How to Interview a Nanny: Phone Interviews

Congratulations, you're still alive

So you've narrowed your applicants to a manageable group. Now it's time to pick up the phone to talk with promising applicants.

Tip: Schedule enough time between calls so you can write notes about each applicant. It's easy to mix up details after a few calls in a row.

What to chat about

Start with a few general questions, like "What do you enjoy about being a nanny?" to help you get to know the applicant. When you're ready to dive in, cover these key topics:

• Name and email address
• Salary requirements (examples of how to address the matter would be: "What salary range are you looking for?" or "We will be paying $X, are you comfortable with that?")
• Confirm that the caregiver is eligible to work in the United States, has a valid driver's license and had a clean driving and criminal record
• Language requirements or barriers, such as needing a particular native or dominant language
• Contact information for references

Don't forget job requirements

You'll also want to review the general requirements of the job and determine if they'll be able to take on what you need. Don't forget to cover the points listed in your job post, including experience with:

• The number and ages of your children
• Types of activities your family likes to do
• Housekeeping responsibilities
• Driving experience

Once you have a short list of top candidates, it's time to set up in-person interviews.