The hunt for babysitting jobs, dog sitting jobs or gardening jobs will more than likely entail an interview. As an interviewee the effort you put in beforehand, how you present yourself and follow up afterwards are crucial to securing the job.
We’ve gathered together tips from several leading career experts to provide the top 8 tips for acing a carer job interview.
- Update Your Portfolio
A portfolio is a crucial component of the job interview. Keep letters of recommendation from previous employers, references and copies of any certifications or licenses relevant to your job, such as a copy of your driving record. Make sure your certifications are up-to-date and relevant for the job you are applying for.
For more information on what you need, read our article on
Essentials for a Nanny Interview » - Do Your Homework
Many articles on helpful career advice say that you should research the job and the company before going on an interview. As a carer, that can be difficult. While it’s important to know a bit about the family you’re interviewing with, it’s trickier to research a family than it is to research a company. However, there are tools to help you find out more about a prospective family.
If you have the parents’ names and know where they live, use Google to find out about them. For example, if a parent is involved with a charity, you might get a sense of their passions. You’ll want to see if you have anything in common with the parents so you can establish a common ground. Other online tools include Facebook and LinkedIn. Both can inform you about a family’s favourite activities or work history. You can also tap into your network and take your research low-tech by asking fellow carers if they, or someone they know, have worked for the family.
When you actually meet the interviewer, you don’t want to come off as a creepy stalker and recite their birthday and their childhood pet’s name. But it can help you get a sense of who they are beforehand, and topics you may want to bring up.
- Dress for the Occasion
It can be tricky to know what to wear to an interview for a care position. You don’t want to look too formal, but you definitely don’t want to look as though you’re ready to clean out the attic.
No matter what you are interviewing for, you want to look as professional as possible. If you have a suit, wear the suit, or if not, wear business casual clothes, such as pants and a blouse. For an extra touch, add a blazer. You may be asked to interact with a child or pet, so don’t be afraid to get your clothes dirty — washing machines were invented for a reason.
- Get There Early
Plan to arrive no more than 10 minutes before the interview, especially if you are interviewing at the family’s home. You don’t want the family to feel rushed by arriving long before the scheduled start time. If you’re worried about being on time, get there earlier and park down the block. If you’re running late, call right away and explain the situation (but don’t be late if you can help it!).
- Express Your Interest
Show you’re interested in the job. People get hired for their personality, so remember to come across as excited about the job. Smiling and nodding can go a long way toward showing your interest in the interview.
- Sell Yourself
Get ready to tell the prospective family what you can do for them. Be as honest as you can be, but don’t say anything negative, especially about a past employer. Limit yourself to two minutes when discussing your skills and accomplishments and try to bring in interesting or funny anecdotes when you can — they will make you memorable and personable. Talk about an amazing craft project you did with a child or why you really enjoyed looking after a particular pet.
- Ask to Meet Those You Will Care For
As a carer, you will likely spend the majority of your time with your charges. So focus on the child, pet or senior during the interview. However, they probably won’t attend the initial interview with the decision makers. During the interview, ask if you can meet the person or pet who needs care. By doing so, you are showing interest in the job and that you want to create a bond with the person or pet that might be in your care.
- End on a High Note
After you’ve finished your interview, send a handwritten thank you note to the interviewing family that night. Tell the family that you enjoyed meeting them, and that you are enthusiastic about the position. In addition, remind them of your qualifications in your note.
With a bit of preparation, you’ll feel confident and eager during the interview process and you’ll show the prospective family how amazing you are. After all, acing the interview is often the key to landing the job.
Had an interview recently? Share your experiences with us using the comments box below.
