What is this online toolkit for new social workers?

This toolkit is a curated collection of 10 essential posts designed to help social work students and new practitioners develop professional skills and advance their careers. Created by Laurel Hitchcock, PhD, MPH, LCSW and Dorlee Michaeli, MBA, LCSW, it covers critical topics including getting strong recommendation letters, acing job interviews, passing the LMSW exam, developing clinical and macro practice skills, leveraging social media for career growth, building online authority, and employing best practices in therapy. Each post includes potential assignments and exercises aligned with 2015 CSWE Social Work Competencies, making it valuable for both classroom instruction and individual professional development.

Who created these new social worker resources?

These resources were collaboratively created by Laurel Hitchcock, PhD, MPH, LCSW (Assistant Professor in the Department of Social Work at the University of Alabama at Birmingham) and Dorlee Michaeli, MBA, LCSW. Laurel maintains the Teaching & Learning Social Work blog to help social work educators and students explore new ways to enhance lifelong learning for professional practice. The toolkit demonstrates the power of professional learning networks; Laurel and Dorlee met through social media and collaborated to create these resources specifically for social work education and new practitioner development.

How can I use this toolkit as a social work student?

As a student, you can use this toolkit for self-directed professional development by working through each resource systematically. Start with "The ABCs of Getting a Strong Letter of Recommendation" early in your program to build relationships with professors. Use "40 Interview Questions Every Social Worker Needs to Know" when preparing for internships or first jobs. Review "Ten Tips for Passing the LMSW Exam" during your final year to prepare for licensing. Explore both clinical and macro practice resources to determine your career direction. Work through the social media and online authority posts to start building your professional presence early. Complete the suggested exercises and assignments to deepen your learning and create portfolio materials for job applications.

Can social work educators use this toolkit in their curriculum?

Yes! The toolkit was specifically designed for social work educators to incorporate into their curriculum. Each resource includes potential assignments and exercises that align with the 2015 CSWE Social Work Competencies. Educators can assign these posts as required reading, use the suggested exercises for homework or in-class activities, or adapt them to fit specific course objectives. The infographic format makes it easy to share with students and organize around different competency areas. The companion toolkit on developing a Personal Learning Network (PLN) with Twitter provides additional structured learning activities for teaching students about professional networking and staying current in the field.

What topics are covered in the 10 essential posts?

The toolkit covers: (1) The ABCs of Getting a Strong Letter of Recommendation—understanding what professors look for and how to request effectively, (2) 40 Interview Questions Every Social Worker Needs to Know—preparing for job interviews with common and challenging questions, (3) Ten Tips for Passing the LMSW Exam—practical strategies for licensing exam success, (4) 10 Skills Clinical Social Workers Must Develop—essential competencies from Dean Nancy Smyth including assessment, intervention, and documentation, (5) 7 Career Tips for Macro Social Workers—guidance on macro practice paths and skill development, (6) How Social Media Sparks Social Work Career Growth—leveraging professional networks online, (7) How to Build Your Online Authority and Make Friends—strategic social media engagement, (8) 4 First Session Strategies Every Therapist Should Know—establishing therapeutic alliance, (9) Re-Energize and Provide Best Therapy—self-care and professional development, (10) The Art of Self-Disclosure in Therapy—appropriate boundaries and therapeutic purpose.

What is a Personal Learning Network (PLN) and why do I need one?

A Personal Learning Network (PLN) enables you to stay current and share information about the latest professional news in your field. It's a group of people and resources you connect with—both online and offline—to support your ongoing professional learning and development. For social workers, a PLN might include colleagues, mentors, professional associations, blogs, Twitter chats, LinkedIn groups, and continuing education resources. The companion toolkit "Online Toolkit for Developing a Personal Learning Network (PLN) with Twitter" provides eight specific posts with guidance on how to make the connections you need to further your career via Twitter, along with classroom assignments and tasks. In today's rapidly changing field, a PLN is essential for staying informed about new research, best practices, policy changes, and career opportunities.

How do I get a strong letter of recommendation as a social work student?

