Bad Skype interview

[Anonymous]

I just Skyped with a candidate who seemed promising on paper - excellent English, asked good questions in email. On our skype she was very quiet and awkward. She had no questions for me and seemed unable to make much conversation, although her English was very strong.
I tried asking about her interests and what she did this weekend, but she had very little to respond, and we talked for less than 10 minutes. Then she almost immediately sent me an email saying how we are the first family she’s spoken with and she’s sorry she was quiet and uncomfortable on skype. She then asked a few good questions and said she looks forward to hearing from us soon.

I had crossed her off my list after the Skype but should I give her more of a chance? How do you manage communications while interviewing?

This will be our 5th au pair, so I’m not new to this, but I’ve mostly sought out extroverts after our first ap was a total personality dud. This candidate seemed similar to our first in her lack of conversation but perhaps it was more awkwardness?

[Anonymous]

Skype can be deceiving. We had the opposite issue. An AP candidate seemed full of energy and outgoing on skype--even dressed up in Minnie Mouse ears to "meet" our daughter--and she sent videos of her dancing, etc. We t hought we were going to get a gregarious AP full of life!

She got here, and my goodness--complete opposite. Was much better at being on screen than in real life.

I guess all this to say is nothing is guaranteed. Maybe give her another skype video---see if she is more relaxed and tell her what your concerns are and how she handles them

[Anonymous]

give it a second go

[Anonymous]

She could have someone writing her emails. Be really careful.

You could skype again and see if you get the same, but I’d probably pass.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:She could have someone writing her emails. Be really careful.

You could skype again and see if you get the same, but I’d probably pass.

This is actually a very good point.

[Anonymous]

I am a former Au Pair.

Honestly, back then I would have been quite shy doing a skype interview with the host family. This was not something I was used to doing at all and the first time they called me on the phone was the first time ever that I spoke to an American so I was impressed and quite shy.

I would give that Au Pair a second chance, maybe she'll be great or maybe you'll get the same feeling and then you can move on.

Good luck

[Anonymous]

I've had interviews with APs who were nervous, especially if we were the first family to interview them. Most of them seemed breathless and relayed their feelings of nervousness during the interview. If they were q

[Anonymous]

quiet and withdrawn, I would truly hesitate to invite this person for a year...it's a long year of many uncomfortable situations, and that will lead to a wall of silence.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:quiet and withdrawn, I would truly hesitate to invite this person for a year...it's a long year of many uncomfortable situations, and that will lead to a wall of silence.

Yes, that is my concern. I think despite her sweet email where she “apologized” I’m going to pass.

[Anonymous]

Where is she from?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Where is she from?

France. We have only hosted French au pairs.

[Anonymous]

I would have another Skype interview with her and ask her to bring pen and paper to write down her questions and our conversation. And tell her she can be more prepare this time, because you can feel she was nervous the first time.

[Anonymous]

Former French AP here

Many French Au Pairs will sound shy. We are not outgoing like many Americans are. I was amazed at how people were "loud" in America. But in fact you're just being outspoken and very straight forward, which is great of course
But to us, French, it's not something we're always used to.

Give a second chance if you can and if it's still not ok you can move on Good luck !

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Former French AP here

Many French Au Pairs will sound shy. We are not outgoing like many Americans are. I was amazed at how people were "loud" in America. But in fact you're just being outspoken and very straight forward, which is great of course
But to us, French, it's not something we're always used to.

Give a second chance if you can and if it's still not ok you can move on Good luck !

Quiet/shy is not the same as unable to make conversation. We have hosted 4 French au pairs. Even our first, who was a personality did, was able to converse in the skype interviews. My husband is French and I know plenty of loud and direct French people.