20 Washington State Department of Social and Health Services Interview Questions and Answers

The Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) is the largest state agency in Washington, with over 12,000 employees statewide. DSHS provides a wide range of services, from child welfare and food assistance to mental health and long-term care.

If you’re applying for a job at DSHS, you can expect to be asked a variety of questions about your qualifications, work history, and availability. In this guide, we’ve assembled a list of DSHS interview questions and answers to help you prepare for your interview.

Washington State Department of Social and Health Services Interview Process

The interview process at Washington State Department of Social and Health Services can vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, most positions will require at least one in-person interview with a panel of employees. For some positions, you may be asked to take a skills test or complete a written assessment. The overall process can take several weeks to complete.

1. Can you describe a time when you had to deal with an angry client?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you handle conflict and whether or not you have experience working with clients who are upset. Use examples from your previous work to show that you know how to diffuse a situation, empathize with an angry client and solve problems effectively.

Example: “In my last position as a social worker for children, I had a case where a child was being abused by their parents. The child’s parents were very upset when they found out about the abuse allegations, but I remained calm and empathetic throughout our conversation. I explained why we needed to investigate the claims and assured them that we would do everything in our power to ensure the best outcome for their family.”

2. How would you handle a situation where a client was not following their care plan?

Interviewers may ask this question to assess your ability to manage challenging situations. In your answer, you can describe a specific situation where you helped a client or patient adhere to their care plan and the steps you took to ensure they followed through.

Example: “In my current role as a social worker, I had a client who was not following her medication regimen. She would often miss appointments and sometimes forget to take her medications. When I noticed she wasn’t taking her medications regularly, I scheduled an appointment with her to discuss the importance of adhering to her treatment plan. I also offered to help her find transportation options so that she could get to her appointments more easily. After our meeting, she agreed to follow her care plan and has been doing well since.”

3. What is your experience working in the medical field?

The Washington State Department of Social and Health Services requires that applicants have experience working in the medical field. This is because they want to ensure that their employees are qualified for the job. When answering this question, make sure you highlight your relevant skills and abilities.

Example: “I worked as a nurse at a local hospital for five years. During my time there, I learned how to work with patients who had different conditions. I also gained valuable communication skills when talking to patients and their families. I am confident that these skills will help me succeed in this role.”

4. Tell me about a time that you were able to help resolve a conflict between two parties.

This question can help the interviewer determine how you resolve conflicts and whether you have experience doing so. Use examples from your previous work or personal life to highlight your conflict resolution skills.

Example: “In my last position, I had a client who was upset with our services because they felt we weren’t helping them fast enough. They were threatening to take their case to court if we didn’t meet their demands. I met with the client in person to discuss their concerns and find out what we could do to make things better for them. We ended up finding an alternative solution that worked well for everyone.”

5. Describe a time when you had to work under pressure.

When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a time when you were able to overcome pressure and perform well. This can show the interviewer that you are capable of handling challenging situations and performing your job duties effectively.

Example: “In my current role as a social worker, I often have to work under pressure. For example, if a client calls me in an emergency situation, I need to respond quickly and provide them with the care they need. In these situations, I try to remain calm so I can focus on helping the client. I also make sure to document everything about the call so I can refer back to it later.”

6. Do you have any experience working with people who are disabled or elderly?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your experience working with people who may have special needs. Your answer should include an example of how you helped someone in this situation and what skills or knowledge you used.

Example: “In my last role, I worked as a caregiver for elderly clients. One client had Alzheimer’s disease, so I learned how to help them remember things by using different techniques like repetition and visual cues. Another client was blind, so I made sure to speak clearly when talking to them and use gestures to make sure they understood me.”

7. How do you feel about public benefits programs?

This question is a great way to see how you feel about the role of government in providing social services. It’s also an opportunity for you to show that you understand the importance of these programs and their impact on society. When answering this question, it can be helpful to discuss your personal experience with public benefits programs or any other similar programs.

Example: “I believe that public benefits programs are essential to ensuring that all citizens have access to basic needs like food, shelter and healthcare. I know from my own experience that without these programs, many people would not have the resources they need to survive. In my last position, I worked closely with several state agencies to ensure that our county was meeting its requirements for public assistance.”

8. Are you comfortable handling potentially sensitive information?

The interviewer may ask this question to assess your ability to handle confidential information. When answering, it can be helpful to mention that you understand the importance of keeping private information safe and secure.

Example: “I have worked in social services for several years now, so I am very aware of how important it is to keep sensitive information private. In my current role, I work with clients who are going through some difficult times, so I take extra care to ensure their privacy. For example, when a client calls me on the phone, I make sure to speak quietly so others around me cannot hear what they’re saying. I also never write down any identifying information about them unless they give me permission.”

9. How much of your previous job did you spend on the phone?

This question can help the interviewer get a sense of how comfortable you are with phone conversations. If your previous job required you to spend most of your time on the phone, be sure to explain why this was necessary and what steps you took to make these calls more efficient or enjoyable for yourself or your customers.

Example: “In my last position as an administrative assistant at a law firm, I spent about half of my day on the phone. This was because we had so many clients that needed our attention, but I made it a point to always answer the phone in a friendly voice and greet callers by name when possible. I also tried to keep track of who called us frequently so I could try to anticipate their needs before they asked.”

10. Have you ever worked in a call center before?

This question is a great way for employers to learn more about your experience and how you performed in that role. If you have, be sure to mention what kind of call center it was and the duties you were responsible for. If you haven’t worked in a call center before, you can still answer this question by describing any other customer service-related roles you’ve had.

