Even if you’ve never conducted a job interview before, you probably know to ask basic questions such as “Tell me about yourself” or “Describe your work experience.” But hiring a caregiver involves more nuanced questions, because safety, trust, and compatibility are critical. We spoke to professionals who know what to ask.
Imene Bouziane Saidi, MBA, JD, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities, recommends asking:
What aspects of caregiving provide you with the greatest satisfaction?
What parts of the job are your least favorite?
How do you manage stress on the job? Can you give an example?
Describe a situation where you had to handle an emergency while caregiving.
Are there any life circumstances that could interfere with your reliability for this job?
Sometimes people who need care are in physical or emotional pain, which can lead to anger or insensitive remarks toward the person taking care of them. How do you handle being treated disrespectfully? Share an example.
Erika Dodson, Benefits Administrator at TILL Inc. has interviewed candidates for all sorts of jobs. But as an HR professional with personal experience hiring caregivers for her own family members, she suggests asking the following questions:
- What do you hope to gain or learn from this job?
- What is your experience with a specific medical condition or diagnosis?
- How do you maintain a work-life balance and focus on your own physical and mental health?
- What’s your preferred way of communicating with involved family members?
- How do you make use of downtime during caregiving shifts?
- What do you consider a productive day?
In addition to these questions, Dodson recommends using open-ended questions to learn about a caregiver's dependability, observational skills, and ability to build trust with the individual they are caring for.
More Resources for Caregiver Interviews
Using these resources below will help you approach the interview process with increased confidence and thoroughness, and a clearer understanding of the qualities to look for in a compassionate and competent caregiver.
TILL, Inc. operates Rewarding Work, the first web-based matching service directory in the nation to focus exclusively on assisting people of all ages with disabilities. The mission of Rewarding Work is to connect individuals with disabilities and their families with caregivers who meet their unique needs.