Caregiving Can Be Heartbreaking, and We Thank You for It
Finding the right caregiver for a loved one can be a painstakingly long process. Here are some tips for interviewing caregivers to choose the right fit.
Eye-Contact
A common sign of trustworthiness is eye-contact during conversation. Watch that the applicant maintains a reasonable amount of eye-contact not only with you, but also with the person who will be receiving the care. If the caregiver focuses only on you during the interview and ignores your loved one’s input, this may be a red flag to take into consideration.
Professionalism
Although a caregiver will likely become a friend, be on the lookout for professionalism during the interview. The caregiver will be an employee and should treat the interview process with respect. Red flags of unprofessionalism can include dressing inappropriately or focusing too much on money during the interview.
Check References
Ask if you can contact the applicant’s references. Their reluctance or refusal to provide reference information could be a red flag that their references are not real or that their past employers may give a negative reference. Contact their references from related work to ensure their performance will meet your standards.
Communication Skills
Make sure to observe that the caregiver communicates appropriately with your loved one and is able to follow through with the necessary action. It will be difficult for the caregiver to do their job and for your loved one to get the care they need if they cannot communicate effectively.
Collect a Resume
While an interview will help you get to know the individual candidate, a resume can greatly assist you in understanding their background and past experience. This can also act as a reminder to you and your loved one of the specifics of the applicant’s experiences.
Ask Questions
Be thorough with your questions. Don’t just ask about previous experience; be sure to include questions both related to their work and individuality. Take notes during the interview in order to better compare applicants and be sure you hire the best fit. Below are some sample interview questions. This is not an all-inclusive list and you should be sure to include questions specific to your situation. If you have multiple applicants, be sure to ask each candidate the same questions in order to accurately compare them.
Sample Interview Questions:
- Tell me a little bit about yourself.
- Tell me about your experience working with people who are elderly or have a disability.
- What was your favorite job and why?
- What interests you about this job?
- What is your availability? Are there specific times you cannot work?
- Do you have responsibilities other than work that will interfere with specific job requirements?
- Can you give me an example of a time when you had a difference of opinion with an employer?
- List four words you would use to describe yourself.
- What would you do in an emergency situation?
- Have you ever been convicted of a crime? If so, when, where and what was the disposition of the case?
- Do you have any questions or concerns about the job?
- If selected for this position, when could you start working?
Use the applicant’s answers to these questions and behavior during the interview to gauge whether or not they are suitable for the caregiver position. The inclusion of questions about the caregiver apart from their work experience can help to get a feel for their individual personality and ensure that your loved one will be comfortable in their care. Be sure to take your loved one’s opinions into consideration when choosing the right fit and be on the lookout for red flags during the interview.
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