This concludes our interview. Do you have any questions for me?

"Thank you for asking. Yes, I do have a couple of questions. First, when would you like to have this position filled? And second, are there any required qualifications you do not see on my resume?"

The interviewer wants to ensure that all of your questions about the agency or job role are answered during the interview. It is best to ask at least a question or two, showing the interviewer your eagerness to learn all you can. Of course, you want to review the job announcement and research the company beforehand so you are not asking questions that could be found during your research. Some good questions to ask are if you need to clarify anything not on your resume or discussed during the interview, what the onboarding process looks like, the company culture, or what your first week on the job would entail.

What are your professional goals for the next five years?

"I am interested in receiving my Ageing and Dementia Studies Professional Doctorate and am researching online programs to determine which one best suits my needs while working full-time. In the next five years, I will have obtained my degree and see myself advancing to a higher level administrative and teaching position within your company."

The interviewer asks this question for two reasons. They want to see if you have professional goals and a plan to achieve them. Setting goals to improve and grow professionally shows you are motivated and dedicated to your profession. Even if your goals include furthering your education and advancing your knowledge, the interviewer wants to see that your plans include working for the agency. Companies invest a lot of money and time in hiring and training employees, and the interviewer wants to know that you will be a long-term employee if hired. Share your career goals for the next five years while ensuring the interviewer you plan to grow within the company you are interviewing with.

How would you describe your communication skills?

"I would describe my communication skills as above average. Medical terminology can be quite confusing for those not in the medical field. I work very hard to ensure I speak to my patients, their caregivers, and family members in terms they can understand. I ask them if they have questions, I actively listen, and I am great at reading body language. I can see when a patient might be close to having an outburst and have a calming demeanor that helps bring them back. My written communication and documentation skills are exceptional, as well."

The interviewer asks this question to see that you have the solid verbal and written communication skills required for the dementia care specialist position. Your duties will include speaking to your patients, their caregivers and family members, managers, coworkers, and the public. You will also be responsible for written communications when writing reports and communicating by email. The interviewer wants to hear that you have the necessary communication skills for the role.

What are your top three strengths that make you an excellent dementia care specialist?

"I believe dementia care specialists require many strengths to excel at their job. If I had to choose my top three, I would say communication, empathy, and a positive attitude. Communicating with patients with dementia can be challenging at times, and I must quickly develop a plan to communicate with them and their loved ones effectively. My patients can easily become anxious or angry, and I must always be empathic to their situation and help them find a solution to their problem. Showing up to work with a positive attitude can help alleviate stress and anxiety in my patients and their loved ones while providing those I surround with a positive and happy experience. I have been complimented on these skills by caregivers, loved ones, and previous employers, and I look forward to bringing these skills to your agency if offered the position."

As a dementia care specialist, many daily tasks you perform will be pretty straightforward. However, not everyone is cut out to work in this field, as working with patients with cognitive disorders can be challenging. The interviewer understands this and wants to hear the strengths that make you successful in your role. Some examples include empathy, observation, communication, time management, adaptability, positive nature, and compassion. Describe what you believe are your top three strengths and how they make you an excellent dementia care specialist.

Excluding holidays or vacation time, how many days did you miss work or school in the past year?

"I was not absent from work at all last year. I pride myself on staying healthy and have not missed work due to illness or other reasons. I did not miss any days at work for the two years prior, as well. I enjoy my job and my patients and look forward to coming to work each day."

The company wants to hire a dementia care specialist who is responsible, dependable, and shows up to work when scheduled. The interviewer asks this question to evaluate your work attendance in the past year. If you called off work or school many times in the past year, they might hesitate to offer you the position unless your reasons were excusable.Focus on giving the exact number of days you missed work and why. It will likely not be an issue if the interviewer deems your absences excused and unavoidable. If you have many unexcused absences, they may disqualify you as a viable candidate.

How do you respond if a patient or caregiver yells at you?

