The Interview

About 20 minutes
Same questions, every applicant

Welcome · 1 min"Thanks for coming in. This is just a conversation, there are no wrong answers. I'll ask about you and the care you've given, I'll tell you honestly what the job is like, and you can ask me anything. Is it OK if I record so I can listen to you instead of writing? The recording is written out by software and summarized to help me review it."

Your story 3 min

"Tell me a little about yourself, and how you came to caregiving."

If not covered: "What kinds of clients have you cared for, and what did you help them with?" · "In homes, facilities, or family?"

What you're looking for 3 min

"What are you looking for in your next job? Hours, pay, schedule, the kind of clients, anything. And what would make you want to stay somewhere a long time?"

"What made you leave your last job, or think about leaving?" · "How many hours a week do you need to make it work?"

A client you loved, one who was hard 3 min

"Tell me about a client you really enjoyed caring for, and one who was harder for you. What was the difference, and what did you do with the hard one?"

"What did you try?" · "How did it turn out?"

Something was wrong 2 min

"Tell me about a time a client refused care, or you noticed something was different or wrong. What did you do, and who did you tell?"

"How did it turn out?"

When things go sideways 2 min

"Tell me about a time you were running late, couldn't make a shift, or made a mistake at work. What did you do?"

If never: "If it happened tomorrow, what would you do?"

What isn't a fit 1 min

"Is there any kind of client, task, home or schedule that isn't a good fit for you? Anything you'd want more training on first?"

An honest "not for me" is matching information, never a mark against them.

New to caregiving?Questions 3 to 5 work just as well with "a family member you cared for" or "any job".

Quick check · 30 seconds (until the new onboarding starts)Dogs Cats A client who smokes Do they smoke Men or women clients Only ask what their application didn't answer.

Then turn over: the honest picture, their questions, next stepsCaring Companions · October 2026

The Honest Picture

Then their questions
and what happens next

Tell them the job as it really is · 2 min

Hours build. "New caregivers usually start with fewer hours and build up as we match you with clients. If you need a set number of hours from week one, tell me now so we can be honest about it."
Everyone starts at Level 1. "You start with Level 1 clients while we confirm your experience. Verified experience opens up Level 2 and 3, which means more clients."
The schedule follows the client. "Shifts come from what our clients need. When a client goes to the hospital or moves, hours can change, and we work to replace them."
The work itself. "Some days are companionship and meals. Some clients need bathing, toileting and help moving, and some have dementia and may be confused or upset."
Before your first client. "Your training is paid and done online from home. Then you clock in and out on your phone at every visit."
When something comes up. "If you are running late or can't make it, you call the office, never just the client. We always need to know so somebody is covered."

Then ask"Does any of that give you pause?" A worry raised now is a conversation. The same worry in week three is a resignation.

Close · 3 min"What questions do you have for me?" Then: "If we move forward, you'll get an offer by text and email, then your new-hire paperwork on your phone."

How to listen

Question	Strong signs	Follow up when
1 Your story	Warmth about people; a reason that is about the person, not just the paycheck	It doesn't match their application
2 Looking for	Clear about the hours and money they need; wants steady clients, a team, to be valued	They need more hours than we can promise early (say so)
3 Loved / hard	Specific moments; patience and respect for the hard client; changed their approach	They blame the client, or share private details
4 Something wrong	Noticed it, acted, told the office or family quickly	They waited, or kept it to themselves
5 Sideways	Called the office early; owns the mistake and what they changed	Would only text the client; always someone else's fault
6 Not a fit	Honest limits	Never against them: note it for matching

Never counts against anyone: an accent, nerves, grammar or how they speak · kids, a second job, the bus, or any life circumstance (only how they handled a problem counts) · an honest "not for me". Never ask about age, health, disability, religion, marriage, pregnancy or where they're from.

No scores. The recording and transcript do the note-taking; afterwards, note what to check with their references.Laminate · wipe clean