A support worker is a job in the social service field. If you plan to get this job, you need to apply for home care, orphanage, and rehabs. You can also change your current job if you are interested in this field. What comes after your application is an interview, through which you can meet the organization's managers. Since this episode is a challenging step, Fratres will introduce you to the most common support worker's interview questions.

How to Get a Support Worker's Job:

A support worker cares for a specific social category that doesn't have a shelter or those who suffer from tough circumstances, disabilities, and severe health conditions. The requirements for this position vary from one organization to another. They are mainly based on:

- Social Care :

From the moment a social case is received, the organization starts by identifying the necessities for social help, including the rehabilitation programs and equipment. Take a look at What to Do with your Sociology Degree in the UK?

-Foster-parenting and medical care :

The orphanage shall provide foster and medical care to every under-aged resident. A support worker in such an institution must maintain orphans medical files, especially for disabled children.

-Home care :

This care shall be provided to older people, who meet the conditions for admission to the home. A support worker is part of the professional team consisting of a doctor, a social worker, a physiotherapist, and a personal care worker. Find Active Care Homes in England

-Aid Collection :

Support workers are required to secure materials for social care organizations. They declare about the estimated funds and allowances allocated for care homes or orphanages. 

-Programs and Activities

Support workers are engaged in many cultural activities and programs such as enjoying reading some newspapers and books to residents, playing chess, and providing enriching activities for kids such as teaching handicrafts and developing many other hobbies.

 After exploring the various purposes of hiring a support worker. Let's take a look at the standard interview questions:

Q1: Why have you applied for a support worker's job?

This question investigates your professional choice and the reasons for your application. You can answer this question about your personal decisions and desires, your eligibility for this position, and your inclination. Here is an answer for child support worker:

I have applied for a support worker based on many reasons. First, I am an amicable person. I have always had a concern for people in need. As being helpful is part of my nature, I volunteered at a foster house for six months. I have the skills to look after kids, engaging them in enjoyable activities such as drawing, reading marvels, and gardening. This experience has shaped my professional choice. I become more interested in aiding children and learning about the skills employed to help them overcome some troubles and integrate them into society. I applied for this job because I believe that I am made for this field.

Q2: What was the hardest challenge that a support worker can meet:

This question is a type of situational plot, in which your answer is based on the STAR approach ( situation, task, activity, result). To better answer this question, you should focus on problem-solving skills and flexibility.

A support worker is always subject to many challenges. I think the lockdown period was the hardest challenge. This period was categorized as taking risks and fulfilling duties under pressure. It was hard for a support worker to limit the contact and reach the residents' needs, especially when the work conditions changed. Support workers, who were in duty during the lockdown, were pursuing work and banned from reaching their own families. They are also assigned to take precautions from residents and any outer contact. This situation makes you feel that you are surrounded by affected people, and you can be the source of affection at the same time. Therefore, it was one of the biggest challenges, even though many organizations managed to keep their activities on during that critical period.

Q3: What defines a successful support worker?

This question highlights the candidate's perception of success and what is required for a successful employee. You can structure your answer as follows:

For me, a successful support worker is a person who has reached an essential level of job satisfaction. Success in this field means contributing to a better society and offering an excellent example of professional commitment. Success comes after learning from beginner's mistakes and developing the necessary skills to feel comfortable.

Q4: What was your most significant achievement as a support worker?

This question targets applicant's strengths related to his professional milestones.

As a support worker, my biggest achievement lies in providing better living conditions for non-privileged people. I always try to increase charitable funds and contact authorities, providing excellent equipment to boost the organization's services. I also managed to bring positive results for residents who have learning disabilities. I researched to implement the recent techniques used to improve learning for autistic kids. Take a look at Top 5 Best Linguists Jobs in the UK with Handsome Salaries

Q5: What is the responsibilities that you cannot correctly handle as a support worker:

This question highlights your weaknesses as a support worker. Try to discuss what seems hard for you and suggest alternative roles that can fill the vacuum.

As a support worker, I always fear sudden accidents, especially when there is no one with me, who can interfere in hard times. I had a first-aid diploma in case of emergencies, and I know to whom I should resort to. Sometimes, I feel that we need more individuals to implement more care and precautions. I prefer being accompanied by a volunteer assistant, in case I have a fainted individual or lack of equipment. I think employing teamwork and sharing duties would make hard responsibilities less challenging.

These were the five conventional support workers' interview questions. You can structure your answer about the organization you are applying for and the nature of requirements listed in their job advert.