Interview statistics suggest lack of confidence within the social care workforce

Professional ability is not always leading to confident job applicants, according to the results of a survey on social care interviews published today.

Specialist recruiter carried out the survey, which found that 40 per cent of care sector employees felt they had never been proficient in interviews, a figure considerably higher than the national average of 26 per cent.

The survey also found that almost half of interviewees (46 per cent) felt the process has become more difficult since the recession, while 61 per cent admitted to having experienced memory blanks within interviews and 35 per cent admitted to inadequate preparation.

Randstad Care managing director, Victoria Short, says: “While it is not uncommon to learn that some people find interviews daunting, it is worrying that so many workers in the health and social care sector regard themselves as poor interviewees. The statistic is put into even sharper focus when you consider that there is already a shortage of social care workers, with some of our previous research indicating that the sector needs to attract 1,500 new employees a year to keep pace with population growth. There is nothing to suggest that there is any problem with the quality of social care professionals we produce in this country, but a lack of confidence in interviews may be preventing workers from moving as freely as they would like between roles or even landing their first position.

“It may even be that social care workers are so used to putting others before themselves in their daily lives that they are slightly reluctant to blow their own trumpets when it comes to interviews. It is also likely that those working in healthcare find themselves moving organisation less than their contemporaries in other sectors so have less opportunity to hone their interview skills, as doctors and nurses were also modest about their interviewing abilities.”

Indeed, doctors and nurses were the only employees to record a higher percentage than social care, at 44 per cent, while those sectors with the most confident interviewees were found to be engineering and property.

Victoria Short continues: “Due to the demanding nature of the social care profession, interviews need to be rigorous to ensure that candidates have the appropriate experience and character to handle some of the requirements of the roles available. However, the demands of the profession mean care workers can become time poor and their interview preparation can suffer as a result. That’s where tailored interview tips specific to the profession can make a real difference.”