17 Social Services Manager Interview Questions and Answers

A social services manager is responsible for the overall operation of a social service agency. He or she provides leadership and direction for the staff, manages the budget, and develops programs to meet the needs of the community.

If you’re interested in becoming a social services manager, you will need to have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in social work or a related field. You will also need several years of experience working in the social services field. When you’re ready to apply for a job, you will need to be prepared to answer social services manager interview questions.

In this guide, you will find a list of common social services manager interview questions and answers that you can use to prepare for your interview.

Are you comfortable working with people who are in a vulnerable position?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have experience working with people who are in a challenging situation. Showcase your ability to empathize and provide support to those who need it most.

Example: “Yes, I am very comfortable working with people who are in a vulnerable position. In my previous role as a social services manager, I worked with many families who were struggling financially or had other issues that made them feel insecure. My goal was always to make sure they felt safe and supported while also providing them with resources that could help them overcome their challenges.”

What are some of the most important qualities for a social services manager to have?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have the qualities they’re looking for in a social services manager. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention some of the skills and traits that are listed on your resume or cover letter. This can show the interviewer that you possess these important qualities.

Example: “I believe that empathy is one of the most important qualities for a social services manager to have. It’s important to understand what clients are going through so you can provide them with the best care possible. Another quality I think is essential is patience. Working with people who are going through difficult situations can be challenging, but having patience can help you remain calm and find solutions to problems.”

How would you handle a situation where one of your employees was not meeting company standards?

An interviewer may ask this question to assess your leadership skills and how you would handle a situation that could affect the entire department. In your answer, try to show that you are willing to hold your employees accountable for their actions while also encouraging them to improve.

Example: “If I encountered an employee who was not meeting company standards, I would first meet with them one-on-one to discuss what they were doing wrong and offer advice on how to improve. If they continued to fail to meet expectations after our discussion, I would consider placing them on probation or terminating their employment.”

What is your experience with managing budgets for social services agencies?

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your experience with financial management. They want to know how you plan and manage budgets for social services agencies, so they can understand if you have the skills necessary to succeed in their role. In your answer, try to explain what steps you take when creating a budget and how you ensure it’s accurate.

Example: “I’ve worked as a social services agency manager for five years now, and I’ve always been responsible for managing our department’s budget. When planning our annual budget, I first meet with my team to discuss any changes we need to make to our current budget. Then, I work with my finance team to create an initial budget that includes all of our expenses. After reviewing the budget, I make adjustments where needed before submitting it to upper management.”

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

This question can help the interviewer gain insight into your problem-solving skills and ability to overcome challenges. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a specific situation in which you helped a client overcome an obstacle or challenge that led to positive results.

Example: “In my previous role as a social services manager, I worked with a single mother who was struggling to provide for her family because of financial issues. She had no other options for assistance, so we developed a plan together where she would work part-time while receiving child support from her ex-husband. This allowed her to spend more time with her children while still providing them with the resources they needed.”

If we contacted your previous employers, what would they say about your work ethic and performance as a social services manager?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your work history and how you’ve performed in previous roles. When answering, it can be helpful to mention any awards or promotions you received while working for a previous employer.

Example: “My last employer would say that I’m an extremely hard worker who always puts the needs of my clients first. They would also say that I am very organized and detail-oriented when performing my job duties. In fact, they were so impressed with my performance as a social services manager that they offered me a promotion after only one year on the job.”

What would you do if one of your programs was underfunded and you had to make cuts?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you make tough decisions and prioritize your department’s programs. Use examples from your past experience to explain how you would evaluate which programs to cut, what factors you would consider and how you would communicate with staff members about program cuts.

Example: “In my last role as a social services manager, we had to reduce our budget by 10% due to state funding issues. I met with each of my team members to discuss their programs and determine which ones were most important to them. We then evaluated each program based on its success rate, cost-effectiveness and whether it was meeting its goals. After making these evaluations, we decided to eliminate one program entirely and scale back another.”

How well do you understand local and federal laws that apply to social services agencies?

The interviewer may ask this question to assess your knowledge of the legal requirements for social services agencies. Use your answer to highlight any relevant experience you have with local and federal laws that apply to social service agencies.

Example: “I’ve worked in my current role as a social services manager for five years, so I’m very familiar with the laws that apply to our agency. For example, we’re required to follow all state regulations regarding child welfare, including how many children we can care for at one time. We also need to comply with federal laws, such as those that require us to report suspected abuse or neglect.”

Do you have experience working with government agencies?

This question can help interviewers understand your experience working with government agencies and how you might fit in at their organization. If you have worked with a government agency before, consider mentioning the specific skills or knowledge you gained from that experience that will be helpful for this role.

