Should You Hire for Attitude or Experience?

The Answer May Surprise You.

When you’re short-staffed and stretched thin, it’s tempting to grab the most experienced carer you can find and get them on the rota. After all, experience means they’ll hit the ground running, right?

Not always.

In fact, at SisterStaff, we’ve seen time and time again that the carers who last, grow, and truly connect with clients aren’t always the ones with the most experience — they’re the ones with the right attitude.

Let’s explore why that matters, how to spot it, and how to strike the right balance when hiring.

The Problem with Over-Prioritising Experience

Experience can absolutely be an asset — but it’s not a guarantee of quality, reliability, or care values.

Some risks when hiring on experience alone:

  • They’re stuck in their ways and resistant to new training
  • They cut corners or rely on outdated practices
  • They’re burned out or bringing baggage from a previous employer
  • They may not fit your company culture or values

Worse still, they may expect more autonomy or less oversight than your service model allows — leading to tension and turnover.

What We Mean by “Attitude” — And Why It’s Gold

Hiring for attitude means hiring people who:

  • Show up on time and take pride in doing things properly
  • Are willing to learn, even if they’ve never worked in care before
  • Have empathy, kindness, and patience as their default
  • Take constructive feedback well
  • Are team players who communicate with respect

These are the people who become your most loyal carers, your future senior staff, and your best advocates.

Experience can be trained.
Attitude can’t.

The Benefits of Hiring for Attitude

  • Lower turnover– People with a growth mindset are more likely to stay and progress
  • Stronger client relationships– Clients feel safe and cared for by people who genuinely care
  • Better team culture– Positive people build positive environments
  • Greater flexibility– They’ll adapt, retrain, and rise to the challenge
  • More loyalty– People you invest in early often give it back tenfold

When Experience Does Matter

There are times when experience is essential:

  • Complex care packages requiring clinical skills
  • Lone-working roles with minimal supervision
  • Emergency cover where training time is tight
  • CQC requirements for specific roles

But even then — attitude should still be your deal-breaker.

We’ve seen experienced carers create real harm when their attitude was poor: missed visits, complaints, and damage to your reputation.

It’s not about one or the other — it’s about prioritising the right thing for the right role.

How to Spot Great Attitude in Interviews

The best carers don’t always have perfect CVs — but they shine in conversation.

Try asking:

  • “Tell me about a time you helped someone in a way that made you feel proud.”
  • “What do you think makes someone a great carer?”
  • “What would you do if a client was upset or frustrated with you?”
  • “What would your last manager say was your best quality?”

Watch how they respond:

  • Do they light up when they talk about helping others?
  • Are they reflective, humble, and open to feedback?
  • Do they show emotional intelligence and kindness?

A candidate’s story often tells you more than their years of service.

Invest in the Right People — Not Just the Experienced Ones

At SisterStaff, we’ve helped dozens of care companies transform their recruitment by switching focus:

From:
Only hiring “ready-made” carers with 5+ years experience
To:
Bringing in trainable, values-led people with the right heart

Then we help them:

  • Create strong inductions
  • Pair new hires with mentors
  • Build confidence through CPD
  • Retain them with good management

The results? Higher retention, happier clients, and less stress for Registered Managers.

Final Thought: Skills Fade. Attitude Stays.

  • The right skills can be taught.
  • The right qualifications can be earned.
  • But the right attitude is priceless — and permanent.

So next time you’re choosing between a carer with 10 years on their CV and someone with a spark in their eye and a heart for helping, ask yourself this:

  • Who will still be with me in a year?
  • Who will still care on a hard day?
  • Who can I trust in front of my clients?

The answer might surprise you.

Ready to recruit carers with heart and potential — not just history?
SisterStaff can help you attract, assess, and retain the right people.
We’ll even help train and onboard those with the right mindset but no experience yet.

Visit www.bigsistercare.com/sisterstaff to learn more.

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