I can’t even tell you how many qualified nannies end up not getting a job that they want, simply because they flopped during an interview.
Interviewing for a nanny position is a little different than interviewing for a corporate job. You’re expected to be reliable and professional. However, the interviewer will also be looking for a natural connection. The role that a nanny plays is much more complex than that of a typical employee. You’re part of the family, but you’re getting paid to do your tasks. Your responsibilities are similar to those of a parent, yet they’re different.
Navigating these intricate waters smoothly is important. To interview like a pro, you have to show that you can handle the complicated responsibilities of being a nanny. Being prepared for the interview is part of the secret to landing a job. However, it’s also important to be yourself. Even if you nail the interview, do you really want the position if it’s not a good fit? Being honest and open from the beginning will ensure that you get a job that really makes you happy.
Prepare Answers To Interview Questions
It’s important for a nanny to be able to think on her feet. Children don’t always do what you expect, and your job will entail coming up with quick solutions. That doesn’t mean that you should go into an interview without preparing, however.
Coming up with answers to common interview questions will help you be more confident during the consultation. You don’t need to rehearse the script, but you should be able to quickly think of a few answers to common scenarios.
Some common interview questions for nannies are:
• Why did you become a nanny?
• What are some of your favorite activities to do with children of this age?
• What is your philosophy on discipline?
• How would you react if a child was throwing a tantrum?
• What would you do in an emergency?
• What parts of the job have you enjoyed?
• What parts of the job have you disliked?
• Where do you see yourself in five years?
• What are some of your greatest challenges as a nanny?
There are no correct answers. The right answer really depends on the philosophies of the parent. Therefore, it’s more important to answer truthfully than to try to bend the response toward what you think the family will want to hear. You don’t want to end up working for an employer that has fundamentally different principles than you.
Think Of Examples
Interviewers like to know that you have experience. When you prepare your answers to common interview questions for nannies, think of examples that can illustrate your proficiency. What have you done in an emergency? What are some methods that you have used for discipline? When did you experience a challenge in your last job?
Concentrate On Solutions
Don’t sugarcoat your answers to interview questions. Everyone knows that life isn’t perfect. Instead of making it sound as though you’ve never been through a challenge, spin the tough times into something constructive. Show the family that you understand the struggles of raising children and that you come to the table with productive ideas.
Bring Along Some Essentials
You’ll set yourself apart from other candidates if you prepare yourself by bringing along some paperwork. Carry hard copies of your resume with you even if you have already submitted a resume to the family.
Your resume should include previous nanny experience as well as volunteer work, extracurricular activities, certifications and skills that may be an asset when working with children. Include a list of references with contact information.
You should also bring copies of your driver’s license and a secondary form of identification, such as a social security card. If the family hires you on the spot, this can make completing employment paperwork much easier.
Do you have a portfolio of your work? A scrapbook that includes mementos from other jobs can demonstrate that it’s important for you to develop a connection with the children in your care. Put together a binder with photos of you with previous charges, cards that the children made for you and craft projects that you worked on together.
Lastly, Thank Them For Their Time
It’s important to send a thank you note to the family within 24 hours of the interview, thanking them for the opportunity to meet with their family. This gesture says a lot about your character, and it will also provide you with an opportunity to tell the family why you think you’ll be a good fit for their family.
Especially if there are many applicants for a job, you want to stand out from the crowd. Most of the nannies will probably have a history that shows their experience.
Capture the attention of your potential employees by going above and beyond with professional preparation, thoughtful questions and constructive examples of your relationships with previous employers.
I wish you all the BEST!