7 Tips to Help Your Elderly Care Home Recruitment

February 21 2020 - Finding quality staff in the care industry has never been more crucial. A lot of care homes for the elderly struggle to find and/or keep hold of the best staff at every level. There's a shortage of candidates out there, which means competition is high, and it can be difficult to attract the best talent. You need to be able to offer candidates something unique to your competitors and show that you value your staff very highly. If you are finding it tough to hire the right team, here are 7 tips to help you improve your recruitment process for your care home.

1. Create a Clear Job Description

The description of the vacancy should be clear and concise with all the key responsibilities included in the role. You do not, however, have to request they list every task they have ever performed, as this can be off-putting for some candidates. Be sure to state the minimum qualifications and experience required as well as how to apply. It is usually a good idea to publish a salary bracket so applicants know they are applying for the right level of position.

2. Advertise the Vacancy on Multiple Platforms

Advertise the role on as many platforms as you can while staying within budget. There are several generic job sites which offer free listings, while others may be suitable if they are aimed at the care industry. You should also advertise on your website and consider asking your existing staff if they have any contacts they would recommend.

3. Create a Shortlist

The person who is shortlisting the candidates for interview should have a clear understanding of the role and the type of candidate you are looking for. In some cases, it may be suitable to carry out short telephone interviews before inviting some candidates in for a more formal interview in person. This will prevent you from having to go through the motions of an interview with someone who you can tell within minutes is not right for the role.

4. Prepare for the Interviews

You will want to assess the candidates on their knowledge of current best practice with regard to residential care facilities for the elderly (RCFE), so it's important that you yourself have continued your education and can ask informed questions. Learn more about continuing education for RCFEs This will also help you to frame your interview questions.

5. Interview with Another Person

It's generally recommended that you interview candidates with at least one other person so you can compare notes at the end of the interview. If you are scoring responses to questions, this will also help you to rank candidates.

6. Don't be Afraid to Run a Second Round of Interviews

If you have doubts about a candidate, or cannot decide between two or more, don't be afraid to bring them in for another interview. Taking the time now is better than making a decision you may regret down the line. Any candidate who is serious about the position will not have an issue attending a second interview.

7. Make Your Offer Quickly and Keep in Touch

When you have made your decision, tell the candidate over the phone as soon as possible and quickly follow up with a written offer. This will prevent the candidate from losing interest or taking a position elsewhere. When carrying out the necessary legal checks and references, it's a good idea to maintain regular communication with the candidate.

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