The toolkit's first resource, "The ABCs of Getting a Strong Letter of Recommendation," provides comprehensive guidance. Key strategies include: building genuine relationships with professors throughout your program (not just before you need letters), demonstrating consistent engagement in class through participation and quality work, asking for letters well in advance (at least 3-4 weeks before deadline), providing your letter writer with all necessary information (due date, program details, your resume, relevant experiences), waiving your right to see the letter (shows you trust the writer and increases letter credibility), following up with thank you notes, and keeping letter writers updated on your outcomes. The stronger your relationship with the professor and the more they know about your work, the more specific and compelling your letter will be.

What are the most important skills clinical social workers need to develop?

According to Dean Nancy Smyth featured in the toolkit, the 10 essential clinical social work skills are: (1) Screening for substance abuse and alcohol problems—often missed without routine assessment, (2) Identifying and diagnosing mental health problems using standardized scales, (3) Assessing for domestic violence and developing safety plans (1 in 3 women experience it), (4) Understanding how trauma affects people and recognizing problem behaviors in context, (5) Assessing for dissociation—lack of knowledge is a common reason for treatment failure, (6) Behavioral interviewing techniques—asking about specific experiences vs. general questions, (7) Cognitive behavioral treatment methods—increasingly used in integrative therapies, (8) Motivational interviewing for working with ambivalent clients, (9) Strong record-keeping practices—failure is #1 reason for licensing board sanctions, (10) Generalist skills in couples and family work. The toolkit emphasizes that the MSW is just the beginning—specialized supervision and ongoing training are essential for developing deep competency.

How can social media help my social work career growth?

The toolkit includes resources explaining how social media sparks career growth in multiple ways: (1) Professional networking—connecting with colleagues, mentors, and leaders in the field who you might never meet in person, (2) Learning communities—participating in Twitter chats like #MacroSW, #SWHelper, or following blogs and LinkedIn groups focused on your specialty area, (3) Job opportunities—many positions are shared on social media before or instead of traditional job boards, (4) Building your professional brand—demonstrating your expertise and interests through thoughtful engagement and content sharing, (5) Staying current—accessing the latest research, news, and best practices in real-time, (6) Advocacy and social change—amplifying important issues and connecting with movements aligned with social work values. The key is strategic, professional use—not just broadcasting but genuinely engaging, learning, and contributing to the professional community.

What interview questions should every social worker be prepared to answer?

The toolkit's resource on "40 Interview Questions Every Social Worker Needs to Know" covers common and challenging questions including: "Why did you choose social work?", "What is your theoretical orientation?", "How do you handle burnout/secondary trauma?", "Describe a difficult client situation and how you handled it," "What are your strengths and weaknesses?", "How do you maintain professional boundaries?", "What experience do you have with [specific population]?", "How do you approach cultural competence?", "What would you do if a client threatened suicide?", "How do you work with resistant clients?", "What role does supervision play in your practice?", and many more. The resource emphasizes preparing specific examples from your field experience that demonstrate your skills, self-awareness, and alignment with social work values rather than giving generic answers.

What's the best way to prepare for the LMSW exam?

The toolkit's "Ten Tips for Passing the LMSW Exam" provides practical strategies including: (1) Start studying early—give yourself 2-3 months minimum, (2) Use ASWB-approved study materials that match the actual exam content outline, (3) Take practice exams under timed conditions to build stamina and identify weak areas, (4) Study in short, focused sessions rather than marathon cramming, (5) Join a study group for accountability and different perspectives, (6) Focus on areas where you're weakest rather than reviewing what you already know, (7) Understand the exam format—it's designed to test minimum competency for entry-level practice, (8) Get adequate sleep before the exam—your brain needs rest to perform, (9) Use test-taking strategies like eliminating obviously wrong answers and managing your time, (10) Don't panic if you don't know an answer, trust your social work education and values to guide you. Remember the exam tests your ability to apply knowledge to practice scenarios, not just memorize facts.

What's the difference between macro and clinical social work, and how do I choose?

