Whether you’re a seasoned care provider for the elderly or new to the field, you’ll want to go into an interview as prepared as possible.As part of that, 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 entering 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 elderly care interview, whether it’s with an agency or family.
Preparing for an elderly care provider interview
Before you have your phone or in-person interview, there are a few ways you can get ready. One thing that’s crucial is for the care provider to closely study the job description and familiarise themselves 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 an elderly care provider
Consider the characteristics families most often look for when hiring a care provider. Then, ensure your outlook and answers reflect the following qualities.
Respect for the family and elderly person
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, so they need to know this person is 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, but helping them to continue to feel “normal” and whole, is essential.
A positive attitude
Families often desire 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’ve had a horrible day. After all, it’s your bad day and nobody else’s. If you walk in and you’re tired, they don’t want to hear that; you’re there to cheer them up and make them feel better—not worse.
It’s also important to consider the fact that when a family is hiring a care provider, there may be tough circumstances at home. They need help, and it’s hard to accept and hand over the reins to a complete stranger. So, reassuring a family that you’ll be “a ray of sunshine” and 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 the elderly person 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 common hobbies, interests, pastimes and sports; enjoying the same meals; having common values and similar social norms, 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 really more of a higher calling.
Trustworthiness
Over time, a care provider is 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 an elderly care provider job. Familiarise yourself with them and come prepared with answers.
What is your experience of providing care for elderly people?
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 a care provider with specific experience like this is necessary for certain families, 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 professional training or licences?
Families often look for care providers who have training or professional licences. But these aren’t always necessary to land a job. Some interviewing families might ask if you’re a registered nurse or similar. Even if you’re not, just 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 nursing qualification.
Why do you want this job?
Be prepared to discuss why you want the job and reinforce this with a personal story that comes from the heart and speaks to your passion for making a difference in a person’s life.
For example, this could be explaining that you cared for a parent or grandparent with dementia and you wanted to give back.
Do you mind changing nappies?
This is one of the questions that families ask most often. You might also be asked how you feel about flatulence. For that reason, it’s a good idea for care providers to assess their comfort levels with various tasks prior to an interview.
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 gauge character. 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 the 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 the highest 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 utilise to remain focused and calm during a crisis situation?
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, as well as reveal information that will 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, in addition to what they expect from a care provider, since the job description may not give the full story. 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 nappies, so you can decide if you’re comfortable with what’s required.
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, “If you could nail it down to a couple things that are very important, what are they?”
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, as the caretaker, fit in.
How do you handle specific situations?
If the elderly person 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, healthcare, 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, familiarising 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.