In some cases you may like some ideas of how to structure an interview with a Nanny/Housekeeper.
We suggest that you keep the initial part of the interview general, ask questions that allow the candidate to talk freely.
Casual conversation at the outset often gives the candidate an opportunity to relax into the interview – and often when someone talks freely they offer genuine insights into their nature, that might not always be apparent when you pose particular questions.
It is a good idea to take her on a little tour of the house and garden, the children’s rooms. While you are walking around you can have a relaxed chat. You can even let her hold the baby if she wants to.
At some point during the interview, you can suggest that she stays and plays with your child for a few minutes while you either make some tea, go to the loo or “do something” in another room. In this way you can see how she interacts with your child without you peering over her shoulder.
Here are suggested interview questions you could work through – most of these are quite general and are used more as talking points that hard questions with the “right answer.”
How old were the children you worked with at your last job?
What were their names?
When you started how old were they?
Were the children at home with you during the day, or did they go to school for part of the day?
What were the hours that you were working? Did you have a problem with the early start or late finish?
Do you have children? How old are they?
Are they at school? Where?
What sort of support system do you have for your children when you are not at home?
What does your husband do? Where does he work? How long has he been there?
What do you usually do on a Saturday and a Sunday?
When was the last time you travelled to see your family (assuming her family lives in another area)?
When you do you usually take your holiday or break in the year? When are your planning your next trip home?
Were you expected to do the housework as well as take care of the children at your last position?
Did you make food for the child? What did you make?
If I called you and said I was running late, and please would you make dinner for my husband and myself, and the children – what would you make as a meal?
How is your health? Do you go to the clinic regularly for anything?
When was the last time you were ill – what was wrong?
Do you have any allergies? Do you like cats and dogs?
Though your role is not to care for the pets – I do require you to ensure they have clean water every day, and if either of the animals mess in the house – which rarely happens – would you have a problem cleaning up after them?
How will you get to work? What will it cost?
In your last position, what time did you have to be at work? What time did you leave in the mornings? How did you travel? How often were you late?
To probe some basic childcare questions —-
What would you do if you are changing a baby’s nappy on the change table, and you have to fetch something from another room?
How would you handle a child who is having a tantrum?
When you arrive at work, what is the first thing you do?
How would you go about potty training a child?
How would you make sure a home is safe when the child starts crawling and walking? How would you put a small baby to sleep? And a toddler?
What activities would you do to keep a toddler busy and stimulated?
What songs would you sing to a small child?
If a child doesn’t want to eat, what would you do?
If a toddler doesn’t want to get in the bath, what would you do?
On occasion I use a babysitter – are you available to babysit and stay over on those nights? Or is this not something you are able to do?
Is there something about you that you think I should be aware of that I haven’t asked you?
If I was interested in bringing you in for a trial to see how you work and spend a bit of time with you, which days would you be available?
Most Nannies and Housekeepers are not accomplished interviews. The way you would conduct a Nanny interview is somewhat different from how you would conduct an interview for a position at your office.
Be sensitive to how comfortable the candidate is – often the first 10 – 15 minutes are a bit awkward.
Happy Helpers Nanny Agency 