Interviews are nerve-wracking, especially when you really want to land the job you’re being interviewed for. Because of this, it’s vital that you prepare properly so that you feel ready on the day.
A good way to do this is to think about questions that you are likely to be asked and plan how you will answer them.
If you have an interview for a job in care lined up, here are some examples of questions that you could get asked.
What qualities do you have that make you right for a role in care?
This question almost always comes up and is an interviewer’s way of determining how suitable you are for the position. It’s important not to lie and claim that you have traits that you don’t. Those working in care need to be resilient, reliable, adaptable and personable. Try and think of real-life examples that demonstrate that you have these qualities that you can refer to.
What attracted you to this position?
This is your opportunity to show off about how well you have researched the company you are being interviewed for. Highlight their strengths and the benefits that they can offer to employees.
Can you talk about some issues currently affecting the care industry?
To work in care, it’s vital that you remain in the loop about issues that affect the sector. Luckily, this is fairly easy to do as news stories are circulating daily about the care industry. Examples of current ones could include an aging population and the implications of Brexit.
When you are delivering personal support to someone, how can you help them maintain their dignity and respect?
This is their way of getting you thinking about how the receiver of care is feeling while you are looking after them. In this instance, it’s important that you highlight the role of communication. Talk about how you would let the user know that you can assist them as and when they need it but will also support their decision to do things by themselves.
Describe a stressful situation and how you coped with it
This could be anything from moving home to dealing with the breakdown of a marriage. It doesn’t matter what you say, as long as you are able to demonstrate that you can recognize a situation that needs to be handled sensitively and can act accordingly. Never respond by saying ‘I never get stressed.’ Interviewers will see straight through that answer.
