Interview on friday - feeling apprehensive

[ClimbingClematis]

Hi, I have an interview with the local council on Friday for a job working as a support assistant with adults with learning disabilities in the community.

The last time I had an interview was in 1997 for a staff nurses post, which I left in 2004, to go on mat leave with my ds(5). Have subsequently had another ds(4) and have an older dd(9).

Am certain that this job is just up my street and has my name written all over it.
Am worried about the kind of questions they will ask tho. Am a fairly confident person and know that i can do this job. It will fit in with school and nursery(10-3)so I would be gutted if I don't get it.

My friend who also does the same work has recommended me for the post and they held the closing day open a little longer as I was on holiday.

If anyone is in this line of work or knows of any tricky questions they might throw at me I would be really grateful for your help.
Many thanks.

I used to work with vulnerable young people and their families.

I would recommend researching the legislation that affects your work e.g. disabilities legislation and definately equal opps.

I seemed always to get questions around scenarios of protecting the rights of clients, reporting responsibilities when neglect or abuse is suspected, risk assessment for the client and also protecting yourself from risk - be it physical, allegations from clients, that kind of thing. When you work in the community stuff like when and how you work when alone with clients and their families is very important. Judgement calls on what to deal with yourself and what to refer to your line manager.

You probably know most of this! And as you've been a nurse you've probably got a few good examples of when you had to act in a certain way or were seriously challenged and succeeded. Being able to answer a question with a real life example is a great interview technique for any job.

Good Luck!

Can you get your friend to quiz you in a 'pretend interview' sort of way?

Or perhaps she can brief you on the job specs, current needs/issues/priorities so you can tailor your answers accordingly.

Would also help if she could give you some professional background info on the person who will be interviewing you - though you shouldn't make it obvious you've been 'tutored'.

Good luck.

Thanks very much. Have got some relevant stuff ie 'the white paper' and 'valuing people' We fall around laughing unfortunately when she mock interviewsme. I feel like i am hounding her now tbh!!