A Personal Guide to Success from Kerry Noonan, Recruitment Lead

Hi everyone, I’m Kerry Noonan, the Recruitment Lead here at Green Light.

If you’ve received that golden email inviting you to an interview, please know that we are already incredibly impressed! You’ve made it through the screening process because we see real potential in your application. Congratulations!

I know interviews can feel like a high-pressure situation, but here at Green Light, we genuinely want to meet the real you. Our interview process is designed to be supportive, not stressful. We believe that if you feel comfortable, you can truly shine and show us your passion.

To help you get ready, I’ve put together some essential preparation tips. Follow these steps, and you’ll walk into your interview feeling confident, prepared, and excited!

🚀 Before the Day: Smart Preparation

1. Explore Our World (Research is Your Superpower!)

This is non-negotiable! Don’t just skim our website.

• Job Description: Review the specific role requirements and think about how your skills align with each bullet point.
• Our Values: Our core values are empathy, empowerment and integrity. Think about how you might add to or align with these.  Look for our mission statement and reflect on our commitment to the people we support. This should be woven into your answers.
• The Blogs: I highly recommend reading our team member blogs. These give you a flavour of our culture, the challenges we overcome, and the career development we offer. It’s the best insight you can get!

2. Review & Relate to Your Application

We will undoubtedly pick up on specific experience or qualifications you mentioned in your application. Make sure you can elaborate on these. If you’ve had a break in your career or are transitioning fields, be ready to clearly articulate why Green Light is your next step.

3. Perfect Your Storytelling (The STAR Method)

We love hearing about your past experiences. While previous care experience is a bonus, it’s not essential! We look for transferable skills—like empathy, resilience, team working, and patience.

Think of at least three strong examples that showcase these skills. I can’t stress the S.T.A.R. method enough—it helps you deliver clear, concise, and impactful answers:

• Situation (or Task): Set the scene.
• Action: What you did (this is the most important part!).
• Result: What was the positive outcome? What did you learn?

Kerry’s Insight: “We want to hear about what you learned from a tough situation. We understand that things don’t always go perfectly—what matters is your ability to reflect and grow as a person.”

4. Formulate Thoughtful Questions (Show Genuine Enthusiasm)

Interviewing is a two-way process. Prepare 3-5 questions for me or the manager who will be interviewing. This shows us you’re not just looking for a job, but a job with Green Light.

• Good Examples: “Can you describe the average daily routine in this specific home?”, “What opportunities are there for specialist training?”, or “What is the team culture like at [Location Name]?”

5. Confirm Logistics & Adjustments

• Dress Code: We recommend smart casual. You don’t need a suit! Choose something tidy and comfortable that allows you to feel professional and confident.
• Time & Place: Double-check the time and location. If you’re coming to our main office, the entrance can be found easily using: https://w3w.co/trickster.coats.eggplants. If it’s a video call, test your camera, microphone, and internet connection beforehand.
• Invite to interview Email: To confirm your preparation for the interview, please respond to the email invitation to let Kerry know you will be attending.
• Accessibility: Our priority is your full participation. Please let me know if you require any adjustments (e.g., visual aids, timing, or format changes) well in advance.  

🌟 On the Day: Engaging & Authentic

6. Control the Clock (Punctuality & Presence)

Aim to arrive 5–10 minutes early (or log in early for video calls). This gives you a moment to settle your nerves. When the interview starts, maintain eye contact (or look into your camera) and practice active listening.

7. Pause, Clarify, and Connect

When you hear a question:

• It is okay to pause. Take a moment to gather your thoughts. Silence is not scary—it shows thoughtful consideration.
• Ask for clarification if needed. We want you to answer the question we asked, not the one you thought we asked!
• Connect Your Answers: Try to link your responses back to our values or mission or the specific challenges of the role. This demonstrates you understand what Green Light stands for.

8. Be Honest and Focus on Learning

We are looking for self-awareness and integrity. If you’ve had challenging experiences, we want to know what you took away from them. It’s not about hiding past difficulties; it’s about showcasing your resilience and growth mindset.

9. Show Us Your Passion for People

In this sector, passion is everything. We want to see genuine empathy, patience, and a desire to make a difference in someone’s life. Think about what truly motivates you to seek a role in support work and let that enthusiasm come across.

10. Above All: Just Be You!

We believe that the best support comes from people who are genuine and authentic. We want to know your true values, your sense of humour, and what makes you tick. If you’re a perfect fit for our culture and values, we can teach you everything else through our award-winning induction training.

We are excited about the prospect of you joining Green Light. If you leave the interview and suddenly remember the perfect question or the perfect anecdote, please feel free to email or call me afterwards.

We are rooting for you! Good luck!

— Kerry Noonan, Recruitment Lead