The toolkit includes resources on both clinical skills (10 Skills Clinical Social Workers Must Develop) and macro practice (7 Career Tips for Macro Social Workers) to help you explore both paths. Clinical social work (micro practice) focuses on direct work with individuals, families, and treatment groups to address biopsychosocial problems affecting quality of life—think therapy, counseling, case management. Macro social work includes administration, community organizing, policy advocacy, and program development—working to change systems and structures that affect quality of life for populations. Many social workers find themselves doing both—for example, a clinical therapist who also advocates for policy changes, or a program administrator who still sees clients. The macro practice resource emphasizes that you don't have to choose between clinical work and systems change; social work uniquely allows you to integrate both. Explore both through field placements, volunteer work, and informational interviews to see what resonates.

How do I build my online authority as a new social worker?

The toolkit's resource "How to Build Your Online Authority and Make Friends" provides strategic guidance: (1) Choose 1-2 platforms to focus on rather than trying to be everywhere—LinkedIn and Twitter are excellent for professional networking, (2) Complete your profile thoroughly with professional photo, clear bio, and relevant keywords, (3) Share valuable content regularly—curate and comment on articles, research, and resources relevant to your interests, (4) Engage authentically—comment thoughtfully on others' posts, ask questions, answer questions when you have expertise, (5) Join relevant groups, chats, or communities in your specialty area, (6) Be consistent—regular small contributions build authority better than occasional big posts, (7) Maintain professional boundaries—think before you post and keep personal separate from professional, (8) Give credit and cite sources appropriately, (9) Build real relationships, not just follower counts—quality over quantity, (10) Be patient—building online authority takes time and consistent effort. The key is providing value to your network, not self-promotion.

Are these resources only for MSW students or can BSW students use them too?

These resources are valuable for both BSW and MSW students, as well as recent graduates and early-career social workers. While some resources like "Ten Tips for Passing the LMSW Exam" are specific to MSW-level licensing, most content applies broadly to social work education and early career development. BSW students can benefit from learning how to get strong recommendation letters (especially if planning to apply to MSW programs), preparing for job interviews, understanding different practice paths (clinical vs. macro), building professional networks through social media, and developing foundational practice skills. The toolkit's design with potential assignments and exercises makes it adaptable to different educational levels—instructors can modify complexity based on whether students are BSW, first-year MSW, or second-year MSW. The emphasis on lifelong learning and professional development makes these resources valuable at any career stage.

How were these resources aligned with CSWE competencies?

The toolkit creators designed potential assignments and exercises to meet the 2015 CSWE (Council on Social Work Education) Social Work Competencies. The CSWE competencies represent the knowledge, values, skills, and cognitive/affective processes that comprise competent social work practice. The nine core competencies include: (1) Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior, (2) Engage Diversity and Difference in Practice, (3) Advance Human Rights and Social, Economic, and Environmental Justice, (4) Engage In Practice-informed Research and Research-informed Practice, (5) Engage in Policy Practice, (6) Engage with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities, (7) Assess Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities, (8) Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities, (9) Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities. Each resource in the toolkit addresses one or more of these competencies through its content and suggested learning activities, ensuring students develop well-rounded professional capabilities.

Can I use these resources for my own professional development or are they only for classroom use?

Absolutely use them for self-directed professional development! While the toolkit was designed with classroom use in mind (hence the alignment with CSWE competencies and suggested assignments), it's equally valuable for individual learning. New social workers can work through the resources at their own pace, completing the suggested exercises as personal reflections or portfolio pieces. The infographic provides a clear roadmap of essential topics to master. You might create your own learning plan—for example, spending one week on each resource, completing the exercises, and documenting your learning and growth. The companion PLN toolkit helps you build a professional learning network that supports ongoing development beyond any single resource. Many of the most successful professionals engage in continuous self-directed learning—these resources provide structure and guidance for that process.

What other resources are available beyond these 10 posts?