"I have found it is common for patients or caregivers to lash out at those trying to help when they are frustrated, scared, or confused. When a patient yells at me, I try to find the immediate cause and rule out pain as the cause of their behavior. If they are not in pain, I will try to shift their focus to another activity or try another calming technique. If a caregiver yells at me, I will remain calm and ask why they are upset. In my experience, I have found that people want to be heard and understood and have their concerns addressed. For me, it's about remaining calm and professional while diffusing the situation and making the patient or caregiver happy."

As a dementia care specialist, there will be times when you will have a patient or caregiver yell at you. Generally, it will not be because of something you did but because they are confused, scared, or in pain. The interviewers would like to gain insight into your communication and problem-solving skills and see that you can handle this situation calmly and professionally. Describe how you would speak to a patient or caregiver if they yelled at you.

In your opinion, what is the greatest challenge facing this industry in the next few years?

"I think one of the biggest challenges facing the industry in the next few years is an exacerbation of what we currently see with the insurance industry. Most health insurance companies do not cover much in terms of memory care, leaving many patients and caregivers to struggle without proper help. While some long-term care companies will pay out for patients with dementia and other cognitive disorders, many patients do not have the funds to pay for long-term care and cannot be insured once they are diagnosed. I believe more attention needs to be brought to light to help prevent this from becoming a bigger issue."

The interviewer wants to see that you are forward-thinking and have identified challenges in your industry in the next few years. As this question asks your opinion, there is no wrong answer. However, if you have no response to what challenges you will face as a dementia care specialist, the interviewers will determine that you haven't put much thought into the future. It is also recommended to ask the interviewer what they think the most significant challenges will be. It shows you are interested in hearing what they have to say and value their experience.

How would you describe your bedside manner?

"I would describe my bedside manner as nurturing, comforting, patient, and caring. I approach all patients the same. I introduce myself, ask how they are doing, and explain what I will do for them. I take the time to actively listen to their and their caregiver's concerns, showing them I care about them and want to help them. I believe all healthcare professionals should treat patients how they want others to treat themselves or loved ones."

Bedside manner is a healthcare professional's approach or attitude toward a patient. The interviewer asks this question to determine if you have the qualities they seek in a dementia care specialist. They want to hear that you are kind, empathetic, patient, friendly, compassionate, and caring. Now is the time to describe how you treat all patients with respect, empathy, kindness, and compassion.

We had so many applicants for this position that we had to stop accepting applications. Why should we choose you over other candidates?

"While I am sure many qualified candidates applied for the position, you should choose me because I meet and exceed your job requirements and qualifications. I have over seven years of experience working as a dementia care specialist with diverse groups and cultures, and I speak fluent English, Spanish, and French. I am empathetic, compassionate, level-headed, and I work well under pressure. I have exceptional communication and interpersonal skills and look forward to bringing my skills and experience to your wonderful organization."

The interviewer asks this question to hear what qualities you will bring to the agency and how you will benefit them if hired. Now is your chance to highlight your best characteristics and experience, showing the interviewer you have all the qualifications they require. If you review the job announcement before your interview, you will see the qualities, experience, and education the organization seeks in a dementia care specialist. Then, focus on using those keywords in your response. When describing how you meet their job requirements, the interviewer will see that you are a highly qualified candidate and place you high on the list.As you were told, many qualified candidates are interviewing for the same position. You want to avoid speaking negatively of the other candidates or sounding arrogant when responding to this question. You want to sell yourself in the interview, but not while making the interviewer think you will be a challenging person to work with.

Why did you choose this particular career path?

"I chose to work with patients with dementia after working as a server at a retirement home. My grandparents lived at the facility and told me about the opening when it became available. I was hired for that job in high school and knew I wanted to pursue a career in the medical field. After enjoying working with the senior population and learning about their life experiences, I knew I wanted to work in geriatrics. When my grandmother started showing the early signs of dementia and progressing to Alzheimer's, I decided this was the career path I was meant to take."

