1. Orientation to BSW Field practicum Session 3
SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK

2. AGENDA Welcome and Introductions Field Practicum Interviews
Pre-interview tips
Preparing for the field practicum interview
Common interview questions
During the interview
Questions for the field instructor/agency mentor
Small group activity – mock interviews
Q & A Session
Wrap up and evaluation
BSW FIELD PREPARATION SESSION 3

3. Pre-interview tips Check out the agency Website – mission, programs
Other students – strengths and challenges of the practicum
Know the name of the person(s) who will be conducting the interview
Know exactly where the interview is taking place and how to get there
Plan to arrive early for your interview
Dress for success
Remind students that at this point in the process they have completed their field application and brief resume and have had their screening interview with a field education coordinator. Next step involves students being sent for interviews to the respective practicum agencies.
BSW Field preparation session 3

4. Preparing for the interview
Think about and prepare some answers to common interview questions.
Think about what sets you apart from others – what skills and attributes do you have?
Specific skills and examples
Think about the type of learning experience you would like to have – how do you want to be different at the end of the practicum experience?
Think about any questions you may want to ask about the practicum.
Remember – the perfect practicum and field instructor is probably not out there.
Be open to learning opportunities outside of your comfort zone.
A certain amount of anxiety is normal. Being prepared and anticipating the types of questions you may be asked helps.
Think about what you want to learn and practice. Often times, working and learning with someone who is different than you can help you to address areas of challenge/weakness.
BSW Field Preparation Session 3

5. Common interview questions
Why are you interested in this practicum opportunity?
What can you contribute to this agency?
Tell me about any social work related volunteer or employment experience you may have including previous practicum/placements.
Tell me about your educational (learning) goals.
What would you like to learn in this setting?
What do you expect from a field instructor?
What do you view as your strengths? Challenges? Gaps in knowledge?
What types of clientele appeal most/least to you as potential service users?
What problems or issues do you think will be the most difficult for you to deal with in this agency setting?
Do you work better in structured or unstructured environments?
Go through the list as a class discussion exercise – students contributing potential responses.
Put in a slide later with details on each role involved in the field internship.
Students are encouraged to explore different social work practice areas in each of their internships
BSW Field Preparation Session 3

6. video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3JFx3KazBo
Bsw field preparation session 3

7. During the interview
Be positive – from the initial greeting to your body language and posture during the interview
Be yourself
Stay on topic and ask for clarification where necessary
Answer questions clearly – use specific examples when providing information about education, skills, and work experience
Ask any questions you may have prepared that have not already been answered
Express thanks for the interview
Be yourself – Don’t use words you don’t understand or pretend to be something you are not.
BSW field preparation session 3

8. Personal stuff… To share or not to share in the interview?
If a student has personal, medical, or other stuff that may impact their ability to fully participate in an internship, this should be discussed with the FECs as part of the pre-internship interview process.
Every situation is different. The field team will help student’s navigate this path.
BSW Field preparation session 3

9. discussion
What types of questions would be appropriate for students to ask during an internship interview?
BSW Field Preparation session 3

10. Different Agencies – Different Types of interviews
Regional Health Authorities – i.e. Eastern Health The Department of Child, Youth and Family Services Community based agencies Faith based agencies Rights based agencies
Joan to talk about her experiences with student interviews internal to EH and CYFS
Cheryl – community and faith based
Sheri – rights based
BSW field Preparation session 3

11. The practicum process
Become familiar with the field documents on the School’s website
Pull up the website and show where the field information and appendices are located. Highlight orientation to field and the BSW Field Manual.
BSW Field preparation session 3

12. The end! Please complete the Evaluation Form
Some of this material was adapted from:
University of Chicago School of Social Service – Field Education documents
Memorial University of Newfoundland – Career Services
Arizona State University – Internship Prep & Questions
BSW Field preparation session 3