Are you unsure of where to start when interviewing an au pair or your future childcare provider? The task of interviewing a candidate who looks good on paper and who you may not necessarily meet in person may seem overwhelming and unfamiliar. Real, honest interview advice from current Cultural Care host families will set you on the right path. You may (or may not) be surprised by most common interview tip—read below to learn more!
Interview your au pair on many different occasions and go with your instinct. Request that you have Skype session and invite other family members to join. Meeting the au pairs immediate family member will ease family members and help bring an immediate closeness. It’s also nice to have Skype sessions with the kids and let them control the session yet schedule separate sessions for questions. The kids sessions will show how the au pair may interact with your child. Understand your family and present your family and your personality for what it really is so you can find the right match for your personality and family needs. -Michelle Williams, host mom in MD
Really think about “fit” with your family rather than just childcare experience of the au pair. Personality is 50% of making the experience work so know what attributes are really important. It is like interviewing a family member not an employee. -Amy Holtz, host mom in VA
More important than anything else is to understand for yourself what you want out of the relationship. With that clear be equally as clear with any candidates. Au pairs come in all shapes and sizes, so make sure you find one that matches your family personality and your parenting style. –Christine Brown, host mom in WA
Take the time to truly think about the needs and style of your family and what kind of person could complement those. Develop thoughtful questions for interviewing potential au pairs. Spend plenty of time communicating via email and Skype. -McKinzie and Stephanie Terrill, host parents in FL
Think about who you really are as a family and be careful to interview for an au pair who will fit well. -Beverly Malone, host mom in OH
The emphasis throughout the advice above is not placed on 1-2 magical questions to ask au pair candidates, but rather on taking the time to hold the mirror up and truly know your family. Interviewing and choosing your au pair starts with understanding and clearly defining your family’s personality, style and needs, and by doing so, you will set yourself up for success in determining what type of person will make for a good fit!
Find out more with the 50 best interview questions to ask your au pair or nanny.