Interviewing Tips For Families
- Interview and observe all potential nannies with your child:
- How does the nanny feel about your work requirements?
- Explore why this nanny wants to care of your child.
- Is the nanny warm, caring, attentive and responsive to your child?
- Try to make her comfortable so that she can express herself. Take sufficient time to get to know her. We strongly recommend a trial interview.
- Ask all potential nannies to provide concrete examples of:
- What they like to do with children
- What are their feelings about discipline
- How would they handle naps, eating and toilet training and your child crying
- How would they handle an emergency situation
- Ask a lot of “what if” questions of the nanny, for example:
- What if my child cries all day?
- What if my child refuses to eat? To nap?
- Typical Interview Questions
- Why do you want to be a nanny?
- What qualifies you to do this type of work?
- What types of activities do you like to do with children?
- How do you handle a child that is a picky eater?
- How do you handle an emergency situation?
- What do you do when a child is crying? What if the child cries all day?
- How do you handle a child that is misbehaving?
- What do you think a typical day would be like with the children?
- Have you ever toilet trained child? What was your experience like, and what techniques did you use?
- What is your background? Tell us about your family.
- Describe your personality.
- Why did you leave your prior jobs?
- Are you willing to do lots of outside activities?
- Are you comfortable being both a nanny and a housekeeper?
- Are you flexible to occasionally stay a little bit later during the week?
- Are you in good health? Do you smoke?
- Are you a good driver? Any accidents in your past?
- How often do you take vacations? Are you willing to coordinate some vacation with a family vacation, so that family is on vacation at the same time?
- Describe what your discipline philosophy is.
- Describe how you work within parent requirements for child supervision (e.g., children doing chores, limited T.V. time, meal time etc.)
- Are you comfortable with constructive criticism?
- What did you like about your most recent job? What did you not like?
- What is your educational background?
- Have you completed any childcare related courses or do you have any special training?
- Always Check references and work history.
Kate, 30s, from Chicago, IL