Job interviews are more than just a conversation and meet and greet — they are an opportunity to demonstrate your professionalism, values, experience and readiness to care for others. Whether you are applying for an Disability Support Worker role, Aged Care, or Allied Health, avoiding these common mistakes can help you make a lasting impression. At Ethical Hire, we have successfully placed over 1000 candidates in the Disability Care Industry. The ones who stand out? They are prepared, open, and self-aware. Support Workers who leave a lasting impression come prepared — they have a clear introduction, understand the role inside out, and confidently share their story and values during the interview.

We have summarized it for you, so you don’t have to go through it yourself. So here are 5 interview mistakes to avoid — and how to do it right:

1. Arriving Late

🚫 The Mistake: Showing up late or logging in a few minutes after the scheduled time.

⚠️ Why It’s a Problem: It immediately raises concerns about reliability. Failing to communicate delays — even if caused by unforeseen circumstances — creates a poor first impression, especially in a role where punctuality is essentialfor client care. Support Workers are expected to arrive on time for every shift and to inform their team in advance if they’re running late or unable to attend.

How to Avoid It:

• Double-check the time and location (or Zoom link).
• Join 5–10 minutes early, and test your internet connection, camera, and audio if it’s a virtual interview.
• If you're attending a face-to-face meeting, plan ahead by factoring in traffic, parking, and any unexpected delays on the road.

2. Not Bringing Required Documents

🚫 The Mistake: Attending the interview without your resume, certificates, or relevant checks (e.g., WWCC, NDIS Screening).

⚠️ Why It’s a Problem: It delays your application and shows a lack of preparation. How to Avoid It:

• Read the interview email carefully and bring all requested documents.
• Keep digital copies saved and easy to access on your phone or laptop, just in case.
• Ask Recruiter, if you need to prepare and bring required documents on the interview.

3. Undervaluing Soft Skills

🚫 The Mistake: Focusing only on tasks (“I helped with showers and meals”) and not showing your personal skills, hobbies, interests and your emotional intelligence.

⚠️ Why It’s a Problem: In a care role, you're not just doing a job — you're bringing your whole self. Your empathy, communication, active listening, and supportive nature are at the heart of what you do. But it doesn’t stop there — maybe you bring along your storytelling, art, cooking, or gardening skills. These personal touches make you stand out as a Support Worker and play a powerful role in helping your clients build independence and reach their goals. So don’t hold back — bring your personality, your soft skills, and your hobbies. Even something as simple as sharing a story can help build trust, connection, and lasting rapport.

How to Avoid It:

• Share how you built trust with a client, supported a family, or stayed collected in a difficult situation.
• Highlight patience, reliability, or compassion — not just duties.

4. Not Preparing Real-Life Examples

🚫 The Mistake: Believing you'll get the job just by saying “I’m a great worker” — without offering any proof. At Ethical Hire, we always recommend our candidates come prepared with a strong self-introduction, along with real-life examples from their care roles. This could include stories about clients they’ve supported, specific skills they’ve used (like PEG feeding, manual handling, etc.), and challenges they’ve helped overcome.

⚠️ Why It’s a Problem: Employers aren’t just looking for good intentions — they want to know how you’ve handled real situations, especially in complex or emotional environments. Interviews often include behavioral questions or case scenarios, and that’s your opportunity to show how you respond, build rapport, and stay calm under pressure.

✅ How to Avoid It: Prepare 2–3 strong examples from your past experience or placements, such as:

• Building trust with a client or their family
• Supporting someone through a meltdown or medical situation
• Managing behaviour or communicating with non-verbal clients
• Going above and beyond in your role
• Handling emergencies or safety concerns Focus on the impact you made, not just the tasks you completed. Show the heart behind your work — that’s what makes employers remember you.

5. Failing to Ask Questions

🚫 The Mistake: Ending the interview without asking any questions — this can come across as a lack of motivation or interest in the role.

⚠️ Why It’s a Problem: When you don’t ask questions, it may seem like you’re not curious, engaged, or invested in the opportunity. Asking the right questions shows initiative and helps you better understand the role, the client, and the skills required. In fact, asking the right question can open unexpected doors. One of our Support Workers asked about the client’s short- and long-term goals — and discovered the client wanted to become a social media influencer. It just so happened the Support Worker had a background in content creation and video editing — and it was a perfect match!

✅ How to Avoid It: Come prepared with a few thoughtful questions. This not only shows you're serious but also helps you see if the role aligns with your values and strengths. Examples of great questions to ask:

• “What does a typical day look like for this role?”
• “What kind of support or training is available for new workers?”
• “What are the client’s short- and long-term goals?”
• “What qualities have made other Support Workers successful in this role?” Remember, questions spark connection — and sometimes even build instant rapport.

Ready to Nail Your Next Interview?

Ethical Hire is here to help. We don’t just place people into jobs — we support them in building meaningful careers in care.

🌐 www.ethicalhire.com.au 📍 Proudly serving Melbourne’s care community

📩 Ready to work? Register with us at www.ethicalhire.com.au