Interviewing a nanny is out of the comfort
zone of many parents. Knowing what to ask during the interview can help to gain
insight into the person you’re considering hiring as a nanny. The more you know
about your nanny candidate, the more informed and educated your hiring decision
can be.
1.
Why do you want to work
as a nanny?
Working as a nanny takes more than having a love for children. Try
to get a sense of why the candidate is pursing work as a nanny. Ask follow up
questions including:
o What are your skills?
o What is your experience?
o What draws you to the in-home environment?
2.
What have you done with
the children in your care?
Knowing what candidates have done, not what they think they would
do, can provide you with insight into how they engage children.
o How did you respond when a child had a temper
tantrum?
o Can you tell me how you handled naps, eating and
toilet training in your last position?
o Can you tell me about an emergency situation you
had to handle?
3.
What did you do when a
child wouldn’t listen to you?
Asking a candidate to recap things she’s done can give you an
accurate picture of how she handles different situations.
o Can you tell me about a time when a child
wouldn’t stop crying?
o How did you respond when your previous charge
refused to nap?
4.
Can you provide me with
a list of references?
References can provide insight into the candidate based on past
experiences with the candidate.
o
Can I have the contact
information for your previous employer?
o
Can you provide me with
a reference from a non-family member in your community?
5.
Are you willing to
consent to a background screening?
When conducting your nanny search, don’t bypass background
screening. Gathering as much information as you can about a candidate will help
you to make an educated and informed hiring decision.
o
Are you registered with
TrustLine (California) or any other state agencies that require nannies to be
registered?
o
Will you consent to
having a background check done?
6.
Why did you leave your
last position?
Knowing the circumstances surrounding how a nanny’s recent jobs
have ended may enable you to identify any employment trends.
o
Can you tell me
something you really enjoyed about your last job?
o
Can you tell me
something that bothered you about your last job?
o
How did you communicate
with former employers?
Knowing if a candidate can perform the duties and fulfill the
responsibilities you’ve lined out is essential.
o Are there any commitments that would keep you
from being able to do this job?
o Is there anything that would prevent you from
fulfilling the duties and responsibilities I’ve outlined?
o Do you have any concerns about this job?
o How long are you willing to commit to this job
for?
8.
Why should I hire you?
Provide your candidate with an opportunity to share why she thinks
she may be the right nanny for your family.
o
What separates you from
your nanny peers?
o
Why you think we’d be a
good match?
o
Why should I trust you
with my children?