Most parents will interview a slew of potential nannies and babysitters prior to hiring one. They need to feel comfortable that they can trust you with the most precious person (or people) in their life, after all. That’s why you need to be prepared and ready to demonstrate that you’re the friendly, professional and trustworthy candidate they want. Whether you’re a new nanny or babysitter or just need to brush up on your interviewing skills, how can you stand out from the rest?
We spoke with a number of professional nannies and babysitters with many years’ experience landing caregiving jobs. Before you head out to meet a potential new family, read this list of caregiver-tested tips and tricks to rock your job interview.
1. Dress for success (and fun!)
“First off, when interviewing with families for a nanny/babysitting position, it’s important to dress for success! Wearing bright colors like pinks, blues and yellows with a hint of business casual can help convey your fun, bubbly and energetic personality — all while feeling confident at the same time!”
– Brooke DeFranco, nanny for 8+ years, Boynton Beach, Florida
2. Remind the family you’re also an educator
“Let the family who is interviewing you know that you are not just a sitter or nanny but a very important part of the child’s development and that you incorporate educational playtime, as a way to enhance the child’s mind.”
– Rachel Devine, former babysitter with 10 years’ experience, Bayside, New York
3. Consider the family’s commitment to inclusivity
“I recommend that you know where this family is seeking to create an inclusive environment — particularly, the parent or child’s pronoun choices. Use them accordingly. Beef up on your children’s shows. ‘Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood’ or ‘Gracie’s Corner’ are great shows with diverse characters.”
– Kimberly D. Edwards, personal concierge with 15 years’ experience in child care, Denver
4. Share what inspires you as a caregiver
“I want to know why a sitter likes to care for other people’s children. Is it a desire to have kids of their own down the line that inspires this caregiver, or perhaps the sitter grew up in a big household and loves being a caregiver? Knowing what inspires a nanny to do the work they do lets me understand their objectives better.”
– Cristina Twigg, babysitter with 20+ years’ experience, founder of Easy Care Sitters (2010-2020) and freelance copywriter, Lafayette, Colorado
5. Highlight your skills
“Highlight your relevant experience and skills: One way to make a lasting impression is by emphasizing your relevant experience and skills that align with the job requirements. Share specific stories or situations that showcase your problem-solving abilities or how you’ve handled challenging situations in the past. This demonstrates your competency and capability as a sitter/nanny.”
– Sarah Johnson, nanny with 3 years’ experience at Muffetta’s Domestic Assistants, New York City
6. Offer a “preview” by interacting with the kids
“Play with the child/children if they are present. I know you’re at the interview to talk with the adults, but if you don’t interact with the children, they won’t see how good you are with them.”
– Cynthia Halstead, nanny with over 10 years’ experience, Denver
7. Find and make genuine connections with the child
“Ask what their favorite characters are. Ask questions about the kids individually. What do they like to do? Maybe you have similar interests, or maybe you’re completely unfamiliar and can show excitement to learn. Either way, you are making a personal connection with the kids.”
– Maggie Larkin, parent coach at The Radical Nanny with 22 years’ experience as a babysitter, New York City
8. Arrive with energy (because most parents are tired … )
“Make sure to interact with the children from the moment you arrive until the moment you leave! This will help parents see how you interact with their children and gauge your personality and energy level as they observe you during the entire interview process.”
– Brooke DeFranco, nanny for 8+ years, Boynton Beach, Florida
9. Exude confidence
“Being confident when you answer questions is super important because it lets the adults know you know what you’re doing. Be confident when you are asked what your rate is, what hours you are comfortable working and why you are the best fit for them. If you don’t seem sure, they might not trust you will have good instincts with their kiddos.”
– Cynthia Halstead, nanny with over 10 years’ experience, Denver
10. But also show off your ‘chill’ factor
“During an interview for a sitter or nanny position it is important to be relaxed, so the family can feel comfortable around you.”
– Rachel Devine, former babysitter with 10 years’ experience, Bayside, New York
11. Be prepared to share how you can make their life easier
“To stand out during an interview, come confidently prepared. The only way a family will know if you’re the right fit is to know what you have to give. Think about your strengths; then show your potential families how much they need your assets.”
– Maggie Larkin, parent coach at The Radical Nanny with 22 years’ experience as a babysitter, New York City
12. Come with an understanding of the job at hand
“Take the time to research the family and their specific needs beforehand. This preparation shows your commitment and attention to detail, making you stand out as a confident and competent candidate.”
– Sarah Johnson, nanny with 3 years of experience at Muffetta’s Domestic Assistants, New York City
13. Anticipate questions (and answers) about your caregiving style
“Obviously every kid and family is different, but [for example] if you don’t use ‘timeout’ for changing unfavorable behavior — why? Be able to explain why you make the choices you do. A lot of parents are more open to new ways of doing things if you can tell them the benefit or reason.”
– Katy M., former nanny of 7 years (with 5 years’ experience in child care and education), Orlando, Florida
14. Offer insight into how you’ll handle challenging moments
“(Routines and specifically transitions) provide the most struggle for children and the most room for teaching, growth and connection between the children and the caretakers. Take this time to showcase how you will listen to their children and incorporate both their sense of independence and your responsibility as the caregiver to help everyone have enjoyable days.”
– Samantha Steiger, founder of Sittersam, traveling pet/house sitting and nannying with 15 years’ experience
15. Share some of your own upbringing
“Insight into the kind of care [a nanny or sitter] received and appreciated in their youth is also a fun tidbit to add. It’s reassuring to hear about how a caregiver received care and how they have adapted it to customize the way they cater to other families’ needs.”
– Cristina Twigg, babysitter with 20+ years’ experience, founder of Easy Care Sitters (2010-2020) and freelance copywriter, Lafayette, Colorado
16. Show off your certifications
“Get certified. Are you able to be certified in infant, child and adult CPR? If not, watch the course online to get the gist. Consider additional professional development as you see fit, and keep in mind that your qualifications open you up to even better work!”
– Maggie Larkin, parent coach at The Radical Nanny with 22 years’ experience as a babysitter, New York City
17. And finally, be yourself
“Remember: you aren’t right for every family, and every family is not right for you. You won’t get hired from every interview, and that’s more than OK – it’s normal! Be yourself during the interview so you can both see if it’s a right fit, and be honest in your answers. This also means if there is something about you that you feel is important for the family to know, be forward and tell them.”
– Katy M., former nanny of 7 years (with 5 years’ experience in child care and education), Orlando, Florida
