The senior living healthcare industry offers a rewarding and fulfilling career path for individuals passionate about helping seniors live their lives to the fullest.
A healthcare career at a senior living community offers many benefits if you’re passionate about making a difference in residents’ lives, you’re seeking job stability and career advancement opportunities, and want to join a team that feels like family.
Whether you are interested in nursing, rehabilitation, or other healthcare-related fields, The Kensington Falls Church may be the perfect place to begin your career.
Healthcare-related fields could include:
- Culinary
- Business administration
- Sales and marketing
- Music therapy
Learn about in-person group interviews and the benefits of working in an assisted living and memory care community.
What is an in-person group interview in senior living?
An in-person group interview is a job interview where multiple candidates are interviewed simultaneously by a group of multiple managers and directors. This type of interview is common in the healthcare field.
Candidates are typically asked a series of questions related to their skills, experience, and knowledge relevant to the position.
For example, at The Kensington Falls Church, questions could include:
- Why do you like to work with seniors? If you’re not currently, why do you want to?
- What kind of prior experience do you have?
- Our values include a love for seniors, passional for excellence, and a spirit to serve and respect each other. Which value do you connect with the most and why?
- Why do you want to work at The Kensington Falls Church?
The interview is usually conducted in a group setting to assess the candidates’ ability to work collaboratively with others, communicate effectively, and handle challenging situations.
During the interview, the interviewers may ask candidates to participate in group activities, such as role-playing exercises or case studies, to evaluate their problem-solving and critical-thinking skills.
The interviewers may also asses the candidates’ technical skills by asking them to perform specific tasks related to senior living healthcare, such as administering medication or providing basic care.
Benefits to in-person group interviews in senior living and healthcare
A senior living healthcare in-person group interview aims to identify the most qualified candidates. These candidates are generally passionate about working with seniors, have excellent communication and teamwork skills, and are committed to providing high-quality care to residents.
Collaboration
In senior living healthcare, teamwork is essential, and the ability to work collaboratively with others is critical. Conducting a group interview allows employers to observe how candidates interact with each other, communicate, and handle conflict in a group setting.
Job preview
Candidates are able to get a feel for the position in this type of interview. As a group, candidates may tour the neighborhood or shadow the position they’re interviewing for. They could also get a feel for the environment by meeting other team members and residents. This is also a good opportunity to ask questions regarding the position.
Tips to succeed in a group interview
In-person group interviews for senior living can be a challenging and competitive experience. Preparing and presenting yourself in the best way possible is essential to make a positive impression on the interviewers.
Research the organization
Research the company and learn its mission, vision, and values. Learn about their culture, history, and recent developments to show the interviewers that you’re interested in the organization. Prepare at least two or three questions to ask the interviewer as well to show that you’re interested in the organization.
Review the job description
Carefully review the job description and requirements to understand what is expected of you in the position. Make sure you’re familiar with the duties and tasks involved in senior living healthcare.
Practice active listening
Listening actively to other candidates and building on their answers during the group interview is essential. Don’t get too distracted trying to come up with what you’re going to say next. Be respectful and considerate in your interactions, and demonstrate your ability to work collaboratively with others.
Showcase your skills
Group interviews may include skill assessments or role-playing exercises, so be prepared to demonstrate your technical skills and knowledge of senior living healthcare. Show the interviewers you have the skills and experience required to provide high-quality care.
Be confident and authentic
Be confident in your responses and true to yourself. Highlight your strengths, experiences, and achievements while staying humble and open to feedback. In senior living, sharing personal stories and anecdotes give the interviewers a good sense of who you are as a person. Think about sharing a time when you were a caregiver for a loved one, for example.
Dress professionally
Dressing professionally for a job interview is essential for making a positive first impression.
You should wear formal attire, keep accessories simple, ensure you are well-groomed, and wear comfortable shoes. Avoid wearing anything too casual (including scrubs), revealing, bright, loud, and flashy colors.
Practice common group interview questions
Some common questions you may encounter include:
- Why do you want to work in senior living?
- What are your qualifications and experience in senior living healthcare?
- How do you handle difficult situations?
- How do you ensure the safety and well-being of residents in your care?
- Can you describe your experience working as part of a team?
- What are your strengths and weaknesses?
- Can you provide an example of a time you went above and beyond for a resident in your care?
- How do you manage your time and prioritize tasks in a busy senior living community?
Follow-up
After the interview, send a thank you email or thank you note to the interviewers. Express your gratitude for the opportunity and that you look forward to speaking with them in the future. This will demonstrate your interest in the position and the organization and help you stand out from other candidates.
Join a team that gives you a sense of community
The Kensington Falls Church is an assisted living and memory care community that provides our residents with enhanced, high-acuity care. This means that our care team can adapt as residents’ care needs change.
We take pride in offering specialized services, such as on-site rehabilitation, using the Postive Approach to Care™, and dedicated Alzheimer’s and dementia care.
Our Promise is to love and care for our residents as we do our own family, and we extend this promise to our team members.
If you’re interested in beginning your career in the senior living healthcare industry or trying to find a community where you can gain experience, The Kensington Falls Church may be the perfect place for you.
We offer our team the following benefits:
- Competitive salaries
- Health, life, 401K, & other benefits starting at 32 hrs/wk
- Generous paid time off
- Employee assistance program
- Complimentary lunches and dinners
Contact us or check out our blog to learn more about our senior living communities, services, upcoming events, volunteer positions, and career opportunities.