Care interview questions and answers

Most interview questions for jobs in the care sector will fall into three different categories, and each area will explore different parts of your knowledge and psyche. These categories are: 

• Personality 

• Experience 

• Technical

It’s important you prepare for questions that fall into each of these different areas since they’re all likely to come up at an interview. 

There will typically be a lot of crossover in interviews for care assistant roles and support work. Here are some example questions and answers that job applicants are commonly asked for both positions. 

Why do you want to work in care?  

Job roles within the care industry are very demanding, and whilst there are lots of benefits, it won’t be the right fit for everyone. Prospective employers will be keen to find out your motivations behind choosing this specific career path, and what you ultimately want to get from it. Be sure to draw on any past experiences, and perhaps what attracted you to the sector in the first place. 

Example:

‘When completing my Duke of Edinburgh Award in school, I first discovered my passion for care work. I also partook in some voluntary work in a local care home, where I was given basic duties such as washing up, cleaning, and interacting with the residents. I enjoyed having the opportunity to build relationships with the people who work and live there. 

Since leaving education, I’ve continued to pursue this passion through a combination of volunteer roles and full-time employment. The aspect I find most rewarding is having the chance to make a difference in people’s lives on a daily basis, and fostering relationships with the people this work gives you the opportunity to meet.’

What skills can you bring to the role? 

Care and support work requires a very specific set of skills, and you’ll need to talk about these in some detail to show the interviewer why you’re the right fit. The necessary skills and qualities required for these roles include strong communication, good organisation and the ability to be flexible and think on your feet under pressure. 

Remember to keep your answers relevant to the job you’re applying for, and consider how your skill set has developed over time since you initially started working in the industry. 

Example:

‘I have always been a strong communicator, and I’ve found this skill to be particularly helpful in previous roles, both with colleagues and patients. I quickly found out the importance of being able to manage my time effectively when starting out in similar roles. During my time as a support worker, I have developed outstanding organisational skills, meaning I can be relied upon to deliver a high standard of work, even in stressful or high-pressure moments.’

How do you approach personal development in this ever-changing industry?   

As well as demonstrating your skills in a practical setting, interviewers will also be keen to know what steps you’ve taken to develop your professional capabilities outside of work. This is the perfect opportunity to bring up any relevant training or courses you’ve done. It’s also worth talking about how you keep up with healthcare legislation changes to demonstrate you’re conscientious and passionate about the industry. 

Example:

‘Working in this industry, I’ve found that there are always opportunities for development and new skills to be learned every day. I subscribe to medical journals such as the Annals of Internal Medicine to keep up to date with the latest healthcare policies and best practices. I have also attended live conferences to further develop my skills and learn from other industry professionals.’

How would you assess the needs of a patient?

Particularly in roles involving healthcare responsibilities, determining the needs of a patient will likely be one of your day-to-day duties. Every needs assessment will produce different outcomes since no two patients will be the same. But you can still use the same process to garner this information, and that’s what your interviewer will be most interested in. 

Example:

‘I’d start the needs assessment by conducting an interview with the patient themselves, to glean a better understanding of their personal preferences, and what support they feel they need. I’ve also found it’s helpful to talk to the patient’s family separately where possible as well, since sometimes patients don’t have the best grasp on the level of assistance they require. 

Once I’ve gathered all of this information, I’ll speak to fellow team members who have worked with the patient or people with similar needs, and ask for their input to ensure we’re giving out the best possible care.’

Tell me about a time you’ve had to deal with a difficult situation 

Having a friendly demeanour is important to being successful in these types of roles. But maintaining a positive attitude can become more challenging in a stressful situation. Your prospective employer will want to hear how you approached tackling the issue and how it was ultimately resolved. 

This could be in regards to an emotional situation you’ve handled, or potentially a more technical challenge that you’ve had to overcome. Depending on your past experiences, think carefully about an answer that would best demonstrate your expertise. It’s important with this style of question that you focus solely on the positives, and avoid dragging up unnecessary peculiarities of the situation. 

Example:

‘In my last role working in a care home, I noticed that one of the residents was displaying signs of self-neglect. They were refusing to eat anything, and I noticed bruises on their arms. In my capacity as a support worker, I tried to show compassion and have conversations to check if everything was okay. 

But ultimately I was well aware that it wasn’t my responsibility to fix the problem and force the patient to take better care of themselves. Instead, I knew I had to communicate with senior members of staff who were then able to escalate the situation to a higher authority. As a result, a mental health professional was called onto site and they were able to use their expertise to address and resolve the situation.’

Whether you’re just starting out in health and social care, or have been involved in the industry for many years, these interview questions and answers can help give you a head start in securing your next role. 

Remember, this sector is constantly evolving, with new policies always being put in place. Be sure to demonstrate an awareness of current legislation and best practice, intertwine this with your past experiences, and you’ll be sure to give yourself the best chance of being successful.  

What is care work? 

There are so many different roles that collectively make up the care industry, each with the shared goal of helping to support the wellbeing of people in their daily lives. Two of the most common positions within the industry are care assistants and support workers. Whilst both roles will look to achieve similar outcomes, there are a couple of distinct differences between them. 

Generally speaking, a care assistant will be more hands-on, and play a central role in patients’ hygiene, physical health and personal care tasks. These can include things like:

• Washing 

• Dressing 

• Assisting with medication 

Care assistants can work in a variety of different settings, from care homes to hospitals, to patients’ own homes. 

A support worker typically is tasked with taking care of vulnerable patients’ general wellbeing, and improving their quality of life by providing emotional and physical support. 

Support will vary between different patients, as certain medical conditions or disabilities will require specific treatment. Support workers will also work closely with friends and family to ensure they’re involved in the support process. 

Does this sound like a role you can see yourself in? Search for Care roles now!