How To Land Your Dream Job In Human Services

If you’re passionate about helping people and want to work in the human services field, you might be wondering how to get started. 

Maybe it’s your first job or maybe you’ve been out of college for a while and are getting back into the workforce after some time off (or even some time abroad). 

No matter what stage of life or career you’re at now, there are plenty of ways that can help you land your dream job as a human services professional.

Takeaways
Identify your passion within the human services field.
Gain relevant education and training in human services.
Build practical experience through internships or volunteer work.
Network with professionals in the industry for job opportunities.
Develop strong communication and interpersonal skills.
Stay updated on industry trends and advancements.
Showcase empathy, compassion, and a genuine desire to help others.
Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant skills and experiences.
Prepare for interviews by researching the organization and practicing common interview questions.
Continuously seek professional development opportunities to enhance your knowledge and skills.

Get An Internship

Internships are a great way to get your foot in the door, but they can be hard to land. To start, you’ll have to do some research and find out which organizations have internships that fit your interests and experience. 

Then, you’ll need to apply for those programs by following their application instructions and deadlines.

Once you’ve got an internship at one of these organizations, you’ll be able to learn about what it’s like working as a human services professional: what kind of work does this job entail? Who does this type of work? What is the organizational culture like? 

These are all things that will help inform your decision about whether or not this field is right for you and if so, which specific types of human services jobs might be best for you (think case worker vs. social worker).

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Work In A Related Field

What Is A Related Field?

Human services fields include social work, mental health counseling and psychiatry, substance abuse counseling, and gerontology. 

If you want to work in human services but are unsure of the exact job titles that would apply to your field of interest, look for careers that provide direct or indirect support for human services providers. 

For example, if you want to train people on how to develop healthy relationships and cope with stress through counseling techniques, then becoming a counselor at an organization that trains counselors seems like an excellent career path for you. 

Or if you want to help those who have experienced traumatic events or serious illnesses by providing mental health support during their recovery process from those events or illnesses (such as after a natural disaster), then working as a counselor might be right up your alley!

Leverage Your Volunteering Experience

Volunteering is a great way to get experience in the field and build your resume. You can volunteer with an organization that’s related to the one you want to work at or one that’s similar. 

For example, if you’re interested in working for a nonprofit agency serving children, volunteering with a local school or after-school program would be a good way to get some exposure and show the employers what kind of work you could do.

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Don’t Feel Like You Have To Get All Of Your Career Experience In Human Services, Necessarily

Don’t feel like you have to get all of your career experience in human services, necessarily. If other things in life interest you and turn out to be a good fit for your skills and personality.

Go for it! Human services jobs are often very broad and diverse; they can be found in any sector. The more options you have, the better you never know what might become your dream job until you try it out!

Choose An Area Of Study That You’re Excited About

Pick an area of study that you’re excited about.

You’ll be more motivated to learn, do well and go the extra mile at work if it’s something that excites or interests you. If you don’t love what you’re doing, chances are it will show in your work performance and then no one will want to hire or keep you around!

Get Involved On Campus

It may seem obvious, but joining clubs and organizations on campus can help bolster your resume while also helping get your foot in the door with potential employers later down the line (especially if they’re graduates from the school).

Get Your Required Certifications And Licenses

You’ll need to get your required certifications and licenses. You’ve probably heard of them before, but what are they exactly?

Certifications are issued by a professional association to individuals who have met the organization’s requirements for training, education, experience, and/or examination. 

These organizations check your credentials with other organizations or companies that you have worked for to ensure that you meet their standards.

Licenses are similar to certifications as they prove that an individual has demonstrated a certain level of knowledge and skill in a certain field or industry. In some states, licensure is not mandatory; 

However many employers require employees to be licensed for them to work legally on their premises or under their supervision.

The best way for you to do this is by finding out if there are any certification requirements at all for your dream job first! 

The internet is full of resources about different jobs so don’t worry about finding out everything yourself (and don’t worry too much about making mistakes)! The most important thing here though: is always ask questions!

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Get Certified In CPR And Any Other Relevant Life-Saving Skills

You’re right to want to be prepared with life-saving skills. It’s just important not to get so caught up in the certification process that you miss out on other useful information.

For example, CPR is a great skill to have, but it’s not the only one you need. Other first aid skills like AED use and rescue breathing can also save lives and work better if CPR isn’t used immediately after cardiac arrest has begun or stopped.

So don’t overlook these other skills when looking at your options:

You might not want to start as a counselor if that’s your ultimate goal–start as an assistant instead.

If you’re in college, or if you want to get a job working with people who need help after graduation, it can be tempting to jump right into the role of counselor or therapist. 

You might think that these jobs are more glamorous or exciting than a position as an assistant or secretary at an agency.

The reality is that not every company offers entry-level positions for counselors and therapists and even if they do, there may not be any openings at that time. 

Additionally, many organizations have strict requirements regarding experience levels and certifications before they will allow someone to take on clients independently of supervision.

So what should you do if you want your first job as a human services worker but don’t necessarily want to start as a counselor? One option is taking an administrative role within the organization where you work. 

This can help provide exposure and training opportunities while also providing some income during this transition period; 

Additionally, taking care of administrative tasks gives employees valuable experience in interacting with clients and coworkers which can then lead them into other roles within the organization (or elsewhere).

