How Do I Ace the Interview? Social Workers Please Help

fureverywhere

fureverywhere

beloved friend who will always be with us in spiri
Location
Northern NJ, USA
I've got an interview on Wednesday. Non-profit for exceptional teens and adults. Yes I am toadly experienced. I have an awesome cover letter plus my college transcripts. The only question...on the phone she asked if I was comfortable driving...no I am not. But this organization is huge. How do I explain I have qualifications for a bunch of jobs they have, but driving and sense of direction is something I suck at. Otherwise IEP's, independent skills and practical skills, being a warm fuzzy support system...I've got it. Please some more tips for getting this job.
 

Not a social worker Fur, but I think I would just focus on my experience and qualifications, and sell all of those pluses. I would just be honest in the driving area, without going into any long explanations or offering any apologies or excuses. Maybe if you don't dwell on it, they won't either. Do you really think the driving part is mandatory to get this job?
 
I hope not, swear to Gawd I've been pulled over for driving too slow...more than once. If they tested my night vision they'd pull my license. Following directions and I'll end up in Ohio. Except I'm afraid of toll roads. Really you do not want me to drive...
 

Agree with SB. Just go with the flow -- maybe they just want you to be able to run somebody to the doctor or something. Unless they want you to get a different class of driver's license, they can't be expecting you to drive busloads of folks here and there. I'd cross that bridge when I came to it. You don't want to tell them you hate driving and lose the job, only to find out later they just wanted somebody to go to the post office. I'd just tell them I'm a licensed driver with a good driving record and routinely drive in my daily life, and let it go at that.

If you get the job and find out you can't handle the driving part, you can always quit, or they might decide you're so great at the other stuff the driving part doesn't matter; but if you let the opportunity go because of fear, you can't get it back.
 
Fur - It's not my intention to be critical, only informative (or informed) - I noticed you used the word "toadly" in a sentence ("I am toadly experienced."). As a Californian I feel compelled to advise you, with an extensive history to verify it, that the word is "totally".

Unless you were using an idiom...in which case; Sorry. Carry on.

Good Luck getting the job!
 
If driving is a requirement, and from you said about your driving, I would advise you to withdraw from seeking the position and seek a position that does require driving, especially if it involves taking some of the clients with you...
 
I disagree with Ralphy. I wouldn't withdraw at this point. I'd see what driving the job actually entails -- I think hauling clients around would require at least a chauffeur's license, and the description doesn't say anything about that. Maybe they just want somebody who can do the occasional errand. At my last job, we required a driver's license, but we only wanted someone who could drive stuff to the Court of Appeals, or go pick up something when needed.

No need to get all wound up about the driving part at this point -- I'd see what was actually going on with the job, especially if it's a job you would like to have. Don't freak out and lose something good because you're worried about something that may not even be a real problem!
 
Thank you everybody. I even have a background check of my driving record I can bring along, my transcript, a beautiful cover letter and resume...it's show time folks, I am going to talk myself into this place.
 
Well first off I was stylin', my favorite color deep purple. The first step was a ton of paperwork...and no credit check...oh yay me. I was even prepared with my motor vehicle record from USPS. This was the kind of thing I'm great at. Ask an English major to answer an open-ended question about why they're interested in the field...what? Only one page? I could keep going at least ten:)

Then I interviewed with a nice young lady. Soft spoken, but I've gotten lip reading down pat. Some of the questions

If you're faced with a client cursing and screaming?
Hey, it happens...my daughter will get herself wound up at Target. You just keep placating and backing towards the door. Calmly, reacting will only fuel the situation. And by the time you reach the car it's probably over anyway.

If you're driving and a client gets upset?
Well of course first thing is to concentrate on the road. Eesh, I raised five kids and I told her as much. If it escalates to peeing and puking yes you might need to pull over and address the problem.

I even aced understanding how to document meds. With hubby I have to know what he's taking. The doctors always seem mystified. Remember back in the day when your doctor knew what prescriptions you had? My daughter has given me the rest. If they say no there's always the next county which is a separate branch.
 
Obviously driving is a major factor in this job and from you reported earlier about your driving I am still not convinced of your fit for this position. I hope that you didn't delude yourself and deceive your potential employer...
 
Fur..Thinking good thoughts for you. I did social work for years. I drove kids to appointments as part of my job but didn't need a special license. I was a county employee. Good luck!
 
Well maybe it's time for me to get more confident with the driving. Plus hubby has an SUV, while I prefer my little car I can drive his pretty easy if I have to...see what happens.
 

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