A social worker lands a full time job with the Mississippi Department of Family and Children’s Services by keeping up with new technology. Moreover, she learned lessons at her previous professional experience that she used to help her get a job after graduating from school.
I am a 36 year-old African-American woman, employed with the Mississippi Department of Family and Children’s Services, DFACS, as a social worker. I have been in this position for over a year.
Before I was a social worker, I worked in the data entry department of Lane Furniture in Tupelo, MS. When the housing bubble went belly up and the recession began, I knew my job was in jeopardy. Orders for furniture weren’t coming in. I decided to return to school. In the middle of my sophomore year, I was laid off. I relied on unemployment while I finished school.
When I graduated, I was terrified I would not be able to find a job. I was afraid I had spent three years in school and would still be unemployed. I told every person I knew that I was a licensed social worker. I posted it on Facebook. I took to Twitter and “tweeted” I was looking for a job. I checked Monster and Craigslist daily. I finally found a listing that said MS DFACS was hiring on CareerBuilder.com.
The CareerBuilder website took me to the MS DFACS website, where I applied. I hit Twitter and Facebook again. I told everyone I had applied and asked if they knew anyone employed at DFACS. One of my friends on Facebook has an aunt who works there. My friend asked her aunt to see if she could get me an interview. Nine months after graduation, I had my first interview. It took two months of interviews, background checks and credit checks, but I was eventually hired.
Technology was certainly a help to me. If it hadn’t been for Facebook, I would have never known my friend had a relative at DFACS who could get me an interview. DFACS only hires those who apply on their website. If you just walk in the door and try to give them an application, they will not accept it. They only put their application information on their website, CareerBuilder, and the state employment office.
I continued to use technology once I started the interview process. I had several tests I had to take online. I am very grateful the University of Mississippi used online testing. If not, I would not have been familiar with the process. Technology was also used during my criminal and credit checks. DFACS uses a service to provide their background checks. A questionnaire is emailed to each prospective applicant. It must be completed and emailed back to the HR department. If you do not have a valid email, you do not get to complete the questionnaire and you are not hired.
If I had to apply as a social worker with another company, I believe I would hire a résumé service to prepare my résumé so I would stand out. The job I am currently holding is only my third job. I worked at a fast food restaurant in high school. When I graduated from high school, I began working at Lane Furniture. I had worked there for almost 14 years when I was laid off. I believe a professional could make my résumé stronger. I would also seek professional help with my cover letter. With so many applicants for each job, I know it is important to stand out.
Each of us is required to have a LinkedIn account, which we use to connect to the office. There is also a chat room designed just for social workers that I use. Of course, I keep up with my Facebook and my Twitter account. I am also beginning to use Google+. I have made friends with several social workers and I pump them for information.
I am so grateful to Lane Furniture for providing me with my first “real” job interview. The HR person who interviewed me was polite, professional and put me instantly at ease. He sat and chatted with me as if we were friends, without becoming personal. When I interviewed for this position, I pretended I was back at my interview with him. If you imagine you are at ease with the person doing the interview, you will become at ease, and the interview will flow smoothly.
The most important thing I learned during the job search process is, “Don’t be proud. If you need help, ask.” In the beginning of my job search, I didn’t want anyone to know how hard of a time I was having. But then, I realized in this economy, I needed all the help I could get. I let everyone know I was job searching. I told my church, my friends, my family, even casual acquaintances.
I used the Career Services program at my college. It was an excellent program. I know of four people who found jobs through the service. I did make many professional contacts that I stay in touch with. You never know when a contact will be needed.
If I could do one thing from my past differently, I would start applying for jobs prior to graduation. I could have gotten the jump on several job leads had I done this. I just knew that once I had my degree, jobs would open for me. Sadly, there are still more people searching for jobs than there are job openings. Many of my classmates began the job search during their senior year. Some transitioned straight from an internship into a paying job.
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