What is the worst or weirdest interview you've had?

[Anonymous]

Interviewed for a nanny share on the hill. They lived in a townhouse, but expected the second infant to sleep in the main living space. I didn't get a tour so I have no idea how many rooms they had. Probably only the master and one other bedroom.

Didn't take the job for a number of reasons, but I found that to be very odd. I feel bad for whoever took the job -- I can only imagine trying to tip toe around a room while a baby sleeps.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Living in NYC at the time, an agency had me meet with a family from Florida and they were in NYC for whatever reason. I had to get on the subway to meet them at grand central station at midnight while they were waiting for a connecting train. It was the dad and his brother, no kids or mom there to meet me. I was young and naive, should never have agreed to it. Just goes to show how little the agencies look out for nannies.

Weird. But you went? And it legitimately was a man (and his brother) looking for a nanny for his kids? Did you take the job?

I went because I was a stupid 21 year old and thought I was I invincible! I did not take the job. I assume it was a legit family and that the agency checked out, but looking back who knows. My safety was clearly not a priority for them.

While the whole arrangement sounds odd (meeting at midnight), I am not sure why you saw this as a safety concern. You were in a public place and it sounds like the family just wanted someone to meet you before the next step of interviewing. Mom and kids were probably not on the trip. The dad and his brother were likely traveling together so it isn't odd they were both there. It sounds like they wanted to take advantage of being able to meet you in person, and in many families dad is just as involved in the process as mom is. I am not sure why the agency is at fault as they must have told you this was at midnight and you agreed to go. Very odd time to meet a prospective family but circumstantial in this case. Were you worried about taking the subway alone at night? I guess that could be a safety concern however many people use the subway late due to shift work or social events. Maybe the NYC subway is known to be very sketchy and that was your concern.

I am a nanny and I find it odd. She has way more to worry about with safety than getting on the subway. Do you know how many people are kidnapped in public places? A couple thousand a year . I think it's super strange and I would have been extremely cautious as well

[Anonymous]

I had the strangest interview last week. The family lived in a small house, so when I walked in the door it was literally in the living room. The child was playing with a standing toy in the small hallway right infrint if the door so I said hello and he giggled and stated bouncing. Parents introduced themselves then said nothing more. So I took my shooed off and bent down to talk to the baby. Didn't want to get too close as I was sick ( I told the parents via email )
Honestly I didn't leave the doorway the entire interview. They didn't ask
Me a single question except if I wanted to hold the baby. Which I said I wouldn't want to get him sick.
After 15 mins of me asking questions but also giving them oppertunity to ask. Even asking 3 times if they have any questions mom said baby need a nap. Mom leaves and dad said it was lovely meeting you. Please email us your contract and references. Oh ps I'm still in the door way.
Took me longer to drive to there house then I was at the interview. So strange

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I had the strangest interview last week. The family lived in a small house, so when I walked in the door it was literally in the living room. The child was playing with a standing toy in the small hallway right infrint if the door so I said hello and he giggled and stated bouncing. Parents introduced themselves then said nothing more. So I took my shooed off and bent down to talk to the baby. Didn't want to get too close as I was sick ( I told the parents via email )
Honestly I didn't leave the doorway the entire interview. They didn't ask
Me a single question except if I wanted to hold the baby. Which I said I wouldn't want to get him sick.
After 15 mins of me asking questions but also giving them oppertunity to ask. Even asking 3 times if they have any questions mom said baby need a nap. Mom leaves and dad said it was lovely meeting you. Please email us your contract and references. Oh ps I'm still in the door way.
Took me longer to drive to there house then I was at the interview. So strange

That is really strange. Maybe they're just socially awkward people.

[Anonymous]

I once went on an interview for a share, where one of the dads was so rude. He didn't let his wife speak, and proceeded to argue with me about 50 hours being considered overtime, because it was just a nanny job. Needless to say, I did not accept the job, because I knew I wasn't the nanny for them. I've been on some interviews where the parents look at you as if they think you're about to run off with their baby. The great thing, is that the good people, outnumber the not so great.

[Anonymous]

I had an interview where the parents actually argued and fought the whole time. About things I should and shouldn't have to answer. I declined the job. They also wanted me to stay home all day

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've heard it said that most families who get nannies are pretty disfunctional to begin with.

Or, you know, have jobs.....

