Real Moms Share Their Best Interview Questions
Get inspiration for what to ask when hiring a nanny with these 10 creative questions.
As someone who will be spending a lot of time with your children, your nanny or babysitter is one of the biggest influences on their upbringing -- aside from you and your partner, of course. It is vital that you pick the right caregiver for your family, but with so many fantastic candidates available in your area, how will you know which one is the best match for your family?
Take a look at the list of helpful questions we've put together in our article on How to Interview a Nanny »
But what if you want to dig a little deeper? These moms from popular parenting blogs and forums weighed in on their best interview questions, and how they separate a good nanny from a great one.
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What Would You Do with My Child on a Rainy Day?
Hopefully, this bad weather query will give you some insight into a potential nanny's creativity and playfulness. Having an imaginative nanny is a great asset for precocious, antsy or active children who need a lot of stimulation. Nannies with a wide array of interests or interesting hobbies will be most likely to keep your family entertained for the long haul, and possibly even help your children form new interests of their own. -
May I Visit Your Home?
One mom on DC Urban Moms and Dads says, "I have asked potential applicants if they minded if we came over and saw where they lived. I saw it as (1) a good way to see someone in their own element and (2) to see if they are really as neat/orderly/clean as they claim to be. Seeing where someone lives tells you a lot about them." If they are meticulous with their home and belongings, there's a great chance they will be meticulous in caring for your children and your home, too. If this is a little too intrusive for you, maybe ask to see their car. -
Do You Blog?
Is your prospective nanny glued to Facebook and her phone? If she's always online, then your children might also start showing up online as well. Care.com message board mom, Tara F., asks candidates about their online usage because otherwise, "how does a family protect its privacy and especially protect the children?" To get a better understanding of someone's Internet habits, ask to see their Facebook page or check out their blog. Do you really want someone with questionable comments or pictures watching over your children? If the prospective candidate does not want to be transparent with you about their posting habits, there's a chance they have something to hide and you might want to rethink using their services. -
What is Your Blood Type?
One Washington, D.C. nanny on Urban Moms and Dads recounts what she thought was the strangest question she'd ever been asked: "What is your blood type?" After answering, the mother explained that she wanted to get a better understanding of the candidates' awareness of their own health, and wanted only nannies who were aware of their own medical state. She figured nannies who were conscious of their own health would be most likely to notice health changes in the kids. These nannies might be more likely to bring mom up to speed on any potential health issues before they become problematic. -
How Would You Handle a Temper Tantrum in a Store?
TheNannyForum.com member Karinne always asks this question in interviews. It gives some good insight into the nanny's temperament and her care philosophy. If a nanny has a vastly differing care philosophy and manner of dealing with discipline issues than the parents, children can become more unruly due to lack of consistent messaging from authority figures. Ask them questions about how they deal with children and discipline, but make sure that your questions aren't leading -- you don't want to hint at what your ideas are and affect their answers. -
How Do You Get Along with Your Parents?
Another mom on DC Urban Moms and Dads always asks about prospective nannies' childhoods and their relationships with parents and any siblings. The nanny's family dynamics and childhood experiences have shaped who she is today, and will give you more information about how she will interact with your children. -
What Do You Know About This Neighborhood?
Mom blogger Mrs. Bee asks her nanny interview candidates what they know about local activities and the neighborhood in general. Finding a nanny who is already familiar with the area means time saved teaching her how to get around, and she may already be aware of fun places to explore with your kids. -
Would You Like to Come Over For Dinner?
Once you get down to the final few top candidates, have each come over for a few hours for a trial period with the whole family around. Ann Andersen of MomMD says that a trial period is key. Even if it's for a short time, knowing how your potential nanny reacts to your children upon first meeting -- especially when you are there to witness it firsthand -- is very helpful in making the final decision. See how comfortable she is playing with your kids and dealing with typical squabbles. If your children don't get along with her, it wasn't meant to be. -
What's on Your iPod?
