17 Public Health Social Worker Interview Questions and Answers

Public health social workers are on the front lines of communities, providing direct services to individuals and families as well as working on larger policy advocacy initiatives. No matter what their focus, all public health social workers share a common goal: to improve the health and well-being of the populations they serve.

If you’re interested in becoming a public health social worker, you’ll need to ace a job interview. To help you prepare, we’ve put together a list of the most common public health social worker interview questions along with sample answers.

Are you comfortable working with people who are grieving, angry or otherwise emotionally unstable?

This question can help interviewers understand how you might handle emotionally challenging situations in the workplace. In your answer, try to show that you are empathetic and compassionate when working with people who are experiencing difficult emotions.

Example: “I have worked with many families who were grieving after losing a loved one. I find that it’s important to be patient and understanding of their emotional state while also encouraging them to take care of themselves. For example, if someone is crying, I will give them space and time to process their feelings. However, I will also encourage them to get out of bed or leave the house for a walk so they can start feeling better.”

What are some of the most important qualities for a public health social worker to have?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have the necessary skills and abilities to succeed in this role. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a few of your strongest qualities that relate to public health social work.

Example: “I believe some of the most important qualities for a public health social worker are empathy, patience and compassion. These traits allow me to connect with clients and understand their needs. I also think it’s important to be organized and detail-oriented because I often need to collect information about my client’s medical history and current situation. Finally, I find it beneficial to be able to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.”

How would you handle a situation where a patient or client refuses to follow your advice?

As a public health social worker, you may encounter patients or clients who are reluctant to follow your advice. Employers ask this question to make sure that you have the interpersonal skills and confidence to convince people to do what’s best for their health. In your answer, explain how you would use your communication skills to help the patient or client understand why they need to change their behavior.

Example: “I’ve encountered this situation before in my previous role as a public health social worker. When I first started working with this patient, he was very resistant to changing his lifestyle. He didn’t want to give up any of his unhealthy habits, but after several meetings, he agreed to try some new techniques. Now, he is much healthier than he used to be.”

What is your process for identifying and approaching a potential client?

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your approach to working with clients and how you use your skills to help them. When answering, it can be helpful to describe a specific situation in which you used your process to identify a client’s needs and develop a plan for helping them.

Example: “When I first meet a potential client, I try to get an idea of their current situation by asking questions about their health history and what brought them to our office. From there, I look at the information they provided me and compare it to public records to see if there are any red flags that might indicate a need for additional support. If I find something that seems like it could be a problem, I will follow up with them to discuss my concerns and offer resources.”

Provide an example of a time when you successfully helped a client overcome a major obstacle.

This question can help interviewers learn more about your problem-solving skills and how you use them to benefit clients. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a specific situation in which you helped a client overcome an obstacle or challenge they were facing.

Example: “In my previous role as a public health social worker, I worked with a client who was struggling with depression. This client had been experiencing symptoms of depression for quite some time before seeking treatment, so we needed to work on helping the client develop coping mechanisms and positive thought processes. After working together for several months, the client began feeling much better and started making plans to pursue their dreams.”

If a patient or client was hostile toward you, how would you handle it?

Interviewers may ask this question to assess your interpersonal skills and how you handle conflict. In your answer, try to show that you can remain calm under pressure and use problem-solving techniques to resolve the situation.

Example: “I would first try to understand why they were hostile toward me. I would listen carefully to what they had to say and respond calmly. If they were upset about a specific issue, I would explain my reasoning for the decision or action I took. If they were just generally angry, I would reassure them that I was there to help and offer to reschedule the meeting.”

What would you do if you suspected that a patient or client was lying about their medical history or current circumstances?

Interviewers may ask this question to assess your interpersonal skills and ability to detect deception. In your answer, demonstrate that you can use your communication skills to encourage honesty from patients or clients while maintaining their trust.

Example: “If I suspected a patient was lying about their medical history or current circumstances, I would first try to determine why they were being dishonest. If it’s because of embarrassment or fear, I would reassure them that I am here to help and provide support. If the patient is withholding information for other reasons, such as fraud, I would report my suspicions to my supervisor so we could take appropriate action.”

How well do you handle stress? Can you provide examples of times when you felt overwhelmed?

Working in public health can be stressful, especially when you’re working with clients who are experiencing a crisis. Employers ask this question to make sure that you have the ability to handle stress and remain calm under pressure. When answering this question, try to show your interviewer that you know how to manage stress effectively. Explain what steps you take to reduce stress and keep yourself focused on the task at hand.

Example: “I think it’s important to acknowledge when I’m feeling stressed or overwhelmed. If I feel like I need a break from my work, I’ll step away for a few minutes to collect myself. I find that taking deep breaths helps me relax and refocus. I also find that talking through my feelings with a friend or family member can help me process them and move forward.”

