The key to a successful caregiver job interview is preparation. Well-prepared candidates have greater confidence and can answer caregiver interview questions more accurately.
Do you know the most common caregiver job interview questions?
Are you prepared to answer questions like, “Why do you want to be a caregiver?”
Knowing elderly care home interview questions before you go to an interview is beneficial in your preparation. It will help you focus on what’s important and get you thinking in the right direction.
There are also two significant types of interview questions. Do you know the difference and how to answer them appropriately?
At Stowell Associates, each caregiver applicant undergoes a thorough interview process. We ask each person a series of behavior- and situation-based questions to see if they possess the qualities of a professional caregiver. We put together a few of the top questions we ask potential caregivers when they come for an interview.
Keep reading to gain insight into the types of interview questions and the most common interview questions for in-home caregivers.
Two Types of Interview Questions
During an interview, you’ll encounter two types of questions: behavioral and traditional. You should prepare for both questions, paying special attention to past work experiences that will help you answer behavioral questions. Behavioral interviewing tends to increase the chances an employer will hire a competent, responsible employee.
Here’s a quick look at the differences between traditional and behavioral interview questions.
1. Traditional Interview Questions
Traditional interview questions focus on what you did in a previous role and your current qualifications. These types of questions will be more generic and are usually straight forward.
Here are the top traditional interview questions we ask caregivers:
What do you enjoy most about being a caregiver?
One of the top questions to ask when interviewing a caregiver for an elderly in-home care position is about your enjoyment as a caregiver. If you enjoy being a caregiver, your answer will come easily. If you dislike your work and see caregiving as a paycheck instead of a worthwhile vocation, your answer won’t be sincere (and home care employers will pick up on that sentiment).
When answering the question above, an employer is looking for more than “I like helping the elderly” or “I like the salary.” Dig deep into the personal motivation that drives you as a caregiver. Think of an impactful personal story or share a first-hand experience about why your love being a caregiver.
What special advantage would you bring to our Care Team?
To answer this question, you need to be self-aware and confident about your unique strengths.
Are you punctual? Are you eager to improve in areas of weakness, always seeking out learning opportunities? Do you learn from mistakes and strive to improve when similar situations arise? Can you build trust quickly with clients? Are you a team player who’s willing to step in (e.g., filling gaps in the schedule)?
This traditional question allows you to put your best foot forward and make a positive impression on the interviewer.
2. Behavioral Interview Questions
Behavioral interview questions shed light on your past experiences and how you handle job-related situations. They’re more probing and specific, often requiring an in-depth response.
A great way to answer behavioral questions is through personal stories and experiences. Take time to refresh your memory and think of special situations or projects you’ve dealt with in the past.
Here are some examples of behavioral interview questions we like to ask caregivers:
What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned from a past caregiver experience?
You know what they say, “hindsight’s 20/20.” This is a popular caregiver job interview question to gauge your emotional intelligence, ability to learn from experiences, and past job history.
Not every question you answer may put you in a positive light, and that’s okay! You may answer this question by sharing an experience where you messed up, snapped at a co-worker, said the wrong thing at the wrong time, etc. The morale at the center of this question is: Did that experience positively change you to be a better caregiver or person? Honesty is the best policy—lean into that idiom as you share lessons learned.
Answering this question shows that you’re aware of happenings in your life and their impact on you. This is an excellent place to share a short, personal story about a past caregiving experience.
If a client refused to [eat their meal, go to the bathroom, etc.], how would you deal with the situation?
Prepare for behavioral and hypothetical questions. Hypothetical questions are some of the most common questions to ask when hiring a caregiver for the elderly. Elderly care home interview questions like this one help employers better understand your on-the-job thought processes and training. This particular question reveals your reactiveness, emotional intelligence, maturity, and on-the-job ingenuity.
Employers want to see how you’d persevere when dealing with a difficult situation. They’re also looking for the creativity you’d employ to accomplish the hypothetical task.
Describe the type of caregiver you would hire to take care of your loved one.
By asking you about the ideal caregiver you’d hire for a loved one, the interviewer can determine the values and qualities you believe define a good caregiver. The employer is looking for your answer to align with the qualities and values their company upholds as a home care provider.
Before your interview, spend time reviewing the home care company’s website. Do they list their values? What kind of industry language do they use? Is their mission statement listed? Look for the company’s values and their “why” behind offering in-home care. Knowing the company’s values allows you to find common ground between your values and the employer’s.
Ready to Answer Caregiver Interview Questions?
Spend time reviewing elderly care interview practice questions and the common behavioral caregiver job interview questions listed above. Being well-prepared for a caregiver interview gives you greater confidence when answering questions. An interview seems even easier when you’ve practiced real-life interview questions.
Are you ready to see if your practice has paid off and apply for a caregiver position?
Do you want to start working for a top in-home care company with excellent compensation and opportunities to grow?
Stowell Associates is looking to add new members to its Caregiving Team. We’re a premium home care company that values its caregivers as much as we value our clients. We make sure every caregiver is professionally prepared by providing high-quality in-house training and on-going support.
If you’re ready to start a rewarding career as an in-home caregiver, check out current job listings at Stowell Associates.