Mrs. Bee also asks "Nickelback or Nirvana?" Knowing about someone's music or movie tastes can give you a good sense of her personality and what kinds of pop culture references she might be making around your children. Knowing your nanny's entertainment tastes can also give you a good insight into whether her values (and interests) line up with those of your family. -
What's Your Five Year Plan?
Mac Strider of Better Parenting always asks how long candidates plan to work as a nanny. Knowing if this is a few month process, or a life-long venture for them, will go a long way toward finding the best fit for your family. If you're looking for someone to stay with your family for multiple years, the college senior looking to end their nannying career upon graduation probably isn't the best choice. He also notes that "An applicant who is caught entirely off-guard by the question or who struggles to give a coherent answer may not be a desirable candidate."
Do you have any great questions to add to the list? What's the most off-the-wall question you've ever asked -- or been asked -- in a nanny interview?
Gillian Kruse is a freelance writer living in Houston, Texas. Her work can be found here.
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We hold dinner time pretty sacred in my family - we eat dinner together every night, and we only do takeout once a month. This question gives me a good idea if they have a similar family style, which is something I value.
Regarding Liz G.'s comments: This is not the the corporate world. We are talking about a subject near and dear to our hearts ...our families and our children. There is absolutely nothing wrong with these questions. It's my opinion that there is a family and nanny for everyone. The right person for our job would be understanding of our needs and willing to answer questions. This is all part of COMMUNICATING.
Boy! Have I been in your shoes! I have worked for some Wonderful families, But the last family I worked for was awful and the worse exp. I've ever had with Care.Com. The family org. told me that I was to work 12 hrs shifts from 8:30 A.M. to about 8:30 P.M. as well as they could never give me an exact time when they would be home. We had also agreed on a certain amount per week and it came out to be about $4.50/hr Not even min. wage, Also violating the wage and labor laws! I was treated unfairly by both the family and the behavioral issues with the kids! It's really SAD when the oldest son who is 6 can tell you and as well as the family when I had interviewed with them that they had been through several nannies!! RED FLAGS!! Needless to say, When I had finally left the position I was happy and knew there are better families to work for!! I can honestly say, Be honest with the family as well as they should be honest with us!!
Sincerely,
Jennifer V.
I know what you mean. Granted I didn't find this family on this site, but rather a lower quality type site. The mother was supposed to pick up the child at 9a.m and I never recieved a call until 4:30pm, nor was I able to get in contact with her. Then she paid me $10 more than the original pay agreed upon with over 7 hours of more time than agreed. Horrible experience.
How in the world would I know how to charge?? Or, how to go about finding out?? Thanks for any help or suggestions!!
Having a written agreement is a great way to lay out the expectation of both parties. We have an article here on Care.com with some great tips and advice on the matter. best of luck!
http://www.care.com/child-care-do-you-need-a-nanny-contract-p1017-q14699.html
Now, back to the original thread topic. On to interview questions. Some simply don't sit well with me. One interview incident just didn't do it for me. I was asked questions (i.e. health status) that would be illegal to ask in corporate settings. But then again, these young parents of newborn fraternal twins were probably concerned about communicable diseases and the potential caregiver's health status that would limit certain types of tasks. (Plus these young parents - much younger than I - are in the health care field and so was I.) So it was kind of reasonable to ask those questions, but when I was asked if I had health insurance, that was rather insulting. That pretty much hit a nerve. I mean, come on, I've been looking for a job (because I don't have health insurance being self-employed part-time with another part-time job as a supplement, and I had to let go of my full-time job with benefits years ago), and the young dad had the gall to ask me about INSURANCE?! (Well, I'd be definitely game if he wanted to provide it for me! If that were the case, then it would be A-OK. Who knows what his real motive was. He was vague or unclear about it. Corporate employers generally have never asked me that question, and neither have potential families I've met so far.) I simply responded, "I've been generally healthy, thank God." (And that was/has been actually the truth.) I wonder if he intentionally asked those questions to as a way to pre-disqualify me for some reason because he might have thought I wasn't it for them from the get-go. The interview was very short and (not too) sweet. Probably it lasted about 10 minutes or less.
