266. CCA Study Notes: Job Interviews, Preparation, Conduct, and Follow-up

The Big Picture

A job interview gives an employer or client a chance to decide whether you fit the support worker position. They look at your education and skills, but they also pay attention to how you communicate, behave, listen, and respond to other people.

Good preparation helps you think and speak more clearly when you feel nervous. Your preparation starts before interview day and continues through your appearance, conduct, answers, and follow-up.

Look for Nova Scotia CCA Notes throughout this page for current provincial guidance.

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Course Notes: Key Ideas You Need to Know

What the Interviewer Is Looking For

An interviewer wants to decide whether you are the right person for the support worker position.

The interviewer considers whether you:

• Have the required educational qualifications.
• Have the necessary skills or are able to learn them.
• Will work well with clients and co-workers.
• Will act as a reliable, responsible, and motivated employee.
• Understand confidentiality ⓘ and professional workplace boundaries ⓘ.

The interview also gives the employer a chance to assess personal qualities such as compassion, respect, and enthusiasm. Your listening, speaking, and comfort around other people also affect the impression you make.

Qualities and Abilities You Might Be Asked About

Interview questions often explore how you handle different demands of support work.

An interviewer might want to know whether you:

• Handle the stress of working with seriously ill people.
• Bring something useful and individual to the organization and the care you provide.
• Deal effectively with interpersonal conflict ⓘ.
• Respond calmly and responsibly during an emergency.
• Act firmly and assertively ⓘ with clients when needed.
• Adapt to different situations.
• Handle several demands and conflicts.
• Work with minimal supervision.
• Show initiative.
• Work effectively as part of a team.
• Handle routine problems independently.
• Act discreetly ⓘ.
• Respect individual differences.
• Learn quickly.
• Manage your time effectively.

Situational Questions

A situational question asks what you would do in a particular situation.

The interviewer might:

• Give you an imaginary situation and ask how you would respond.
• Ask you to describe how you handled a real situation from your past.

These questions help the interviewer learn how you would respond in a particular situation.

Prepare for the Position

Learn as much as you reasonably have access to before the interview.

Review:

• The nature of the position.
• The employer’s services.
• The clients the employer serves.
• The employer’s philosophy ⓘ.
• Public information from the employer’s website or brochures.
• Information from friends, instructors, or acquaintances who know the agency or facility.
• Skills and qualities that are important in support work.

Review Your Own Qualities and Experience

Think carefully about what you bring to the position.

Review your:

• Values.
• Skills.
• Personal qualities.
• Interests.
• Goals.
• Strengths.
• Weaknesses.

Write these points down. Add specific experiences that show each quality or skill.

This preparation gives you examples to draw on when the interviewer asks about your abilities.

Review Your Portfolio

A portfolio is a binder or electronic file containing useful information about you as an applicant. It might contain certificates, recommendation letters, awards, proof of volunteering, or other relevant information.

Before each interview, decide which parts of your portfolio matter most for that particular employer.

Bring your portfolio with you. The interviewer might want copies of some pages.

Prepare Your References and Resumé

A reference is a person who speaks to a potential employer about your skills, abilities, and personal qualities.

Most employers require at least three references.

Prepare a printed reference list. Use the same font as your resumé.

A resumé is a concise one-page or two-page summary of your experience, education, work-related skills, and personal qualities.

Print a hard copy of your resumé and attach your reference list to it.

Review Your Letter of Application

A letter of application, also called a cover letter, goes with a resumé. It summarizes the job you are applying for and your reasons for applying.

Before the interview, review both your letter of application and your resumé.

Think about why the employer selected you for an interview. Also consider concerns the interviewer might have.

For example:

• Limited work experience might raise questions about maturity.
• A history of staying in jobs for less than a year might raise questions about commitment.

Prepare to address concerns that apply to your own employment history.

Group Interviews With More Than One Applicant

Sometimes an agency interviews two or more applicants together, especially when it needs to fill several positions.

The interviewer might ask one applicant a question, then invite the other applicants to respond. Individual interviews might follow the group interview.

A group setting might make you feel less nervous because other applicants are with you. It might also feel intimidating because you hear their answers.

Remember that employers compare applicants even during individual interviews.

During a group interview:

• Pay attention to your body language.
• Listen while other applicants answer.
• Appear friendly and polite.
• Never interrupt another applicant while that person speaks.

