Is it weird to schedule interviews back to back?

[Anonymous]

We are meeting a few potential nannies for our position. If the interviews run long and the nannies see each other, is it awkward or offending?

[Anonymous]

Don't be silly, op. You're fine.

[Anonymous]

As a Nanny speaking, it IS a little uncomfortable to run into a Nanny who is interviewing for the same job as you.

But that’s about it.
Nothing huge.

[Anonymous]

Interviewing for a nanny position is just like interviewing for any other position - not weird and not unusual.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't do it OP. If you happen to meet a nanny with whom you really click, and some extra time would be natural, easy and helpful then you want to be able to accommodate that.

I'd also suggest that it's helpful to have at least a few minutes in between interviews to jot down your notes/impressions, compare notes w/ your partner (if relevant), refill your glass of water and get a clean glass for the next candidate, etc...

And yes - I think it's a little awkward for candidates to run into each other. Why make the situation any more awkward or stressful than it needs to be.

- MB

[Anonymous]

I would leave at least 30-45 minutes between interviews as its very uncomfortable to have one meet the other and if one runs over its better to have a cushion.

[Anonymous]

You should leave a gap in between interviews so you can have extra time to talk ... and so that candidates don't meet.
No one wants to feel awkward.

[Anonymous]

I'd be concerned that you'll (almost) never have time to schedule meetings to discuss your child's development. You seem to be overbooked.

[Anonymous]

I agree that you should leave a little time in between to compare notes like a pp said. It’s a great idea! Plus, you have the added bonus of nobody feeling awkward, and a cushion of time like other posters have said

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd be concerned that you'll (almost) never have time to schedule meetings to discuss your child's development. You seem to be overbooked.

Agreed. I have several red flags that I look for while interviewing. If the parents don’t have at least two options for an interview time for me, that’s one. Scheduling an interview for less than an hour is two. Another interview immediately before or after is three. Combine at least two of those and I walk, just one and I try to talk to the parents about why this happened, and can they be sure they won’t be over scheduled enough so that we can’t talk about the kids as needed.

With that said, I’ve had parents schedule an hour for an interview, we went too long, dad’s alarm went off and the interview immediately stopped. He explained that they wanted time to go over their notes before talking to the next person (he and I were each taking notes), and I thought that was great!

[Anonymous]

I don't think it's a big deal. I've interviewed for jobs back-to-back with other candidates lots of times. Sometimes even waited in the same area when we were essentially interviewing at the same time, just with the individual interviewers in a different order. Why is this any different?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't think it's a big deal. I've interviewed for jobs back-to-back with other candidates lots of times. Sometimes even waited in the same area when we were essentially interviewing at the same time, just with the individual interviewers in a different order. Why is this any different?

There’s no waiting area. It’s personal, not corporate. Totally different!