Email or Phone Interview
Email Interview
Not many people think of email as a means of interviewing, but it’s a great way to get information before you pick up the phone. This can also be useful if the nanny’s profile is missing some information that is important to you.
Often a nanny’s response can help you quickly see if she is the right person to look after your children.
Phone Interview
The first interview is usually conducted over the phone, and is another opportunity to filter candidates.
The phone call gives you the chance to tell the candidate what kind of family you are, the desired start date, clarify salary expectations, skill requirements like cooking or cleaning, and any other issues important to you.
Make sure to give a chance for your candidate to talk, so you can form your impression of how suitable she is.
Phone interviews can be very effective because they take much less time than a meeting, but try not to jump to conclusions from a single phone conversation.
With mobile phones especially, you can catch people in moments that are less-than-perfect for an interview. Furthermore, being clear and articulate over the phone is a skill in itself, and if it is not an essential part of the job, you may find yourself rejecting the perfect candidate for all the wrong reasons.
Below is a sample list of questions to ask on a phone interview:
First, describe the job required, the number of children you have, the hours you need help and the type of help you’re looking for. Then ask:
How old are you?
How would you describe the way you look after children/babies?
Do you live locally? How long will it take you to travel to my home?
Are you available at the start date?
What are your salary expectations?
If you find that the person does not suit your needs, express your thanks, close the conversation cordially and move on.
But if you’re happy with the answers so far, arrange the next meeting face-to-face:
Set a time and date for the personal interview
State which documents you’d like the person to bring:
ID
Resume
References
Work permits etc.
Background check certificate
