Interview Tips for Nannies
Put your best foot forward.
I could spend hours regaling you with stories of nanny interviews gone good, bad, and just plain crazy. They are rarely a typical corporate appointment. Nanny candidates never know what they might encounter at that first, face- to- face interview–parents who are nervous and unsure, crabby children, a sick family pet, a request to change a diaper … Here is a sample of the interview tips we’ve created for our nanny candidates:
Before the interview:
- Drive by the family’s home
- Research near-by parks, places of interest and activities
- Arrive 5 minutes early
- Turn off your cell phone
Be prepared:
- Along with your resume, consider bringing photos of you and your previous charges, CPR and other training certifications, recipes, books and articles that help explain your childcare philosophy
- Write out a list of your job questions
- Wear conservative, casual clothes and remember you might be asked to remove your shoes
During the interview:
- When asked a question, gather your thoughts and think about how to answer concisely
- Avoid speaking negatively or revealing personal information about past employers
- Engage with the children. Play with them if you can.
- Always ask before holding an infant and wash your hands first
- Ask if they have employed a nanny, what their overall experience was and if you would be able to speak with her if they offer you a job
After the interview:
- Send the family a hand-written note expressing your interest, or at least thanking them for meeting with you. Include something personal that you learned about them or their child(ren).
