U.S. is in the middle of the most significant labor shortage in history. What does this mean for new social work graduates entering the job market? Bargaining power.
Admittedly, some organizations do not know they need to change. But the truth is that work in human services and mental health is incredibly demanding, and flexibility is necessary to entice new workers. For social workers entering the job market now, this is your chance to set the stage for the future. Here is my advice:
1. Only apply for dream jobs.
Students often ask if they should take their first offer or hold out for their dream job. COVID has taught us that we can live with a lot less until we get what we want. In fact, one of the primary reasons people have left the job market is that their jobs were not in line with their purpose. From my experience, students enter the field of social work to align their purpose with their careers. New graduates should not have to settle.
2. It is okay to apply for jobs for which you are “not qualified.”
Historically, human resources professionals advised that applicants’ résumés would be weeded out if they did not meet the minimum qualifications. That is not currently the case. If the position requires licensure and you are weeks from receiving your limited or provisional license, apply! Be sure to list your anticipated limited licensure date at the top of your résumé. Keep in mind that it may take longer to get an interview, but it is worth trying.
3. Be honest in the interview about what you can provide and what you do not know.
This is always true, but sometimes interviewees oversell their knowledge and experience to get a coveted position. As employers reduce their qualifications, they need to know how to support new hires so that clients are appropriately served. When asked whether you have done some procedure or practice in the past that is unfamiliar to you, find out more information about it and describe a similar procedure you have completed. Explain how you learned the procedure and how confident you are in your ability to learn the new one.
4. Inquire about how the employer supports employees.
In social work, we are encouraged to engage in self-care, but that is not enough if the employer does not respect boundaries or support workers. Some organizations have peer-to-peer support groups, buddy teams, regular debriefing, reflective rounds, meditation rooms, food-related socializing, and mindfulness activities (Søvold et al., 2021). Regardless of the role you are seeking, consider asking about the office’s culture. What is supervision like? Are caseloads manageable? How are workers supported in a crisis? How does the employer help minimize secondary traumatic stress?
5. Ask for days at home or a flexible schedule.
Most social work roles require in-person interaction. Yet, we have learned through COVID that there is much more flexibility than we once thought. Meetings, therapy, and more can be done remotely. Consider what you need for a balanced work-life schedule. Are you caring for a parent or child? Are you taking a class or have therapy? Ask the employer to accommodate your needs and preferences.
6. Know your worth.
Find out what salary is reasonable to expect for the kind of social work role you want in the communities in which you want to do it. You can use Glass Door, local social work social media groups, LinkedIn, or find similar jobs in similar communities that list salaries. Consider where you fit within this range. Know what you have to offer prospective employers. Then determine what you need to pay the bills and get ahead. Although many employers will ask you to post previous salaries, you should feel comfortable asking for what you think you are worth regardless of previous salaries. You have just completed your degree, which allows you to ask for more.
7. Ask for the pay range.
It is not unreasonable to ask. Some states (Washington, Maryland, Colorado, Nevada, Connecticut, California, and more) require employers to disclose the pay range to applicants upon request. Pay range transparency is helping close the wage gap. Not knowing the salary range harms women more than men because we often ask for less even when we are equally as qualified as our male counterparts (National Women’s Law Center, 2020). I recently spoke with a new social work graduate who is employed in a macro position. She was given the salary that she requested upon employment. Six months after working for the organization, she came upon a document with the salary ranges. She found that she was getting paid $7,000 less than the bottom range for her position.
8. Ask for the job offer in writing.
It is so exhilarating to get a job offer for a job you really want. If the salary sounds good, many new graduates are quick to accept. However, I suggest taking time to review the offer. First, let the person know how truly, truly excited you are to receive the offer and let them know that this is the job you want. Once they have explained as much as possible, thank them and ask them to email the complete offer so that you can review it. Then ask them how long you have to respond. Remember, they want you. Consider the salary, health insurance coverage, disability insurance, flexible work arrangements, vacation time, sick leave, volunteer leave, wellness program, loan forgiveness, paid holidays, professional development, and supervision offered. Consult another social work professional before asking questions, countering, or making your decision.
9. Leave a lasting impression.
Although employers desperately need workers, they still want employees committed to the organization’s mission and clients and have the capacity to do the work. Learn as much as you can about the organization before you interview. Let the employer know what makes you passionate about working for them. Be sure your cover letter and résumé are error-free. Write a thank-you note following the interview. Even if you do not get the position you are applying for, leave them remembering what a great candidate you are.
10. It is okay to say “no.”
There is so much pressure to say “yes.” After all, this is what you went to school for, and you have all of those loans. Plus, you have family and friends asking about your job prospects every day. However, it is okay to say “no.” Maybe you have the feeling that you will not be well supported or the salary seems way off, or your soon-to-be supervisor said something that made you uncomfortable. Maybe you need a flexible schedule, but you have been told that they can not offer that right now. Stay centered and remember what you want and need. Only accept a job that makes sense for you. If you have to turn down an offer, explain the reason if you feel comfortable, and thank the organization for seeing the potential in you.
As social workers, we are advocates for workers. The best way that new graduates can advocate for the future careers of social workers is by asking for fair pay and work-life balance. It has been a long time since workers have been able to truly demand better working conditions. Hopefully, your advocacy will secure decent working conditions and reduce burnout for professional social workers for years to come.
References
Davidson, P. (2022, January 4). Great resignation: The number of people quitting jobs hit an all-time high in November as openings stayed near record. USA Today. https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2022/01/04/great-resignation-number-people-quitting-jobs-hit-record/9083256002/
National Women’s Law Center. (2020, January). Salary range transparency reduces the wage gap. NWLC.ORG. https://nwlc.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Salary-Range-and-Transparency-FS-2020-1.17.2020-v2.pdf
Søvold, L. E., Naslund, J. A., Kousoulis, A. A., Saxena, S., Qoronfleh, M. W., Grobler, C., and Münter L. (2021, May 7). Prioritizing the mental health and well-being of healthcare workers: An urgent global public health priority. Frontiers in Public Health, 9:679397. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.679397 https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2021.679397/full
Jamie J. Langlois, DSW, LMSW, is an assistant professor in the School of Social Work at Grand Valley State University in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Jamie has taught for 18 years in both graduate and undergraduate education. She teaches capstone and plans a social work employment conference each year where she helps prepare students for their careers after graduation.