While many people may find it challenging to work with patients who have dementia, others find it extremely rewarding. The interviewer wants to know why you chose your career path to learn more about your personality and what or who motivated you to pursue this line of work. Perhaps you have a loved one with dementia, enjoy working with the senior population, or are a compassionate individual who wants to provide a safe environment while promoting dignity and self-worth in your patients. Describe your reason(s) for choosing this particular career path.

What is your favorite part of your job?

"My favorite part of my job is working with patients and their caregivers to help patients with dementia retain their dignity and independence. I feel it is so important for patients to remain active and in the least restrictive setting for as long as possible. I enjoy assisting patients and their families in facilitating keeping the patient in their homes while ensuring they are in a safe environment. My grandmother had dementia, and I felt she did much better when she remained at home. During the last two months of her life, she was put in a care home and did not thrive as she did in a familiar environment. Using her as a role model, I strive to help my patients stay in their homes as long as possible."

The interviewer asks this question to see what aspect of the job you enjoy the most. When you respond, the interviewer can gain insight into what drives and motivates you in your profession and determine if your passion aligns with the company's mission and culture.Focus your answer on showing the interviewer you genuinely care about helping your patients and their loved ones or working in a field with like-minded individuals. You might enjoy working with families to improve the patient's quality of life, mentoring new dementia care specialists, or advocating for vulnerable patients. Whatever you enjoy the most, the interviewer wants to hear!

What are your hobbies and interests outside of work?

"I have many interests and hobbies. I enjoy volunteering, coaching my son's t-ball team, playing board games with my family, mountain biking, and running. I volunteer with my family every Sunday at our local church's food bank and coach t-ball once a week. Every Friday night, my family plays a board game and orders takeout for some good family bonding time. I mountain bike or run every morning before work to stay in shape and clear my head for the day."

The interviewer asks this question to gain insight into your personality and see that you have a healthy work/life balance. Mention several hobbies and why you enjoy them while avoiding interests that could be considered unprofessional. It is best to mention hobbies that showcase your strengths, skills, and passion that can transfer to your job as a dementia care specialist. For example, if one of your hobbies is volunteering at the local food bank, it shows the interviewer that you enjoy helping people and are empathetic and compassionate.

Tell us something about yourself that is not found on your CV.

"Something I enjoy doing that is not on my CV is how I volunteer with an NGO that helps families with children who have childhood dementia. I have taken on a managerial role, organizing and producing fundraising events. In the past three years in this role, I have helped raise over eleven million dollars with my strategic marketing plan. The money is used for teams of physicians, nurses, and dementia care specialists to assist the families that need help, and the children are offered free care and treatment. In addition to my managerial role, I also volunteer my services as a dementia care specialist."

The interviewer asks this question as they would like to learn more about you as a person. While you cannot share everything about your personal life and accomplishments on your CV, there must be something you are proud of that you would like to tell the interviewer. If possible, share something about yourself that shows the interviewer you would be a good fit for their company and the dementia care specialist role. For example, if you share that you volunteer for a non-profit that raises awareness about dementia and other cognitive disorders, the interviewer will see that you are kind, dedicated, and compassionate, all essential qualities for healthcare professionals to possess.

Why do you want to work for our agency?

"I want to work for your agency as you are a leader in the senior living industry and are recognized as such. I was impressed to learn that you have received awards every year for the past ten years for providing an atmosphere of family and community and enriching the lives of the residents you serve. I hold the same values in my position and want to help my patients lead a life filled with dignity and self-worth. I will be able to do that here with your agency, and I am excited for the opportunity to do so."

The interviewer wants to hear that you have researched their agency and can give valid reasons why you want to work for them. When responding to this question, avoid saying that you want to work for their agency because they pay more than other agencies or offer a more comprehensive benefits package. The interviewer will feel you only want to work for their agency for monetary reasons. Instead, describe your reasons as aligning with the company's mission statement, reputation, or company culture.

What certifications or degrees do you have that makes you qualified for this role?

"I have been a registered nurse for three years and received my Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Purdue University. After obtaining my degree, I discovered a keen interest in working with patients with cognitive disorders. I attended a one-day seminar through the National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners and received my certification two years ago. I stay current on my continuing education hours and also maintain my CPR, AED, and ACLS certifications."

