Social Worker Interview with Video

Summary of Interview Subject

The interview was conducted in an appropriate way, and this was evident through the type of information which was gathered. In addition, the interview was very broad, in the sense that I was able to ask specific questions, thus breaking down large topics in order to be able to get to know about social work. Moreover, I was also able to gather a lot of information, since I made sure I understood each and every term which the social worker was talking about. This consequently allowed me to be able to get to know and be able to fully understand how the community works, and what the main functions of the community are.

Issue Discussed

            The main issue under discussion was social work, I decided to choose on this topic, in order to be able to clearly understand what social work is really about. Social work is very broad, and this is not what I thought it really was (Kadushin & Kadushin, 2013). I was able to understand how social work aims at facilitating the welfare of groups, individuals, communities and families. The interview was good in the sense that it enabled me to understand how social work educates people to be able to live peacefully. Moreover, I was able to learn new approaches on how to be able to lead a peaceful life, even though sometimes people tend to pass through a lot of challenges. In addition, I was able to learn how to incorporate new techniques and strategies in life, in order to be able to achieve my goals.

Skills Strengths and Areas to Improve

            The interview began very well, and I consequently understood my areas of strength and weaknesses as the interview progressed on. My main strength was the use of non-verbal cues while asking the questions, and showing that if I was satisfied with the answer or not. I used different non-verbal cues such as facial expressions in order to show that I had understood whatever the interviewee was talking about. For instance, in the interview I kept on nodding particularly if the answer I received was clearly explained. I did this in order to allow the interviewee to know that I was not only paying attention to what she was talking about, but I also clearly understood what she was talking about. Similarly, I acknowledged a sense of humor through laughing, particularly when the interviewee joked or said something jokingly (Kadushin & Kadushin, 2013).

The use of non-verbal cues was consequently my main strength, and it also allowed me to engage the interviewee, thus making the interview lively. I was also observant, a thing which allowed me to understand if the interviewee really understood the questions which I was asking. The interviewee attended the interview without any objects, since this was going to be an issue relating to the course which the interviewee new about (Ife, 2012).

            As the interview progressed, I realized that my main weakness was etiquette. I was not able to allow the interviewee to finish talking before interjecting. I would interject before the interviewee was done (Kadushin & Kadushin, 2013). I consequently realized that I was impatient, and I was also nervous, a thing which made me to do things hastily in order to complete the interview. I realized the tension between the two us, since both of us a nervous, a thing which consequently affected me more than the interviewee, as the interviewee was able to overcome nervousness after sometime.

Discussion about Consent, Confidentiality, and Rating Scale.

I made sure I asked the interviewee the questions which should would like to be asked or not before the interview. This consequently allowed me to be able to know the types of questions which the interviewee does not want to be asked. In addition, we only talked about issues related to child abuse and dependent adult abuse (Kadushin & Kadushin, 2013). This consequently made it easier for the interview to concentrate on the issues which were not in any way confidential. The private information concerning the interviewee remained confidential, since I did not ask the interviewee anything concerning private life.

Throughout the interview, I was able to maintain an eye contact with the interviewee, even though the interviewee kept looking on the other side the moment our eyes came into contact. In addition, the interviewee sat upright on the chair, as I also sat upright (Kadushin & Kadushin, 2013). The interviewee used gestures while explaining different points, as I nodded in order to show I had understood the point being given. The rise and fall of intonation was systematic, since the interviewee used varied tones depending on the type of statement made. I was also very keen on the use of my tone, particularly when asking questions, I would use a rising intonation.

Conclusion

            The exercise was enjoyable according to me, as I was able to learn different types of communication skills. Moreover, I was able to learn a lot about social work, a thing which consequently made me to understand different techniques of dealing with life. I learnt the reasons as to why some children are usually abused, and the ways through which one can be able to stop child abuse.

Reference

Kadushin, A., & Kadushin, G. (2013). The social work interview. New York: Columbia University Press.

Ife, J. (2012). Human Rights and Social Work: Towards rights-based practice.