What is dysfunctional about hiring a nanny?

Everything.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We interviewed several people while I was on maternity leave. One woman came in and it honestly seemed like she was on drugs with how zoned out she was. She had a vague smile on her face the whole time, her expression never got any more animated than that but sometimes went completely blank, and sometimes when I asked her a question I then had to prompt her to answer it once or twice.

With most of the interviewees we would chat, then I would hand them the baby while I went into the kitchen and futzed with drinks so I could give them space to bond a smidge with the baby, and overhear how they spoke with her. This woman made me so uncomfortable that I wouldn't hand her the baby at all.

How doez someone bond with a baby in a couple of minutes? If this is the casr, then all maternity leave should ne no longer tjan two days. You are an idioti

[Anonymous]

I interviewed once with a family who spent the majority of the interview bitching about their current nanny. It was really obnoxious and unprofessional... they couldn't stop listing all her faults and how much they disliked her and couldn't wait to get rid of her. They came across as really horrible to work for and I knew that I would be micromanaged and they would try to pile on all kinds of housekeeping chores on me. I declined.

Another family once gave me a five-page questionnaire to fill out and return to them. I don't mind the concept of this but after reading through it I realized it would take me hours to fill out... most of the questions were essay questions and required long involved answers. I declined this one as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I interviewed once with a family who spent the majority of the interview bitching about their current nanny. It was really obnoxious and unprofessional... they couldn't stop listing all her faults and how much they disliked her and couldn't wait to get rid of her. They came across as really horrible to work for and I knew that I would be micromanaged and they would try to pile on all kinds of housekeeping chores on me. I declined.

Another family once gave me a five-page questionnaire to fill out and return to them. I don't mind the concept of this but after reading through it I realized it would take me hours to fill out... most of the questions were essay questions and required long involved answers. I declined this one as well.

You made me think of one! One family replied to my initial email asking me to fill out a form, including my social security number. I hadn't met them or even talked on the phone with them! Instead of giving them the information, I replied pointing out how irresponsible and foolish it would be for someone to give out that information so freely to a stranger. Needless to say, didn't take that job....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've heard it said that most families who get nannies are pretty disfunctional to begin with.

It's the welfare cases who can't afford nannies who are typically disfunctional.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I had the strangest interview last week. The family lived in a small house, so when I walked in the door it was literally in the living room. The child was playing with a standing toy in the small hallway right infrint if the door so I said hello and he giggled and stated bouncing. Parents introduced themselves then said nothing more. So I took my shooed off and bent down to talk to the baby. Didn't want to get too close as I was sick ( I told the parents via email )
Honestly I didn't leave the doorway the entire interview. They didn't ask
Me a single question except if I wanted to hold the baby. Which I said I wouldn't want to get him sick.
After 15 mins of me asking questions but also giving them oppertunity to ask. Even asking 3 times if they have any questions mom said baby need a nap. Mom leaves and dad said it was lovely meeting you. Please email us your contract and references. Oh ps I'm still in the door way.
Took me longer to drive to there house then I was at the interview. So strange

Maybe they made up their mind about not wanting to hire you based on physical appearances or just didn't feel a "click" and didn't want to get too comfortable. Even if the dad asked you to send in your info they could've made up their mind on you within minutes? Just a thought! Does sound strange.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've heard it said that most families who get nannies are pretty disfunctional to begin with.

Or, you know, have jobs.....

What is dysfunctional about hiring a nanny?

Everything.

You probably just jealous and most likely on sometype of public assistance. So sad for your kids!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We interviewed several people while I was on maternity leave. One woman came in and it honestly seemed like she was on drugs with how zoned out she was. She had a vague smile on her face the whole time, her expression never got any more animated than that but sometimes went completely blank, and sometimes when I asked her a question I then had to prompt her to answer it once or twice.

With most of the interviewees we would chat, then I would hand them the baby while I went into the kitchen and futzed with drinks so I could give them space to bond a smidge with the baby, and overhear how they spoke with her. This woman made me so uncomfortable that I wouldn't hand her the baby at all.

How doez someone bond with a baby in a couple of minutes? If this is the casr, then all maternity leave should ne no longer tjan two days. You are an idioti

You're an idiot who can barely type a sentence correctly. You obviously didn't understand what PP meant by "bond" even if only for a minute or two.