Do you have experience working with patients who speak a different language from you?

If you’re interviewing for a public health social worker position in an area with a large immigrant population, employers may ask this question to make sure you have experience working with patients who don’t speak English. In your answer, explain how you’ve worked with non-English speaking patients in the past and what strategies you used to communicate effectively with them.

Example: “I do have experience working with patients who don’t speak English. When I was working as a public health social worker at a hospital, I had a patient who spoke Spanish. To communicate with her, I brought in a translator so that she could understand everything we were saying. I also made sure to write down all of my instructions in Spanish so she would know exactly what to expect.”

When is it appropriate to refer a patient to another healthcare professional?

An interviewer may ask this question to assess your decision-making skills and ability to collaborate with other healthcare professionals. In your answer, explain the steps you take when deciding whether or not to refer a patient to another professional for care.

Example: “I always try to provide patients with all of their treatment options before referring them elsewhere. I first discuss my recommendations with the patient and then offer to connect them with a specialist who can help them meet their needs. If they are still interested in pursuing a referral, I will research specialists within our community that specialize in similar conditions and recommend one based on the patient’s preferences.”

We want to improve our outreach to at-risk communities. What strategies would you use to increase awareness of our services among at-risk populations?

An interviewer may ask this question to assess your public speaking skills and ability to communicate with a variety of audiences. In your answer, try to describe how you would use your communication skills to help the organization achieve its outreach goals.

Example: “I think it’s important for public health organizations to reach out to at-risk communities in order to provide them with information about their services. I have experience working with diverse populations, so I know that different groups respond better to different outreach strategies. For example, I worked with an organization that wanted to increase awareness among homeless individuals about available mental health resources. We decided to hold weekly presentations on our campus where we discussed common mental health issues and provided information about our services.”

Describe your process for documenting your interactions with patients.

This question can help interviewers understand how you organize your work and the steps you take to ensure it’s completed. When answering, consider describing a specific process you use for documenting interactions with patients or other stakeholders in public health projects.

Example: “I find that using a digital system is most efficient when working with multiple stakeholders on a project. I typically use an online database to document my interactions with patients and other stakeholders. For example, if I meet with a patient once a week, I’ll enter notes from our meeting into the database each time we have an interaction. This helps me keep track of important information about their case and ensures I don’t miss any details.”

What makes you stand out from other public health social workers?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your personality and how you can contribute to their team. When answering, think of a few things that make you unique from other public health social workers. You could mention any special skills or certifications you have.

Example: “I am passionate about helping others, which is why I became a public health social worker in the first place. However, what makes me stand out from other professionals in my field is my ability to connect with people on an emotional level. I find it easy to empathize with patients because I understand what they are going through. This skill has helped me build strong relationships with many of my clients.”

Which public health areas are you most interested in pursuing professional development in?

Employers ask this question to see if you are motivated to learn more about public health and how you can improve your skills. When answering, think of a few areas that interest you the most and explain why they appeal to you. You can also mention any certifications or training programs you have completed in the past.

Example: “I am very interested in pursuing professional development in mental health care. I find it fascinating how we can help people with their emotional well-being through public health initiatives. In my last position, I took an online course on mental health care and learned so much about different treatment methods. I would love to continue learning more about this area of public health.”

What do you think is the most important role that public health social workers play in society?

This question is an opportunity to show your interviewer that you understand the importance of public health social work and how it can impact society. When answering this question, consider what you feel are the most important aspects of a public health social worker’s job and explain why they’re important.

Example: “I think the most important role that public health social workers play in society is helping people who need assistance with their healthcare needs. I have worked with many clients who don’t have access to medical care or other resources they need to stay healthy. As a public health social worker, I am able to help these individuals find the resources they need to improve their health and overall well-being.”

How often should a patient see a public health social worker?

Interviewers may ask this question to learn about your experience with managing patient care. In your answer, describe how you would schedule appointments for patients and what factors might influence the frequency of their visits.

Example: “I usually recommend that patients see me once a month at first, then every three months after they’ve established a relationship with me. I find that seeing me less frequently helps them feel more comfortable asking questions or expressing concerns. If they have any urgent issues during those times between our scheduled meetings, I encourage them to call me or email me so we can discuss it right away.”

There is a public health crisis in your area. What is your response?

This question is a way for the interviewer to assess your ability to respond to public health crises. It also shows how you prioritize and manage time under pressure. In your answer, describe what steps you would take to address the crisis and ensure that all members of the community are safe.

Example: “In my experience, I have seen many public health crises in my area. When there’s an outbreak or other emergency, I am always one of the first responders. My first priority is to make sure everyone is safe and healthy. Then, I work with local officials to implement any necessary quarantine procedures. Finally, I help families affected by the crisis find resources they need.”