Trial day-I HAVE to get this job!!

[Anonymous]

Hey everyone!! So, I've been having some major issues at my current position and have thought about looking for something else for awhile now. Earlier in the week, I received an email from a nanny friend of mine that she knew of a family seeking a long term nanny for her six month old. The pay is GREAT, the benefits are GREAT, And for me the hours work perfectly. I set up an interview, and went on that on Saturday. It went amazingly well, and I feel like the family and I clicked instantly! They asked me to come back one for a day next week for a trial day. I of course agreed!

I want to make sure I do everything possible to get this job! Do any of you have any really good tips on ways to really show off my
Skills and impress the family? I would really appreciate your input and advice!!

Thanks in advance!!

[Anonymous]

Are you new at this work?

[Anonymous]

No, I'm not new at all. I've been a nanny and newborn care specialist for 13 years. I just have never had a trial day! It's foreign to me. 9 times out of 10, i interview, they check references, and then I'm offered the position. I guess I just don't know what to expect.

[Anonymous]

DO NOT BE NERVOUS. You know what you are doing. Do NOT try to impress (that always backfires). Trust yourself and your talents.


AND SMILE. Smile all day long even if you have to force it.


Good luck, OP.

[Anonymous]

Where I am from its common to have a shadows day before each position. It's a way for the parents to assess my skills and have a peace of mind. I have been working with infants for 8 years. I know my stuff! What I prefer to do is get right in there but also ask MB is there a certain way her child likes to be burped, put down for naps, favorite activity at the moment, etc. The important thing is to not be nervous. I want MB to confident that I am te best nanny and there is a reason she chose me. I think of it as just another day of work and make sure I'm paying attention.

I'm not the best at explaining things but Ive neve had a complaint. Just go in there with confidence. You got hired for a reason and you will do great. Just be yourself and your skills and personality will show. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

It will depend on the parent, of course, but if it's a parent who is trying to show you everything (the schedule, how to do x, y, z), offer to take the baby and just do whatever it is and let mom watch. That kind of confidence always impresses me (I'm a MB), versus the nanny who just observes on a shadow/trial day. It makes me feel like even if I forget something, you'll have a plan.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It will depend on the parent, of course, but if it's a parent who is trying to show you everything (the schedule, how to do x, y, z), offer to take the baby and just do whatever it is and let mom watch. That kind of confidence always impresses me (I'm a MB), versus the nanny who just observes on a shadow/trial day. It makes me feel like even if I forget something, you'll have a plan.

Mb here and I would be totally turned off by that. In my eyes it's not a shadowing day so much as a working interview. I know MY baby better than you do no matter how many years you've been a nanny. I know how I want things done.

OP if you want to impress me offer to take your shoes off when you arrive, ask where you can wash your hands, ask about the baby's routine, and give the baby time to get used to yoi before you try to pick him or her up.

[Anonymous]

Another MB here - I think we're all really different. Just pay attention to the cues your new/potential employer is giving you.

"What would you like me to do today? Would you like me to just observe, or would you like to observe me?"

"What can I do today to be helpful?"

"What do you care most about, tell me about the daily schedule..."

"So tell me about little Jane - what does she really enjoy? What soothes her most? Are you starting solids/how is that going?" Etc...

Let the mother be the expert and take your cues from her. Be calm and don't take it personally if she's a hoverer (FTM syndrome) be thrilled if she seems laid back but know that she's still really nervous probably.

Just be calm and competent. And be flexible in your approach (assuming you can be) so that the parents know that you will do what they want you to do - not come in with your own agenda on any given approach.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It will depend on the parent, of course, but if it's a parent who is trying to show you everything (the schedule, how to do x, y, z), offer to take the baby and just do whatever it is and let mom watch. That kind of confidence always impresses me (I'm a MB), versus the nanny who just observes on a shadow/trial day. It makes me feel like even if I forget something, you'll have a plan.

Mb here and I would be totally turned off by that. In my eyes it's not a shadowing day so much as a working interview. I know MY baby better than you do no matter how many years you've been a nanny. I know how I want things done.

OP if you want to impress me offer to take your shoes off when you arrive, ask where you can wash your hands, ask about the baby's routine, and give the baby time to get used to yoi before you try to pick him or her up.

I'm nanny from 10:05. I agree with this MB. All moms and babies are different. I go in with an open mind. I am contentious about asking where to put my belongings, ask to wash my hands, etc. Usually MB will either give me baby right away or we will play to together and do the hand off. I've had some moms who up and left to appointments or run errands and others who stayed. Majority took over the first half of the morning showing me how she prefers things are done and how the baby likes to be held, comforted, put down for a nap, etc. The rest of the afternoon was me doing it all while MB overlooked or prepared dinner. During naps MB and I would always talk about the baby, position, and personal stuff. I've been petty lucky to rock all my shadow or trial days. Just be yourself and let MB lead. You will do fine!