1. Research the Organisation

Now we don't normally offer dating advice, so this one is a freebie. 

Imagine being on a first date, and the person you're with can't even be bothered to remember your name. It's not a good look, and it's not likely to end in love hearts, especially if they're not willing to get to know you. 

Well, job interviewers are the same; why should they hire you if you don't know anything about them? How can they be certain you're right for their organisation? 

Before your interview, spend some time exploring the employer's website. Find out:

• Who they support
• The services they provide
• Their values and mission
• The specific role you're applying for

It's also worth reading the job description again before your interview. Understanding the organisation and role will help you give more relevant answers and demonstrate genuine interest in the position.

2. Show You Understand Person-Centred Care

One of the most common things we say to candidates in our process is: you can train someone in all the skills under the sun, but you can't teach somebody to care. That is something you're born with; it's part of your personality. 

Employers want to hear that you understand the importance of:

• Promoting independence
• Respecting dignity and choice
• Supporting people as individuals
• Tailoring care to meet personal needs and preferences

Even if you've never worked in care before, showing that you understand these values can make a strong impression.

3. Have Real-Life Examples Ready

The STAR's are coming out tonight, just not the ones you're familiar with. 

Most interviews will include questions about situations you've handled in the past.

A useful technique is the STAR method:

• Situation – What happened?
• Task – What needed to be done?
• Action – What did you do?
• Result – What was the outcome?

Think about examples that demonstrate:

• Teamwork
• Communication
• Compassion
• Reliability
• Problem-solving

These examples don't have to come from a care setting. Experience from retail, hospitality, volunteering, education or everyday life can all demonstrate valuable transferable skills.

4. Understand the Basics of Safeguarding

The key is in the name: care work is about caring for someone; care and safeguarding go together like residents and bingo. 

You don't need to be an expert, but employers expect candidates to understand that safeguarding is a key part of working in care.

Be prepared to explain:

• What safeguarding means
• Why it's important
• How you would report a concern
• Why protecting vulnerable people matters

Showing awareness of safeguarding demonstrates that you understand the responsibilities that come with supporting others. If you can demonstrate that, then BINGO, you're one step closer to landing that role. 

5. Let Your Values Shine Through

If employers wanted to watch someone read from a script, they'd turn on EastEnders. When it comes to a job interview, they want the real you.

And with that comes the most important interview tip of all: let your personality and values come across naturally.

As a wise council-funded project once said (Bury Care Academy a few paragraphs just before), employers can teach practical skills, but it's much harder to teach:

• Kindness
• Empathy
• Reliability
• Respect
• Honesty
• A willingness to learn

If you're new to care, be honest about your experience and focus on the strengths you already have. Employers are often more interested in your attitude and potential than your previous job title.

If you're exploring different routes into care, take a look at our guides on How to Become a Care Assistant and How to Become a Support Worker to learn more about the opportunities available.