People who work in the social service industry tend to enjoy giving back to their community. They may work as counselors, behavioral technicians, volunteers, and in many other jobs. In 2021, there is a high demand for people to work in social service, especially in the aftermath of the pandemic. The isolation experienced through lockdown intensified depression, anxiety, and other mental health challenges social workers can support through psychotherapy or other counseling services. Social workers can also help employees find work-life balance and cope with all sorts of crises. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 13% increase of 90,700 new jobs between 2018-2029.
If you’re interested in or are already in the social service industry and want some help developing your resume, we recommend you check out the rest of this page.
Let’s start with resume examples to acquaint you with the three standard formats
Social Service Job Titles
- Case Manager
- Community Support Worker
- Director Of Government Relations
- Human Service Worker
- Mental Health Counselor
- Program Coordinator
- Youth Worker
Social Services Cover Letter Examples
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Full-time social service jobs
Clinical social workers, hospice or palliative care workers, case managers, and counselors are considered social workers. Each position may have different educational and certification requirements, as well as different experiential histories. Most jobs are in academic institutions, health care centers, or private businesses.
Job Outlook 2020–2028
Social worker
From 2019 to 2029, the overall employment of social workers should rise by 13%, which is faster than the average for all occupations. However, the rate of increase in employment differs depending on the field of study.
Case manager
In the next decade, the jobs forecast for case managers projects to grow by about 22%.
Counselor
From 2019 to 2029, the job outlook of substance abuse, behavioral illness, and mental health counselors expects to rise by 25%, far faster than the national average of 14%. This increase is due to the growing number of individuals seeking addiction and mental health treatment.
Part-time social services jobs
Some of the jobs in this domain include volunteer social workers and behavior technicians. Social workers are professionals who try to improve people’s overall well-being and assist them in meeting their fundamental needs. They work with various individuals and populations, focusing on the vulnerable, oppressed, or those living in poverty. Behavior technicians are professionals who work in the field of applied behavioral analysis. They work with a wide range of clients, including children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), learning disabilities, maladaptive behavior, adjustment issues, aggression, and other issues.
Volunteers or behavior technicians can work in community development projects, nonprofit foundations, and educational institutions, among many other areas.
Job Outlook 2020–2029
Volunteer
Reports by the Corporation for National and Community Service say social service volunteers have 27% higher employment prospects when compared to people who have never volunteered. This is likely to continue throughout the 2020s.
Behavior technician
From 2019 to 2029, the job outlook of substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors expects to rise by 25%, far faster than the national average. This increase is from the growing number of individuals seeking addiction and mental health treatment due to many factors, including substance abuse of over-the-counter medications.
Social service resume examples by experience level
When creating the first draft of your resume, think about your career history, level of expertise, and unique skills. These will determine the appropriate resume format that matches your qualifications. Then, follow the instructions below to read tips on creating a resume based entirely on these parameters.
Behavior Technician
Case Worker
Mental Health Counselor
2 tips to stand out and get the job you want
Write a cover letter that explains your profile.
Writing a cover letter always helps to present yourself as a strong candidate over competitors. For one, you strategically convey your interest in the organization and what you can bring to the team. Second, cover letters present social service professionals with the specific opportunity to explain their passion for helping people using specific examples from their careers. Third, most people invariably make mistakes in their cover letters, and since you won’t be making any, you’ll be ahead of the game.
What do you need to do? First, don’t forget to proofread it, check it for inconsistencies, eliminate errors, and ensure it directly relates to the position you are applying to.Prepare.
Most candidates underestimate the need for preparation. However, just reading the job description and company profile is never sufficient. The job-getting project begins when you write a resume and doesn’t end until your last round of interviews. So do the following: Research the company culture, background, and values. Find out previously asked interview questions (there are many sites on the web that can help you find them), and if possible, get in touch with existing or former employees to know about the hiring culture and process. When reaching out, have strong and convincing reasons to justify your interest in working with the organization.
There is no harm in going the extra mile by taking online lessons or watching videos to ace the interview. Also, do not forget to be presentable with your sense of dress and demeanor.
FAQ
How rewarding is a career in social service?
A career in social service allows you to work for the greater good. Extending your support and assistance for the welfare of others can bring you immense gratification. Your work will also inspire others to contribute by sharing their professional services and skills with those who need them the most.
What are the challenges of a career in social service?
Social service often entails working in challenging environments. Advocating for human rights, for instance, and dealing with complex, sometimes unending medical red tape can sometimes cause you direct or indirect stress. It might even leave you emotionally exhausted. Therefore, to successfully embark on a career in this field, people should have strong willpower and a brave spirit because there are no overnight successes.
Can I use the same resume for multiple job openings in social service?
No. Different social service jobs have different and diverse skill and educational requirements. Therefore, you should tailor your resume depending on each job description and its prerequisites. In addition, there are many ways you can adjust your resume, including through new keywords and by rewriting your experience based on its relevance to the applied position.
What is the best way to list my job experience?
Following the reverse chronological order, starting from your most recent experience to the first, is the best way to list your professional experience. But, of course, you also can’t forget to mention the job title and position you completed, company names and location, dates employed, your key responsibilities, and your most significant achievements.