Example: “I’ve had previous experience working with state governments on social services programs. I helped develop a program to provide financial assistance to low-income families who were struggling to pay for childcare. This program was successful because of my ability to work with multiple stakeholders and communicate effectively with different departments within the state government.”

When working with a team of caseworkers, therapists and other professionals, what strategies do you use to motivate them and ensure they’re meeting company standards?

An interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your leadership skills and how you motivate a team. Use examples from past experiences where you motivated your team members, set goals or rewarded employees for their hard work.

Example: “I believe that motivating my team is one of the most important parts of being a social services manager. I use regular check-ins with each employee to find out what they need to be successful in their job. For example, if an employee tells me they’re struggling to meet deadlines because of personal issues, I might offer them additional training or resources to help them overcome the challenge. In another situation, I might give an employee who has been working well a bonus or promotion as a way to recognize their hard work.”

We want to improve our public image. What would you do to increase our presence in the community and make people feel welcome at our facilities?

The interviewer may ask you this question to assess your public relations skills and how you can help improve the organization’s image. In your answer, demonstrate that you have strong communication skills and are willing to work with the media to promote positive stories about the organization.

Example: “I would make sure our facilities were always clean and welcoming for visitors. I would also ensure that all of our staff members were friendly and helpful when interacting with clients. Another thing I would do is partner with local businesses to provide discounts or free services to people who visit us. This could be a great way to increase our presence in the community.”

Describe your experience working with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures.

Employers ask this question to see if you have experience working with people from different backgrounds and cultures. They want to know that you can work well with others who are different than you. When answering, try to describe a time when you worked with someone of a different background or culture. Explain how you helped them feel comfortable in the workplace.

Example: “I’ve always been passionate about helping those in need. I started my career as a social worker for children in foster care. In this role, I worked with many families from diverse backgrounds. One family I remember was a single mother with two young boys. She spoke very little English, but she wanted to get her children back into their home country. I learned some Spanish so we could communicate better. We were able to find a translator, and eventually, they went back to their home country.”

What makes you stand out from other candidates for this job?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you compare to other candidates. Before your interview, make a list of the skills and experiences that make you an ideal candidate for this role. Focus on what makes you unique from other applicants and highlight any transferable skills or experience that would help you succeed in this position.

Example: “I have five years of experience as a social services manager, which is more than anyone else applying for this job. I also have extensive knowledge of the local community resources and can use my connections to find clients the best care possible. In addition, I am passionate about helping others and providing them with the support they need to live happy and healthy lives.”

Which computer programs or software have you used to manage employee records or other aspects of your job?

This question can help the interviewer learn more about your computer skills and how you use them to complete tasks. You can answer this question by naming a few programs or software that you’ve used in your previous job, along with what you did with each program.

Example: “I have experience using Microsoft Office Suite for managing employee records and other documents. I also use Google Drive to store important files and documents so they’re accessible from any device. In my last position, I used Salesforce to manage client information, including their contact details and case histories.”

What do you think is the most important aspect of customer service?

Customer service is an important part of any job, but it’s especially vital in social services. The interviewer wants to know that you understand the importance of customer service and how it can affect your department. Use examples from previous jobs where you’ve helped customers or clients with their needs.

Example: “I think the most important aspect of customer service is empathy. When I’m helping a client, I try to put myself in their shoes and imagine what they’re going through. This helps me provide better care and find solutions for them more quickly. In my last position, I had a client who was struggling to get her children ready for school every morning. She didn’t have anyone else to help her, so I offered to come over one evening and help her organize everything she needed for the next day.”

How often do you make updates to your employee handbook?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your management style and how you support your team. Your answer should show that you are committed to keeping your employee handbook up-to-date with current policies, procedures and benefits.

Example: “I make updates to my employee handbook at least once a year. I find that it’s important to keep our policies and procedures fresh in everyone’s minds so they know what is expected of them and what we expect from them. For example, last year, I updated the policy on vacation time after learning that some employees were taking longer vacations than allowed by company policy. By updating the policy, I was able to ensure that all employees understood the new rules.”

There is a new government program that might be a good fit for one of our programs. How would you investigate the program and determine if it would be a good fit for your agency?

This question is an opportunity to show your ability to research and evaluate new programs. It also shows how you might approach a change in the social services industry.

Example: “I would start by researching the program online, looking for any information about it that I could find. If there was enough information available, I would read through the program’s website or other resources to learn more about what the program offers. After reading up on the program, I would schedule a meeting with my team to discuss the program and determine if we have the capacity to implement it.”