The toolkit references a companion resource: "Online Toolkit for Developing a Personal Learning Network (PLN) with Twitter," which provides eight posts from Teaching & Learning Social Work with specific guidance on making professional connections via Twitter, along with classroom assignments and tasks. Beyond the toolkit, both creators maintain active professional presences: Laurel Hitchcock's Teaching & Learning Social Work blog regularly features posts on social work education, innovative teaching methods, and professional development, often with guest authors sharing new approaches and success stories (and failures). Dorlee Michaeli's Social Work Career site provides extensive resources on clinical practice, LMSW exam preparation, professional development, career guidance, and curated mental health webinars. The toolkit's design encourages users to explore both sites for additional resources, and to follow both creators on social media for ongoing professional learning opportunities.

How can I credit this toolkit if I use it in my teaching or share it with others?

When using or sharing this toolkit, credit both creators: Laurel Hitchcock, PhD, MPH, LCSW (Teaching & Learning Social Work) and Dorlee Michaeli, MBA, LCSW (Social Work Career). Link back to the original toolkit post at SocialWork.Career and, if applicable, Laurel's companion PLN toolkit. For academic citations, follow your institution's preferred style guide (APA, Chicago, etc.) and include both authors, publication year, toolkit title, and URL. For social media sharing, tag both creators if possible and include a link to the original resource. Both creators encourage sharing and using these resources to support social work education—proper attribution ensures others can find the original sources and access updated versions.

Can I adapt the assignments and exercises for my specific student population or course?

Yes! The toolkit explicitly encourages adaptation. The suggested assignments and exercises are starting points that educators can modify based on their students' needs, course level (BSW vs. MSW), specific learning objectives, and institutional context. For example, BSW programs might simplify clinical skill exercises or focus more on generalist practice, while advanced MSW courses might add complexity or specialization. Online programs might adapt in-person activities to virtual formats. Field instructors might create reflection exercises tied to students' actual placement experiences. The infographic format and clear structure make it easy to select specific resources relevant to your course and adapt activities accordingly. Educators are encouraged to share adaptations and innovations with the creators and broader teaching community.

How long does it take to work through all 10 resources?

The time required varies based on how deeply you engage with each resource. Simply reading all 10 posts might take 2-3 hours. Thoughtfully working through suggested exercises and assignments could take 10-20 hours spread over several weeks. For classroom use, instructors might integrate resources throughout a semester—for example, covering recommendation letters early in the term, interview questions mid-semester as students prepare for field placements, and LMSW exam prep in final year courses. For self-directed learning, you might dedicate one week to each resource (10 weeks total), allowing time to read, reflect, complete exercises, and apply insights to your practice or studies. The beauty of the toolkit format is flexibility—use it intensively over a short period or extensively over a longer timeframe based on your needs and schedule.

What if I'm interested in a specialized area not covered in these 10 posts?

While these 10 posts provide foundational resources applicable across social work practice, both creator sites offer additional specialized content. Social Work Career includes resources on specific practice areas like EMDR therapy, solution-focused therapy, motivational interviewing, trauma-informed care, prison social work, and more. Use the site's search function or browse categories (Clinical Practice, Professional Development, etc.) to find resources in your specialty area. Teaching & Learning Social Work features guest authors and diverse practice perspectives. Additionally, the PLN toolkit teaches you how to build a professional learning network tailored to your specific interests—by following leaders in your specialty area on social media, joining relevant groups and chats, and connecting with specialists, you create ongoing access to specialized knowledge and resources.

New Social Worker Resources: Online Toolkit

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Are you looking for comprehensive new social worker resources to support your professional development? Whether you’re a social work educator seeking materials to incorporate into your curriculum or a student/new practitioner looking for career guidance, this online toolkit provides essential new social worker resources curated specifically for building a strong foundation in the profession.

Laurel Hitchcock, PhD, MPH, LCSW, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Social Work at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and Dorlee Michaeli, MBA, LCSW created this collection of new social worker resources to help students and early-career practitioners develop critical professional skills, build their online presence, and advance their careers.

It is through social media that I had the good fortune of meeting Laurel. Laurel employs her Teaching & Learning Social Work blog for the purpose of helping social work educators and students explore news ways to enhance life-long learning for professional practice. She also invites guest authors to share their new approaches/ideas, as well as their success stories (and failures).

