Sierra Madre Chamber of Commerce Spring Mixer: An Evening of Networking & Community Spirit
Thursday, April 11th 5pm-7pm. Click HERE & RSVP Today!
Open Mobile Menu
Sierra Madre Chamber of Commerce Spring Mixer: An Evening of Networking & Community Spirit
Thursday, April 11th 5pm-7pm. Click HERE & RSVP Today!
Open Mobile Menu
prep for your interview

Top 9 Ways to Prep For Your Next Interview 

If you’re interested in beginning a career at a senior living community, you may be curious about how to prepare for your following job interview. 

Like with any interview, you will want to be prepared and make a great first impression. 

The Kensington Sierra Madre is a great senior living community to help you gain experience and build a life-long career. 

Our team is passionate about helping seniors maintain and improve their well-being and helping them to age in place with dignity.

Are you passionate about the elderly and helping make a positive difference in their lives? If so, check out our community, job positions, and volunteer opportunities.

Read on to learn how to prepare for your senior living interview, what interview questions to expect, and where to apply to a loving senior living community.

Top 9 interview prep tips

Interviews are an opportunity for you to showcase your skills and experience to a potential employer. 

You can increase your chances of success with proper preparation and a positive attitude. 

Research Employer

Familiarize yourself with the company’s mission, vision, services, and history. This will help you understand their culture and align your answers accordingly. Particularly, you could learn their core values or mission statement, typically found in the About Us section of the website. 

This is a great chance for you to tell a personal anecdote about a time you embodied their mission and core values in your professional life. 

Review the job description

Make sure you know the job requirements and responsibilities. A job description will help you understand what the employer is looking for in a candidate. Similarly to the company’s core values, use the job description as a guide on which of your own skills and experiences to highlight. 

Create a list of questions

Prepare a list of questions to ask the interviewer about the company, the job position, and their expectations. This shows that you are interested and engaged. Use this time to clarify anything about the position, such as policies and benefits. 

Another good question (if they haven’t already answered) is what a typical day in this position looks like. You’ll get a big-picture understanding of what you’ll be dealing with day-to-day. 

Prepare with common interview questions

Practicing before a job interview can help you formulate thoughtful and relevant responses instead of feeling caught off-guard or unprepared. Come up with two or three key answers to questions like, “tell me about yourself,” and “why do you think you’re a good fit for this position?”

Bring copies of your resume

Even if you have already submitted your resume to the company, having a hard copy on hand is beneficial. It will show you are prepared and can help you answer questions easier. You can also readily provide it for anyone in the interview that you didn’t expect. 

Dress for success

Dress professionally and conservatively to help yourself make a good first impression. You will want to be comfortable but not underdressed. You should also avoid anything flashy. Even if you’re interviewing for a nursing position, dress in business casual attire rather than scrubs. 

Arrive early 

Showing up 10-15 minutes before your scheduled interview will show the company that you are punctual and responsible.

Eye contact

It’s important to make eye contact and smile during your interview, as it will show that you are engaged and interested in the conversation. This will also show the interviewer how you’ll likely interact with the residents.  

Follow-up thank you

Send a thank-you note to the interviewer after the interview, thanking them for their time and expressing your continued interest in the job. A handwritten card will set you apart from other applicants. But if you must, at least email them a follow-up to thank them for their time. 

Common senior living interview questions

We’ve put together a list of some of the most common senior living interview questions that you may encounter.

By practicing answering the following questions, you should feel more comfortable and confident during your interview. Practice giving answers to questions such as the following: 

  1. Why do you want to work in senior living?
  2. What experience do you have working with seniors?
  3. How do you handle difficult residents or family members?
  4. How do you ensure the safety and well-being of residents?
  5. Can you describe your experience with activities programming for seniors?
  6. What is your experience with administering medications or managing the medical needs of residents?
  7. How do you approach communicating with residents who may have cognitive impairments or memory loss?
  8. Can you give an example of how you handled a challenging situation with a resident or family member in the past?
  9. How do you ensure that residents maintain their dignity and independence?
  10. Can you describe your experience with end-of-life care for seniors?

These questions may vary depending on the position and senior living community you’re applying to. Still, they give you an idea of the types of questions an interviewer may ask. 

It’s essential to be prepared to answer questions related to the care and well-being of seniors, as well as questions related to communication, problem-solving, and teamwork. 

Be sure to highlight any relevant experience or training you have working with seniors and demonstrate your passion for the job. 

Start your career at The Kensington Sierra Madre

The Kensington Sierra Madre is an assisted living and memory care community located in Sierra Madre, California. 

We are located within walking distance of the memorial park, Sierra Madre congressional church, cafes, and shopping. This location is excellent for seniors, their families, and our team members. 

If you want a meaningful career to help you achieve your personal and professional goals, our community may be the perfect match for you.

We take pride in helping our team members grow and help them stay updated on the newest technologies and methods.

Our Promise is to love and care for our residents as we do our own family, and we extend this promise to our staff. 

When you choose a career at The Kensington Sierra Madre, you will receive 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
  • Flexible schedules

Contact us or check out our blog to learn more about our communities, upcoming events, volunteer opportunities, partners, and careers, to learn if The Kensington Sierra Madre is the perfect fit for you.

The owner of this website has made a committment to accessibility and inclusion, please report any problems that you encounter using the contact form on this website. This site uses the WP ADA Compliance Check plugin to enhance accessibility.