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Interviewing for a potential new nanny job can be exciting, and nerve-wracking. Whether you’re walking into an interview for a part-time position or a full-time and live-in arrangement, you want to make sure you’re putting your best foot forward.
Here are three things you can do to make a good first impression in your next nanny job interview.
1. Dress appropriately
While it may sound obvious to dress appropriately for an interview, dressing for a nanny position is different from a normal office job interview.
You want to wear clothing that is conservative, but ultimately comfortable. Most interviews involve interacting with the children, so you’ll want to wear clothing that is presentable, clean, and that you’ll feel comfortable playing in. You’ll also want to wear comfortable, practical shoes. There’s no quicker way to show inexperience than trying to run after toddlers in 4-inch heels. It’s also a good idea to not wear any dangling jewelry that kids can potentially tug on, or put in their mouths.
Bottom line, look put together. Avoid graphic t-shirts or being too casual. Remember — you want to show the family that you’re an easy fit for their family, and that your priority is to care for the children.
2. Make the right impression, right away
Interviewing for a nanny position is unique in that the interview usually takes place in the family’s home. It takes a certain level of vulnerability to allow strangers into the home, so you’ll want to make sure you’re exuding friendliness and confidence.
When you first enter the home, give a firm handshake, greet the children in a manner appropriate for their age, and ask to wash your hands before sitting down for your interview. The worst thing you can do in an interview is to completely ignore the children.
Make sure to bring your references, resume, and any other information that the family has requested. It’s a good idea to print out multiple copies, so each parent can have a copy, as well as a household manager. You want to show the family that you are organized and dependable. The best way to do that is to be prepared, friendly, and confident.
3. Ask the right questions — and have the right answers
Asking the right questions during an interview goes a long way in showing the family that you have experience and know what a nanny job entails.
Be sure to ask the family about:
Daily routines
Parenting philosophies
House rules
Expectations of the position
Dietary preferences for the children
The children’s personalities and favorite activities
If the parents are interviewing you, expect to take a much more active role in the interview. Parents are not generally trained interviewers, so they might make some mistakes like asking yes or no questions instead of open-ended ones.
To really impress the family, take the initiative to provide thought-out answers beyond yes or no. For example, if they ask you “Will you do activities with the kids during the day?”, take the opportunity to explain to them how important activities are in your style of childcare, and what some of your favorite activities to do with the kids are.
A favorite question that is asked during an interview is “tell me about yourself.” It can be very difficult to answer such an open-ended question. The key is to focus on the aspects of your life and personality that are relevant to being a successful nanny. For example, you can highlight how you grew up with kids around, or why you decided to pursue a career in early childhood education. Always connect it back to why you would be a good fit for the family.
These three tips will help you land that dream nanny job if you're interviewing for a nanny position. The more prepared you are, the more confident you will be during the interview, and ultimately — the more successful.
VIP Nannies provides quality childcare to high-end families in LA, NY, and globally. To view our open positions, click here.
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