If you like helping people in need, see a meaningful purpose in social work, and have some courage, planning and organizational skills, and excel communication, Case Manager will be a great job for you. In this article we will look at some questions you may face in your interview, and how you should answer each one of them.
Keep in mind that your non-verbal communication is as important as your interview answers. This job is not easy, and unless the interviewers see your honest motivation and enthusiasm for the work, they will not hire you.
Motivational Interviewing – Case Management in Shelters
In-depth questions
Interviewers ask in-depth questions to evaluate your overall work style as a case manager. These questions also help them understand your problem-solving capabilities. Here are some in-depth questions the hiring manager might ask you for a case manager position:
Why do you want to work with our target group?
Interviewers ask this question to assess your passion for not only the role, but also who youll be working with should you get the job. When you answer this question, you can describe how close you are to this target group, refer to an experience with this group or say how youve researched the group and believe youd be able to help them.
Example: “When my daughter was young and in need of medical attention, she had a wonderful case manager that helped her receive the best care. I appreciated how she handled my daughters case and made the process as stress-free as possible. As a case manager, I want to make a similar difference in the lives of children and their families and this opportunity gives me that chance.”
Pause before you answer a question
After the interviewer asks you a question, take a few moments to collect your thoughts. Consider the main points you want to address in your answer and provide them with a well-thought-out and direct reply.
Why are You Interested in This Role?
The interviewer needs to establish why you have applied for a particular role. Explain in detail why you were drawn to this particular position.
Sample Answer
“Having looked at the job description, I believe that my skills, qualities, and qualifications match the job requirements. In my experience, I have engaged with different groups young and old, skilled and unskilled, and through this, I am a good communicator. In addition, I am a great problem solver and crisis manager. I am also a great planner and organizer. Through this, I will be able to organize and coordinate all programs run by the shelter.” Why Should We Hire You? 5 Best Answ…
Example: “When working with a client who is struggling financially, I first ask them what they need most. Sometimes it’s food or utilities, but sometimes it’s transportation or childcare. Once I know what they need, I look at our available resources to see which ones we can provide. If there are no resources for transportation, for example, then I would try to find another organization that could help.”
Example: “I have encountered this situation before when working with a client who was refusing to comply with my recommendation for them to move into an apartment instead of continuing to live with family members. I explained to the client that our goal is to get them independent as quickly as possible so they can start building up their credit and saving money. I also told them that living with family members could delay their progress toward independence. After explaining my reasoning, the client agreed to follow my recommendation.”
Case managers often work with clients who are applying for public housing. Interviewers ask this question to make sure you have experience working with the process and can help your client through it if needed. In your answer, explain that you’ve worked with clients who applied for public housing in the past and give an example of how you helped them through the application process.
Example: “I think that the most important thing a housing case manager can do for their clients is listen. I know from my experience working with other case managers that it’s easy to get caught up in all the paperwork and deadlines, but we need to make sure our clients feel like they’re being heard. When I worked at my previous job, I noticed that some of my colleagues were more focused on meeting their quotas than listening to their clients. I made it a point to always make time to hear out my clients so that they felt comfortable coming to me with any questions or concerns.”
Example: “In my last role as a case manager, I worked with a client who was struggling to find housing because they had a criminal record. The client was very motivated to find housing but didn’t know where to start. I explained the process of expunging their record so that they could apply for housing again. We then researched the requirements for each state and applied for an expungement. After several months, we were able to successfully expunge their record. They were then able to find safe and affordable housing.”
What are the Qualities That a Shelter Case Manager Needs to Be Successful?
The interviewer needs to establish if you possess the qualities to succeed in this post. Here, they want to establish if you can share what is required. Share the qualities while explaining how they are important for success.
Sample Answer
“To succeed in this role you will need skills in crisis prevention and handling substance abuse. Among the homeless handled, there could be some who have been affected by addictions to various substances and you will need to intervene on how they will be assisted by the other programs supporting the shelter. In addition, you will need to be an empath and keen listener to be able to assist the homeless well. Other skills needed are great organization, problem-solving, and report writing. These skills are important in performing the essential job responsibilities.”
FAQ
What questions are asked in a case manager interview?
- Can you tell me a little about yourself?
- Why are you leaving your current job?
- Why do you want to work here?
- What are some of your strengths as a case manager?
- What are some of your weaknesses as a case manager?
What are the 10 most common interview questions and answers?
- Could you tell me about yourself and describe your background in brief? …
- How did you hear about this position? …
- What type of work environment do you prefer? …
- How do you deal with pressure or stressful situations? …
- Do you prefer working independently or on a team?
What are the 7 most common interview questions and answers?
