When preparing for your interview, you’ll want to bear in mind that choosing a care provider is a huge, emotional decision for a family.
When family members seek home-based healthcare services for their loved ones, they are trusting a care provider with coming into their loved one’s personal home and taking responsibility for their loved one’s health and quality of life.
From the qualities families look for to the questions you can expect to be asked—and those you should ask your potential employer—here’s what you need to know to ace your next senior care interview, whether it’s with an agency or a family.
Preparing for a senior care provider interview
Before you have your phone or in-person interview, there are a few ways you can get ready. It’s crucial to study the job description carefully and familiarize yourself with it before the interview. Basically, you want to make sure you know the job requirements inside and out.
Appearance matters, too. Be sure to dress professionally, hide tattoos, and keep fingernails at a reasonable length for the interview. Finally, when the time comes for your interview, be punctual, if not early.
What families look for in a senior care provider
Consider the characteristics families most often look for when hiring a care provider. Then ensure that your outlook and answers reflect the following qualities.
Respect for the family and senior
The process of seeking a care provider is a very vulnerable time for a family.
Families usually seek an in-home care provider so their loved one can remain in the comfort of their home and maintain their dignity and independence. They want a care provider they can rely on, and who they trust to be respectful of the uniqueness and complexities of their loved one’s care needs. Having respect for someone in the most vulnerable state of their life, while helping them to continue to feel “normal” and whole, is essential.
A positive attitude
Families often seek care providers who will be a cheerful, positive presence in their older loved one’s life.
As a care provider, it’s important to be able to leave your baggage at the door, even if you’re having a terrible day. After all, it’s your bad day, and not theirs. Even if you’re tired or stressed, maintain a professional demeanour—remember that you’re there to cheer them up and make them feel better, not worse.
It’s also important to bear in mind that a family may be dealing with tough circumstances at home while hiring a care provider. They may be having a hard time accepting that they need help or handing over the reins to a complete stranger. Reassuring a family that you’ll be a ray of sunshine—a positive, caring addition to the household—can help put their minds at ease.
Relatability
Family members tend to look for a care provider who they can picture spending countless hours a week with their loved ones.
While having training and skills is definitely important, it’s also crucial that the senior and the care provider be able to relate through social interactions. This relatability is unique to each family and client, but could include being able to discuss shared hobbies, interests, pastimes and sports; enjoying the same meals; having values and social norms in common, etc.
A passion for your work
Families will also be looking for passion in a care provider. They want to leave their loved one in the hands of someone who believes that serving as a care provider is not just a career, but a higher calling.
Trustworthiness
Over time, a care provider may be exposed to some of the most intimate details of a person’s and a family’s life, such as financial information and family dynamics. Families therefore need someone they know they can trust with some of their most private information.
Questions you should be prepared to answer
While you may be asked any number of questions, here are some common ones you’re likely to face at an interview for a senior care provider job. Familiarize yourself with them and come prepared with answers.
What is your experience in providing care for seniors?
Interviewers generally want to know what kind of experience a care provider has. For example, a family with a loved one who has dementia may ask you questions about your experience of caring for people with this illness.
While some families need a care provider with specific experience, don’t be discouraged if you’re a new care provider. Many agencies and families are willing to give a chance to someone new if they appear motivated, trustworthy, straightforward, and honest.
Do you have any training, certifications, or licenses?
Families often look for care providers who have training, certifications, or licenses. But these aren’t always necessary to land a job. Some interviewing families might ask if you’re a Personal Support Worker (PSW) or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). Even if you’re not, answer honestly and then share what you are and aren’t comfortable doing. It may be that you still have the skill set and experience they’re looking for, even if you don’t have a specific qualification.
Why do you want this job?
Be prepared to discuss why you want the job and reinforce your interest by telling a personal story that comes from the heart and speaks to your passion for making a difference in a person’s life.
For example, you might describe caring for a parent or grandparent with dementia, and explain that this experience has made you want to give back.
Do you mind changing diapers?
Families frequently ask this question. You might also be asked how you feel about flatulence. For that reason, it’s a good idea for care providers to consider their comfort levels with various tasks prior to an interview. Depending on your province, you may be required to have specific training to provide some kinds of care—so you should also do some research to make sure that you understand what tasks you’re qualified to perform.
Scenario-based questions
Some interviewers will ask you to describe a past situation or say how you’d handle a future situation, in order to get a sense of your character and personality. Here are more specific examples of these types of questions:
- Can you describe a situation where you or a colleague demonstrated exceptional care and kindness to a client or a client’s family?
- Our clients and families rely on us. Can you describe how you overcame a barrier in order to keep your commitments as promised?
- Can you give an example of how you have demonstrated a high level of skill, competence, and sound judgment in your work?
- What would you do if you were late to your assignment or suddenly could not get there?
- What strategies do you utilize to remain focused and calm during a crisis?
Questions you should consider asking
A job interview isn’t just a one-way street. You’re also expected to ask questions that will reflect your experience and engagement, and that help you determine whether this job is the right fit for you.
What are your needs and expectations?
In a private caregiving situation, it’s important for candidates to ask the family about their needs and what they expect from a care provider, since the job description may not give a complete picture. It helps to get a full sense of what tasks you’ll be expected to do, such as lifting and moving someone, giving baths and changing diapers, so you can decide if you’re comfortable with what’s required. Some of these tasks require specific kinds of training, so you’ll also want to make sure that you’re legally permitted to perform them.
What are your priorities?
Families might have a long list of things they’d ideally like a care provider to assist with, but it’s wise to highlight what they want you to focus on. It helps to ask families, “What are your top two or three priorities for your loved one’s care?”.
How do I fit in?
It’s invaluable to try to ascertain “what the family is all about,” including what they perceive the loved one’s needs are, how the family currently takes care of the loved one, and how you fit in as a care provider.
How do you handle specific situations?
If the senior has a mental or physical condition that could create specific challenges, it might be wise to ask how the family handles it or how they would like you to handle it. For example, ask them if they have a specific plan of action for when certain issues arise.
What are my benefits?
Whether you’re working with a family or an agency, you’ll want to get an idea of your benefits, such as paid time off, a health plan, or in the case of working through an agency, insurance or liability coverage that will protect you.
While going into any job interview may be nerve-wracking, familiarizing yourself with these concepts and preparing for these questions can help you ace your interview and land a job that’s an ideal fit. Ultimately, don’t forget to be yourself and show your human side. Interviewers for care provider positions want to know your story, your passion, and your motivations.