Why do you want to work in healthcare?

Understanding what motivates you to work in healthcare

The question “why do you want to work in healthcare” is a common interview question for most roles within the healthcare sector. Especially if you are changing careers and entering healthcare for the first time, you may have come here looking for the “right” answer while preparing for an interview.

The healthcare sector is a broad industry where people ultimately look after others. Whether you’re treating patients or conducting research, working in healthcare means you’ll be making a difference in the lives of others.

Due to the nature of the sector, the demand for health care workers is always high. With healthcare expected to be the largest growing industry in the next 10 years. There are countless reasons why you would want to work in the healthcare sector.

Here we give you four of our favourite reasons to highlight: what motivates you to work in the healthcare sector?.
 

4 Reasons to want to work in healthcare

Job satisfaction – making a good impact every day

Regardless of what your position in healthcare may be, you are ultimately playing a part in helping others.

Working in healthcare will allow you to reach your desire to help others meanwhile earning a wage. You may help to bring a new life into the world or save another life from ending. Working in healthcare, whether directly or indirectly to another person, you will be changing lives and impacting families.

As a healthcare professional, you get to have a fast-paced workday with an ever-changing atmosphere. This type of work environment leaves professionals finishing each day feeling a sense of fulfilment.

Job security & personal development

Healthcare is one of the most in-demand industries across the UK and the rest of the world.

The NHS is the fifth largest employer in the world, with approximately 1.4 million workers across the UK, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland– not including positions in private health sectors.

The demand for healthcare is an ever-growing industry, with the UK having an ageing population and one that is expected to grow by 10 million over the next 25 years. This means such growth requires healthcare services to grow in conjunction.

Due to the current and expected growth of healthcare, many employers will be offering extra training and personal development opportunities to progress staff. This relates not only to offers and job security in the future but also the chance to branch out and expand knowledge and experience.

Fast paced & dynamic work days

It is very safe to say that no two days are the same when working in healthcare. Whether working in a ward, dental surgery, care home or an office, you never quite know what is going to happen when you wake up and head to work in the morning. The excitement of not knowing what could come your way is a thrill of the job, keeping you alert and guaranteed no repetition in each shift.

The healthcare sector requires regular decision-making, some good, some difficult and often on the spot. Decisiveness, intuition and problem solving are characteristics of anybody in healthcare. With the constant physical and mental challenges of healthcare, each day will be full of learning, and the shifts are likely to go by quickly.

Roles are available to suit all skill sets

The broad scale of healthcare settings means that qualifications and medical knowledge are not necessarily required. Contrary to belief, it is not a requirement for all healthcare professionals to have spent 4+ years at university and received all A* at A levels.

Of course, some roles will need these achievements. However a passion for caring for and looking after others is a key necessity in any role.

Healthcare is such a vast sector that roles vary from administration, payroll, community care, doctors, surgeons, nursing home and social care, to name a few. With opportunities to suit varying education and experience levels.

As the sector strongly promotes and endorses personal growth, it might mean that you gain further education, qualifications and skills that you started with. For example, look at the ways you can progress from a healthcare assistant into a registered nurse.
 

Why do you want to work in healthcare – interview answer

We have given you some of the incentives and benefits of starting and developing a career in healthcare. It would be impossible for you to include all of this in your answer to this question. Trying to do so would unlikely sound genuine. So, pick the main reason that is relatable to you and build on this.

• Are you looking for that sense of fulfilment at the end of every day? Explain to a potential employer why you’re looking for this. Has a personal experience made you reflect on your current career and made you want to make a change?
• Do you want a role with more job security? Do you have long-term plans for your personal development? What are your career goals? How does this role fit into your plan?
• Will you thrive in a fast-paced environment? Are you decisive and a great problem solver? Think of and prepare some examples where you have displayed these qualities.
• Is it your passion to care for and look after others? Are you someone that doesn’t have any formal qualifications but likes to help others?  Do you want to bring other professional qualifications into a more rewarding environment?

It’s always a great idea to have a bank of answers prepared ahead of an interview. If it’s your first role within the healthcare industry, then look at some of the other common support worker interview questions and our tips on preparing your answers.
 

Want to work in healthcare?

We have only covered a few of the incentives of starting a career in healthcare. But there are many more benefits, including the flexibility of working hours – the healthcare industry is a 24/7 operation. As well as the assurance of a healthy work/life balance. We are always looking for great people and have a wide range of health sector jobs available.

If you are considering a career in healthcare or you are looking to progress, talk to our team at Safehands Recruitment to see how they may be able to assist you.