How Do I Close an Interview As a Social Worker?

Closing properly makes the interview more memorable.

Social workers help people who can't help themselves. This includes children needing foster care, the unemployed and the elderly. According to the National Association of Social Workers, the profession is based on core values that include providing a service, working towards social justice, respecting the dignity and worth of individuals, and understanding the importance of human relationships. A major component of social work is conducting interviews -- such as with adoptive parents, teenagers requiring help and drug users -- and knowing how to close a session is an important skill.

Instructions

1. Take notes during the interview. This is a standard practice that will help you when it comes time to review and summarize. It will also assist you with updating the client's file.

2. Ask the individual if she has any questions at the end of the interview. Address any points she raises and clarify any concerns. This can make it difficult to end the interview if there are a number of issues to address. In this case, indicate that you are time-pressured by looking at your watch. Apologize and then ask her to write down the questions and bring them to the next interview.

3. Summarize the points that were covered in the interview. Use phrases such as "In the last hour, we have discussed..." or "We have agreed that you will get weekly treatment ..." which indicate that the interview is drawing to a close.

4. Schedule another meeting, if required. Once the time and date are set, close the interview by saying, "At our next counseling session we will look at ..." as it looks toward the future and conveys that the current interview is closing.

5. Bring the discussion back to closing the interview, if the client gets off track, by talking about the next interview. Say something like, "I think our time today has been productive, and we will look at those points at our next interview."

6. Stand up. If all else fails, and the client doesn't pick up that the interview is over, this signal is sure to work -- particularly if you walk towards the door and open it.

References

• National Association of Social Workers: Code of Ethics of the National Association of Social Workers
• State University: Social Worker Job Description
• Career Developers: How to Close an Interview