If you have made it through the screening process and to the interview, you must have the required certifications and degrees for the job. However, most recruiters/hiring managers/interviewers only spend 6-8 seconds glancing over a candidate's CV or resume, especially if they have many applications to sort through. The interviewer wants to ensure you are a certified dementia care specialist or registered nurse and are currently authorized to work in this role. Describe what certifications and degrees you hold, where you received your training, when you obtained it, and if you are current with your continuing education hours. If the role calls for other certifications, such as CPR, First Aid, and AED, be sure to let the interviewer know you are current on those as well.

How do you expect to make a difference at our agency?

"I expect to make a difference at your agency by bringing my ten years of nursing and dementia care knowledge and expertise to your company and providing the service you expect from your team members. I always come to work with a smile and a positive attitude, which rubs off on those around me. I have a strong work ethic, solid communication skills, and an excellent work history with few excused absences. I love what I do, and I look forward to this opportunity to finish out my career with your agency."

Companies want to understand what benefits employees would bring to the company if hired. They want to see that you will bring experience, knowledge, and an excellent attitude to the organization while being a positive role model for those you work with. You want to avoid being humble when answering this question. Now is the time to sell yourself and let the interviewer know why they should hire you for the position. Explain how you will make a difference at the agency by offering compassionate care to your patients, following their policies and procedures, mentoring new staff members, or adding value in another manner.

Do you consider yourself a patient person? How do you increase your patience level in challenging situations?

"Yes, I consider myself an extremely patient person, which is one reason I entered the healthcare field. I have a lot of compassion and empathy for others, which allows me to naturally be a patient person as I try to put myself in others' shoes. I worked as a nanny during my teen years and college and was always commended by the parents for how patient I was with their children. Former supervisors have also recognized me for my calm and professional demeanor when working with challenging patients. If I ever feel that I am reaching the end of my patience, which is not often, I silently take a few deep breaths while counting to five."

Working in dementia care requires a high level of compassion and patience. As you know, patients with cognitive difficulties will present with confusion, frustration, and anger at times, and it takes a patient individual to work with them. The interviewer wants to see that you consider yourself a patient person and what methods you use if you need an extra boost of patience. If they deem that you are not a patient person, they will reconsider hiring you for the role. Impatience can cause a lot of stress and anxiety in those around you, so it is essential that you can showcase your ability to remain patient and professional in workplace situations.

How do you keep your emotions from affecting your work?

"It is hard not to feel emotional when losing a patient or having to deliver bad news, but I knew it was part of the job going in. I keep my emotions from affecting my work by talking with my colleagues or husband if something bothers me and taking care of myself away from work. I like to run, which helps clear my mind when feeling emotional. I also think of the good things about a patient I have lost or who is diagnosed with a life-changing condition and do not focus on the sad part. It's easy to keep my emotions from interfering with my work when I know I must be strong for my patients and their families."

Working in healthcare can be emotional at times. It is normal to feel emotions when working as a dementia care specialist, but it is imperative to channel them so they do not interfere with your work. Taking good care of your mental and physical health helps channel those emotions, so you can maintain composure when facing work challenges. Let the interviewer know how you remain professional when faced with an emotional workday.

As mentioned in the job posting, this position requires traveling to your patient's homes. Do you have a reliable source of transportation?

"Yes, I have reliable transportation. I bought a new car last year and have never had mechanical issues. I maintain my vehicle and follow the service manual recommendations. If something were to happen to my car, I also have a five-year-old truck that is mechanically sound. If you hire me for the position, transportation will never be an issue."

The interviewer cannot legally ask if you own a vehicle, which can be discriminatory. However, they can ask if you have reliable transportation. If one of the job requirements is to have reliable transportation, that should be listed in the job description. Reliable transportation can be a personal vehicle, Uber, public transportation, motorcycle, or bicycle. Focus on describing what form of reliable transportation you will use to get to your patient's homes if hired for the position.

How do you cope when losing a patient?