This interview format also helps interviewers observe teamwork and communication skills.

Interviews With More Than One Interviewer

Another interview format involves one applicant and two or more interviewers.

The interviewers usually take turns asking prepared questions. They sometimes ask an additional question to clarify something you said.

These interviews often feel thorough. You might leave feeling overwhelmed.

Interviewers look at how you handle questions and whether your answers seem honest and sincere. They might also test your problem-solving ability with questions beginning with wording such as, “What would you do if…?”

When one interviewer asks a question:

• Make eye contact with that interviewer.
• Use friendly and approachable words.
• Keep your body language friendly and approachable.

Practise Before the Interview

Practice helps build confidence.

When you practise, focus on:

• Eye contact.
• Listening.
• Relaxation techniques.
• Your responses to likely questions.

Also practise your interview posture. Sit only after the interviewer invites you to sit. Sit comfortably straight without slouching.

Try to remember the interviewer’s name.

Practise Listening

Listening plays an important role in both interviews and support work.

Avoid these listening problems:

• Losing concentration while the interviewer speaks.
• Failing to ask for clarification when a question is unclear.
• Talking too much.
• Answering too quickly without thinking first.

Practise Relaxation

Feeling relaxed helps you listen more attentively.

Deep breathing and other relaxation techniques help reduce interview tension.

Practise Common Interview Questions

Many interviewers ask similar questions. Practising your answers ahead of time helps you prepare.

Questions About You

You might hear questions such as:

• Tell me about yourself.
• What are your strengths?
• What are your weaknesses?
• Why do you want to become a support worker?
• What three qualities do you think matter most in a support worker?
• What do you bring to support work?
• What do you think presents the biggest challenge in support work?
• What do you like most or least about support work?

Questions About Previous Work

Prepare to discuss previous employment.

Questions might cover:

• Your last job.
• What you liked most or least about that job.
• Why you left.
• What a typical workday looked like.
• How you managed your time.
• What you learned.
• What your former supervisor would say about your strengths and weaknesses.

Questions About Your Past Actions

Interviewers might ask you to describe:

• A time when you handled several demands.
• An example of working as part of a team.
• A time when you showed initiative.
• A problem at work and how you handled it.
• A conflict with a client or co-worker and how you handled it.

Made-Up Scenarios

An interviewer might describe a made-up situation and ask how you would respond.

Some employers use a scenario involving a worker witnessing abuse by a co-worker. They might ask what you would do when witnessing the situation and what you would do afterward.

Plan Ahead for Interview Day

Planning reduces avoidable problems on interview day.

Before the interview:

• Decide what you will wear.
• Make sure your clothing is clean and pressed.
• Get a haircut if needed.
• Keep beards and mustaches neatly trimmed and professional in appearance. Beards worn for religious reasons are permitted.
• Practise the route if you do not know the interview location.
• Leave at least 30 minutes of extra travel time for possible traffic delays.
• Bring your portfolio.
• Bring notepaper and a working pen.
• Research the facility or agency through available websites.
• Prepare a few informed questions to ask the interviewer.

Researching the employer also shows initiative and interest in working there.

Make a Professional First Impression

First impressions are crucial during an interview. A poor first impression can be difficult to change, even if the rest of the interview goes well.

Present a calm and professional image from your first contact with a potential employer. This includes situations where you visit only to pick up an application form.

Pay attention to your grooming, clothing, and conduct during both in-person and online interviews.

Grooming

Keep your appearance neat and professional.

The interview guidance includes these grooming points:

• Keep your hair clean, neat, and away from your face.
• Brush and floss your teeth.
• If you drink a lot of coffee or smoke, bring breath mints, but remove them before the interview.
• Avoid wearing too much makeup.
• Wear minimal jewellery.
• Avoid large bracelets, rings, and earrings.
• Remove body ornaments that do not have a religious origin, such as nose rings and eyebrow studs.
• Cover tattoos that might be considered offensive.
• Do not wear perfume, cologne, or heavily scented lotion.
• Keep your nails trimmed.
• If you wear nail polish, choose a neutral colour.
• Keep facial hair trimmed and well groomed.
• If possible, wash and thoroughly dry your hands before shaking hands, especially if nervousness makes your palms perspire.

Clothing

Choose clothing that looks professional, fits properly, and remains comfortable while you sit and move.

For men, the guidance gives examples such as:

• A professional, businesslike shirt.
• Dress pants.
• Socks.
• Shoes.