If you want to pursue a career as a counselor or therapist, it’s going to take some serious time and training.

Becoming a counselor or therapist is a long, hard road. You’ll need to be prepared for the long haul. You will also have to spend time and effort to get the education and training required for this field.

If you’re looking for a career in human services, you must have the proper credentials before starting as well. 

This can be done through several different avenues, but we recommend that if you want to pursue a career as a counselor or therapist, it’s going to take some serious time and training beyond what most people can put into their careers during their lives. 

In addition to getting your degree from an accredited university (which can take anywhere from four years up through seven).

Other routes allow one more flexibility in obtaining licensure requirements such as licensing exams or continuing education credits after the graduation date

Use The Internet For Good, Not Evil

When you’re applying for a job, it’s important to do your research. You can use the internet to research the company, the industry, and the job itself.

Researching your potential employer will help you understand what they do and why they do it, as well as how they’ve been successful in doing so. 

This will show them that you have done your homework; it also gives them an idea of what type of person would be a good fit for their organization.

The internet can also be used as a resource for researching candidates’ backgrounds and qualifications including professional organizations and certifications held by candidates (i.e., CPA).

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You’re Going To Need To Get Comfortable With Technology And Social Media, Don’t You Think?

Social media is a great way to network. If someone has a day-to-day job that involves their local government or community organization, then they can be your mentor. You can also use LinkedIn as an online resume.

You must use social media to find out what people are saying about the company and the job opportunities within it. You want to find out if others feel like this company is a good fit for them or not and why.

Make Sure Your Resume Is Up-To-Date And Stands Out From The Crowd

Make sure it is clear and concise: Make sure you use bullet points and present your experience in a way that highlights the most relevant information.

Use the same format for all of your resumes: If you are applying for jobs at different companies, make sure to use the same resume style so that it is easy to read.

Make it easy for hiring managers to find what they need: Make sure that all contact information (email address, phone number) is visible on each page of your resume.

It’s not just what happens at the interview that matters; it’s everything else leading up to it, too.

When you’re applying for a job in human services, you should be aware of the following:

Researching the company’s website is important. You can learn about their mission statement and their overall atmosphere by reading it. This will help you prepare for interviews and get familiar with them before they come up.

Researching the interviewer is also crucial because it helps you know what to expect during an interview, which gives you more confidence as well as better answers to questions that are asked of you by them during an interview process.

It’s best to dress professionally because a lot of people might be wearing casual clothing at work.

But when interviewing there should always be some form of professional attire involved so as not to appear disheveled or unkempt — especially if this would make someone uncomfortable working with another person who does not dress as nicely!

Schedule informational interviews with people in the field before you apply for jobs so that you can find out what they expect from candidates like you.

Informational interviews are a great way to get a feel for the company culture before you apply for a job. Schedule informational interviews with people in the field before you apply for jobs so that you can find out what they expect from candidates like you.

Prepare For The Interview By Researching The Company’s Website And Getting Familiar With Their Mission Statement And Their Overall Atmosphere

The first thing you should do is research the company’s website and mission statement. By doing this, you can get a better idea of what the company does, who its clients are, and where they are located. 

You should also read any news articles about the organization and how they interact with the community. This will help you understand how they function as a whole, which will be helpful during your interview.

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Conclusion

The human services field is a rewarding one that can make a difference in people’s lives. If you have the right skills (and passion!), there are so many different ways to get involved and make an impact. You just need to find the right fit for your personality, interests, and career goals.

Further Reading

Here are some additional resources to help you in your pursuit of landing your dream job:

How to Land Your Dream Job: Discover valuable insights and expert advice on navigating the job search process, crafting a compelling resume, and acing interviews to secure your dream job.

Tips to Land Your Dream Job: Explore practical tips and strategies that can give you a competitive edge in the job market. Learn how to optimize your job search, build a strong personal brand, and stand out from other candidates.

7 Steps to Land Your Dream Job: Dive into a comprehensive guide outlining seven crucial steps to help you land your dream job. From identifying your career goals to mastering the art of networking, this resource provides actionable advice to maximize your chances of success.

FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions about landing your dream job:

Q: How can I identify my dream job?

A: Identifying your dream job requires self-reflection and understanding your passions, skills, and values. Consider what activities bring you joy and fulfillment, and align them with potential career paths that match your interests.

Q: How do I tailor my resume for a specific job?

A: To tailor your resume, carefully review the job description and highlight relevant skills, experiences, and accomplishments that align with the requirements of the specific job. Customize your resume to showcase how your background makes you an ideal fit for the role.

Q: What are some effective strategies for networking during a job search?

A: Effective networking strategies include attending industry events, joining professional organizations, utilizing online platforms such as LinkedIn, and reaching out to contacts for informational interviews. Networking helps you expand your connections and increase opportunities for job leads.

Q: How can I prepare for a job interview?

A: To prepare for a job interview, research the company and the role you’re applying for, practice common interview questions, and prepare your own questions to ask the interviewer. Additionally, practice your responses, dress professionally, and exude confidence during the interview.

Q: How important is continuing professional development for career advancement?

A: Continuing professional development is essential for career advancement as it allows you to stay updated with industry trends, expand your skill set, and demonstrate a commitment to lifelong learning. Engaging in training programs, attending workshops, and pursuing relevant certifications can enhance your qualifications and open doors to new opportunities.