Good questions when interviewing a potential Au Pair?

[movingeast]

Hi, hoping to get a nanny for the first time this year.

I am going to shortlist soon, and need to set up some Skype interviews. What are some important/clever/insightful questions to ask to get a good picture of the candidates?

I would like to put them at ease, hope that they will ask about the children, try to avoid any people with eating disorders/issues, make it clear that they will need to work flexibly...

I don't know anything about local english courses - thought I would investigate once I establish their level of English. An aupair I met recently said she just practices by meeting people, but she had an excellent attitude and was already a confident English speaker who needed to improve her accent and vocab.

Any tips? I want to make a list of questions ready to use when I make the skype call.

Many thanks!

[Mellors]

This time (second time round) I wanted au pairs who were already in the country so they could come and visit the house and I could give them a thorough once over. However, when I have skyped, I've followed something like this:

http://aupairbuzz.culturalcare.com/au-pair-interview-questions/

I think you can get a pretty good feel for someone by asking general questions and seeing how they respond. I also ask for references and take them up (there my key questions are 1. Why are they leaving? and 2. Would you employ them again?)

Good luck! Feel free to ask more questions :)

[Peachpie]

Email them a good few times before you speak as some of them find speaking English in that situation very difficult. I find it helps to tell them what to expect before you speak to them so they can prepare a little. For example, I would like to hear about your experiences with children or what your interests or why you would like to come to England. I think it is really important to get them to talk so you can get a feel for the sorts of people they are. The au pairs that have worked for me are the ones that either have friends or family in London already and are keen to make friends and socialise. I take a keen interest in what ages of children they have spent time with, which activities they do with children, whether they are fit and active, knowledge of preparing food and first aid, I tend to go for primary school teachers. My last round I had a short list of 7 and only two were possible for a number of bizarre reasons like they couldn't get the time right to speak or their microphone didn't work!!

Good luck