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What are your weaknesses as a social worker?
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Paula’s Answer
Hi Jessica,
As a social worker I believe in first evaluating one's own strengths as well as the client's. Compassion, empathy and being a good listener are strengths that are necessary to have in order to be an effective social worker.
Being self-aware and realizing who you are as an individual as well as a professional is key in working with others.
A weakness might be in not realizing when a client has pushed your "buttons" so to speak and that you might be experiencing your own anxiety regarding what is happening with the client. Another difficulty might be in not being knowledgeable enough in an area and having the inner strength to admit that to oneself and then refer the client to work with someone else.
I hope that this helps you.
As a social worker I believe in first evaluating one's own strengths as well as the client's. Compassion, empathy and being a good listener are strengths that are necessary to have in order to be an effective social worker.
Being self-aware and realizing who you are as an individual as well as a professional is key in working with others.
A weakness might be in not realizing when a client has pushed your "buttons" so to speak and that you might be experiencing your own anxiety regarding what is happening with the client. Another difficulty might be in not being knowledgeable enough in an area and having the inner strength to admit that to oneself and then refer the client to work with someone else.
I hope that this helps you.
Updated
Wilson’s Answer
Hello Jessica H.
Each of us has some strengths, and some weaknesses–including you. You should admit your weaknesses (interviewers will notice them anyway), and ensure the interviewers that you try to improve on them.
In an ideal case you should talk about some strengths that are relevant for social work, and weaknesses that aren’t essential for this position.
To such strengths belong:
Good communication skills.
Understanding of the problems and needs of the target group you’ll work with in your new job.
Ability to solve conflict situations with a cool head.
Enthusiasm for social work (that will carry you over the difficult periods in job).
Creative personality.
High level of responsibility and ability to teamwork.
Attention to detail and patience.
Weaknesses of social worker
What isn’t your strength, does not necessarily have to be a weakness for social work. While you should avoid talking about weaknesses that are vital for the job, you can talk about some other.
For example leadership skills, computer skills, etc. Such skills are definitely helpful, but they aren’t essential for a good social worker. And you can always improve on them.
Alternatively you can talk about a weakness that we may consider a strength, at least in certain circumstances. For example:
being over-friendly to clients (helps with building trust, but can sometimes lead you to tricky situations)
being impatient with the clients (in certain roles in social work, such as case manager, this can be even considered a strength by some recruiters)
having always the last word (not necessarily a bad thing in social work)
struggling with making decisions
Each of us has some strengths, and some weaknesses–including you. You should admit your weaknesses (interviewers will notice them anyway), and ensure the interviewers that you try to improve on them.
In an ideal case you should talk about some strengths that are relevant for social work, and weaknesses that aren’t essential for this position.
To such strengths belong:
Good communication skills.
Understanding of the problems and needs of the target group you’ll work with in your new job.
Ability to solve conflict situations with a cool head.
Enthusiasm for social work (that will carry you over the difficult periods in job).
Creative personality.
High level of responsibility and ability to teamwork.
Attention to detail and patience.
Weaknesses of social worker
What isn’t your strength, does not necessarily have to be a weakness for social work. While you should avoid talking about weaknesses that are vital for the job, you can talk about some other.
For example leadership skills, computer skills, etc. Such skills are definitely helpful, but they aren’t essential for a good social worker. And you can always improve on them.
Alternatively you can talk about a weakness that we may consider a strength, at least in certain circumstances. For example:
being over-friendly to clients (helps with building trust, but can sometimes lead you to tricky situations)
being impatient with the clients (in certain roles in social work, such as case manager, this can be even considered a strength by some recruiters)
having always the last word (not necessarily a bad thing in social work)
struggling with making decisions
Updated
Norma’s Answer
As a social worker, it is very important to be creative and to think fast. Spontaneity and patience are also another factors in social work that is a weakness. Social workers need to plan and prepare, however, most times they must be able to juggle multiple situations and circumstances. Creativity is another big part of social work. Social workers must wear many hats and love to interact with people of different ethnicities and groups.