Developing a Child Welfare Realistic Job Preview (RJP)

This Realistic Job Preview (RJP) how-to guide is a practical resource designed to help child welfare agencies and HR staff increase transparency and authenticity in their hiring process. The guide walks users through how to develop realistic previews that clearly communicate both the rewards and challenges of frontline work so candidates can better assess fit before accepting a position. It will help you determine what content to include and provide support as you create, implement, and evaluate your RJP.

By incorporating real employee experiences, RJPs can show the day-to-day job realities of child welfare work and manage expectations. If you often hear, “this job wasn’t what I expected,” an RJP can help. Research on RJPs consistently shows that realistic expectations can improve retention, increase commitment, and support better long-term workforce stability in human services settings.