It goes without saying that, when you score an interview for a nanny job, you want to bring your A-game. However, even though you’re, technically speaking, the one in the hot seat, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t come armed with a list of questions of your own. You do, after all, want to know what you’re potentially getting into.
It’s absolutely crucial to ask questions during an interview. Because it’s not just the family that has to find out if you’re a good fit — you have to make sure they’re the right fit for you as well.
In addition to doing recon on whether the job itself is a good match and personalities mesh, right now, there’s the added layer of a pandemic. You want to learn upfront whether the family you may be working closely with is taking precautions with which you’re comfortable.
You need to make sure you’re radically transparent with each other during the interview. Open communication is a must, not least due to COVID. It’s important to establish whether you’ll be working in an environment of trust where you’ll feel safe.
Wondering what questions you should ask parents during an interview? Here are 32 questions to ask when interviewing for a nanny job:
General questions about the job
- What are you looking for in a nanny?
- What are the hours?
- How long of a commitment are you seeking?
- What are the daily duties?
- What did you like about your previous nannies and what are you looking to change?
- Do you travel? If so, would you require me to travel with you? If not, will there be responsibilities while you are gone?
Questions about the kids
- Do the children have allergies or any other health concerns?
- Do the children require any specialized care?
- What personality style or temperament do your children connect with best?
- What does the kids’ typical day look like?
Questions about compensation
- What is the wage and benefits being offered?
Obviously, this is something you, rightly, want to know, but it may not be the best idea to lead with these questions, since it might give parents the impression that you’re more interested in money than in their children. Find out first whether you’d be a good match in the first place. Then move on to questions about wages and benefits.
- How do you run the payroll?
- Will you be issuing a T4 and handling taxes?
Questions about parenting style
- What is your discipline philosophy?
- What values do you want to instill in your children?
- Do you adhere to a specific parenting style?
- What model of care do you envision?
If you’re used to being the one in control, a family that likes to micromanage you and make you stay in the house might not be the best fit.
Questions about home life
- Do you have pets?
- Do you have a pool?
- Is there any other household staff?
- Will I be using my vehicle or yours to transport the children?
- Do you work inside or outside of the home?
Finally, ask potential employers if there’s anything they’d like you to know about their family at the end of the interview. This is a good way to get answers to important questions you never thought to ask.
Health questions
- Do you take the flu shot?
- Are you up to date on other immunizations, including whooping cough?
Questions about COVID safety and risk
The pandemic isn’t over, and every job-seeking nanny should feel empowered to ask questions in order to assess potential risks.
Here are some questions to ask when searching for a job during the pandemic:
- Have you gotten the COVID vaccine? If not, are you and the eligible children planning on getting one?
- Do you work in high-risk exposure jobs?
- What is the plan if someone in the family is exposed to or diagnosed with COVID? And will I be paid if asked to quarantine?
- What are the expectations if I’m exposed?
- Am I expected to wear a mask during work hours, and will the family, including children over 2 years old, be wearing masks?
- Am I expected to get regular COVID tests?
- Will the schedule or my job duties shift if schools close or go virtual at any point?
- What outings and social activities are acceptable for the children?
It’s important to talk about the family’s attitude towards COVID before you accept the job, i.e. during the interview, and not after, in order to better gauge your level of comfort.