INTERVIEW GUIDE & SUPPORTS: 1st round interviews

When it comes time to interview your selected candidates, it can be a really intimidating task. While I did study some interviewing in University (did a minor in Organizational Leadership) and do have some workplace interviewing experience, I still felt apprehensive about conducting the interview of all interviews...the one that will lead to choosing the person who will care for our son! I did a lot of internet-based research on nanny-specific interview questions, and while I came across some very standard stuff, for the most part, I felt that it lacked in the type of content, format, and flow that would solicit open and easy conversational-style interviewing. The interview guide that I developed is still no Mona Lisa, but I hope that providing you with a full spectrum of possible questions will give you enough content to pick and choose what will work for you and your family, and will provide you with a template to work from. 

Proceeding with the interview and using the interview guide:

If you've followed the organizational system that I laid out in Interview Guide & Supports: Screening Applicants and Organization, then you should already have folders with the supporting documents for each of your interview candidates (ie. resume, cover letter, photos) on your computer. Prior to interviewing each candidate, print out their cover letter and resume, as well as the interview guide. Take 5 minutes to review their documents and familiarize yourself with them. Make notes on any questions that you want to ask.

In my mind, the first round interview should focus on general questions, getting to know one another, and screening for core competencies. Sometimes when prospective candidates have received interview coaching, it may be hard to dig deeper beyond them communicating the elements that they've practiced ahead of time, but just take the time this round to get a feel for them, and you can do the digging on the 2nd round. The 2nd round interview guide (soon to come) will focus more on delving deeper into fit, pressing/probing for clarity, and using behavioural questions. First round interviews can be conducted by Skype, in person, over the phone, or even by live messaging like Facebook chat.

When you begin the interview, start out the interview by creating a sense of comfort and ease. Ask “small talk” questions about the weather where they are, how their day has been etc. You want to feel a sense of personability before moving into the questions.

If there is a language barrier with certain questions try rephrasing, and if after a few interviews, you find that certain questions aren’t working to get the type of answers that you’re interested in, then scratch them off. Being adaptable and open to the interviews taking their own shape will enable you to find a good flow to your interviewing style. 

The interview guide may seem like a lot of questions (30), but aside from the odd more talkative candidate, you will probably find that the interview will only run about 30-40 minutes each. It's important to be able to completely focus on the interview, so if you can arrange childcare for your son(s)/daughter(s) that would be ideal. While it's a personal decision, I think it's ideal to have your child/children meet prospective nannies during the 2nd round interviews and keep the 1st round interviews simple and focused, having said that, meeting the kids can help to break the ice and ease any tension, so do what feels right to you.

A good number of candidates is about 5-8 for the first round of interviews and 2-4 for the second round of interviews.

SAMPLE 1st round INTERVIEW GUIDE click HERE

Stay tuned for my post on Skype-based interview tips, as well as our own first round interviews coming soon!

Good luck and happy interviewing!!

Related Posts: 

Interview Guide & Supports: Screening Applicants & Organization
Interview Guide & Supports: 2nd Round Interviews