I interview many, many people. I love it! I am energized by meeting great new people.
And since I need to be meeting many new caregivers to keep up with the demand for in-home senior care in our community — I get to do it a lot! It’s really imperative to find the RIGHT people to send in to a senior’s home.
And for the family to have peace of mind that their loved one is being looked after by the RIGHT person it’s so crucial to get to know a potential employee as much as possible.
When one only has a limited amount of time to get to know someone, like over a couple of interviews, it’s really important to ask questions that get right to the point. Right to the heart of the person. Here are a few of my favourites!
What five words best describe the person you are?
This is the Reader’s Digest version of getting to know someone’s key personality traits in under a minute. Interesting is what 5 words they choose when they have to be selective and quick.
What are your three biggest character flaws?
It’s a tough one to answer…and it’s surprising how honest people are when they are nervous…like in an interview!
What’s the hardest thing you’ve done?
The answer will indicate life experience, mental toughness, strength — and it will hint at their values as well. It may also tell how well they respond to challenges as well.
What are five things you want more of right now? (Could be physical things, characteristics, ideas, etc.)
More learning about the individual’s values.
Also may provide some insight into where the individual experiences struggles, and what matters to them the most.
What are five things you want to do before you die?
This question digs at their values a bit more, and it also can be just a fun question to ask someone when learning more about them.
Travel and excitement are often at the base of this answer…but sometimes an emotional response comes, like reconciling with a parent, sibling or child.
If you could have any job, what would it be and why?
Values, interests, and personality come out in the answer to this question. Sometimes the depth of their personality is revealed as well. If there’s a common theme through these questions — and why they are some of my favourites — it’s the individual’s values.
A person’s behaviours may change over time…but values never do. They are the foundation of a person. So when I need to get to know someone at their core, and fast, their values speak to me. There are many other questions that are fun to ask too…people are fascinating!
Have some fun with these questions with people in your own circle…Hopefully they ‘interview’ well.
Chris Wilkinson is the owner/GM of Nurse Next Door Home Care Services for Cowichan and central Vancouver Island. For questions or a free in-home caring consult call 250-748-4357, or email
Cowichan@NurseNextDoor.com