Interviewing household employees such as nannies, chefs, personal assistants, housekeepers, health care aides, and butlers is important. Each family and home has unique needs. Many potential problems can be avoided if the interview is properly conducted. During interviews the families and the job candidates often rely on their intuition. Although it is not wise to jump to conclusions, it is natural to get a sense of what individuals are like in the first minutes of meetings. As prospective employees and family members learn more about each other they can make informed decisions if their relationships may work.

           In-person interviews are essential in helping families and potential employees determine if they are compatible. For example, in nanny in-person interviews the parents can judge how nannies and their children interact. Parents can describe activities their children enjoy to see if nanny candidates have an interest in those areas.   

            Families can adapt the following questions that parents might ask nanny candidates to use with all household employees. For example, parents may ask nanny candidates: 1. Why do you want to be a nanny? 2. What activities do you like to do with children? 3. Do you prefer indoor activities or outdoor activities? Do you like structured play or free play? 4. What age children are you experienced working with? What ages do you prefer? 5. Are you interested in helping with general household chores or with child related chores only?  (Be specific about chores.) 6. What was the best part of working as a nanny in the past? 7. What was the worst thing when working as a nanny in the past? 8. How do you discipline children? Give an example of what you have done when...." 9. Have you ever had an emergency situation while caring for a child?  How was it handled? What would you do if my child were stung by a bee, fell off her bike, was having an asthma attack, etc. 10. May we obtain written letters of recommendation from your references? 11. May we perform a background check on you by obtaining a copy of your driving record, do a background check, and drug screening? 12. Do you have recent CPR and First Aid certifications? If your certification has expired, are you willing to get certified if we will help pay for the courses?

             When interviewing  personal chefs families should ask the same questions about work experience, references, and background checks that they would ask a potential nanny but might also consider asking: 1. Will I get new menu options to choose from or will the selection be the same all the time? 2. Do you have experience with formal dinners or parties? 3. Do you have a "Food Handler's" certificate? 4. How do you feel about following our specific preferences such as vegetarian or Kosher meals?

             When interviewing personal assistant candidates families should ask the same questions regarding work history, references, and background checks and questions such as: 1. Are you an organized person? 2. Are you familiar with Internet and computers? 3. What database software are you comfortable and experienced in using? 4. Are you comfortable keeping our intimate and family issues private? 5. What are your areas of expertise? 6. What did you do before becoming a personal organizer? 7. What is your educational background? 8. Are you a member of any professional guilds?  

            When interviewing housekeepers families should ask about their work experience, references, and perform background checks and should also ask: 1. Are you allergic to cleaning products? 2. Do you consider yourself a tidy person? 3. Are there any household chores you would refuse to do? 

            When interviewing health care aides it is extremely important for the family to ask about the interviewees experience, references, and perform background checks.  Family members should also ask: 1. Are you experienced in administering medications? 2. Are you comfortable speaking frankly with physicians about the care of an elder or disabled person? 3. Are you comfortable advising the family of any change in the plan of care before the change is made? 4. Are you willing to comply with advance directives in accordance with state law requirements? 5. Are you willing to make an effort to talk with the individual you are caring for? 6. Are you willing to listen attentively and respond respectively to our family member? 7. Can you safely transfer and assist an elder with walking? 9. Are you gentle when bathing an older person and know how to prevent skin ulcers? 

            After asking potential butlers about their references, work experience, and perform background checks families may ask specific questions necessary for the position they are trying to fill such as: 1. Are you willing to arrange dinner parties? 2. Can you arrange maintenance of a yacht? 3. Do you have experience making travel arrangements? 4. Are you willing to manage the household budget? 5. Do you enjoy helping house guests? 6. Are you willing to do household chores such as laundry or do we need to hire a separate housekeeper? 7. How do you direct other workers in the household? 8. Are you organized and able to coordinate our family calendar?

             Families should also ask potential live-in employees about their favorite hobbies. For example, if the job candidate plays drums in their down time, the family may find the hobby intolerable. But if the live-in job candidate is a good swimmer or an accomplished musician the employee might be willing to give the children lessons for extra pay. 

            Prospective household employees should be prepared to answer all the questions they are asked. It is important that potential employees keep a positive and upbeat attitude when interviewing. Families and agencies typically ask job applicants about their previous jobs. Families are looking for friendly, cheerful, and caring people to hire. Job candidates should not place blame or discuss negative details about a past job or employer. An in-home job applicant should convey enthusiasm and a sense of pride and dedication to their chosen career. Job candidates should agree to respect the family's privacy.  

            All prospective household employees can adapt the following questions listed here that nannies should ask parents to their specific job interview. Questions nanny candidates should ask parents include: 1. Have you employed a nanny before? 2. Why did the previous nanny leave the job? 3. What were the previous nanny's duties? 4. What would you have changed about your relationship with your former child care employee? 5. How would you describe yourselves as parents? 6. How would each parent describe himself or herself as an individual? 7. How would you describe your children? 8. How do the children exhibit emotions such as anger, sadness, or excitement? 9. How do you discipline your children? 10. How will we discuss discipline and issues that may come up with your children each week? 11. Will you travel often and will I be expected to accompany you? 12. Will I be expected to drive? What limitations and/or reimbursements will I receive when using your car? 13. What type of relationship would the parents like the nanny to develop with the children? 14. Would you allow me to speak with the previous nanny, a neighbor, or a relative about your family? 15. What is the most important characteristic a nanny should possess to work well with your children? 

             Neither the job candidate nor the family need be discouraged if an interview uncovers that they are not compatible. Each interview is a learning experience. It is most important for families and household employees to be honest during the interview process to encourage a great working relationship.

             About the Author: Stephanie Felzenberg has been the Executive Editor of the nanny trade publication, Be the Best Nanny Monthly Guide, since 2001. She volunteered as the International Nanny Association newsletter editor for more than four years and has edited a nanny text book to be published later this year. Contact:  Be the Best Nanny Monthly Guide, PO Box 43477, Upper Montclair, NJ 07043 USA Phone: 973-259-1101. Web site: www.bestnannynewsletter.com  Email: stephanie@bestnannynewsletter.com. Copyright 2006. All rights reserved.

Be the Best Nanny Monthly Guide is America's favorite color nanny magazine published for caregivers who strive to help children reach their best potential and take pride in being the most important person the family they work for will ever hire. 

August 2006: Read Protective Parents' article, "What is BabyProofing Anyway?" here!