Host families are looking for an au pair who can be flexible and adapt to their family’s needs. During the interview, host parents should look for au pairs willing to take on challenges and think outside the box.
Au pairs should be creative to keep kids occupied and find ways to solve problems when needed. This quality is often reflected in their answers during the video interview process.
Patience
When interviewing an au pair, it is essential to determine if they have patience. Au pairs are often responsible for overseeing children and must manage challenging situations calmly. For instance, if a child is having trouble with their schoolwork or gets injured, au pairs need to be able to think outside the box and come up with solutions quickly.
Another essential trait to look for in an au pair is that they genuinely love kids. This is a big deal because a loving caregiver can make all the difference in your child’s life. They can teach them valuable skills, create fun activities, and help them overcome challenges. Au pairs who genuinely enjoy kids also tend to have more patience and understanding regarding disciplinary issues, which can frustrate parents. This is why it’s essential to communicate your family’s rules and expectations to au pairs early in the process.
Adaptability
Considering an au pair will be living with you and your family, you’ll want them to be adaptable to your unique lifestyle and values. An au pair unable to adjust to their new environment will struggle in the long run, and it will be difficult for both parties.
Children can be unpredictable, and an au pair needs to be flexible when dealing with their moods and behaviors. For example, kids can go from giggling and playing to throwing tantrums instantly. Look for answers highlighting the candidate’s ability to remain calm and empathetic in these situations and their understanding of safe child-related practices and techniques.
An au pair is often placed in a culturally unfamiliar setting, so assessing their ability to adjust to new environments and customs is vital during the interview process. This will help ensure that they are prepared to succeed in their role and will be able to provide the highest quality of childcare possible.
Communication Skills
Au pairs are expected to be able to communicate with their families daily. This is essential for building trust and creating a successful relationship. The best way to assess an au pair’s communication skills is by asking them questions about how they communicate with their children and what they enjoy about working with kids.
The interviewer may also ask the au pair how they stay organized with their responsibilities and what strategies they use to prioritize tasks. Strong au pairs can keep track of multiple tasks and juggle their schedules effectively.
Parents often wonder how an au pair would handle an emergency, such as a child having a seizure or a medical issue. Interviewers seek au pairs who remain calm, empathetic, and responsive to children’s emotional outbursts. Expect to hear answers that include strategies such as redirection, positive reinforcement, and offering comfort.
Emergency Preparedness
Emergency preparedness skills are essential for au pairs, especially since they’ll live away from home. Look for au pair candidates who can provide detailed information about handling various situations, including a child being bullied, a natural disaster, or an unexpected health crisis.
It would be best to ask how an au pair candidate plans to handle children misbehaving or defying authority. Expect answers that mention techniques like redirection, positive reinforcement, and establishing firm boundaries.
Interviewing an au pair can be a great way to get to know them better, but you should still conduct thorough background checks and reference checks to ensure that the au pair is safe to leave your kids alone. Consider hiring an au pair agency that can handle the interview process, background checks, and other administrative tasks for you.
Organizational Skills
As an au pair, you’ll be responsible for many tasks like managing schedules, arranging extracurricular activities, cleaning, cooking meals, assisting with homework, and more. Interviewers look for candidates who can demonstrate their ability to prioritize, multitask, and stay organized. Ask them about their tools and strategies to manage their time, responsibilities, and duties.
Working with children is inherently stressful and can present challenges. Interviewers want to hire au pairs who can think on their feet and take appropriate action in an emergency, from responding to medical emergencies to calming children during emotional outbursts.
Ultimately, an au pair’s role is to care for and nurture children. This means they should be loving with your kids and have a genuine interest in helping them grow into healthy, independent adults. Ask them how they show love to children by providing a nurturing environment, teaching healthy habits, and supporting their education.
Housekeeping Skills
An au pair isn’t just a babysitter; they’re a family member. During the interview process, look for candidates genuinely interested in joining your family who make you feel comfortable with them.
Au pairs are expected to create a safe and nurturing environment for children. They also help to develop healthy habits in children, such as establishing sleep routines and implementing nutrition education. Interviewers will want to know if a candidate has any knowledge or experience with these topics.
A good candidate will be able to provide examples of how they have helped children develop self-control and positive behaviors. They will be able to discuss how they use strategies like positive reinforcement, redirection, and setting clear boundaries to discipline children. Interviewers will also see if a candidate understands cultural sensitivity and how it applies to working with children from different backgrounds.
