I get asked a lot of questions about the interview portion of the Nurse Aide recruitment process. It’s an important piece of the puzzle and can make or break your ability to hire Caregivers. As is true with all human interaction, first impressions matter. This is especially true during an interview, since often times it’s the first chance a Caregiver has to visit your agency’s office and meet the staff. The latest research on recruiting Nurse Aides shows the importance of making a Caregiver feel comfortable during the interview. In fact, 28% of all Caregivers report the most important part of the interview is if they feel comfortable while they’re there.
Sometimes first impressions aren’t logical. Think back on a time when you met someone new and even if you can’t quite place your finger on it, you had an immediate reaction. Maybe this was a person you really connected with, or maybe you didn’t quite feel comfortable around them. Caregivers will have a similar experience when they first step into your office. What does the space say about your agency? How does it feel to walk through your doors for the very first time? They say it only takes seven seconds to form a first impression. What are the first seven seconds at your agency like?
We’ve heard stories from Caregivers who arrived at an interview only to find nobody there to greet them. They were then asked to sit in a poorly lit, gray-walled waiting room with a few rickety chairs and no reading material until the hiring manager was ready for them. This Caregiver certainly didn’t feel comfortable during that interview, and it seems likely other Caregivers who interview there would feel the same. This cautionary example may be an extreme one, but it paints a picture of how an unwelcoming space can impact a Caregiver’s view of an agency, making it difficult for them to recruit CNAs and Caregivers.
A warm greeting and genuine smile can go a long way in the Caregiver recruitment process. Helping a Caregiver feel relaxed and at ease while meeting with you doesn’t have to be a laborious process. Simple, humanizing gestures can be all it takes. Consider only 37% of Caregivers report they’re asked if they would like something to drink when they arrive at an interview. Small actions like this can put you ahead of the pack and show a candidate you care about making them feel welcome.
There are many “X-factors” at play when it comes to a Caregiver feeling comfortable, many of which you have no control over. The key is to be aware of the factors that you do have a say in, and make a conscious effort to lead with those. Home care has always been a business built on relationships, and home care recruitment shouldn’t be any different. Begin those relationships with honest care for candidates and more of them will grow into a long-term working partnership.
You may also like:
Caregiver Recruitment: How Far Are Caregivers Willing to Travel for an Interview?
