12 Aged Care Interview Questions You Should Be Prepared For
First published: October 2023
Written by: Ethan Mather and Nadia Bouzenada
Are you ready to embark on a fulfilling career in aged care or are you looking to move beyond your current role? Mastering the art of aged care interview questions is an important step towards becoming an aged care worker, and we’re here to guide you through the 12 questions you will definitely be asked.
Why is aged care interview preparation crucial?
In the realm of healthcare, particularly in the vital field of aged care, compassion, empathy, and proficiency is paramount. Employers are seeking candidates who not only possess the necessary skills but also demonstrate a genuine dedication to improving the lives of our elderly community members. This is where our comprehensive guide comes into play, outlining some typical questions: situational, regulatory and behavioural, as well as some helpful tips for the interview.
Top aged care interview questions
Aged care interview questions are typically situational, regulatory, and behavioural. A few examples of some common questions for each are listed below:
Situational aged care interview questions
Aged care is a busy setting, and you will need to be prepared to tackle daily as well as unexpected challenges. Showing you can work under pressure, get things done, and work at pace will strengthen your answers.
Q. Tell us about a challenging situation you faced while caring for an elderly individual. How did you handle it?
A. Talk about an incident where you had to think on your feet, resolve an issue quickly and keep the care for the resident as a top priority.
Q. How do you deal with prioritising multiple tasks whilst dedicating adequate time to each resident?
A. This is a great question to show off your time management and organisation skills. With aged care being a fast-paced environment, showing that you can juggle and manage multiple things at once will be invaluable to the interviewer.
Q. How would you handle unexpected situations that may arise in aged care?
A. Similarly, this is how you show you can adapt to difficult scenarios that may arise. Use past examples to strengthen your answer and demonstrate that you can keep calm in these situations, as this is what the interviewer is looking for.
Q. How would you approach difficult conversations with colleagues, resident families and other external stake holders?
A. This question gives you the opportunity to demonstrate your compassion. Conversations in aged care won’t always be easy but showing that you can be clear and concise whilst displaying empathy is paramount.
Regulatory aged care interview questions
The aged care industry has numerous regulatory bodies and processes to conform to. Understanding the different bodies and their respective regulatory guidelines is critical, and therefore your knowledge will be tested to ensure suitability for the role.
Q. Describe your understanding of the role of (job title) in aged care.
A. This is more of a factual question. Going through your studies, work experience and knowledge of the industry is what they are looking for here.
Q. What do you know about the new Aged Care Quality Standards and Aged Care Code of Conduct?
A. Make sure to research these beforehand if you aren’t already clued up on them. If this question does not come up for any reason, you can still showcase your knowledge in the previous question.
Q. What do you know about the Australian National Aged Care Classification?
A. Similar to the above, make sure that you show off your knowledge of this as it relates to funding within aged care.
Q. What do you understand about the quality indicators in the aged care industry?
A. Be prepared for this question. The Quality Indicator (QI) program  collects data on a quarterly basis from Residential Aged Care homes which is used to improve the quality of services to residents.
Behavioural aged care interview questions
For an aged care home to run smoothly, it requires cooperation and successful teamwork from all workers. Displaying you can work efficiently in a team but also communicate effectively with the residents will impress your interviewer.
Q. Can you describe a successful collaboration you had with colleagues to improve the quality of care for seniors?
A. These questions are about displaying your personality as the right fit for the company and role. Highlight your ability to cooperate and thrive in a team environment, providing examples where possible.
Q. How do you ensure effective communication with residents who may have cognitive or communication impairments?
A. Display your ability to communicate in a variety of different ways. Highlight verbal and non-verbal communication methods and include examples of where effective communication has worked for you in the past.
Q. What motivates you to work in aged care, and how do you maintain your passion for it?
A. This is about showing that this is not just a career for you, but that you have a genuine enthusiasm for it, guided by your caring nature. Acknowledging that it is a difficult industry to work in, followed by how you keep your motivation up will make a great answer here.
Q. How do you manage stress and prevent burnout in a demanding caregiving role?
A. Delving into techniques with how you personally manage stress and how you can aid your colleagues will show that you can keep morale up and lift your own spirits and well as those around you.
Expert Aged Care Interview Tips
Now you are prepared for the questions you will need to answer, we have some additional tips that will help you deliver the best answers possible. To ensure you stand out from the competition, see the tips below!
Cultivate empathy: Aged care is all about compassion. Showcase your empathy by sharing personal experiences or stories that highlight your ability to connect with seniors on a deeper level, also bearing in mind cultural sensitivities.
Highlight communication skills: In your aged care interview, you will want to display effective communication skills as this is key in aged care. Be ready to discuss how you can navigate challenging conversations with sensitivity and patience.
Teamwork and collaboration: Emphasise your teamwork and collaboration abilities. Aged care often involves working closely with a team of professionals to ensure the best care possible.
Showcase adaptability: Aging is a dynamic process, and roles in aged care often require flexibility. Share examples of how you’ve adapted to evolving situations in your previous experiences.
Clinical skill and knowledge: Be prepared to discuss your clinical skills, especially those relevant to aged care, such as wound care, medication management, falls management and dementia care. Also show your awareness of aged care regulations and how you maintain knowledge in relation to this.
Quiz the quizzer: Prepare thoughtful questions to ask the interviewer about the home, team dynamics, and any specific challenges they face. Some questions that you could ask that will impress your interviewer could be:
- When did you enter the aged care industry and what has your journey been like?
- Research the home you are applying for beforehand to show you are prepared, but feel free to ask more in-depth questions about how it’s run, showing your knowledge but expressing a keen desire to work there.
- What does a typical day look like in the home?
- What makes the home different compared to other homes in the area?
By preparing for frequently asked aged care interview questions and understanding these expert tips, you’ll be well-equipped to shine in your interview and contribute positively to the lives of the elderly.
Remember, aged care is a noble calling, and your dedication can make a profound difference in the lives of seniors. Let your passion and expertise shine through in your interview, and success will be within your grasp.
Aged care job opportunities with Sanctuary Recruitment
Sanctuary Recruitment is Australia’s number one aged care recruitment agency. We specialise in getting the right job for you. Click below to see the jobs we have available or call us on 02 8459 8101 for more information.
