How to Write a Social Worker Resume Objective With Examples

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As a social worker, you can use your resume objective to highlight your skills and experience that make you the best candidate for the position you are applying to. Knowing how to write a compelling resume objective can help make your social worker resume stand out to recruiters and hiring managers. Read this article to learn more about writing an objective statement for a social worker resume with examples.

Why is a resume objective important?

A resume objective is important because it describes how your skills, experience, interests and career goals make you a great candidate for the position you are applying to. An objective statement is one of the first things recruiters and hiring managers see on your resume. The information in your resume objective can impact whether the recruiter or hiring manager decides to read the rest of your resume and consider your application. 

How to write a social worker resume objective

Follow these steps to write an objective statement when creating your social worker resume:

1. First, determine what type of social work you want to do

Before you can begin writing your resume objective, you need to decide what type of social work you want to do. Social work is a large field with several different opportunities, so deciding what sort of work you want to do can help create a more focused objective. For example, determine whether you prefer to work with individuals or families. There may also be a specific specialty group you prefer to work with, such as children or seniors.

2. Second, read the job description

Read the job description for the position you are applying to and determine what skills, characteristics and experiences the employer is looking for. When reading the job description, you should also make sure you understand the duties and responsibilities for the position and that you have the skills and experiences necessary to fulfill these duties. This can help you find keywords to include in your objective. 

3. Next, identify your strengths and qualifications

Next, identify the skills, experiences and characteristics that are your greatest strengths. You should try to find your strengths that are most relevant to the position you are applying for. You should also identify the education, licenses and certifications you have that qualify you for this position. These strengths and qualifications will act as the foundation for your resume objective statement.

4. Then, write your resume objective statement

You can begin writing your social worker resume objective statement with the information you have gathered in the previous steps. Try to keep your resume objective short and to the point. A good resume objective statement should be between one and three sentences in length. 

You can begin by identifying your professional education and experience. Then, identify a few key skills and quantify them when possible. Finally, state your career goals and how they relate to the position you are applying to.

5. Finally, proofread your resume objective statement

Finally, when you are done writing your social worker resume objective, you should review it to check for spelling and grammatical errors. You should also make sure all the information in your resume objective is accurate and clearly describes what makes you a strong candidate for the position you are applying to.

Alter your objective for each job you apply to. Every time you change it, make sure to proofread it again for typos.

Social worker resume objective examples

Here are a few examples of social worker resume objective statements for various career levels:

Entry-level social worker resume objective

If you’re applying for your first social worker job, make sure you highlight your skills and how you intend to use them in the role. 

Example for entry-level social worker:

‘To obtain a position as a state-licensed social worker with the Community Counseling and Resource Center to apply education in psychology and passion for counseling to help individuals within the community. Seeking to use active listening and communication skills to provide individuals with the information, tools and resources they need to overcome life’s challenges.’

Intermediate social worker resume objective example

Including that you have a license to be a social worker in your objective will immediately show the hiring manager that you have the right qualifications.

Example for intermediate social worker:

‘State-licensed social worker with a bachelor’s degree in sociology and three years of experience seeking a position as Lead Social Worker with the City of Dallas. Excellent communicator who uses active listening skills and empathy to build meaningful relationships with clients and assist them in addressing challenges and achieving goals. Looking to apply knowledge and experience in a leadership role to guide other social workers within their roles.’

Advanced social worker resume objective example

If you have a lot of social work experience, you can detail one specific achievement, then list your goals. 

Example for advanced social worker:

‘Experienced social worker with more than 10 years of expertise seeking a position as Family Counselor Social Worker with the City of Tampa’s Department of Children and Families. Excellent multitasker with strong organizational skills proven through experience providing services for up to 50 families concurrently. Seeking position as Family Counselor to assist families within the community in coping with and overcoming life challenges.’