"I got into this profession to help people, so it is sad to see them die. While losing a patient is never easy, I knew that was part of the job before becoming a nurse and dementia care specialist, so I have the mindset that patients will unfortunately not always make it. I cope by knowing I did the best I could for them and had a smile on my face when doing so. If a particular death bothers me more than others, I talk with colleagues or counselors with the Employee Assistance Program, which always seems to help. I also take care of myself mentally and physically so the grief doesn't take control of my emotions."

As a dementia care specialist, you understand death is part of your job. The interviewer wants to hear that you have coping mechanisms to keep from becoming overwhelmed with the loss of life. Healthcare professionals need someone they can speak with and have healthy avenues to decompress to prevent burnout, illness, and injury. Describe how you cope when you lose a patient.

You are working with a junior colleague who is consistently 20 minutes late. What would you do?

"What I would do depends on how my colleague's tardiness affects me and patient care. If their delay causes me more work because I have to take up their slack or it causes patient care to be compromised, I will address their tardiness the first time they are late. I would ask them in private why they were late, showing that I was genuinely concerned and wanted to help in any way that I could. If my colleague's consistent lateness didn't affect our patients or me, I would not say anything since that is my supervisor's job to address the issue."

The interviewer will ask situational questions like this one to see how you respond to issues in the workplace. How you answer gives the interviewer insight into your communication, leadership, conflict resolution, and problem-solving skills. Let them know how you would handle this situation. Everyone is different, so there is no right or wrong way to answer this question.

How well do you handle stress on the job?

"I understand I chose a stressful career and was prepared for that. If I feel overly stressed, I will discuss this with a colleague or supervisor. However, I rarely get stressed as I know how to care for myself. I eat a healthy, balanced diet, exercise, and spend time with my family on my days off. Taking care of myself mentally and physically prepares me to easily handle stressful situations at work and home."

Working as a dementia care specialist can be a stressful career. An article in the Oxford Academic describes a study where 154 direct care providers of patients with dementia provided data on their job stressors. Surprisingly, staff working for between six months and two years reported the highest stress levels than those working longer than two years. The common causes of reported stress include lack of training in caring for patients with dementia, the severity of dementia, staff-to-resident ratios, and overall lack of staff training. The interviewer asks this question to determine if you are someone who can handle stress on the job and if you will be a good fit for the team if hired. Talk to the interviewer about your ability to handle pressure in the workplace and techniques you use to minimize job stressors.

What is your definition of teamwork?

"My definition of teamwork is working together with others to achieve a common goal. I enjoy working with a team because everyone has a common goal, with different experiences and ideas for achieving it. Working on a multidisciplinary team in healthcare allows me to use my knowledge and experience while learning from others with different opinions, backgrounds, and ideas. In this particular profession, teamwork also includes working with my patient's family members and caregivers to achieve the best outcome for the patient."

The Cambridge Dictionary defines teamwork as 'the combined actions of a group of people working together effectively to achieve a goal.' As a dementia care specialist, you understand the importance of teamwork while working with other healthcare professionals on multidisciplinary teams and with caregivers and family members. The interviewer asks your definition of teamwork to see that you are a team player and value working with others. Your definition does not need to match the Cambridge Dictionary version, but you want to relay the importance of working together to achieve a common goal. Explain how you would describe teamwork to someone who did not understand the word.

Our agency requires a full pre-employment background check and drug test before we can offer you a job. Will there be an issue passing either?

"No, there will not be an issue passing either. My record is clean, and I do not participate in drug use. If hired for this role, you can be assured that I will maintain a clean record."

Working in the healthcare industry means you are in contact with vulnerable people, children, pharmaceutical drugs, drug-related equipment, confidential information, and other areas of sensitivity. If you have a criminal record or a history of drug use, you must disclose this. If you do not have either, assure the interviewer that you can pass a complete background check and drug test without any issues. If you have a criminal record, you can say something like: 'I have a misdemeanor on my record from 15 years ago. I am happy to continue the interview process and comply with your background checks if you allow for some exceptions.' Even if you live in an area that allows the use of medical marijuana, most healthcare agencies will not allow employees to use this substance due to the nature of the industry and the patients you will be in contact with. If you use medical marijuana, investigate the policies of the agency you are interviewing with before applying for a job so you are not disqualified after taking the drug test.

