Example caregiver job interview questions

‍When you’re applying to new caregiver jobs, you will be invited to interview by agencies that potentially want to hire you.

It’s important to know how to prepare for the caregiver interview so that when you get there, you’ll be ready to nail it! Below, we'll cover the most common job interview questions and answers to make you a true interviewing expert by the time you're finished reading.

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Question #1: Why do you want to be a caregiver?

This is usually the first question you will be asked when interviewing for a job as a caregiver. Before interviewing, think about the reasons you want to become a caregiver so you’re ready to nail this answer.

Maybe some of the reasons you want to be a caregiver are: 

• Because you like to care for people

• Because you want to get a job in medicine

Whatever your reasoning is, make sure to have your answer down. Another reminder is to not just answer with one sentence. Make sure you can give details. For example, if you answer is that you like to care for people, you can say something like:

"I want to be a caregiver because I like to care for people. When I was younger, I used to hangvout with my grandma on Sundays. I would do things for her like make her bed and go for walks. I really enjoyed doing that."

This is a complete, well-thought-out answer.

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Question #2: What jobs have you had before?

Another thing you will be asked about is if you have had jobs before. Caregiving agencies ask this question to see if you have any experience working as a caregiver before. They also ask to see if any of the jobs you have had gave you skills that you can use as a caregiver.

For example, if you have worked as a:

• Cashier
• Driver
• Babysitter

The person interviewing you can think about the skills you might have gained from one of these jobs. They can determine if your job before gave you skills you can use as a caregiver.

For example, if you’ve had a job as a cashier or driver, it means that you have worked with clients. This would mean you have people skills, a skill important for caregiving.

Additionally, if you’ve had a job as a babysitter, it means that you know how to care for someone. It means you have experience feeding, bathing, and putting people to bed. Both of these are important skills for caregivers, which is why they ask what jobs you've had.

Question #3: How do you deal with patients who refuse to bathe, eat, or take medicine?

This next question is very important to know how to answer. Sometimes as a caregiver, you will have a client that doesn’t want to do the things they have to do in order to stay healthy. 

We recommend that you answer this question by saying something like:

“First, I would ask the client if they feel okay. Maybe they don’t want to do something because they’re sick. If they say they’re sick, then I will do what I can to get them medicine or call an ambulance.

If my client isn’t sick and is just not feeling like doing the thing I have told them to do, then I will ask them one more time to do it. I will tell them that they should because it’s important to stay healthy/clean.

If my client still does not do what I am asking them to do, then I will either call my manager or the client’s family to ask for help.”

This is a good example of an answer because it shows that first you will try to understand the client first. It also shows that you will  make sure they do the thing they need to do.

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Question #4: Do you have any experience caring for people? Maybe a family member or as a babysitter.

This next question is asked to understand if you would be good at caring for someone. The person interviewing you wants to know if you have the skills to care for someone and make sure they’re healthy. When answering this question, you might talk about: 

• Babysitting your siblings or cousins as a kid

• Babysitting for neighbors

• Hanging out with and caring for your grandma or grandpa

Chances are you have done one of these things before. Any of these are great examples to bring up to show that you have experience caring for others.

Question #5: Tell me about a time when you had to solve a problem at work?

This question is asked to see if you would be able to solve a problem that comes up at work. Home care agencies want to hire people who know what to do in the face of a challenge.

Examples of problems you may have solved in a job before are:

• Resolving an argument between two kids at a the daycare you used to work for

• Getting a kid you were babysitting to eat when it didn’t want to by telling the kid you would play their favorite game with them if they ate

• Politely asking arguing customers at the gas station you worked at to please quiet down while in the store

Showing that you have had the skills to solve problems is important so that the agency knows you would be able to solve any problems in your new job.

Question #6: Do you have any questions for me about being a caregiver at our agency?

This question is an important one because it allows you to find out the answer to any questions that you may have about becoming a caregiver. It also allows you to find about about the home care agency that is interviewing you. When this is said to you, you can ask questions such as:

• What shifts would I work if I am hired?

• What is the policy for off days?

• Are most clients nice or are there ever difficult ones?

• If I have a daughter I need to drive to school, would I be able to work a shift that starts after I drop her off? 

Questions like these can help you figure out if this new job would work for your personal schedule and life in general.

Summary:

After agencies see your online application, you might get an email or a call to schedule an interview. When you decide a time for your interview, it’s important that you’re ready to answer interview questions that they might have for you. If you can confidently answer the questions above, then you will be set to have a successful interview.

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