Getting your first social care job
You don't need work experience or qualifications to get your first job in adult social care. What's really important is having the right values, behaviours and attitudes to work effectively with people who need care and support.
Keep reading to find out what values you need and how to demonstrate your values when applying for your first job.
What values do you need to work in adult social care?
Values are the beliefs, views and natural attributes that people hold about what is right and wrong. They apply to all aspects of life and influence how a person behaves in different situations.
Here are some examples of the values and behaviours you need to work in social care...
Test your values by trying out our career matching quiz!
Demonstrating your values when applying for jobs
You may not have experience of working in a social care role, but you might have other experience which demonstrates that you have the right values. You could draw on experiences from;
- a hobby
- volunteering or work experience
- your home life
- a previous job (part-time or full-time)
- caring for a loved one
Have a think about some of the values and behaviours employers would like to see and write down examples of where you have used them to prepare you for your interview.
Demonstrating first-hand experience will help you when starting your career in social care. Here are some ways you could build your experience and put your values and behaviours into practice.
- Volunteer with a local community or charity group
- Try work experience or taster days
- Join a local sports team or interest group
- Organise or support a fundraising activity
- Regularly offer to help family members, neighbours or friends
Find opportunities in your area on our work experience, placements and volunteering page.
