How to prepare for an interview at a senior living community
You’ve put lots of time and effort into completing and submitting an application, nervously waited to hear back, then you find out you’ve landed an interview. Great news! Now it’s time to prepare. When you take the time to prepare for an interview, your dedication and interest in the position and company shows.
At SRG we’ve got 35 years of experience creating great places for seniors to live, so we know what it takes to deliver innovative community design, excellent service, and exceptional care. And we know that people make all the difference. Whether you’re a caregiver, medication aide, housekeeper, cook, server, activities assistant, and beyond, you play an important role in contributing to the well-being of the residents who choose to call one of our communities their home.
Remember, if you’ve made it this far the hiring manager has already spotted you have potential. An interview is your chance to shine. Here are tips to help you succeed at any interview for senior living community careers:
Learn about the community
It’s important you understand what matters most in the community. Do you know what services they offer, their values, their history? Consider your skills and how they make you a good fit.
Research the organization or community ahead of the interview. Learn about their mission and philosophy, number of communities and whether they are local or national. Make sure to familiarize yourself with the type of senior care they offer and the number of residents that they care for.
Research questions
It might seem obvious but don’t forget to research commonly asked questions. Even if you’re a seasoned interview pro, it doesn’t hurt to refresh your memory or improve your answers, building on your experience from training or past roles.The interview might include situational, behavioral or competency-based questions, so it’s worth preparing answers for these different styles. Make sure to explore relevant interview questions for the role you’ve applied to. If you have applied to senior assisted living jobs for example, make sure to research relevant interview questions for those job titles.
Think about your answers
When preparing your answers, think about how you’ll frame them. Consider techniques such as STAR (situation, task, action, and result of the situation you’re describing) to help keep your answers meaningful and relevant. Think about your past experience and what you can draw on to show how you’re qualified for the job.
Interviews for senior living jobs aim to uncover your skills, personality, drive, and ability to fit in. Interviewers want to know that it’s not only the job that you’re after but also that you want to make a real difference by working in the community. If you’re starting out a caregiving career, why not read 5 essential qualities of a great caregiver?
Prepare questions to ask
Think about what you want to learn about the community or role and write these questions down for the day. Preparing questions and showing an interest in the organization shows that you're serious about the opportunity and want to make sure the company's values align with your own.
Get ready
Ahead of the interview, make sure you know how to get to the community, who you’re meeting and if there are any clearance criteria to complete. Check travel disruptions to avoid being late, so you don’t give your interviewer a reason to rule you out before you’ve even met. If it’s virtual, ensure you plan accordingly. If you live with others, remind them when you’ll be interviewing to avoid interruptions.
Searching for an SRG community where you belong?
At SRG we love movers, shakers, and smile-makers. We’re passionate and care deeply about delivering exceptional experiences for our senior living communities. If you've got a positive attitude and a desire to work with and for great people, you’ve come to the right place.
Whether you’re looking for your first job or a more fulfilling career path, we have benefits you’ll love and a range of exciting roles you can dive into.
If you’re ready to join a Great Place to Work where we create great places for seniors to live, explore our senior living community careers.
Receive articles like this
Some roles you might be interested in
Salary
Location
Mount Pleasant, SC
Location
Mount Pleasant
Type of Employment
Part-time
Community
Artisan Mt. Pleasant
Function
Food Service
Description
We make this job fun and a team effort when serving food to residents and guests in our Fine Dining in-house restaurant. Crisp linen tablecloths, fine china and top-quality fresh ingredients; this is
Reference
c9cc7b0c-5a14-47b4-bcca-f64ae5703c15
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
Location
Wilsonville, OR
Location
Wilsonville
Type of Employment
Full-time
Community
SpringRidge
Function
Food Service
Description
Essential Duties:Serve water and other beverages.Ensure that beverages are refreshed throughout the resident’s meal service.Bus tables in a timely manner. Deliver dirty dinnerware to dish room area fo
Reference
6ebe61e7-335c-45bb-9c08-58036f5694eb
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
Location
Tucson, AZ
Location
Tucson
Type of Employment
Part-time
Community
Amber Lights
Function
Food Service
Description
We make this job fun and a team effort when serving food to residents and guests in our Fine Dining in-house restaurant. Crisp linen tablecloths, Fine China and top-quality fresh ingredients; this is
Reference
9f9b4bca-9f7d-479a-b100-0e69b810cae4
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
Location
Wilsonville, OR
Location
Wilsonville
Type of Employment
Full-time
Community
SpringRidge
Function
Food Service
Description
Prepare meals for residents providing high quality dining service that takes into account resident preferences and special dietary requirements in compliance with applicable food and sanitation regula
Reference
0c505716-ec52-4f00-b0d6-83daa15dca10
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
Location
Wilsonville, OR
Location
Wilsonville
Type of Employment
Full-time
Community
SpringRidge
Function
Food Service
Description
Prepare meals for residents providing high quality dining service that takes into account resident preferences and special dietary requirements in compliance with applicable food and sanitation regula
Reference
9ed50a79-ed04-4dc6-bb3a-0bdb51478813
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
Location
Wilsonville, OR
Location
Wilsonville
Type of Employment
Full-time
Community
SpringRidge
Function
Food Service
Description
Essential Duties:Serve water and other beverages.Ensure that beverages are refreshed throughout the resident’s meal service.Bus tables in a timely manner. Deliver dirty dinnerware to dish room area fo
Reference
b88ea9f7-a1f9-4572-b2c3-efddabdab0d2
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
Location
Tucson, AZ
Location
Tucson
Type of Employment
Part-time
Community
Amber Lights
Function
Food Service
Description
We make this job fun and a team effort when serving food to residents and guests in our Fine Dining in-house restaurant. Crisp linen tablecloths, Fine China and top-quality fresh ingredients; this is
Reference
a22d3cc1-aefa-42fc-be62-366d62ba56ac
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
Location
Sun City West, AZ
Location
Sun City West
Type of Employment
Full-time
Community
The Heritage Tradition
Function
Food Service
Description
We make this job fun and a team effort when serving food to residents and guests in our Fine Dining in-house restaurant. Crisp linen tablecloths, fine china and top-quality fresh ingredients; this is
Reference
149038be-7f23-4df5-9be7-d826ee0d00df
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
Location
Sun City West, AZ
Location
Sun City West
Type of Employment
Full-time
Community
The Heritage Tradition
Function
Food Service
Description
We make this job fun and a team effort when serving food to residents and guests in our Fine Dining in-house restaurant. Crisp linen tablecloths, fine china and top-quality fresh ingredients; this is
Reference
801bdb6b-497e-4e9e-948b-14d89a556c4a
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
Location
Daly City, CA
Location
Daly City
Type of Employment
Full-time
Community
Peninsula Del Rey
Function
Care
Description
Respond to resident needs promptly and kindly. We will train the right candidates that have the heart to serve othersAssist residents in their daily living activities (bathing, dressing, feeding, mobi
Reference
2ea83936-f439-4682-919d-6334816781b0
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Articles you might like
.jpg)
Teaser
Career adviceContent Type
BlogsPublish date
07/25/2025
Summary
As individuals, we all embark on a unique journey through life. Each phase offers its own set of challenges and opportunities, and one phase that deserves special attention is our golden years.
.jpg)
Teaser
Career adviceContent Type
BlogsPublish date
07/25/2025
Summary
Are you searching for a career that goes beyond the ordinary? A path that allows you to make a real difference in the lives of others? Choosing a fulfilling career is a deeply personal and subje
+(1).jpg)
Teaser
Dining and food servicesContent Type
BlogsPublish date
07/25/2025
Summary
Are you a culinary enthusiast on the hunt for an exciting and rewarding career in the kitchen? Have you considered cook jobs at a senior living community? These vibrant communities are full of l

