Considering A Career in Care

Wouldn’t it be nice to know what to expect during the recruitment process for a dream job in care? We can’t give you all the answers but Jess Lombard, Recruitment Advisor for Bupa Care Services is here to give you the inside scoop on the process and will even throw in a few useful hints and tips on what we’re looking for when it comes to hiring candidates.

The CV stage

Before I dive into the recruitment process we need to get back to basics…your CV.

90% of the time it is the first thing a recruiter will open in your application so it needs to highlight your skills straight off the bat.

Here’s my top tips for writing a CV that we’ll love:

1. Make your personal statement stand out

This is the first thing we see on your CV so forgetting to amend outdated career objectives that are no longer relevant isn’t going to cut it. If you’re really serious about working in care then demonstrating this in the first few sentences by telling us why will really grab our attention.

We’re not asking you to write war and peace, but summarising your key skills and career aspirations will do the trick.

2. Ditch the paragraphs

Recruiters spend their days sifting through applications. If we have to pick apart lengthy paragraphs to understand what your actual duties were then key skills can get lost in a sea of words. By providing key concise bullet points under each previous job title shows us exactly what you’ve done and makes it impossible to miss those all-important transferable skills.

3. Be relevant

Not ensuring your CV is up to date is very poor practise. Recruiters may be well versed in reviewing CV’s but with the greatest will in the world we’re not mind readers. To get the best chance of securing the job you should have all your cards on the table. Start with your most recent position first and work backwards in chronological order…read ‘em and weep.

4. Check it out

‘He’s making a list and checking it twice’…okay I know it’s only July but there’s something to be said for old St Nick’s due diligence. Spelling mistakes are the quickest way to ensure your application loses credibility. If you’re declaring that you care and you’re dedicated then your CV needs to reflect that and don’t forget to proof read.

The cover letter

If your CV is the ‘what’ then the cover letter should be the ‘how’ and the ‘why’. How have you previously demonstrated the skills we’re looking for? Why are you right for this job? Why do you want to work with Bupa Care Services?

Let’s play a game of myth busters…

I’ve not worked in care before so there’s no point writing a cover letter…

Wrong. We understand that you may not have the exact experience but we are looking for transferable skills that fit the job description. You can talk about volunteering, or personal experiences; it’s your time to show off! You obviously think you’d be good at the job otherwise you wouldn’t be applying so tell us why.

I can just use what I’ve written in my CV…

Wrong. No one likes a copy cat. Your cover letter is there to compliment your CV not to replicate it. We’ve learned about what you’ve done, but your personality is also important to the role… I know we’re a greedy bunch but we want you to really sell yourself and those amazing skills you’ve gained.

I need to write multiple pages…

Wrong. We want a glimpse of who you are but we don’t need your life story. Half a page to a full A4 page is what you should be aiming for.

Online application form

You’ve demonstrated what you’ve done, you’ve told us how you’ve done it and why you’d be good at the job…what more could we possibly want? Look, I get it, it’s a lot, but let me tell you why it’s important.

1. You can provide additional information relevant to your job application e.g. shift patterns, pre-booked holidays
2. If you ran out of space on your cover letter but still have more amazing things to tell us then this is your chance
3. You can speed up the offer process by providing your references ahead of time
4. We have to check you have the relevant working rights to apply for this job
5. You get the VIP treatment – we keep your information in our system so you get to hear first about any new opportunities within Bupa that match your skill set.

Phone screening

The next stage of the Bupa application is a phone screening. We really care about our homes and the people in them so safeguarding and compliance is key here. We need to qualify all those amazing things you’ve told us.

What to expect during the phone screening…

1. You will be asked some safeguarding and compliance based questions
2. We will discuss your salary requirements, availability and shift patterns
3. You will be asked a handful of questions relating to the role you’ve applied for so think about why you want to work in care ahead of the call

It’s all about positive attitude. Acting like the call is inconvenient won’t paint you in a great light. We want people who have a genuine interest in working in care and at Bupa. If you’re not free to take the call just let us know and we can arrange a more suitable time.

The Interview 

You’ve passed the screening and now it’s time for the interview at your chosen care home with the home manager. You’ve impressed us and now it’s time to impress them. I know it’s easier said than done, but try not to be nervous. If we didn’t think you’d be great at interview you wouldn’t have got to this stage.

We’re here to help you throughout the process so you should expect a confirmation email with all the details you need, a call before your interview to check in and one after to get your feedback.

Here are my top tips for preparing for your interview…

1. Know your CV – it’s no use writing all these amazing things if you can’t remember what you’ve written when asked.
2.  Remember to CARE
3. Communication – Make sure you speak clearly, with enthusiasm and let your personality shine through.
4. Arrive early– make sure you check where you’re going beforehand, arrive with time to spare and definitely don’t be late!
5. Revise – do some research about the home and about Bupa. Hint: All the information you need can be found at our website (include the appropriate link)
6. Execution – Prepare your answers in advance. Why do you want to work in care? What skills do you have? What can you bring to the team? An unprepared interview is obvious and won’t help you get that all important offer.

The offer stage

Congratulations you made it!

We aim to make the transition from offer to start date as smooth as possible but we do need your help to make this happen.

What should you expect during the offer stage?

1. You will be sent an official offer/welcome email
2. You will receive a link for a DBS check (unless renewal service is applicable)
3. You will need to supply your references that cover the past 3 years (if you haven’t already)
4. Once your references have been received and your DBS completed you will be booked in on an induction course.

Once your induction is complete you are officially part of the Bupa team.

Pretty straight forward right? Why not test it out for yourself, if you’re passionate about a future in care, apply today at https://www.bupa.co.uk/care-services/care-homes-careers

Careers worth caring about.

Jessica Lombard – Bupa Care Services Recruitment Advisor

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