This is one place where you can always come to for many things that you will need in your journey as a Personal Support Worker.
You will notice that most of them are very useful if you are looking for a job.
New resources will be added to this list as pswhq.com evolves further. We recommend bookmarking it for your reference and convenience.
RESUME
This is one piece of document that you absolutely need if you are looking for a job. More importantly, it should be well written since it will be your first point of contact with a potential employer.
Click here to download a copy for yourself and here to read a complete guide to build your resume.
COVER LETTER
Cover letter is the second most important piece of document. Important thing about cover letters is that it has to be unique for each employer.
It goes to show how keen are you in getting the job you have applied for.
Click here to read more on cover letters.
JOB INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
Following are the questions that are most likely to be asked during a Personal Support Worker Job interview.
These are questions only.
If you wish to read an appropriate answer to the first eight questions, please click here.
1. How to care for a Palliative patient?
2. A co-worker is arguing with you in the hallway. How will you handle this situation?
3. If a resident falls, what will be your actions?
4. Name any five resident rights and explain them?
5. Any other continuing education you have done related to PSW?
6. Any experience with an aggressive resident and how did you handle the situation?
7. How many PSW’s are there during the transfer of a resident using Hoyer/mechanical lift?
8. A resident is in a wheelchair, he tries to get up when restraints are taken off. Will you use the restraints? What is the restraint policy?
9. A resident seeks exit all the time. How will you deal with such a resident?
10. You are serving snacks. You notice a resident having a runny nose. How will you deal with the situation, keeping infection control in mind?
11. What type of residents you have experience working with?
12. A resident’s family member yells at you regarding the call bell not answered for the resident. What will be your response?
13. A student is with you for a clinical. How will you teach him/her? What will you teach?
REFERENCE REQUEST EMAIL
Having good references is very crucial and can make a difference in you getting a job or not.
There are two things that you want to make sure you follow.
Do not give anyone’s name as your reference. The person who is going to be your reference should be able to give you a good reference. This is really important.
Secondly, make sure the person you’re giving out as your reference, has permitted you to do so. He/she should know ahead of time that they may be contacted.
Here’s how you can send them an email requesting to be your reference:
Subject line: Reference request – Orietta (Your name)
Dear Carrol,
I am actively looking for a PSW positon and was wondering if you could provide a reference for me?
If you were able to attest to my qualifications and the skills I attained while working at XYZ Hospital, I would sincerely appreciate it.
A positive reference from you would greatly enhance my job search prospects.
Please let me know if you have any questions or if there is any information I can provide regarding my experience to assist you in giving me a reference. I can be reached at (your email) or (your phone number).
Thank you for your consideration and I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Best regards,
Orietta
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THANK YOU NOTE/EMAIL
Thank you notes are something that many employers value a lot. Sending one gives you another opportunity to impress upon the person who interviewed you or whoever is in charge of hiring.
Be extra careful when writing a thank you note and make sure it does not have any spelling or grammar mistakes and is worded properly.
Also make sure it is short and to the point.
Thank you notes are best sent via email however sending by postal mail is also an option. If you choose to send by postal mail, make sure you have the proper address of the person you are sending it to.
Here’s a sample thank you note that you can use.
Dear ______,
Thank you for the opportunity to speak with you about the position for Personal Support Worker.
After the interview, I am even more convinced that I will be able to provide you with the level of work that you are looking for.
If you have any other questions, feel free to contact me.
Sincerely,
Your name
FOLLOW-UP CALL AFTER INTERVIEW
If you have had the opportunity to ask questions at the end of your interview, you might have asked if you can call back if you have not heard from them.
If they said that they preferred that you did not call them, then you should not do this.
If they said it was okay to do so, and then give them a call about a week after the interview.
Remember to keep your conversation short and to the point.
Here’s a sample which you are welcome to use:
Employer: Good morning, ABC Hospital
You: Hello. Could I speak to (the name of the person who interviewed you)?
Employer: Yes, one moment please.
…waiting
Mr. or Ms. Interviewer: Good afternoon. How can I help you?
You: Hello Mr. or Ms. Interviewer This is (your name). We had an interview last week on (the date of your interview) for the position of a Personal Support Worker and I’m just following up to see if the position has been filled.
Mr. or Ms. Interviewer: (they will give you an answer)
you: OK. Thank you for your time. Good-bye.
One phone call is acceptable. Do not call too many times and annoy your employer.
BACKGROUND CHECK
Not mandatory, but having a background check in your portfolio goes to show how sincere you are looking for the job. This also gives your employer extra confidence, especially if you plan to work in a private setting.
You can get yours done online through mybackcheck.com.
