Nanny is an individual person who provides care for one or more children in a family as a service.
2. Tell us about your personal lifestyle?
I am a 26 year old with a Nanny basic skills certification acquired in the year 2000. Since my graduation, I have worked for 2 children care organizations and a home in Minnesota. During my working stints, I have helped bring up children in a respectable manner while teaching them basic life skills. Other than that, I am looking to improve my scope by working as a nanny in a wonderful organization such as yours.
3. Tell me for how long did you stay in your last job as nanny?
I joined Mrs. Smiths house in the summer of 2008 and attended to several duties such as taking care of the children laundry, cleaning the kid's rooms, helping with homework, taking children to school in the morning and then picking them in the evening.
4. Tell me why you leave your previous job at the Smith's?
Ever since I joined the family, we had a great relationship with everyone, especially the kids who saw me as their big sister. Three of the kids moved to high school after 2 years, leaving me with the youngest daughter. When Joan, the youngest of the kids finally went to high school early this year, the family asked me to choose whether to stay on for some minor jobs there or look for another nanny's job. I chose the latter.
5. We do some background check here. Are you surely comfortable with that?
I am trying to be as straightforward as possible with who I am and what I say. My past is untainted as much as I know, and you would be welcome to confirm my suitability for this position through the check.
6. Tell me have you ever been in a state where you were forced to resign?
Yes, I was had to resign my first nanny job. The reason I left job is that the organization was relocating to a neighboring state, and I would not go with them. They had insisted that they would cater for all the paperwork, but since my mother was ailing, it was better I stayed behind.
7. I see you stayed for only 3 months on your second job as nanny. Why was this?
Sure, that was a short stint as a nanny with a non-governmental organization. The company had just set base in our town and advertised for a temporary nanny post. Since I was qualified for the post, I was selected and was taken for a contractual period. I was still waiting for contract renewal when the offer for the next job came.
8. Tell me the worst employer you have dealt with before?
As you know, people have different personalities, and I have had the privilege to deal with several of these. I have learnt a lot about job expectations and management skills from all my former employers.
9. Are you ready for a drug-screening test before taking up this job?
I know the gravity of substance abuse and understand your concern. I have no objections to such a test.
10. Tell me what makes you different from other applicants for this nanny position?
I believe from the other candidates, I am the most suitable person. My passion for children affairs is evident from all my past jobs. I am also continually improving myself in this area, for example, I recently enrolled for a diploma.
11. Tell me what do you think your typical day as a nanny will look like?
Having worked as a nanny for different employers, I understand all the duties that I have to attend to. There is helping the kids with their homework, cooking meals, tidying their rooms etc.
12. Tell us about your hobbies?
I am one person who really loves what nature has to offer. I love reading my novels at the heart of the park. I also do nature walking quite often.
13. Tell me are you comfortable with simple chores around the house?
In my first job, I had doubled as a nanny and housekeeper. I found this too tasking as I would not attend to either of the tasks efficiently. I would be pleased to stick with nanny work at first.
14. When do you have a job situation where you had a serious problem and how did you solve it?
Yes, in my first nanny job, there was this child who fell on a chair and injured his forehead. Blood was oozing out so fast, but with my first aid skills, I was able contain the problem.
15. Tell me how to do deal with a stressful job environment?
The truth is that everybody faces stress in one way or another. The difference is how we handle it. When dealing with children, I try as much as possible to control my emotions.
16. Tell me are you ready for a salary cut?
My last job used to earn me $10 an hour and I understand this is just above the minimum wage for this position. While I would like to improve on this salary, I am ready for negotiations.
17. Suppose the job is contractual, with a possible renewal after 2 months?
I have no problem working temporarily as I have shown in the past. The experience I gain is highly valuable plus I believe there will still be opportunities to work with you.
18. Do you have any idea working with children who are difficult to handle?
It is true some kids can be troublesome than others. In most cases, it is about their personalities, and I am able to handle each case individually.
19. Tell me what you say about children playing and interacting with others?
Socialization is vital for a growing child, just as it is for a grown up. I allow them to interact but monitor such relationships closely.
20. Tell me would you reveal a secret with a kid?
I understand that the privacy of the kid is undoubtedly important. However, it is better and fairer for the parent to know everything about their child.
21. We like to know what is your understanding of allergy management?
This was a part of my training as a first aid officer just before I took my first nanny job. I have applied this knowledge in my previous jobs.
22. Tell me why did you choose to become a nanny?
Your answer to these type of nanny interview questions should show a sincere love and interest of children. Your commitment is essential to an employer.
List what you find rewarding about being a nanny - the fun you have with the children, the opportunity to be imaginative and creative, the variety offered by the job, helping children grow, explore and learn about life, the positive responses and appreciation you receive from a child.
23. What childcare qualifications you have?
Other than formal qualifications most parents are looking for a nanny with successful experience in childcare. Even if you do not have actual formal nanny experience, parents may be keen to hire you if you have significant childcare experience, either in your own family, or at a previous job where you worked with children such as a teacher or daycare employee.
It is important to demonstrate your knowledge and interest in child development and your understanding of child behavior
24. What is the most important aspect of a nanny job?
Each family and nanny job is different but use your experience to formulate a good answer to these sort of nanny interview questions. Start by saying,"My experience as a nanny has shown me that there are a number of essential aspects......".
Refer to aspects such as developing a sense of trust, showing understanding and patience, respecting the family, forming a bond, consistently promoting the child's development and well being and showing high standards of professional conduct with the family.
25. What do you consider to be the qualities in nanny that children like and respond to in you?
Refer to qualities such as your genuine interest in and love for children, high levels of energy, creativity, nurturing, sensitivity to the varying needs and demands of children, a good sense of humor, patience and understanding and your ability to communicate appropriately with different ages.
Provide examples to support your interview answer from your previous nanny jobs such as creative projects you did together, the sports you played with the children, your patience in teaching the child a new skill.
