Interview Checklist: What to Do, What to Say, What to Wear

Interviewing for a new job can be nerve-wracking. Prepare for your interview by reading the tips below. Leave a comment with any additional advice.

Be Safe: When you’re meeting a potential employer in person for the very first time, you may want to meet in a public place like a local coffee shop, particularly if you’re not familiar with the neighborhood where the family lives. Be sure to arrange safe transportation for yourself to and from the interview, and let your family and friends know where you’ll be.

Be on Time: Punctuality is important to parents who are looking for a babysitter or nanny. Their time is valuable, and they’re probably looking for help with their kids so that they can save time or have more time to themselves. Don’t waste their time by arriving late. Be early. If you can’t be early, be on time. If something comes up or you get stuck in traffic, be sure to call as soon as possible to postpone or reschedule.

Be Dressed Appropriately: At Care.com it never ceases to amaze us how many caregivers submit profile pictures in which they’re sloppily or scantily dressed. You don’t need to wear a ball gown or a business suit to your babysitting interview, but you should be neatly and fully dressed.

Be Prepared to Answer Questions: Your potential employer will probably want answers to questions like these:

• Tell us about your child care experience.
• How long were you at your last position and why did you leave?
• What did you like best and least about your last job?
• What kinds of activities did you do with the child you cared for?
• What do you think children need most from a caregiver?
• How do you handle discipline issues?
• What do you like about child care?
• What activities do you enjoy doing with children?
• Do you have any special skills or interests you can offer our child?

Be Prepared to Ask Questions: Don’t forget: you’re also interviewing them. Don’t be afraid to ask questions about the job and about the kids. You might want to consider asking questions like these:

• Can you walk me through a typical day? (Or night or week, depending on the job.) What are your family routines, and who are the people involved?
• How many hours per week would you want me to work?
• What do you expect of me? Will I cook meals? Do housework? Wash clothes? Provide homework help?
• Are you open to my taking your child to local parks or playgrounds, or would you prefer that we stay at your house?
• What are your rules for talking on the telephone? Watching television? Using the internet?
• How do you expect me to discipline your child? At what point should I contact you if a disciplinary issue arises?
• What resources and contacts do you have if there is an emergency?
• Does your child have any medical conditions, such as asthma or allergies? Is he on any medications?
• Does he have any chores and responsibilities?
• What are her favorite activities, books, and toys?
• What do you and your child enjoy doing together?
• Are there activities your child wants to do that you don't enjoy, but that I might do with him?
• Does your child have any nicknames? Imaginary friends?
• Is there anything that frightens your child?
• Does your child have unusual habits? Should I try to help him break that habit?
• Is there any behavior you would like me to reinforce?
• Should I pay special attention to certain issues you would like your child to work on, such as sharing or playing with other children?
• What sorts of sibling rivalry issues are there, if any? When do they arise?
• Should I be aware of any religious or cultural preferences?

Comments

[Patti Azzara]

Schedule the appointment on a day off.

Sure, most of us would rather not give up a day off for anything. But it often is a better idea than coming in before or after work.

If you come before work, you're thinking about that other job and you are not as easily able to focus on the position for which you are interviewing. Perhaps you scheduled it too close, didn't realize the traffic you might hit later on and you're worried that you'll be late. If you mention that you need to run because you will be late to work, you are telling the parents that you don't manage your time very well.

If you schedule an interview after work, the chances that you will be tired, worn out etc... are fairly high. This, of course is up to you. But think before you schedule. Are you able to put on a smile and wax poetic about fingerpaint after an eight hour shift somewhere else? No one, in any industry (especially child care) wants to see someone who looks tired. Even if you LOOK fabulous, can you make it through an interview without yawning? Can you avoid yawning if the person interviewing you is tired after THEIR workday? If not, don't try. Go home, enjoy a restful evening and go to the interview in the morning, refreshed.

[Marta Henriquez]

There are very clear and opportunity, thanks.

[Teri Frazier]

Always keep the child occupied with either arts and crafts or reading. If the child does not have chores assign him/her chores, it teaches them responsibilities. It is always good to show them that even though you are not the parent give the care that will need.
Always be good to them, and take of them as they are your own.

[Joy]

I am finding it hard to discuss the Nanny Tax with potential employers. I get turned down because of it. I'm trying to obey the law and protect both parties. Do you have any suggestions on how to approach this subject during the interview process?

[Miltes]

I love this recommendation it is going to help me a lot

[Lynn L.]

Thank you,

Excellent suggestions for an interview.

Lynn L.

[Rachel Gillete]

Good suggestions!

[Yesenia Chica]

Thank you so much for all this helpful information!!!

[Miss Redcorn]

All these questions are well and good, but at the end, be sure to ask about where to park your own transportation, if you will be issued a key, and how often you will be paid (daily per job, weekly, or bi-weekly) and how you will be paid (cash or personal check).

These are also important questions to be asked in an interview.

[rachel m.]

I always get so nervous about meeting with new families that I end up making a mess with it. Its so flustering trying to say hey, I love kids and I would like to watch yours, that 9 times out of 10, I just start rambling! I wish I had a stop button at times for my mouth when that happens. I mean you are trying to say, hey hire me I'm the best for your children and your family, all the while, I'm thinking, am I going to be good enough for this family?

[Patti]

Another question you can ask is whether you are replacing a nanny and if there is anything that you could do to help that transition. You could also ask to talk to the current nanny.

[rusi k.]

Thank you so much for all this helpfull information. very good suggestions!!!

[Ally]

To the caregiver asking about the Nanny Tax, I'm not sure what that means but I maintain more than one caregiving client family (even if only occasional babysitting elsewhere) and thus as an Independent Contractor I pay my own UIC/SDI insurance and all the self-employed taxes "so the careseeker doesn't have to and can take the care expense deductions available to them" while I deduct all my related expenses including insurance, auto, fuel, phone, internet, materials and apparel needed for work, etc.