Tips for Interviewing Well

You’ve done some of the hardest work already. Set up a great profile, completed your background screenings and training. Now you have an interview setup. How do you ace the interview?

1. Remember you are a professional. Here is where a little advice from the former Editor in Chief of Cosmopolitan comes in handy. Helen Gurley-Brown was quoted as saying, “Its not whether you win or lose, its not even how you play the game, its how you look doing it.” Arrive at your interview looking like the professional you are. Dress professional. This does not mean you need to dress in scrubs. Everyone knows that many caregivers work in scrubs. Dress as if you are going to interview for any job, business professional.
2. Bring your resume. If you do not have a resume, write one. Make sure it is professional. You can use a template, but you still must be sure it is grammatically correct. Everyone recommends having a friend read it for you. Bad idea. Why? Friends are on the same level as you. If you misspelled something or don’t know where to place commas, chances are your friends are in the same boat. Find a teacher you had a good relationship with in school or a person you know who is already a successful working professional and ask for their help.
3. Reference Letters. Along with that great resume, bring at least three letters of reference with you, more if possible. You want at least one or two from previous employers, depending on the length of your work experience. If you’ve only had one previous job, then you are only going to have one letter. So, get your other letters from teachers, pastors, counselors and professionals who can vouch for your outstanding character. You want these letters to highlight your dependability, trustworthiness and compassion. You don’t need them to speak to your bubbly personality. That will shine through in person.
4. Be on time. Prospective clients are looking for someone to care for a member of the family. Emotions are running very high as well as stress levels. Do not add fuel to the fire by showing up late. Be polite and friendly. Smile, make eye contact and have a firm handshake. These may be things you need to practice with someone before interviewing. If you have not had to do this before or are one the many who are uncomfortably shy around new people.
5. Be Confident. You must project confidence. Again, this cannot be stressed enough. The person you are interviewing with is asking you to care for a dear loved one. Consider how you would feel if the roles were reversed. Confidence comes across in both speaking and body language. When answering questions be direct. Never be evasive or distracted. Sit up straight, focus your full attention on the interview. Offer more than yes or no answers. Elaborate on appropriate topics.

Finally, come prepared with your own list of questions for the interviewer. An interviewee who shows up for an interview without questions is an unprepared interviewee. An unprepared caregiver is not a Qualified Caregiver.