A personal learning network (PLN) enables you to stay current and share information about the latest professional news in your field. Please make sure to check out Laurel’s wonderful Online Toolkit for Developing a Personal Learning Network (PLN) with Twitter.

This toolkit provides you with a list of eight posts from Teaching & Learning Social Work providing you with specific guidance on how to make the connections you need to help further your career via twitter, along with some possible classroom assignments/tasks.

We tip our hat to Ellen Belluomini who wrote this blog post; she was our inspiration for creating the exercises to meet the 2015 CSWE Social Work Competencies.

Below is an infographic listing the top 10 posts from this blog that will help prepare current students or new social workers for their social work careers, along with some potential assignments/exercises.

These top 10 posts focus on developing a professional online presence, a professional learning network and employing best practices in your work.

Top 10 New Social Worker Resources

A personal learning network (PLN) enables you to stay current and share information about the latest professional news in your field. Please make sure to check out Laurel’s wonderful Online Toolkit for Developing a Personal Learning Network (PLN) with Twitter.

This companion toolkit provides you with eight posts from Teaching & Learning Social Work with specific guidance on how to make the professional connections you need to further your career via Twitter, along with possible classroom assignments and tasks.

We tip our hat to Ellen Belluomini who wrote the blog post that inspired us to create exercises aligned with the 2015 CSWE Social Work Competencies.

Below is an infographic featuring the top 10 new social worker resources from Social Work Career that will help prepare current students and new practitioners for successful social work careers, along with potential assignments and exercises for classroom use or self-directed professional development.

These new social worker resources focus on three key areas: developing a professional online presence, building a professional learning network, and employing best practices in your work.

How to Use These New Social Worker Resources

For Students: Work through these new social worker resources systematically to build your professional foundation. Start with recommendation letters and interview prep early in your program, explore clinical and macro resources to clarify your career path, and use the social media resources to build your professional network from day one.

For Educators: Integrate these new social worker resources into your curriculum using the suggested assignments aligned with CSWE competencies. Assign posts as required reading, adapt exercises for homework or class activities, and use the infographic to organize learning around different skill areas.

For New Practitioners: Use these new social worker resources for ongoing professional development. Create your own learning plan, complete exercises as portfolio pieces, and build the skills that will support your career growth and clinical excellence.

Below are the links to the 10 posts shown above:

What are your thoughts about these new social worker resources? Do you have additional tasks and/or posts to propose?

Looking for more new social worker resources? Explore related posts:

Career Advice from a Dean of Social Work – Comprehensive career guidance
Complete Guide to Starting Your Private Practice – For clinicians considering independent practice
Solution Focused Therapy: Key Principles – Evidence-based practice skills

About Dorlee Michaeli, MBA, LCSW:

She specializes in EMDR therapy for high-achieving professionals struggling with imposter syndrome. She provides consultation for complex cases involving perfectionism and workplace anxiety. Learn more.

Last updated: January 1, 2026

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Dorlee says

May 2, 2016 at 4:35 pm

Hi Katherine,

I have various resources in my pinterest account that may be of interest to you…

Guide for Engaging and Supporting Parents Affected by Domestic Violence
http://www.nationalcenterdvtraumamh.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/NCDVTMH_GuideEngagingSupportingParents.pdf

http://www.ntw.nhs.uk/pic/leaflets/Domestic%20Violence%20A4%2010pt%20%202015.pdf
This booklet is for anyone who is affected by domestic abuse. It describes what domestic abuse is, how to recgonise it and how to get help.

Trauma-Informed Domestic Violence Services: Understanding the Framework and Approach (Part 1 of 3) < provides an overview of the framework and research supporting trauma-informed approaches to working with survivors and their children. Parts 2 & 3 pertaining to building program capacity and increasing access http://www.vawnet.org/special-collections/DVTraumaInformed-Overview?

https://www.domesticshelters.org
makes finding the right shelter and information about domestic violence easier. [website and mobile resource with searchable data]

Moving Ahead Through Financial Management Curriculum < for working with domestic violence survivors http://www.clicktoempower.org/financial-tools/online-financial-curriculum

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/215821007120017299/
Domestic Violence Safety Plan

My account on pinterest is https://www.pinterest.com/dorleemichaeli/

Feel free to look for others.