Example: “I actually worked as a call center representative for my previous employer. I answered calls from customers who needed help with their accounts or wanted to know more about our services. It was a very fast-paced environment, so I learned how to prioritize tasks and stay organized. I also developed strong communication skills while on the phone.”

11. What is your experience with financial services and accounting?

The Washington State Department of Social and Health Services requires employees to have a background in financial services. Your answer should show that you understand the importance of accounting and budgeting for this role. You can describe your experience with financial management, including how you use it to help others.

Example: “I’ve worked as an accountant for five years now. I started out working at a small business where I helped manage the company’s finances. I learned how to create budgets and monitor spending so we could stay within our limits. After two years there, I moved to a larger company where I was responsible for managing all of their accounts. I had more staff members to oversee, but I still used my skills to keep track of expenses and make sure they were using funds appropriately.”

12. Why do you want to work at Social and Health Services?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you better and understand why you are a good fit for their organization. When answering this question, it can be helpful to highlight your interest in working with vulnerable populations or helping people who need assistance.

Example: “I want to work at Social and Health Services because I am passionate about helping others. In my last role as a social worker, I worked with children who were in foster care. It was so rewarding to see how much progress they made when placed in loving homes. I would love to continue that work here.”

13. What is your experience working with children and families?

The Washington State Department of Social and Health Services works with children, families and individuals in need. Your interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your experience working with these populations. Use your answer to highlight any specific skills you have that can help you succeed in this role.

Example: “I worked as a teacher for five years before I decided to pursue my master’s degree in social work. During my time teaching, I learned how to interact with all types of students. Some of the techniques I used included positive reinforcement and encouraging communication between parents and teachers. These skills helped me create an inclusive classroom where everyone felt comfortable expressing themselves.”

14. What do you think makes for a good caregiver?

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your values as a caregiver. They want to know what you think makes for a good caregiver and how you would apply those principles in your work with the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services.

Example: “I think that being a good caregiver means putting the needs of others before your own. It’s important to me to be empathetic, compassionate and kind when I’m working with clients. I also believe it’s essential to listen carefully to my clients’ concerns and respond thoughtfully. When I was working at the hospital, I noticed that many patients felt like their doctors weren’t listening to them. So, I made sure to always take time to hear out my patients and answer all of their questions.”

15. How often do you like to be in contact with your team when working on a project?

This question can help the interviewer get a sense of how you interact with your team and whether you prefer to work independently or in collaboration. Your answer should reflect that you value teamwork and enjoy collaborating with others on projects.

Example: “I like to be in contact with my team members as often as possible when working on a project, especially if I need their input or assistance. However, I also understand that sometimes it’s necessary for me to work independently on certain tasks. In those cases, I make sure to communicate clearly with my team about what I’m doing so they know where I am at all times.”

16. What do you think are the most important qualities for a successful team member?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have the qualities they look for in their team members. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a few of your own personal qualities and how they relate to those that are important to the organization.

Example: “I think one of the most important qualities for a successful team member is being able to communicate effectively with others. I am always open to hearing other people’s opinions on projects or ideas, and I make sure to listen carefully when someone else is speaking so I can understand what they’re saying. Another quality I think is important is having a positive attitude. I try to remain upbeat even when things get challenging because I know that positivity can help motivate others.”

17. If hired, what would be your approach to designing software for an assembly line?

This question is a technical one that allows the interviewer to assess your problem-solving skills and ability to apply them in a real-world setting. Your answer should include an example of how you would approach this task, as well as the steps you would take to complete it successfully.

Example: “I would first identify the specific needs of the assembly line and then create software that meets those needs. I would also ensure that the software was easy to use for employees who are not technically savvy. In my last role, I designed software for a warehouse where the staff needed to track inventory levels and shipping details. The software I created allowed users to enter information quickly and accurately, which helped reduce errors.”

18. What would you say is your greatest strength and weakness?

This question is a common one in interviews, and it’s important to answer honestly. Employers want to know what your greatest strengths are so they can use them when you’re on the job. They also want to know about any weaknesses that you’re working on improving or have already improved.

Example: “My greatest strength is my ability to work well with others. I am always willing to help anyone who needs it, even if it means going above and beyond what’s expected of me. My weakness would be my perfectionism. While this has helped me achieve many goals in life, sometimes I need to learn to let things go and accept that not everything will be perfect.”

19. Do you have experience working in a team environment?

The Washington State Department of Social and Health Services requires employees to work in a team environment. This question is your opportunity to show the interviewer that you have experience working with others, are willing to collaborate and can be part of a team.

Example: “I’ve worked in a team environment for most of my career. I started out as an entry-level employee at my current company where I was one of many customer service representatives. We all had different roles but were expected to help each other when needed. For example, if someone was on break or away from their desk, we would cover for them. In addition, we also helped train new hires.”

20. We want our assembly line workers to be able to work independently. Do you think you would be a good fit for that type of environment?

The interviewer may ask this question to see if you have the ability to work independently and in a team environment. In your answer, explain how you would approach working on an assembly line and what skills you have that make you a good fit for this type of job.

Example: “I think I would be a great fit for this role because I am used to working in fast-paced environments where I need to multitask and prioritize my tasks. At my previous job, I worked as part of a large team but also had to complete many different tasks each day. I feel like I can adapt well to new situations and work quickly when needed.”