Ideally, caregivers see themselves as compassionate and empathetic people. They derive genuine satisfaction from helping others one-on-one. Whether interviewing for a position that provides care for an older or younger person, your caregiver candidate should also stress professional training and previous experiences. Being prepared to provide appropriate responses to everyday needs or medical situations is crucial. A person applying to be a caregiver should also focus on reliability and responsibility. What to look for in an answer:

• Medical training, including CPR
• Years employed full-time
• Use of emotion words suggesting compassion or connection

A potential caregiver would benefit from having acquired specific training or work experience in helping people with special physical or emotional needs. Job training or education that focused on special education or geriatric therapy are welcome attributes here. Look for a candidate to provide answers that focus on positive reinforcement in dealing with special needs. A good candidate will mention specific techniques such as positive redirection, diversion or distraction. What to look for in an answer:

• Geriatric or special-needs training
• Positive reinforcement techniques in handing special needs
• Willingness to listen and encourage

Although there is not a specific right answer, the candidate’s demeanor and facial features are important. The candidate’s response should focus on qualities they have such as reliability, compassion and professional preparation. Also, the response should indicate to you that the previous employer was sorry to see them go or that the circumstances under which they left were positive. What to look for in an answer:

• Positive attitude toward answering the question
• Focuses on strong qualities including reliability and preparation
• A spontaneous and unforced answer

A specific situation is more easily answered by caregivers who have had job experience and who can draw upon their history in approaching a difficult moment. In the candidate’s answer, the future caregiver’s focus should be on demonstrating positive reinforcement techniques that they can bring to your business. Some of these may include reassurance, routine and redirection. Undesirable answers would include a description of punitive or shame-based approaches to handling resistance. What to look for in an answer:

• Specific situations the candidate has experienced
• A positive reinforcement approach and reassurance
• Answers that suggest empathy and understanding

Answers that reflect an understanding of your caregiving agency’s culture and clients are best here. Personal connections such as a relative or friend who was a caregiver or a client suggest in-depth knowledge of your specific business. The candidate should demonstrate knowledge of those qualities that distinguish your agency from the rest and be prepared to talk about being a good match for the job. What to look for in an answer:

• Knowledge of the caregiving agency’s mission
• Fitness for the specific caregiving skills of the agency
• An interesting anecdote that connects them to your agency

A caregiver typically has one or more appointments to attend each day. This question allows interviewers to determine whether a caregiver offers additional time to patients to ensure their health and safety. It also allows interviews to gauge a candidate's ability to notify their agency about the situation to assign another caregiver to the upcoming appointment. The candidate's answer should emphasize:

• Good judgment
• Communication abilities
• Commitment to the patient