Top Tips for Job Searching in Care and Support
According to the King’s Fund, there are 1.5 million people working in adult social care in England, which includes 860,000 care workers, 83,000 senior care workers and 33,000 registered nurses.
However, more and more people require social care services and independent support. For example, in 2022/23, two million people requested support from their council – an increase of 11% since 2015/16. The increase in demand means that there’s also a growing need for more care and support workers.
People choose to work in social care because it’s a very rewarding career. The role of a support worker involves helping people live independently, ensuring they overcome challenges and building strong relationships with them. Ultimately, it’s about making a real difference in people’s lives.
So, if you’re considering a career change or have always wanted a job in the social care industry, we’re here to help you get there. In our blog, we’ll share our top five tips on searching for and securing a role in the social care sector.
Tip 1: Understand the Role
If you’re thinking about a career in the care and support sector, you first need to decide which role is right for you. Within the social care industry, there are a wide range of roles, such as support work at care homes, providing care for clients in their homes and working on-site at designated supported living facilities.
The right role for you will depend on your experience or personal preference, but whichever aspect of care and social work you decide on, you will need these key skills and qualities:
- Empathy
- Patience
- Good communication skills
- Compassion
- Organisational skills
- Adaptability
- Reliability.
You may also need specific qualifications for some roles, such as an NVQ in Health and Social Care, Levels 2 and 3 and a First Aid certificate.
However, some companies might not require you to have qualifications. At Aspire Personalised Care, we offer on-the-job training, so you don’t need to be qualified or have previous experience in the industry. That said, we need you to have the key skills and qualities of a care and support worker.
Tip 2: Utilise Online Job Boards
There are several online job boards with hundreds of care and support roles – and these are a great place to start if you’re looking for a job in the social care industry. Here are a few of the most popular job boards for care and support roles:
At Aspire Personalised Care, we’re also regularly on the lookout for talented support workers to come and join our team, so check out our website for job opportunities.
Job boards are great for finding roles, but they don’t always paint the whole picture of the company, so make sure you explore the company’s website and find out what their employees have to say about working there on review websites like Glassdoor.
When you’ve found a role that sounds perfect for you and your skills, we also recommend tailoring your CV and cover letter to the specific job posting. And remember that just because you don’t have specific experience doesn’t mean you can’t apply; use your transferable skills!
Tip 3: Network Effectively
Networking can increase your chances of landing your ideal role in the care and support industry.
Not only can networking give you access to experienced professionals already in the sector (who can offer advice and insight), but it also helps you come across more job opportunities and expand your network in the field.
Here are some ways you can network and build relationships with industry professionals, colleagues and managers:
- Attend networking events, such as national networking events and conferences or local events. Some national networking events you could attend include Care Show Birmingham, Care Roadshows, The Care Forum or Skills for Care.
- Use LinkedIn – On LinkedIn, you can connect with other industry professionals, engage with their content and ask them questions about the profession.
- Practice active listening – You need to be an excellent listener if you want to work in the care and support sector, and at networking events, you have the perfect opportunity to practice active listening (which is where you are receptive to what people are saying, taking in everything they say, presenting emotional intelligence and using non-verbal communication to show you’re interested in what they are talking about).
- Be willing to help other people – Networking isn’t all about you, so make sure you look for opportunities to help other people. This will ensure you make valuable connections and build strong relationships.
Tip 4: Prepare for Interviews
If you want to secure a care and support role, you must prepare for interviews. Interviews can feel daunting; however, if you prepare answers to potential questions that the interviewer may ask, you will feel much more at ease.
We recommend you research potential questions and prepare answers using specific examples of your skills. For example, a common interview question is: “Why do you want to work in care?”
A possible answer you could prepare for this question is: “I’ve always enjoyed helping and caring for people. Although I don’t have specific experience in the industry, I have caring experience from when I looked after my mother when she was ill. During her illness, I helped her with daily activities, such as going shopping, preparing and making food, giving her the medication she needed, and driving her to appointments. I believe this compassion and desire to help others will really allow me to excel in this role.”
Questions can also be specific such as: During a visit out with Joey, you bump into another Aspire worker who is also supporting an Aspire client. During this meeting, the Aspire worker starts discussing a client you don’t know openly What would you do?
If you can bring in real-life experience to show how you acted ethically, this can help your chances of being hired. In addition to preparing and practising questions and answers for the interview, you also need to ensure you are dressed professionally and arrive on time (or slightly early).
During the interview, you need to put your best foot forward and showcase the essential skills necessary to succeed in a care and support role: good communication and active listening. Make sure you build rapport with the interviewer, make eye contact, provide informative and clear answers, ask questions about the role, and ensure you listen carefully.
Tip 5: Highlight Your Strengths
Whether you have previous experience in the care and support industry or not, it’s crucial to highlight your strengths throughout your job search, including in your CV, cover letter, during networking events, and at interviews.
To ensure you highlight your skills and experience, you need to think about all your relevant qualities and knowledge about the care and support sector. For example, if you don’t have an NVQ but have cared for a relative or your children, you need to explain how you have cared for them, what skills you’ve learnt and how these skills tie into the job you’re applying for.
Remember, you can’t just say you have the skills; you need to use specific examples that showcase your expertise. When thinking about your skills and achievements, you also need to quantify them – such as the number of clients you’ve supported or the positive impact you’ve had on someone.
At Aspire Personalised Care, we often look for support workers who are empathetic, patient and reliable. These three qualities are key to a successful career in care; after all, you need to be able to show your clients empathy, understand how they feel, be prepared to be patient with them, and always show up when you say you will for them.
Are you thinking about starting a career in care and support? Or maybe you want to change gears and are looking for a more rewarding career? If so, a job in social care is for you! While no two days are ever the same in our industry, one thing remains the same: you will always have a rewarding role.
Now that you know how to search for and secure a role in the care and support sector, why not start your search today?
At Aspire Personalised Care, we have several support worker roles available and are always on the lookout for talented professionals to join us (so if you don’t see a role you think is right for you, feel free to get in touch with us anyway).
Find your next support role now: https://aspirepc.co.uk/join-team/