At the end of an interview, it’s common for the interviewer to ask you if you have any questions for them. It’s a good idea to have a few different questions prepared beforehand – it shows that you’re interested in the position and the care home.
Always remember that an interview is for the company to determine whether or not you can do the job role, but also for you to decide whether or not the company is right for you.
Here’s our list of Top 7 questions to ask at the end of a care home interview:
- How would you describe the care home culture?
Asking about the culture of a company can give you an insight into whether or not it’s the kind of culture you like to work in. For example, in a care home, you will probably see a set of values they promote on their website but you want to hear about how the values work on a day to day basis.
2. What is your favourite thing about working here?
This is a great question to ask to find out a bit more from the interviewer about their personal experience of working at the company. You definitely don’t want to hear a negative response to this question!
3. Can you tell me more about the day-to-day duties of the role? What does a typical day look like?
This will help you understand what a normal day involves and if the duties are something you want to do. Hearing it from the interviewer can give much more insight than a job description can. For example, Carer roles differ between care homes. Some will include personal care while some will be more focussed on other aspects. It’s important to understand how a day looks for a Carer in that particular home.
4. How could my career progress within the company?
Asking this question shows that you’re serious about a long-term future with the company. Even if you’re interviewing for an entry-level role, it’s always good to know that you could grow with a company and progress. Some care homes will have set career paths, so you may be promoted to a Senior Carer role after a certain amount of time or you may have to demonstrate knowledge in a particular area to progress.
5. Can you tell me about the team I’d be working with?
This is a great question to help you understand the size of the team, how long they’ve been working with the company and whether or not you’d fit in. It may also give an insight into how much team working there is rather than lone working – then you can decide if this fits with how you like to work. Working as a Carer for example can be less team-based, so it’s good to know how the home structures their teams.
6. Can you tell me about the training and induction offered?
By asking this question, you can understand if the company offer a structured training and induction plan to help you settle in. Generally, a company that has a structured training and induction plan will be invested in your success.
7. What are the next steps in the hiring process?
This question is a nice way to end the interview. By asking this question, you’ll understand the timeline and if there’s any further interviews or meeting required. You’ll then know when you should expect to hear if you’ve been successful.
By asking these questions and evaluating the answers, you’re ensuring that the care home and the role you’re interviewing for fit with what you’re looking for. They also demonstrate to the interviewer that you’ve put thought into the interview, and can help develop a rapport with the interviewer.
