How to interview a caregiver

So many factors go into your decision to hire an in-home caregiver. Wondering how to evaluate your top candidates?

Interview your top caregiver candidates

You’ll have the opportunity to conduct a virtual interview before hiring. Your Herewith agent will help with scheduling and will attend the meeting with you to ensure everything goes smoothly and to assist with next steps.

To prepare for an interview, first, review the candidate’s Herewith profile and make note of anything there that you’d like to follow-up on in conversation. Next, create a list of your own questions or use our list to help you get a feel for the candidate’s personality, experience level, skills, and style of communication.

Top 10 questions to ask caregivers

1. What led you to become a caregiver?

2. What areas of specialty care do you have experience with?

3. Can you tell me a little bit about your style of communication with clients?

4. What are your strengths as a caregiver?

5. How have you challenged yourself to grow in your profession? (Classes, certificates, etc.)

6. What do you do when your client is having a hard day (angry, sad, depressed, in pain)?

7. What do you like to do outside of caregiving? Any hobbies or interests?

8. Can you tell me about a time when you really connected with a client and how you were able to create that bond?

9. What are ways you take care of yourself to avoid burnout on the job?

10. Are there any other factors that could affect your availability?

How to wrap up the interview

Finally, spend a couple minutes sharing your care recipient’s specific needs, routines, and care schedule, inviting questions from the candidate to make sure they have a thorough understanding of your expectations.

Be sure to thank them for their time and let them know when you plan on making a decision.

If you have any questions about hiring or would like additional support, give our live Care Experts a call at 415-506-9776.