I know it was a domestic, non-corporate setting, so I expected a more "homey" feel (and that doesn't mean unprofessional at all since I also run another home-based business and I carry myself professionally). So I found it odd that they asked non-corporate questions in a corporate tone and demeanor. Although they were not mean by any means and they were quite polite, these young parents were kind of too standoffish and again, they had that formal (almost unapproachable) corporate air about them. They didn't do a whole lot of small talk. (I wouldn't want to work with a family - in a domestic setting, mind you - who'd be rather difficult to establish and maintain a rapport with.) I actually did more of the small talk to break the ice and to show myself as a friendly person. (I've been told often that I'm a bubbly person.) I kept my cool and presented myself professionally the whole time. Needless to say, they didn't choose me, and I really thought it was for the best anyway.
1. What Would You Do with My Child on a Rainy Day?
This is a great question for getting to know not only your nanny's or babysitter's interests but also how she/he would get the kids involved and busy during a day when playing outside isn't an option.
2. May I Visit Your Home?
This one is a little strange, and I think a bit too intrusive. There are other ways to tell if a person is organized during the interview process. Are they taking notes? Do they seem focused on the interview or are they staring off and getting sidetracked? Did they come prepared? How does their resume look, regarding organization of skills, jobs, etc?
3. Do You Blog?
A more appropriate question might be something along the lines of "How much time do you spend using a computer/smartphone/tablet on a typical day?" This will give you a better view of how they spend their time, and if they have a smartphone or camera you are more than welcome to tell them they are not permitted to post pictures of your children on any online forum without your permission. I spend time on several online forums, including this one (care.com), but that is because a lot of my friends (especially overseas) are most easily contactable online. Furthermore, I know that when I'm with the kids they should have my full attention.
4. What is Your Blood Type?
I would probably answer this question, but I would also answer a question about my general awareness of my health. You don't usually have to be sneaky like this with questions--a nanny or babysitter should be able to answer a straight question with a straight answer. A better way to address the issue might be to ask your candidate's references whether they thought their former employee was aware of and reported any health issues the children had.
5.How Would You Handle a Temper Tantrum in a Store?
This question runs along the same lines as a question about discipline. You could also just ask your candidate what their philosophy is on discipline, and if the answer is too general then throw this one out there.
6. How Do You Get Along with Your Parents?
I think this question is too intimate and extremely inappropriate. Your interview should give you a good enough feel for your candidate that you don't need a question like this. My family dynamics are my own business, and how I care for your children has more to do with what I have been taught by experience as a nanny/babysitter/caretaker and what you ask of me than anything from my family history would.
7. What Do You Know About This Neighborhood?
This is a great question! I would not use this question to rule out a candidate, but it would be nice to know that a candidate has some idea of what to do in the area. However, with The Internet everywhere we go, it will not be hard for a nanny or babysitter new to the area to find something awesome for your kids to do even if they are unfamiliar with the neighborhood.
8. Would You Like to Come Over For Dinner?
I agree with a trial period, but I think maybe just having them over for an hour or two under your light supervision would be fine. Dinner with the family can get awkward quickly, but if you let the candidate interact with the kids in a way that would be commonplace if they were hired (say, playing in the backyard or going to a park or to a playgroup or reading a book or naptime) you will see what you need to see of her ability to care for your children. A dinner will not give you nearly as much of the same kind of insight, in my opinion, but it might give your candidate a chance to get to talk to the family a little more.
9. What's on Your iPod?
Musical tastes can be misleading. I have a preference for the kind of music played at renaissance fairs, for soundtracks, for music I can dance and sing to, but I also really enjoy classical and orchestral music. Stereotyping your candidate based on the music they have in their collection is not going to get you very far. If you want to know what they might talk about with your kids, maybe ask them what they've seen or heard in the news lately, or what television shows they like, or what movies or books they have enjoyed recently and why.
10. What's Your Five Year Plan?
This is a great question for families who are looking for a long-term candidate. There is no reason I would not answer this question to the best of my ability, but it is also a risky question. Your candidate does not know any more than you do what will actually be happening in their life in 5 years. However, you will get a good feel for how long this candidate plans to stick around.