Support worker Interview Questions

‘I grew up as an only child and eventually had to help my mother care for my elderly grandmother who lived with us. This experience has taught me how to be patient and compassionate if someone is physically unable to perform certain tasks, and how to persist in difficult situations.’

‘In my previous support worker role, I worked with a client who suffered from agoraphobia and social anxiety and found it difficult to leave his home. We came up with a step-by-step plan with achievable milestones that gradually increased his confidence. We started by going for five-minute walks, and over the course of a few weeks, the client achieved his goal of going to the local supermarket with me. I was so happy that I was able to help him by being patient and setting achievable goals.’

‘In my last role, I supported elderly clients in an aged-care home, which I thoroughly enjoyed. On a day-to-day basis, I was responsible for helping residents with daily hygiene tasks, administering medication and serving their meals. Basically, I made sure that everyone’s individual needs were met. I was supervised by a senior staff member and regularly received constructive feedback on my work, which allowed me to develop my skills and grow in the support worker role.’

‘As support workers, we care for clients and empathise with their difficulties and needs, so it’s only natural that some clients may get attached to us. I know that it’s helpful to have a connection with patients, but we can’t see them as friends. Sometimes I gently need to remind my clients that I’m a paid service provider and need to keep a professional distance at all times.’

‘I really love working as a support worker and can’t see myself doing anything else. Having said that, in a few years’ time, I may want to progress into a supervisor role or manage an aged-care home to create my own support plans and better help people. But I absolutely want to stay in the support sector to continue to help people.’

‘I once arrived at a client’s home to find she had slipped in the bathroom and injured herself. I stayed with her for reassurance and to keep her calm and immediately called an ambulance. In the meantime, I went through all the steps I’d learned in my first aid course and stabilised the client. I always keep my first aid knowledge up to date because I know how quickly mishaps can happen.’

‘At my previous company, I was hired to support a client who turned out to be the cousin of one of my other clients, and unfortunately, they were not on good terms. Both would regularly try to find out private details about the other, but I never gave away any information and refrained from discussing their cousin at all times. Maintaining confidentiality is a matter of course for me, even in sensitive situations like this.’

‘I’m well aware that providing support services can be stressful at times. However, I thrive under pressure and have always been able to successfully balance different demands in both my personal and my professional life. When I was a student, I had a part-time job for over 20 hours a week and a full-time study load at the same time, and I managed both for over two years. In my spare time, I like to meditate to help me relax and be mentally fully prepared for my job.’

‘I once arrived at a client’s home to find them distraught because their therapy appointment for the day was cancelled at the last minute. I sat down with them and calmed them down until they felt better. We then called the psychologist together and managed to schedule an emergency session later that day. I voluntarily worked two hours overtime that afternoon to make sure I could take the client to and from their appointment.’

‘From a young age, it’s been my goal to work in a care profession. I’ve always known that I have a passion for working with elderly or disabled people. I really enjoy helping them with their day-to-day tasks and making their lives a bit easier.’