Care Benefits for Veterans and Surviving Spouses
If you have never hired a caregiver before, the interview process may seem daunting. While you may be interested in learning what to do during an interview, it is also important that you know what not to do.
Equal Opportunity Employer
When interviewing a prospective caregiver, there are many things you cannot legally ask as an Equal Opportunity Employer. These include questions related to race, color, religion, sex, age, marital status, language, national origin, pregnancy, disability, veteran/military status, or financial status.
Questions pertaining to these topics should be avoided as they can be interpreted as discrimination in the hiring decision. A rule of thumb that can be helpful to remember when interviewing potential caregivers is to only ask questions that are relevant to their ability to provide necessary supports.
Along with questions you should not ask during a caregiver interview, there are also many things you should not do when hiring a caregiver. Avoiding these things will ensure the caregiver fits in your situation and that your interview process is safe and legal.
Don’t hold an interview alone in your home.
If you are planning to have an interview in your home, ensure that someone else can be there to assist in the interview process and protect from potential safety concerns. If a loved one or friend can’t join you for the interview, meet in a public place such as a coffee shop or restaurant.
Don’t hire someone who can’t work on your schedule.
If you require supports every other day and an interviewee can only work twice a week, they will not be able to fulfill your needs. Unless you plan to hire a secondary caregiver to assist you during the times your primary caregiver cannot work, don’t put your health and safety in jeopardy by sacrificing needed supports.
Don’t make promises about the job.
Promises in the hiring process can be construed as oral contracts or false pretenses, which can land you in a sticky situation with hiring decisions and employment relationships. Whether it be about a hiring decision or other job details, promises should not be made in the hiring process.
Don’t hire someone without meeting them in person.
Although a phone interview can be a good first screening if you have several applicants, be sure to meet caregivers in person before making a hiring decision. It can be hard to judge character over the phone and you’ll want to make sure you’re comfortable with the individual before hiring.
Don’t assume every caregiver can provide every service.
Be sure to inform each potential caregiver of all required supports and ensure they can perform them. Some caregivers may have licensure or certifications which enable them to perform more medical services than those without.
Don’t forget to take notes.
Even if you have a great memory, don’t count on remembering every detail of the interview for every candidate. You may forget something important you noticed or a comment you liked during the interview. You may also forget which candidates gave which answers, making it difficult to make a hiring decision.
Don’t forget to leave time for the caregiver to ask questions.
Interviewees may have questions or details they need clarified during or after the interview. Don’t be surprised when you ask the caregiver “Any questions?” and they have a list prepared.
In order to use legal and safe interview practices along with finding a caregiver who fits your needs, steer clear of these questions and mistakes during an interview.
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