Conducting good and thoughtful interviews is one of the necessary steps to finding a great nanny. We recommend starting with a brief phone interview, and, for those applicants who you rate as the best candidates, an in-person interview.
Phone Interviews
In addition to gaining a glimpse into character and personality, a phone screening should determine if the applicant is serious about pursuing the position. This conversation should last about 20 minutes. Here are a few questions to get you started:
First, you want to determine if the nanny is serious about the position according to your hiring requirements.
- Are you still interested in the position?
- When can you start?
- What are your salary expectations?
Next, you want to determine, on a general scale, whether the nanny fits your expectations. Whatever it is that’s important to you—personality, conversational ability or past work experience—this is your opportunity to make sure the nanny fits your minimum threshold.
- What attracted you to our job posting?
- What is your personal or job history working with children?
- Do you have personal and professional references with whom I can speak about your history working with children?
Face-to-Face
The face-to-face interview should be much more in-depth than the phone interview.
When the nanny arrives, ask him/her to join you in a comfortable area of the house. Normally your child will not be present during the interview process. Before you begin, ask the nanny if he/she would like water or any other beverage to drink.
In the face-to-face you should have a number of questions prepared. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
First, you want to determine why the candidate wants to be your nanny. It’s important to know whether the nanny actually enjoys being a nanny or if the person just needs the job for money. You’re also trying to determine what the nanny’s future plans are.
- What do you enjoy about being a nanny?
- Do you have any future plans (e.g., school or job) that might change your scheduling needs?
- Are you willing to perform other household duties while the child is sleeping?
Second, you will want to discuss the nanny’s prior experience(s) with children. Each parent will have different expectations for prior experience and education. It’s important for you to think about what you want in your nanny.
- What is your personal or job history of working with children?
- How old were the other children you cared for?
- How many children were in the family you worked for?
- Do you have emergency training such as CPR or First-Aid?
- Do you have any formal training in child development?
Third, you should determine the nanny’s competence and personality by asking hypothetical questions or questions about their past work environments. You may find that, due to different personalities, child raising philosophies or past experiences, one or both of you may not be suited to work together.
- If you had a day with my child, what would you do?
- If my child were sick, what would you do?
- If you were caring for my child while I was working in the house, how would you deal with situations where my child wants to see me?
- What is your ideal family-nanny dynamic?
- Have you encountered any habits with your past families that you didn’t like?
- Do you have any set beliefs when it comes to raising children?
- Will you be open to conform your technique to our system and rules?
Fourth, you should consider pushing issues of health and safety. Most people will lie when asked questions like, do you do illegal drugs. You can design your interview to get similar answers but through different, more indirect, questions.
- What do you think about smoking, alcohol and illegal drugs?
- Do you smoke?
Fifth, signing a nanny contract, submitting to a background check and verifying work status are important to the employment relationship. You should determine if the nanny is willing to sign and comply with the necessary agreements.
- Will you sign a nanny contract?
- Are you willing to have a background check run on you?
- Are you legally authorized to work in the U.S.?
Good luck in finding the right nanny!