To begin with:
Introduce yourself and put them at ease by making general conversation:
"Did you find me easily enough?"
"Do you know this area?"
"How long did it take you to get here?"
Begin the interview by saying:
"Give me a little minute to look over the application form again"
Check for any gaps, or areas which seem too vague, such as:
- gaps in employment history;
- areas of the form which aren't completed;
- physical/mental health if they haven't mentioned it;
- no future plans.
Ask them to complete these areas on the application form.
Ask if they have any responsibilities which would affect their availability for the job at times - (e.g. children). If so, ask them to write that on the application form.
Keep the focus on them and their suitability for the job...
Don't let them interview you!
Possible interview questions
- Why does this type of work particularly appeal to you?
- How would you describe your personality?
- Do you have personal experience of illness - either yourself, or someone close to you?
- Do you have the patience to cope with someone who's very ill?
- If you became chronically sick, how would you want to live your life thereafter?
- Sometimes I don't talk much - will you be able to do the work, without much input from me?
- Sometimes I like peace and quiet - how would you feel if I asked you to stop talking?
- Supposing I asked you to leave the room? How would you feel?
- Are you good around the house?
- Are you good at ironing?
- Would you say you're a good cook?
- What other skills would you bring to this job?
- Are you efficient?
- How good are you at listening and following specific instructions?
- What would you do if I asked you to do something a particular way, and you did it a different way, so I asked you to do it again.
- Supposing you'd done it again, but you still hadn't done what I wanted, so I asked you to do it again. What would you do?
- Supposing you'd done it a third time, but you still hadn't done it the way I'd asked, so I asked you to do it again. What would you do?
- What would you be thinking and feeling like?
- What might I be thinking and feeling?
- Supposing you had an off-day, and just couldn't focus on the job at all. You kept forgetting what I'd asked for, I was getting really stressed and upset, but things still needed done. How would you cope?
- Thinking of qualities needed for this job, can you tell me what your strengths and weakness are
- Describe a time when you have faced adversity in your life and tell me what you did to overcome it.
- The job involves you in my home and private life. What should you keep private after a day's work?
- (How would you keep information about this job and my private affairs to yourself?)
- Which areas of the job do you think you might have difficulty with?
Ending the interview:
Give an opportunity for feedback with the following questions:
"Well, I think that's everything I need to know. Before you go - do you have any questions about the job?"
(N.B. If they start questioning you about your private life, whether you're single, live alone or whatever - say : "Oh, I haven't really got any time to chat - do you have any questions about the job itself, for example, the tasks or anything."). B very wary of anyone who starts prying about your overnight care, whether you live alone, etc. Always have a dismissive answer ready which gives the impression that you have someone there around the clock, even if you don't.e.g. "oh - that is all covered". Be very cautious about divulging any information. If they persist, just ask then why they want to know that, then look at the time, and say that you must press on..
"Now that you've met me and know a little more about the job, would you say it is what you were expecting?"
(If they say NO, ask "Why not? What are the pros and cons of this in your opinion?")
"How do you feel about the job now? Would you be interested in trying it?"
Then, either offer them the job, (subject to references), and discuss the details of start date, etc.. or say that you will put some thought into it, and will be in touch within a week if they have the job.
Finally, thank them for coming and bid them farewell...