Working as a carer is both a rewarding and challenging career. The impact that a carer can have on someone else’s life is indefinable.
The care industry in the UK is constantly evolving and the need for care is only going to increase. In the next 25 years, the number of older people in England will double to 2.6 million and with it, the need for carers will grow too.
Loving families are always looking for compassionate and skilled carers to help look after their loved ones. Apart from being a rewarding career, being a carer also comes with its benefits. It’s a job that pays well, offers career progression, flexibility, and can fit your lifestyle.
You get the chance to meet new people, learn about different cultures and broaden your knowledge. You even get to travel all over the country or across the world, if you choose to take up a career as a live-in carer. Your accommodation and food will also be taken care of.
Before you land your dream care job, however, you must go through an interview process. Making sure you are well prepared and you follow a few simple steps will help you ace your carer interview.
What to do before your interview
Being well-prepared prior to your interview is key. You should familiarise yourself with the job description and the information about the care receiver. A carer who doesn’t know the basic care requirements of the position isn’t likely to progress to the next stage or get the job.
It’s also important to be ready to answer some elementary care interview questions. Even though it’s not guaranteed you will be asked this, they can always pop up. Some examples are:
- Why should we hire you?
- Why did you become a carer?
- Where do you see yourself in five years?
- What are your strengths and weaknesses?
Make sure your presentation is on point
The way you present yourself to your prospective employer is a ref lection of the way you conduct yourself in the workplace. Employers are looking for someone who takes good care of themselves. This way, they know the carer can also take excellent care of their family members or service receivers.
Simply wearing comfortable, presentable, clean clothing will make a great first impression. Toning down on jewellery pieces and going for simple accessories is a good choice for an interview. Working with the elderly can be delicate, so it’s best to reserve your favourite attire for other occasions.
Know where you’re going
Knowing the time and place of your interview could not be more crucial. Being late for an interview often means losing the job. If you aren’t local to the area, make sure you arrive there 10 or even 20 minutes before, to avoid lateness.
We advise you to research the local area and find out about local parks, hospitals and other amenities. Going to the interview with local knowledge will make a great impression on your prospective employer.
Impress your prospective employer
Now that you’ve arrived at the interview, it’s time to make a lasting impression. Families are looking for someone who is caring, compassionate and empathetic but who also possesses a strong skill set and care knowledge.
Their questions will reflect this. You can expect to be asked about the skills that you can bring to the role. Here you can mention being a good listener and communicator, since providing companionship and actively listening are a big part of a carer’s role.
You can also mention good-time keeping and organisational skills. When looking after elderly or vulnerable people, you must keep on top of schedules, appointments and medicines, among other things. Being always on time is also important, as the care receivers rely on you to be looked after.
Your prospective employer will also want to know about your previous experience and how you would apply what you’ve learnt in your new role. Talk about the different clients you have cared for, the conditions they had and how you have helped them live a better life.
When putting their trust into someone they don’t know yet, a prospective employer will want to know your knowledge of safeguarding and your First Aid qualifications. If the care receiver is a fall risk, they may ask you what you would do in the event of a fall or how you would react in an emergency. If you haven’t completed your First Aid qualification yet or you are up for renewal, click here to sign up for a First Aid course.
Show interest in the role
Showing your dedication and interest in the role could not be more important. How can you do this? By asking questions. Ask the employer or the care receiver, depending on who is conducting the interview, questions about themselves and their preferences.
You can ask about what they enjoy doing, what their interests are, what they like to eat, etc. Of course, if there is anything unclear about the care or medical requirements, you are encouraged to ask those questions too. Don’t get too personal, but show that you are passionate about your job and that you care.
Guardian Carers is an established care agency providing care at home all over the UK and beyond. They specialise in elderly care, whilst also supporting clients with post-operative care, disability care, sports injury care and more. Over the years, Guardian Carers have helped hundreds of clients live better and more independent lives at home with the help of their registered carers.
They offer a wide range of work opportunities for carers. Carers have the opportunity to work all over the country and internationally on a schedule that suits them. They can choose from live-in or live-out placements, part-time or full-time on a temporary or permanent basis.
If you want to learn more about the care opportunities at Guardian Carers, you can click here or speak to a Guardian Carers consultant on 0207 183 1395, who will be happy to advise you.
Written by Diana Roman – Marketing Executive at Guardian Carers
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