10 carer interview questions with answers

What do you believe is the role of a carer?

Interviewers often ask this question to determine your knowledge about the care industry and whether you took the time to research the position. By providing a detailed answer, you can demonstrate your understanding of the role.

If you do not feel confident in your ability to answer the question, spend some time reading accounts about the daily life of a carer, researching carer job descriptions and exploring online forums. They can all provide valuable insight into the expected roles and responsibilities of a carer.

What has attracted you to the care profession?

Although care work is incredibly rewarding, it can also be challenging at times. The best carers are people with a kind and caring nature that enjoy looking after the well-being of others.

Employers will want to ensure that you’re the right fit for their organisation and have the appropriate motivations.
Ahead of your interview, write down why you want to become a carer and how your strengths will help you succeed. This is your opportunity to share your passion for caring for others with your potential employer.

Do you have any relevant experience?

If you have prior experience in the health and social care sector, be sure to let your employer know. This could include working as a live-in carer, domiciliary carer, care assistant, support worker, personal healthcare assistant or any other similar role. Draw on your areas of experience and explain in detail how you believe they will help you succeed in this new role.

It is important to remember that not all care experience is paid experience. If you don’t have any prior professional experience working as a carer, you can mention any other relevant experience you have in providing personal care for an adult friend or family member.

How would you approach confidentiality as a carer?

Confidentiality is taken very seriously in the social care sector, so employers may ask this question to judge your professionalism. Confidentiality includes not sharing personal information about your clients including medical records, conversations you overhear or any other private details about your client’s life.

It may be worthwhile to do some further research about client confidentiality so that you can demonstrate this knowledge to the interviewer and discuss how you would maintain a respectful environment.

What is your understanding of ‘person-centred’ care?

Person-centred care places the individual at the centre of all care decisions. This means not only involving them in the care planning process but also tailoring the care provided to their unique needs, goals and preferences.

Be sure to express during the interview that you recognise that providing care is not about doing everything for your client. This means supporting their independence by encouraging them to do as much as they are willing and able to do for themselves.

How would you handle a person that is confused or upset?

There is no one way to handle a person that is confused or distressed. The best way to deal with such a situation is to provide a person-centred response that is tailored to the unique needs of the client and whether they are living with any particular condition such as dementia.

With this question, employers are looking to see your communication and interpersonal skills and whether you can remain calm and collected in a stressful situation. It may be helpful to draw on your prior experience and describe a stressful situation where you managed to arrive at a positive outcome.

How would your friends and family describe you as a person?

This is a very common question during interviews because it provides insight into who you are as an individual. Think about your best qualities. Are you kind and compassionate? Do you always put the needs of others first? Use this question as an opportunity to show off your positive attributes.

Tell me about your ability to work under pressure.

Care work can be stressful and challenging at times. Employers will be interested in knowing about your ability to work under pressure and cope with stressful situations. Try and think back to a stressful moment in your life and how you handled it. Providing an example is a great way of letting the employer know how you handle a situation when the going gets tough.

What is your availability?

If you have any limitations about your availability, it is best to inform the employer immediately. While it may be tempting to overstate your availability, this can cause serious problems in the future if your employer is forced to cover shifts you originally said you would be able to work. It is always a good idea to be upfront about your commitments and the hours you are able to work

Do you have any questions?

An interview should work both ways. While the interviewer will be looking to see if you are the right fit for their company, you should also explore whether they are the right fit for you.

Before your interview, do some research about the company and take the time to come up with some thoughtful questions. Not only will this help you understand the company’s working culture and the requirements of the role, but it will also demonstrate your interest in the position.