Social Services Resume Examples & Templates

Kellie Hanna, CPRW
By Kellie Hanna, CPRW, Career Advice Expert Last Updated: September 15, 2023

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The social services field requires cultural competence, procedural expertise and patience. It’s time to write a resume to highlight your advocacy and interpersonal skills. 

We’re here to help you build the perfect social services resume or CV, and create an effective cover letter to match it. Get inspiration from our resume examples, CV examples and cover letter examples to get you started.

Resume examples for top social services jobs

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Social services resum FAQ

What are some common skills required for social services jobs?

Hiring managers for social services jobs look for applicants with a mix of soft and hard skills, specifically: 

  • Advocacy
  • Cultural competence 
  • Conflict resolution
  • Time management
  • Organizational
  • Database management
  • Empathy
  • Case management
  • Legal processes knowledge
  • Departmental police knowledge
What qualifications and certifications do employers look for in this field?

The social services field requires a Council on Social Work Education accredited bachelor’s or master’s degree. Each state has its own requirements to practice in the social work field. Verify if you need the required license. 

The National Association of Social Workers offers additional credentials to ‘qualified and licensed social workers.’ For clinical social workers, the American Board of Clinical Social Work offers a Board Certified Diplomate.

What is the salary potential for a social services professional?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports the median pay is $50,390, which varies according to employer, job title and location. For similar occupations, BLS reports the following as median pay:

  • Health education specialists and community health workers: $48,860 per year
  • Marriage and family therapists: $49,880 per year
  • Psychologists: $81,040 per year
  • Social and community service managers: $74,00 per year
  • Substance abuse, behavioral disorder and Mental health counselors: $48,520 per year
What does the career progression for a social services professional look like?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there is a 9% projected growth, which translates to  74,700 job openings each year until 2031. This exceeds the 5% projected growth for all occupations.

What’s the ideal resume format for a social services resume?

Your ideal resume format depends on your years of experience and career goals. Choose accordingly to highlight your strengths and the value you bring to the table. 

  • Functional format: Ideal for entry-level candidates. It focuses on skills, allowing you to showcase the abilities you bring to the table. 
  • Combination format: Perfect for those candidates with a few years under the belt, this format balances skills and work experience.
  • Chronological format: Great for candidates with 10+ years of experience. This format highlights your expertise through a detailed work history section.

How we reviewed this article

Since 2013, we have helped more than 15 million job seekers. We want to make your career journey accessible and manageable through our services and Career Center’s how-to guides and tips. In our commitment to bring you a transparent process, we present our Editorial Process.

Sources

Bureau of Labor Statistics. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/social-workers.htm#tab-1
Council on Social Work Education https://www.cswe.org/
National Association of Social Workers https://www.socialworkers.org/Careers/Credentials/Apply-for-NASW-Social-Work-Credentials
American Board of Clinical Social Work https://www.abcsw.org/apply-for-the-bcd-certification

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