Care & Support Interview Questions

The health and social care interview process can feel daunting at first, but it’s important to remember that with the right prep and practice, you can attend feeling comfortable and confident. Interviews allow employers to see if you are the right fit for the role, and allows you to see if the company is the right fit for you - it’s a win-win.

We’ve compiled a list of care assistant and support worker questions that may pop up during your interviews - they’ll give you an idea of where to start with your preparation.

What relevant experience do you have with regards to this position?

Here, it’s important to be specific and keep all points made focused and accurate. You should draw on any relevant experiences that have prepared you to be successful in the role.

If your experience is lacking, however, don’t panic. You can discuss any soft or transferable skills you may possess, or any volunteering or work experience you may have under your belt. What qualities do you have that make you a top candidate for this position?

What do you think a care worker does?

This is where an accurate appraisal of the role’s description is incredibly important and your answer to this question can demonstrate that you’ve done your research. You could read accounts of daily care work routines, or look at employee reviews to find out what the day to day requires.

What attracted you to the care profession?

Employers will want to make sure you’re the right candidate for the role. This is your chance to explain why you applied to the particular job and your passion for helping others and making a difference. This type of question is an opportunity for you to show off your interview prep and talk about the company you’re applying for. Is there anything specific about the company or its ethos that makes it stand out to you?

How would you handle someone who is upset or confused?

Having exceptional communication skills is crucial when applying for care and support based roles. Scenarios work wonders for this question - think of a time where you’ve been in this situation and how you handled it.

How would your friends and family describe you?

This is an incredibly popular interview question as it gives great insight into you as an individual. Think about the job description and how your qualities best suit it. Do you have a lot of patience? Do you put others before yourself? Stay away from mentioning negatives, employers don’t want to know that you’re unorganized and a loud snorer - think positives!

Can you provide an example of previous teamwork?

Care work is a team game and during high pressure and stress situations, relying on colleagues is essential. Even if your knowledge base is expansive, service users tend to suffer if you can’t cooperate and communicate effectively in a group. Creating a harmonious team environment is usually an organisation’s top priority, so think of examples where you’ve gone above and beyond to help a colleague, friend or family member complete a task.

Give an example of a time you went out of your way to help someone

In an interview for a care assistant, it makes sense that the interviewer will want to hear about a time when you went the extra mile and truly cared for someone. This doesn’t have to be a professional based answer if you don’t have much experience, it could be a friend, family member or complete stranger that you’ve helped. You might have volunteered somewhere, or looked after an elderly neighbour.

What would you do if a client you were caring for, collapsed?

This question would test your ability to take initiative in an emergency situation. If finding a client on the floor, it would be necessary to ensure they are still breathing - you can use Danger, Response, Airway, Breathing and Circulation (D-R-A-B-C) to help you recall the correct procedure. Regardless of whether you have previously been first aid training or not, if a client is breathing irregularly or is unresponsive then emergency services will need to be contacted, management informed and incident reports filled out.

What is your availability?

Being flexible within the care sector is important, and most employees tend not to work conventional hours as care is a 24/7 requirement. A lot of roles will offer flexible shift patterns with hours available over mornings, full days and nights. It’s important to read the job description carefully and ensure you can meet the specified requirements. The care sector can be a great career choice if you need work to fit around a busy schedule.

Do you have any questions?

Interviews are a chance for both yourself and the employer to test the waters and see if you’re a fit for one another. Most interviews will close asking if you have any questions about the company, role or expectations, and this is a great opportunity to showcase your interest in the job.

For any interview, regardless of sector, we suggest coming up with a couple of questions for your interviewer, such as asking what the training entails, potential career progression paths and what sorts of support is available for employees.

These sample questions should get you thinking about your past experiences and how you can choose relevant examples to best demonstrate your skills and suitability for the role. In an interview, more importantly however, it’s your enthusiasm that counts.

If your excitement for helping others shines through, your perfect job might not be far off. Here at The SKA Group Ltd, we are always looking for experienced and compassionate carers to join our wonderful team.

If you have a compassionate and caring nature, with previous care experience, we would love to hear from you! Apply online today to join our exceptional team and really make a difference in someone’s life, all whilst enjoying a rewarding and fulfilling career.