Job Interview for an Advice Worker
The advice and support sector is a growth industry, often with the advice worker specialising in a particular niche.
Advice workers need to have a high level of knowledge in the niche they specialise in and will be required to have the skills; rapport building, communication, listening, empathy and ideally IT, multilingual (depending on your niche) strong literacy and numeracy
This article will reveal the commonly asked advice worker job interviews that you will need to prepare for
The key to passing job interviews in preparation and practice, this sounds obvious but is often overlooked, with the average interviewee spending around only 60 minutes preparing for their job interview.
This article will help you to prepare and to pass your next job interview in 2 separate ways.
1. You will learn 8 common asked interview questions for an advice worker position
2. You will be given an explanation of the type of answer the interviewer is looking for ( a guide to what the employer wants you to discuss )
Advice Worker Job Interview Questions
Job Interview Question 1:
“What experience do you have as an advice worker?”
To answer this opening job interview question, start with a general opening statement which should include yoru duration in the industry, your highest relevant qualification and your specialism
Next, summarise your experience and have a focus on the key skills required for this position;
- Your expertise (niche)
- Your values
- Your key skills (as discussed above)
Finish by explaining why you enjoy working in this industry
Job Interview Question 2:
“Why is contracting at the beginning of a session important”
When asked specific questions such as this one, you know that this will be an essential duty that you will have to complete. Even if you don’t contract at your current role you will, if asked this question, need to explain the importance of contracting.
- Give 3 reasons why contracting is important – this sets the scene and covers the organisation’s policies and procedures; duration of the session, GDPR and data protection, confidentiality, follow up process, form filling
Job Interview Question 3:
“Give an example of supporting a client or service user with a problem”
When asked questions about your client or service users you should be excited – this is your bread and butter.
For situation interview questions always use the storytelling technique. Start by explaining the client’s barrier/problem – make this real for the interviewer, by explaining what they wanted to overcome.
Next explain what you did (not the company) to support the client; how you listened to the client, used guidance techniques to gain more details and the advice you gave.
Finally, give the positive outcome. How did your advice add value to the client’s situation?
Job Interview Question 4:
“How do you make a client relax and open up?”
Your example, which you should use when answering this type of interview question, should cover:
- how you listen patiently to the client to build rapport
- your approach – friendly and professional
- your attitude/manner
- the totality of you use to create the feeling of relaxation
- how you communicated to create a relaxed atmosphere
Job Interview Question 5:
“When should you signpost or make a referral?”
This question is commonly asked. As an advice worker, your knowledge is often limited (as clients and service users require expertise from various professionals)
Explain how you have a list of relevant potential agencies and expertise that you refer to – this shows that you 1) have potentially useful contacts 2) that you already signpost.
Give an example of a client you made a referral for. Explain the client’s situation, the support you gave and the reason you made a referral. From this end with the outcome – how this helped the client.
Job Interview Question 6:
“Why should we employ you?”
Think again about the job specification and the skills needed for this role. Have a paragraph prepared highlighting how you will be able to do the job and what you can bring to the team. Talk about your work ethic, your passion, your natural qualities – being able to relate to others, your friendly manner and your natural rapport building skills.
You also need to stand out; what is your unique selling point? what can you offer that others can’t? what expertise do you have?
Job Interview Question 7:
“Do you know anything about this organisation?”
Often one of the first questions you will be asked during the interview, employers want employees who will stay with the company, this question and answer will show the employer that you know the company’s history and feel they will be a good employer to work for.
It also shows the employer that you think ahead and carries out research. Answer this question with:
- The length the organisation has been operating for.
- How the company started
- What services the company offers
- Where they are going (have they won any new contracts
All this information is normally found on the internet; on the company home page or about us page.
Job Interview Question 8:
“Do you have any questions for me?”
Good interview questions to ask interviewers at the end of the job interview include questions on the company growth or expansion, questions on personal development and training and questions on company values, staff retention and company achievements.
