Choosing to work as a Care Assistant means you are picking a rewarding and valuable career that allows you to have a positive impact on others. Before you can get to that, however, you must go through an interview process to ensure that you are the best person for the role.
Unlike most healthcare roles, Care Worker positions don’t always require a formal qualification so you get the chance to learn on the job. That’s why it’s such a popular position with younger adults and people changing their careers.
You still have to show that you have the passion, the transferable skills and the understanding of the job in general when you apply and that’s why an employer may request an interview. With our useful tips below, you can learn how to prepare for a Care Worker interview and feel ready for the day.
Types of Interview Questions for Care Workers
Anticipating the questions that may be asked is important if you want to feel prepared for going to an interview. It’s always a good thing to hear that a company is taking an interest in you, and, while you can’t predict the exact questions that an employer will ask, you can get to know the types of questions that are important.
1. Technical Questions
Your interviewer may design questions to discover whether you have any basic technical or medical knowledge surrounding working in a healthcare environment. Some of those questions could include:
1. How would you care for a client who has Alzheimer’s disease? –By asking about a specific condition, the employer will be checking for any existing knowledge and your ability to adapt to high-stress situations.
2. What would you do in case of an accident? This question tests your knowledge of how quickly you could respond to a patient. In the care industry, emergencies happen often and while you may be new to this career path, research before your interview is a good idea.
2. Experiential Questions
What experiences have you had in your life that have led you to apply for this job? If you are an experienced Care Assistant already then you will be able to ace this question. If you have less experience, think about other roles you have done in addition to care work where you are able to show transferrable skills.
1. How does your prior experience prepare you for this job? Your previous Care Worker experience is highly likely to be relevant for this job, but any experience that has required you to be compassionate and care for others can also work.
2. Can you give an example of where you’ve worked as part of a team? Care work is a team-based role, especially during times of pressure where you rely on your colleagues. Being able to demonstrate where you’ve worked closely with others to achieve a positive outcome will give confidence to the interviewer you are someone who can be counted on.
3. Is there a time you can tell me about where you’ve had to deal with stress or pressure? Everyone must deal with stressful situations at some point, and they can also offer the chance to move out of your comfort zone and generate opportunities for growth. Show how you were able to deal with the situation, and the experience it gave you.
3. Personality Questions
These questions determine whether you have the personality, patience and right motivations to work as a Care Assistant. The role can be demanding and emotionally difficult at times and some of the questions will surround scenarios to help employers assess your reactions in certain situations. Some of the questions could include:
1. Why do you want to be a Care Worker? Talk about what you know about the employer and how they do things, but also talk about your passion for people!
2. How would your family and friends describe you as a person? This question can give you a chance to show off your personal qualities and show the employer you’re a good fit for the role.
Preparing for the Interview
Once your interview is secure, your recruiter can help you to get ready so that you feel confident and ready for any questions and scenarios put before you. You can also practice the above questions with your recruiter, friend or relative so that you feel ready to answer them. It’s also worth making sure you prepare any documentation that has been requested and ensure sure you are able to present it smoothly and professionally.
You might have a phone interview before you have a face-to-face meeting. You should ensure that you have a professional voicemail on your phone – just in case you miss a call! When you book your call, make sure your phone is fully charged, nearby and that you have a quiet space to go to answer it.
If the interview is in-person, get ready the night before. You can study the directions to where the meeting is taking place so that you know where you are going and plan your route to allow extra time in case of public transport issues or traffic concerns. The key is punctuality – you don’t want to be late for this – and you need to feel calm and confident.
Dressing for Success
Presentation in an interview is about more than having a CV on hand to give to the interviewer. You need to prepare your outfit the night before so that you dress comfortably for success.
Dress as you would if you were working in a professional setting. Smart clothing always pays off and shows intent. How you’re dressed also shows interest in the role and is as important as arriving in plenty of time and making sure you have done your research.
Wear flat shoes instead of high heels just in case your interviewer invites you to tour the facility, too. You want to walk in feeling confident and ready for the role and dressing professionally is vital to be taken seriously. It’s unlikely you will undertake this job interview via video link but dressing professionally still applies regardless!
During the Interview
We’ve just touched on personal presentation but proving yourself as knowledgeable, polite and professional is just as important. Arriving promptly will help you to achieve this, as well as offer great eye contact while you shake the interviewer’s hand.
During a Care Worker interview the most important thing is that you are bright, engaging and take your time with your answers. You’ll have taken some time to practice how you’ll answer questions which should help you to relax.
This is where you should convey your warmth and how compassionate of a person you are. You’re aiming for a position that puts you at the forefront of care and if you can demonstrate the right qualities during the interview with clear, succinct answers to their questions you’re more likely to be successful. Lastly, don’t forget to bring a copy of your CV with you to the interview. The chances are they’ll have it already but it’s smart to bring one – just in case.
The Aftermath
After any interview you might have to wait to hear back, but when you attend a Care Worker interview there is a lot more to consider than just whether you’re right for the job. The employer must complete background checks and these can take some time. You’ll have references checked as well as a criminal records check and it’s a good idea to allow up to two weeks from the day of the interview before you follow up with a phone call.
You should still send an email to thank the interviewer for their time, but don’t expect a response too early. If you get a call telling you that you have the job don’t be afraid to ask questions about uniform (if there is one), salary and the process for confirming a start date. If you were unsuccessful ask for some feedback. One negative outcome doesn’t mean that you’ll receive the same everywhere else.
Summary
Choosing to move into a caring career is a big step but one that should excite you to take if you’ve got the qualities a Care Manager looks for in their team. It’s always important to feel prepared for an interview and now you know what to do before, during and after an interview, you’ll be ready to go.
When you choose to apply for a Care Worker job with QS Care, a healthcare recruitment agency covering the East Midlands, and South Yorkshire area, you will receive dedicated interview preparation service from our Recruiters. We are committed to helping you on your journey to getting a brand-new start.
We are open 24/7 all year long to ensure that we give you the best service so if you want great support in your career, contact our team today.
