Length of interview?

[Anonymous]

How long do your nanny interviews normally last? I find if it's a good connection they usually last about 1 hour for me. I have a family wanting me to come spend a few of hours with the kids - this would be my first time meeting the kids. Would you consider this a 2nd interview or a paid trial? A few hours seems like a long time to me!

With the last family that hired me I interview with them 3 times each lasting close to 2 hours. I thought it was crazy. After a month they decided it wasn't working out and let me know. I was just shocked.

So what's the norm in regards to interview time?

Thanks

[Anonymous]

30-60 minutes for a first in person interview. Any subsequent time is a paid trial.

[Anonymous]

Two hrs with the kids is a paid trial. No question.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Ugh. I don't want to jeopardize not getting the job by asking to be paid for this time. I emailed her back asking what time she would like me to stay until because a few hours is vague.

[Anonymous]

If they didn't already offer to pay you for the two hours, I'd run. That's a major RED flag.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Ugh. I don't want to jeopardize not getting the job by asking to be paid for this time. I emailed her back asking what time she would like me to stay until because a few hours is vague.

Just email or call and say "my hourly rate is (insert rate here) and I prefer to be paid in cash/check. Please let me know how long you will need me to stay so that I can plan my evening/Saturday accordingly."
I this becomes an issue, it's not a job you want to take in the first place. ( ...and I've been there, when you just need a job and are willing to accept pretty much anything. You will end up miserable and looking for a new position in a few weeks anyways, so save everyone the hassle and don't move forward if it doesn't feel right!)

[Anonymous]

An hour for the initial meeting. Then I ask the nanny to do a paid afternoon of work for 3 or 4 hours, which I pay in cash.

[Anonymous]

I'd ask the parents:

"Just wanted to clarify what you had in mind for Saturday. Is this an interview, or trial time to get to know the kids and see how we do together?"

[Anonymous]

Is it the first interview? If so, tell them that you are available to meet the family but ask that the initial interview be kept around 60 minutes. Tell the you are more than willing to do a paid trial both parties choose to go forward after the first interview. They probably just don't know how nanny interviews/trials usually go, and their instinct was that they want to see you interact with the kids. Not the worst faux pas in the world. Just be polite but clear in what you are comfortable/not comfortable with. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is it the first interview? If so, tell them that you are available to meet the family but ask that the initial interview be kept around 60 minutes. Tell the you are more than willing to do a paid trial both parties choose to go forward after the first interview. They probably just don't know how nanny interviews/trials usually go, and their instinct was that they want to see you interact with the kids. Not the worst faux pas in the world. Just be polite but clear in what you are comfortable/not comfortable with. Good luck!

They asked for two hours.

[Anonymous]

OP here. I like 15:47's reply. Thanks for that. This would be the second interview for about 2 hours.

[Anonymous]

It depends.

If the interview is not going well, for instance, one party knows or senses that this is not a good match then the interview usually isn't longer than say....20 minutes or so.

If things are going quite well, then the interview can last up to an hour to an hour and a half.

If the family wants you to spend a few hours getting to know the kids, then they MUST pay you for your time. If they do not, then I wouldn't accept any type of job offer from them at all. Your time is your time and time is money. Even if you spend 2 hours playing w/their child and they are there the whole time, you still need to be paid for your time there.

Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is it the first interview? If so, tell them that you are available to meet the family but ask that the initial interview be kept around 60 minutes. Tell the you are more than willing to do a paid trial both parties choose to go forward after the first interview. They probably just don't know how nanny interviews/trials usually go, and their instinct was that they want to see you interact with the kids. Not the worst faux pas in the world. Just be polite but clear in what you are comfortable/not comfortable with. Good luck!

I like this. At this point, I would be willing to give them the benefit of the doubt. Best wishes, OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:30-60 minutes for a first in person interview. Any subsequent time is a paid trial.

I normally do in depth emailing with a potential family, then a phone conversation so by the time we get to an in person interview, it might only take 20-30 minutes. Usually it's quite quick because we have already talked about everything, and after that interview we will probably set up a paid trial day (even if just an hour or 2) to spend more one on one time with the kids themselves. I can see an hour if I do the one on one time with the kids then, but the parents will normally mention that ahead of time to make sure I am free for that length of time.

[Anonymous]

I've heard of families asking the nanny to stay the weekend (for a live in job). I do think there should be payment for that amount of time