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You have received an invitation to interview with the parents or a hiring manager, congratulations, but now what?
You want to ace this interview, so how can you prepare and do an excellent job and blow the competition?
Here are a few tips I have learned over time.
Read the job description
Please don't read it once, twice, or thrice; study it!
Why you may ask: The job description should contain a lot of information you will need to know to create the questions you want to ask. So, yes, interviews go both ways; you should ask questions.
I have seen job descriptions go into a lot of detail, for example," we have three children, their ages are x, they attend school from x time to x time. We have a large dog in the home". They have already told you that if you don't like dogs or don't enjoy the ages of the children, this job is not for you.
I have also seen job descriptions that don't give much information. Parents, and agencies, you need to do better!
In this case, ask questions that relate to the role in detail, don't only ask broad general questions; focus on what is important to you. For example, if you want to know one of the children's schedules, ask about it.
VVIP: Use the descriptor words in the job description and share examples of how you have achieved a particular goal, it demonstrates you have read the job description, you are interested in the role and you have taken the time to read what the family is looking for in a Nanny!
Do some research
If you have been given the parent's name or address, do some research. For example, what kind of work do they do, where do they live?
Does what you are finding online relate to who you are? Is it consistent with the job description?
If you don't want to move forward with the interview after your research, speak up, let your recruiter know (if you are using an agency), or let the parents know, don't ghost.
Prepare your questions
You should have a list of common questions you ask at each interview, but you should also tailor some questions to the job you are interviewing for. This is another reason why you study the job description.
For example, " I see you have a dog in the home. What would my responsibilities, if any, be regarding pets?"
Once they answer, you can discuss the response. For example, if you don't want to have any pet responsibilities, and they have responded with, " you will be responsible for taking the dog for a walk four times a day," for example, this is the time to speak up.
Have a friend interview you
Ask a friend to interview you. You will find out which questions you are less comfortable with, which will help you prepare your answers for the interview.
If you are working with a recruiter, ask the recruiter to prepare you for an interview, you do not want to ask the recruiter to interview you for each position.
If you don't have a friend or a recruiter, you can book a nanny coach to help you.
Rehearse your answers
I am not suggesting you memorize your answers, I am suggesting you have a general idea of how you think you might answer a question. For example, most interviewers have common questions, such as " Tell me about a time you had to use your initiative" you want to be able to answer this question confidently.
Dress the part
I am sure you have heard this before, but dress the part! I witnessed a nanny show up for an interview with a toddler in Louboutin heels, a mini skirt, and suspender tights. Unfortunately, she did not dress the part.
Dress professionally, clean, tidy, and pressed. Don't wear too much make-up and jewelry and don't wear any perfume. This is especially important around babies.
Be confident
Being confident can be hard when you are being interviewed. Your next job rests upon you doing well; you are bound to be nervous.
Your confidence will be measured by how you answer your questions, and the kind of questions you ask will show the interviewer how confident you are—also the way you carry and present yourself. Hopefully, you will meet the children; if you do, your confidence will also be measured by how you relate to them.
Be yourself and make it feel like a conversation. Interviews are meant for people to learn about each other, if you interview the opposite of who you are, you are not setting yourself up for success.
Make it feel like a conversation
Interviews should feel like conversations if you can create the right atmosphere by asking and responding to questions with focus.
To all the Nannies out there currently interviewing, you've got this!
Good luck!
Author: Candi VajanaAward-winning Nanny with over 30 years of experience working with High-Profile, High-Net-Worth, and Ultra-high-Net-Worth Clients