The Nanny Interview: How to Prepare

Deciding to become a nanny can be a difficult decision, but it can be exciting as well. Whether you find a nanny job on your own, or with the help of a nanny agency, there are a few things to keep in mind when going on your first interview with a family.

Prepare a Portfolio

Having some kind of portfolio or binder is a great way to keep your child care related trainings and certifications in one place. If you've worked in daycare before, you will most likely have some kind of training certificates that you will want to include in your portfolio. Prepare a portfolio by investing in a nice 3 ring binder (the 1 inch binders will work fine), and some clear page protectors. Place all of your papers inside the page protectors, and put them inside your binder. Do your best to keep them in some kind of order, such as Education in one section, Trainings in the next, and Miscellaneous in another. You can categorize however you'd like, but it looks best when the papers are in order. Once you've assembled your portfolio, keep it in good condition! This portfolio will be going with you to all of your nanny interviews, so you'll want to keep it nice and neat. Show your portfolio to interviewing families, and show them all that you've accomplished during your time as a child care provider. It's a sure way of impressing families!

First Impressions Mean A Lot!

Once you've scheduled an interview with a family, you should make a phone call or send an e-mail asking the basic questions, such as what the ages of the children are, and if the position is full or part time. It's a good idea to get to know the basics before interviewing, that way you are able to better prepare yourself. For the interview, dress appropriately. Business attire is best, like black pants and a plain blouse with dress shoes. Make sure you don't wear a lot of jewelry or makeup. If you have tattoos or a lot of piercings, they should be concealed. Some families are okay with them, but others aren't. You want to come off as a professional.

Meeting a new family for the first time can be a good experience, as long as you follow these suggestions. Shake hands and make solid eye contact with the person greeting you. Introduce yourself and say "It's nice to meet you". Make sure you introduce yourself and shake hands with both parents, and also introduce yourself to the children in the household. The children are going to be your main priority, so your first meeting with them should be a good one.

Once the interview begins, take a deep breath and don't be nervous. Speak confidently and be honest with your answers. If you don't like the idea of cooking for the family as part of your nanny duties, make sure they know this. Honesty is one trait that all families look for in a nanny. Most nannies are expected to do some light housekeeping, but usually just for the child or children the nanny is taking care of. Also, look into the interviewer's eyes when speaking and answering questions. Eye contact makes a great first impression. Smile a lot and show that you are enthusiastic and interested in the job. Last but not least, make sure your love for children is known. Talk about examples of things you like to do with children, such as creating creatures with Play-doh, coloring in coloring books or having story time.

Ask Questions!

Don't just let the family ask all of the questions. You're expected to ask some questions about the job as well. Ask about benefits, wages and hours you'll be expected to work. Ask if there are any allergies you need to know about. Ask about the rules for answering the telephone and front door. There are a lot of things that should be covered in the interview, and you'll need to make sure that this is the right job for you. Get all of the details for the interview is over. Asking questions also tells the family that you are interested in the position, and are serious about working.

Follow Up with the Family

After the interview has finished, thank them for their time and let them know that you hope to hear from them soon. Follow up with them in an e-mail or a thank you note in the mail. It's not only polite to do this, but it also shows the family that you are ready to work as their nanny. Some families will want to have you back for a second interview before they hire you. Make sure you are available for this, as the second interview usually means they want you to be their nanny. Following up increases your chances of securing the job.

Being a nanny is a rewarding experience. Follow these tips and you're sure to get the position that you want.