How to Interview a Caregiver Before Hiring (+ Questions to Ask)

You’re hiring an in-home caregiver, and you want to get this right.

A background check is a good starting point, but it doesn’t tell the whole story.

It can confirm someone’s history, but it won’t show you how they communicate, how they handle a difficult moment, or how they connect with your loved one in real time.

Thankfully, interviewing potential caregivers doesn’t have to be complicated.

A strong process comes down to three steps: making initial contact, having a more in-depth conversation, and staying connected once care begins.

This article will go over each step in depth, and give you specific questions to ask each potential caregiver.

Key takeaways

• Vetting a caregiver requires three steps: initial contact, a formal interview, and clear communication after hiring
• Caregiver interview questions should cover experience, communication style, situational awareness, and logistics
• On Herewith, the whole process happens securely within the platform, with Customer Support available every step of the way

Step 1: Make initial contact

Before you schedule an interview, start with a quick message.

This first step is about confirming the basics so you don’t spend time on candidates who aren’t a fit.

A short message should cover a few key points:

• Availability: do their hours match what you need?
• Type of care: are they comfortable with your loved one’s needs?
• Pay rate: are you aligned on budget?
• Start date: can they begin when you need support?

If something doesn’t line up, it’s an easy decision to move on. If it does, you can move forward with more in-depth vetting.

On Herewith, this step happens through the platform’s secure chat feature. Your contact details stay private until you’re ready to hire, and you can choose from pre-written prompts or write your own message to get started.

Step 2: Conduct a formal interview

Once the basics are confirmed, it’s time to go deeper.

Interviewing a potential caregiver allows you to ask more detailed questions, clarify expectations, and make sure you’re aligned before moving forward.

If you can’t interview in person, a phone or video call works well. It’s more personal than messaging and gives you a clearer sense of who you’re talking to.

If it feels appropriate, involve your loved one in part of the conversation so you can see how they interact together.

On Herewith, you can request a video interview directly through the platform or chat. Share a few times you’re available, and the Customer Support team will coordinate the call. A team member joins the interview to help keep things on track and support you if questions come up.

Caregiver interview questions to ask before hiring

Use your conversation to cover a few important areas. Asking specific questions helps you assess general background info as well as how the caregiver works day to day.

Before your call, take a few minutes to jot down anything specific you want to cover and use the questions below as your starting point.

Experience and background

Start by understanding the type of care they’ve provided and how closely it matches your needs.

• What kinds of caregiving have you done, and how long have you worked with older adults?
• Do you have experience with specific needs like dementia, mobility support, or post-surgery care?
• What certifications do you hold, such as CPR, first aid, or CNA?

Listen for specifics. Clear, detailed answers usually reflect hands-on experience, not just general familiarity.

Personality and communication style

Caregiving is personal, so communication style matters just as much as experience.

• How would you describe your communication style?
• What do you enjoy about working with older adults?
• How do you handle a situation where someone is upset or refuses care?

Pay attention to tone and clarity. You’re looking for someone who communicates calmly and adjusts to different situations.

Situational awareness and safety

These questions help clarify how they think through real situations.

• How do you respond to unexpected situations on the job?
• How would you assist someone moving from bed to a wheelchair?

Look for practical, step-by-step thinking. Strong answers show awareness, patience, and a focus on safety.

Logistics and reliability

Even a strong caregiver won’t be the right fit if the logistics don’t align. Although you covered this in your initial contact, it’s worth revisiting.

• What is your availability, and is it consistent?
• Are you comfortable with the schedule and pay rate?
• Do you have reliable transportation?

Look for any hesitation here and ask follow up questions when needed. Consistency of care is just as important as personality and experience.

References

References give you another perspective on how someone works over time.

• Can you share references from previous clients or employers?
• What questions do you have about the role?

When you follow up, ask former clients or employers directly:

• Was this person reliable and on time?
• How did they handle stressful or unexpected situations?
• Would you hire them again?

Consistent answers across multiple references are a strong signal. Vague responses or hesitation are worth paying attention to.

What to watch for during the interview

A strong candidate will answer with specifics, not generalities.

Watch for vague answers about past experience, hesitation around logistics like pay rate or schedule, or reluctance to provide references.

Pay attention to whether they ask questions about your loved one. Genuine curiosity about the person they'll be caring for is usually a good sign.

Step 3: Stay connected after hiring

Hiring the right caregiver is just the start.

How you communicate once care begins has a direct impact on how things go, for your loved one and for you.

Start by setting clear expectations. Walk through the schedule, your loved one’s routine, and any preferences that matter day to day. Make sure your caregiver knows who to contact and what to do if something urgent comes up.

After that, stay in touch. A quick check-in after the first few shifts gives you a sense of how care is going and creates opportunities to address small issues early.

If you’re coordinating care from a distance, staying informed can feel more challenging. A few simple habits can help:

• Ask for a short update after each shift
• Pay attention to changes in mood, appetite, or behavior
• Set clear guidelines for what counts as urgent versus routine

On Herewith, you can request Care Notes after each shift. These reports include a summary of the day, how your loved one is feeling, and any important updates from the Helper.

It’s a simple way to stay connected to your loved one’s care, even when you’re not there in person.

Finding the right caregiver takes time (& it’s worth it)

Finding the right caregiver can feel like a lot to manage, especially when you’re already trying to support your loved one.

Taking the time to connect, ask the right questions, and set clear expectations early makes everything that follows easier.

You start the relationship with more clarity, more trust, and a better sense of whether this person is the right fit for your home.

On Herewith, that process is built into the platform.

You can chat with Helpers, request interviews, and manage communication in one place, without sharing personal details before you’re ready.

It gives you structure and support, while still letting you make the decision that feels right for your family.

Frequently asked questions about interviewing a caregiver before hiring

How do I prepare for a caregiver interview?

Write down your loved one's daily routine, specific care needs, and any scheduling preferences before the call. The clearer you are about the role, the easier it is for candidates to tell you honestly whether they're a good fit.

What questions should I ask when interviewing a caregiver?

Focus on four areas: experience, communication style, how they handle real situations, and logistics like availability and pay rate. Ask for references from previous clients or employers, and leave space for them to ask questions as well. That often tells you how engaged they are.

How do I interview a caregiver remotely?

A video call works well for most families and helps you get a sense of a caregiver’s personality while answering important questions. On Herewith, you can request a video interview through the platform, and a Customer Support team member will help coordinate the call.

How many caregivers should I interview before hiring?

Aim for at least two or three. Even if your first conversation goes well, comparing a few candidates helps you feel more confident in your final decision.

What should I look for when hiring an in-home caregiver?

Beyond experience, pay attention to how they communicate. Do they listen carefully? Are they clear and thoughtful in their responses? The right caregiver shows interest in your loved one as a person, not just the tasks involved.

How is interviewing a caregiver on Herewith different from hiring independently?

On Herewith, the process happens within the platform. Your contact details stay private until you’re ready to hire, interviews can be coordinated with support from the team, and background checks are completed before hiring is finalized. It removes much of the logistical work so you can focus on finding the right fit.