Go beyond looking at the organisation's website before your interview. Search for news articles about them, check out their social media, and find out about their leadership team. Then weave that information into the conversation.
Dress conservatively and keep it plain and simple. The interviewer needs to be focused on you, not your accessories or makeup. For in-person interviews, also avoid dousing yourself in perfume or aftershave.
For in-person interviews, make sure you bring: copies of your CV / Resume, references, a pen and notepad (taking notes during the interview makes you look engaged), and photo ID in case you need it to enter the building.
Aim to arrive 10–15 minutes early. This goes for online interviews too. You should have all your tech fully set up, tested and working 10–15 minutes before the start time.
Bring some energy to the interview; show that you're passionate about care and the role you're applying for. Speak distinctly and confidently, and make plenty of eye contact (for online interviews, remember eye contact means looking at the camera, not the screen!).
Showing you're a good listener is particularly important in care settings. Don't interrupt, make sure your mobile is off, and in person, lean forward and face the interviewer directly.
Use anecdotes to demonstrate your skills. Include quantifiable achievements, that means using numbers where possible ("I improved occupancy by 15%" or "I reduced agency spend by £30,000 over six months").
When the interviewer asks, "Do you have any questions?". "No" is the wrong answer. Here are a few suggestions:
Stay at the top of the interviewer's mind by writing to thank them for their time. Let them know you're still very interested in the role and happy to answer any further questions they might have.
Your interviewer is looking for a balance. Use language suggesting empathy, compassion and genuine commitment to the people you support, but also reference your training, years of experience, reliability and responsibility.
Tailor this to the setting. The qualities that matter in dementia care differ from those that matter in children's residential or mental health services, so be specific to the role.
This applies whether you're discussing dementia, learning disabilities, mental health conditions, or trauma-informed care for children and young people. Highlight any relevant training or experience and make clear your approach is rooted in positive, person-centred practice.
Name specific techniques relevant to your sector, for example, positive behaviour support in learning disabilities settings, de-escalation techniques in mental health services, or trauma-informed approaches in children's residential care.
Your body language and expression matter here. If you don't look pleased to be asked the question, you've already answered it! As well as mentioning qualities like professionalism, compassion and reliability, try to get across that the employer was sorry to see you go or that the circumstances of your leaving were positive.
This might be a resident who refuses care, a young person in crisis, or a safeguarding concern. The principle is the same regardless of setting.
The best response is to describe a similar situation you handled successfully. Demonstrate empathy, calm decision-making, and a focus on positive resolution rather than confrontation.
Show that you understand the organisation's culture and the people they support, what distinguishes it from other providers, and why you're a good match. Don't be afraid to mention personal connections, such as a friend or relative who was a carer or service user.
This is just a taster of the one-to-one support you'll receive when you register with us. To find out more, submit your CV today.