Hoping this helps,
Dorlee

Comments

Marianna Paulson says

September 8, 2015 at 11:34 pm

Dorlee,

I commend you and Laurel on creating this valuable resource for Social Work students and those who are new to Social Work, or to technology.

Your assignments are targeted to each of the skill areas, effectively ensuring value for those who choose to do them.

Bravo!

- Dorlee says
  
  September 9, 2015 at 12:12 pm
  
  Thanks so much, Marianna, for your kind feedback!
  
  Laurel and I wanted to create helpful online toolkits for educators and new social workers and we had much fun in doing so 🙂
  
  Thanks so much for taking the time to share your thoughtful observations.
  
Katherine Jones says

May 2, 2016 at 12:49 pm

Hello Dorlee,

My profession is in direct services for victims of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault. My career is also leaning in the direction of case management. What resources do you have for new case managers?

- Dorlee says
  
  May 2, 2016 at 1:37 pm
  
  Hi Katherine,
  
  While I haven’t created a specific category for case management, by going through the various posts/categories, I think you will find some posts that address this topic.
  
  For example, off the top of my head, the following posts come to mind:
  
  Social Workers’ Locator Tool for Services
  
  Dementia Care: Use Mind Mapping to Improve Quality of Life
  
  Battered Women’s Protective Strategies – Book Review
  
  That said, this is an area that could probably use some boosting. Can you give an idea of some of the questions that you’re looking to have answered about case management? Or which topics you’re in need of? I would be happy to add them to my “to do” list 🙂
  
Katherine Jones says

May 2, 2016 at 3:57 pm

Dorlee,

Do you have resources for first time case managers. I serve victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.

- Dorlee says
  
  May 2, 2016 at 4:35 pm
  
  Hi Katherine,
  
  I have various resources in my pinterest account that may be of interest to you…
  
  Guide for Engaging and Supporting Parents Affected by Domestic Violence
  http://www.nationalcenterdvtraumamh.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/NCDVTMH_GuideEngagingSupportingParents.pdf
  
  http://www.ntw.nhs.uk/pic/leaflets/Domestic%20Violence%20A4%2010pt%20%202015.pdf
  This booklet is for anyone who is affected by domestic abuse. It describes what domestic abuse is, how to recgonise it and how to get help.
  
  Trauma-Informed Domestic Violence Services: Understanding the Framework and Approach (Part 1 of 3) < provides an overview of the framework and research supporting trauma-informed approaches to working with survivors and their children. Parts 2 & 3 pertaining to building program capacity and increasing access http://www.vawnet.org/special-collections/DVTraumaInformed-Overview?
  
  https://www.domesticshelters.org
  makes finding the right shelter and information about domestic violence easier. [website and mobile resource with searchable data]
  
  Moving Ahead Through Financial Management Curriculum < for working with domestic violence survivors http://www.clicktoempower.org/financial-tools/online-financial-curriculum
  
  https://www.pinterest.com/pin/215821007120017299/
  Domestic Violence Safety Plan
  
  My account on pinterest is https://www.pinterest.com/dorleemichaeli/
  
  Feel free to look for others.
  
  Hoping this helps,
  Dorlee
  
Katherine Jones says

May 2, 2016 at 4:34 pm

1. Case Management 101 for new case managers that serve victims of domestic violence.

2. Could you include webinars that address the basic of case management for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault?

- Dorlee says
  
  May 2, 2016 at 4:39 pm
  
  Please look through the list. I always include in my monthly roundups of helpful webinars, ones related to domestic violence.
  
  I can only post ones that I find/run across and yes, if I see any “case management” oriented ones, they too will be included 🙂
  
- Dorlee says
  
  May 2, 2016 at 4:41 pm
  
  You may want to contact some of the regular agencies that put together the domestic violence webinars and indicate your interest in a “case management” oriented webinar… this way, they will plan on putting such a webinar in place.
  
  I don’t recall [ever] seeing such webinars… It’s a great idea!