For women, the guidance gives examples such as:

• A dress.
• A blouse or sweater with a skirt.
• A blouse or sweater with tailored pants.

Also follow these clothing points:

• Do not wear jeans, T-shirts, or shorts.
• Wear clothing that fits properly.
• Make sure clothing is in good repair and free of wrinkles.
• Fully cover undergarments.
• Make sure undergarments do not show through clothing.
• Avoid tight-fitting or revealing clothing.
• Try your outfit on at home.
• Practise sitting and walking in it, preferably in front of a mirror.
• Use a full-length mirror if you have access to one.
• Check pantyhose or tights for holes or runs.
• Carry an extra pair of pantyhose or tights if you wear them.
• Wear shoes that are in good repair and well polished.
• Avoid running shoes, sandals, and shoes with very high heels.

Conduct Before the Interview Starts

For an in-person interview, arrive in the reception area 5 to 10 minutes before the interview.

For an online interview, be ready at least 5 minutes before the scheduled time.

Also follow these conduct guidelines:

• Do not bring another person into the interview.
• If someone drives you, ask that person to wait outside.
• For an online interview, choose a room where nobody will interrupt you.
• Do not carry your cellphone in your hand.
• Put your cellphone in your purse, pocket, or holster.
• Shut your cellphone off for the interview.
• Do not chew gum, smoke, or eat while waiting.
• Make sure your clothing does not smell of tobacco.
• Do not ask to use the phone while waiting.
• Do not make cellphone calls or send text messages while waiting.
• Do not start a conversation with the receptionist unless the receptionist speaks to you first.
• Use deep breathing if you feel nervous.

How to Act During the Interview

Introduction and Body Language

When you meet the interviewer:

• Smile.
• Make eye contact.
• Nod when introducing yourself.

Maintain physical distance when pandemic precautions are in effect.

Do not use the interviewer’s first name unless the interviewer asks you to do so. Still address the interviewer by name.

Project confidence through your posture and behaviour.

• Sit or stand with good posture.
• Breathe deeply to relax.
• Avoid nervous habits such as picking your fingernails or playing with your hair.
• Watch for gestures that might create a negative impression, such as crossed arms.
• Look the interviewer in the eye.
• Keep your hands folded in your lap when seated.
• Use appropriate eye contact while speaking.

Listen Before You Answer

Listen carefully to each question.

Careful listening helps you answer directly and concisely. Ask the interviewer to repeat a question when needed.

Do not rush your answer. Nervousness sometimes makes people speak quickly.

Slow down. Take a deep breath. Think about the question before answering.

An answer delivered too quickly might sound rehearsed.

Answer Honestly

Must: Give honest answers.

If you do not understand a question or feel unsure about your answer, say so.

Do not hide parts of your past because you think they might disqualify you. Explain what you learned from past mistakes and what you changed afterward.

For example, if a previous employer fired you, explain why and describe how you corrected the behaviour involved.

Speak Positively About Previous Employers

Do not demean, ridicule, criticize, or show anger toward a previous employer during the interview.

Speaking negatively about a former employer might suggest a negative attitude or difficulty with authority.

Support Your Opinions With Experience

When an interviewer asks for your opinion, support your answer with an example from your own experience.

If you lack work experience, use an example from your course of study.

Ask Appropriate Questions

Interviewers often finish by asking whether you have questions.

You do not need to invent a new question if the interview already answered everything you prepared. You might explain that the discussion covered all your questions.

If you still have a question, make sure it fits the interview.

Do not ask about:

• Salary.
• Benefits.
• Hours.
• Vacation time.

Ask about those subjects after the employer offers you the position.

End the Interview Professionally

Thank the interviewer for their time.

Show confidence and enthusiasm about the position. Keep your comments genuine.

Follow Up After the Interview

Send a brief thank-you note after the interview.

Write it as soon as possible and no later than the day after the interview.

The note shows enthusiasm and courtesy. It might also help distinguish you from other applicants.

You may prepare the note on a computer or write it by hand.

If you write it by hand:

• Use a plain white note card.
• Write at least one draft before making the final copy.
• Ask someone else to read the note before you send it.

Mail the thank-you note instead of sending it by email. This shows the employer that you were willing to make an effort.

In the note:

• Thank the interviewer for the interview.
• Reinforce your interest in the position.
• Sign your name.