A little heads up, what you can expect, from Home instead, if you go for an interview with them.
This was the Norfolk/Cambridge branch, in the UK.
So, yesterday I had an online interview with Home Instead, and I thought it went fine, but obviously not, as I didn't get the job.
The young man, said that at the end of the day, he would contact me, he didn't. I had to chase up an answer today.
It is what it is, not getting the job, that one has applied for, but the reasons given were so completely untrue and unfair. But that just shows, that if a company is behaving like that, then it is of course, best not to work for them.
The reasons they gave me was, that I didn't show interest in the work...I was shocked to hear that, as I most definitely showed great interest, in working with the elderly clients. I kept on asking questions, whether it was ok, to do gardening with the clients, and cooking, baking, painting, arts and crafts etc.
I also asked for advice, in how to deal with challenging situations, if they should arise.
So, I did ask many questions about different scenarios, and also asked if I could do certain activities with them, such as gardening, baking, etc.
If that is not showing interest, and involvement in the job, I don't know what is.
Then they also mentioned, that being dressed in a hoodie, was not considered appropriate and unprofessional...Now this also shocked me, as my hoodie was down, it was obviously NOT over my head, it was down, so my whole head was visible, of course.
I was wearing a clean hoodie, casual relaxed clothing. For this line of work, I would have thought, that this was accepted, as you are to spend, a lot of time, with the elderly client in their homes, so being in comfortable clothing, is a must.
This is not a front of house position, in a corporate business, or in a Hotel. This is looking after elderly clients in their homes, for two weeks at a time, so relaxed clothing should definitely be accepted.
But clearly it is not.
Another reason, was that I didn't have a fixed address...also not correct. I live in between my caravan, and my art workshop at the moment, while I am looking for a house. However, I have a postal address, where they can reach me, and most importantly, via my phone obviously.
I will anyway, be away for two weeks at a time, with the client, so those reasons, are completely unfounded.
The only thing, that was close to resembling any truth, was that I didn't know much, about the company, other than it takes care, of elderly people.
I find this to be so irrelevant, whether you know the whole Wikipedia, about the company, when it was created, every single detail, etc.
They work with elderly people, provide in-house services for them for two weeks at a time, that involving, cooking, gardening, walks in the park, shopping, etc. that should be enough to mention that, and I did.
You may know, all the bio about the company, but still not be a good carer, that doesn't ensure, that you are good at your job. It is about being good with people, and I am.
it is some weird criteria, and very robotic, the way they judge, whether you are suitable for the position or not.
In this case, the reasons, they gave me, about why, I didn't get the job, was also very untrue and unfounded.
It seems like they are very incompetent rigid and soulless, no passion for engagement with people, nor do they seem to have any skill, in hiring people.
They seemed more interested in the job candidates, knowledge of the company logistics, and how they are dressed, rather than if the job candidate is a warm, caring person, who really would be good as a carer.
Their reviews speak for themselves, they have 63% one-star reviews and less than 30%, five-star reviews, and that is from both relatives of the clients and people who have worked for them, or been in the onboarding process.
Cold and uncaring people. Would definitely NOT recommend Home instead.
So now you know, what you can expect, from having an interview with Home instead.
Karina