What is your least favorite part about working as a dementia care specialist?

"My least favorite part of my job is when I find out one of my patients has passed away. I always develop a certain bond with my patients and their family members, and it is always sad when they die. Going into this line of work, I knew that I would face this and that it is part of life, but it still does not make it any less difficult. I cope with this by remembering the good parts of my patient's life and feeling privileged to have been a part of it."

Most dementia care specialists find more pros than cons to working in their field. However, there are some, such as long hours, being on call, rules and regulations, dealing with rude family members, or losing a patient to their disease. The interviewers want to hear what you like the least about your job to learn more about your personality. Be sure to briefly say what you like least, then end on a positive note by explaining how the other aspects of being a dementia care specialist outweigh the bad.

Dementia Care Specialists Interview Questions

Go Back

1. This concludes our interview. Do you have any questions for me?
2. What are your professional goals for the next five years?
3. How would you describe your communication skills?
4. What are your top three strengths that make you an excellent dementia care specialist?
5. Excluding holidays or vacation time, how many days did you miss work or school in the past year?
6. How do you respond if a patient or caregiver yells at you?
7. In your opinion, what is the greatest challenge facing this industry in the next few years?
8. How would you describe your bedside manner?
9. We had so many applicants for this position that we had to stop accepting applications. Why should we choose you over other candidates?
10. Why did you choose this particular career path?
11. What is your favorite part of your job?
12. What are your hobbies and interests outside of work?
13. Tell us something about yourself that is not found on your CV.
14. Why do you want to work for our agency?
15. What certifications or degrees do you have that makes you qualified for this role?
16. How do you expect to make a difference at our agency?
17. Do you consider yourself a patient person? How do you increase your patience level in challenging situations?
18. How do you keep your emotions from affecting your work?
19. As mentioned in the job posting, this position requires traveling to your patient's homes. Do you have a reliable source of transportation?
20. How do you cope when losing a patient?
21. You are working with a junior colleague who is consistently 20 minutes late. What would you do?
22. How well do you handle stress on the job?
23. What is your definition of teamwork?
24. Our agency requires a full pre-employment background check and drug test before we can offer you a job. Will there be an issue passing either?
25. What is your least favorite part about working as a dementia care specialist?

Dementia Care Specialists Interview Questions

1. This concludes our interview. Do you have any questions for me?

2. What are your professional goals for the next five years?

3. How would you describe your communication skills?

4. What are your top three strengths that make you an excellent dementia care specialist?

5. Excluding holidays or vacation time, how many days did you miss work or school in the past year?

6. How do you respond if a patient or caregiver yells at you?

7. In your opinion, what is the greatest challenge facing this industry in the next few years?

8. How would you describe your bedside manner?

9. We had so many applicants for this position that we had to stop accepting applications. Why should we choose you over other candidates?

10. Why did you choose this particular career path?

11. What is your favorite part of your job?

12. What are your hobbies and interests outside of work?

13. Tell us something about yourself that is not found on your CV.

14. Why do you want to work for our agency?

15. What certifications or degrees do you have that makes you qualified for this role?

16. How do you expect to make a difference at our agency?

17. Do you consider yourself a patient person? How do you increase your patience level in challenging situations?

18. How do you keep your emotions from affecting your work?

19. As mentioned in the job posting, this position requires traveling to your patient's homes. Do you have a reliable source of transportation?

20. How do you cope when losing a patient?

21. You are working with a junior colleague who is consistently 20 minutes late. What would you do?

22. How well do you handle stress on the job?

23. What is your definition of teamwork?

24. Our agency requires a full pre-employment background check and drug test before we can offer you a job. Will there be an issue passing either?

25. What is your least favorite part about working as a dementia care specialist?