Teaser
Employee storyContent Type
BlogsPublish date
07/25/2025
Summary
If you’re looking to kickstart a career in the kitchen, server jobs are a great way to get your foot in the door and build experience! With employment of cooks expected to grow faster than other

Teaser
Caregiving and clinicalContent Type
BlogsPublish date
07/25/2025
Summary
Have you ever felt a calling to make a profound difference in the lives of others? If you're nodding in agreement, then the noble path of caregiving may be calling your name. Becoming a caregive
.jpg)
Teaser
HousekeepingContent Type
BlogsPublish date
07/25/2025
Summary
If you've found your way to this blog, chances are you're interested in a housekeeping role. The question is though, what makes a senior living community such a unique place to work? Before we g

Teaser
Dining and food servicesContent Type
BlogsPublish date
07/25/2025
Summary
Are you craving something new? With food prep and serving jobs expected to grow 11% from 2021 to 2031, there couldn’t be a better time to be on the look out for a dining and food service role. I
.jpg)
Teaser
Caregiving and clinicalContent Type
BlogsPublish date
07/25/2025
Summary
We truly don't know what we would do without caregivers. And by we, we don't just mean us at SRG. We mean the entire nation. Across America, millions of seniors and people living with disabiliti

Teaser
Dining and food servicesContent Type
BlogsPublish date
07/25/2025
Summary
Are you seeking a career that not only satisfies your passion for cooking but offers ultimate job satisfaction? You’ve come to the right place. From work-life balance to career growth, we'll del
.jpg)
Teaser
Employee storyContent Type
BlogsPublish date
07/25/2025
Summary
At SRG Senior Living, we serve more than 3,000 retirees in retirement communities throughout the United States – and with 35 years of experience delivering excellence, we know a thing or two abo
Great Benefits You'll Love
We offer a variety of great perks and comprehensive benefits to meet your unique work life. Click to find our summary of benefits and all the information you need for wellness, finances, and work-life balance.
SRG BenefitsSome roles you might be interested in