Social Work Resume Sample

By Jamie Thork, Monster contributor

Social workers are necessary for the health and well being of people and communities across the country. To position yourself for the best jobs, express your advocacy for and commitment to your clients on your social work resume. View the sample resume for a social worker below.

Start off with a strong social work resume summary. Examples of modern-day resumes have summaries instead of objectives. We formatted the summary using bullets to make it clear and easy for an employer to read quickly. You can highlight this section with social work resume skills. Samples include commitment, and the ability to problem-solve and build strong relationships.

Tip: Use numbers to quantify your achievements on your social work resume. This helps demonstrate to employers that you have been successful in past jobs and can repeat your success within their organization.

Social Worker Resume Template

Pamela Smith, MSW
Sometown, CA 11111 • (555) 555-5555 • ps@somedomain.com • LinkedIn URL

Qualifications Summary

  • Dedicated social worker and program coordinator with a strong commitment to serving disadvantaged youth and adults, including homeless, emancipated youth and special-needs populations.
  • Documented success overcoming challenges of limited resources and financial constraints to design high-quality, cost-effective and comprehensive service offerings.
  • Skilled at building community support, key coalitions and strategic interagency partnerships. Backed by strengths in program, personnel and case management.

Professional Experience

Service Coordinator / Lead Case Manager / Case Manager, 8/20xx to Present
ABC Program, San Diego, CA

Progressed through a series of promotions, culminating in responsibility for the coordination of five transitional housing programs. Supervise 12 social workers, case managers, group facilitators and direct-care staff. Develop and maintain community alliances with state agencies, police departments and youth-service programs.

  • Achieved 92 percent client enrollment in college and job-training programs—12 percent above goal.
  • Provided visible, caring client service that resulted in 100 percent of assigned clients remaining eligible for housing during tenure (zero evictions).
  • Led turnaround of emancipated youth program from a 62 percent to a 10 percent monthly turnover rate. Motivated participants to earn high school diplomas/GEDs, enroll in college or secure employment.
  • Developed proposal and delivered presentation that won $100,000 grant to renovate one of the agency’s Single Room Occupancy (SRO) facilities.
  • Acquired license that allowed agency to provide housing to emancipated youth with children. Retrofitted facility with childproof safety features and launched child-care program.

Social Worker, 5/20xx to 8/20xx
XYZ Agency, Sometown, CA

Served on interdisciplinary team providing case management for consumers housed in three community group homes. Developed weekly programs and maintained documentation to fulfill funding-source requirements.

  • Designed and implemented innovative programs benefiting consumers (ages 21 to 75) and enhancing their social skills and self-esteem.
  • Launched an ongoing event agenda that included Circles Program, holiday celebrations, current events discussion groups, voting trips and community excursions.
  • Facilitated supportive services and counseling for family members to address special concerns and ease the transition during holiday home visits.

Internships

  • Action Organization (provides therapy to children with autism), Behavior Therapy & Learning Center Intern
  • DEF Shelter Inc. (homeless shelter), Case Manager

Education

ABC University, Sometown, CA • Master of Social Work (MSW)
DEF College, Sometown, CA • BA in Psychology

Download the free social work resume template in Word.

Jobs for social workers are projected to grow by 12% (or 89,200 jobs) over the next decade, which is faster than average, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The median salary for a social worker is $51,250, and you'll find a high level of employment for child, family, and school social workers in the following metropolitan areas:

Find out what you could earn in your area by checking the Monster Salary Tool.

Additionally, you can learn about how to become a social worker or view all social worker jobs on Monster. After you apply to jobs, read through a list of common social worker interview questions and answers to help you make the best first impression to potential employers.

Ready to Get to Work? Do This Next

Just as social workers get plenty of caseloads, hiring managers get plenty of resumes. But unlike your job, hiring managers will only pay attention to the select few social work resumes that stand out. Want yours to have a chance at making the cut? Get a free resume evaluation today from Monster. Let Monster take some of the stress off the job search by helping you put your polished, most professional foot forward.