If the questionnaire bothers you, I'd take it as a red flag concerning a personality mismatch. I like to work for more laid back parents as well and wouldn't click with a mom who was too uptight. That being said, a lot of parents just google what questions to ask and these questionnaires come up. I had a mom send me one once, and I noted it but answered the questions and went to the interview. Turns out she was just nervous about asking the right questions. I got the job and generally she was great, just an over thinker and a worrier.

I think getting the questions answered in writing is just a preference thing on the part of the mom.

A short trial period makes a lot of sense and protects you and your employers. You want things to click. If it conflicts with your current job, perhaps they could have you come over a weekend?

Anonymous wrote:Yes I have. I worked for a family with a newborn and they were very cautious and "all business" during the interview process. I thought it was just because they were first-time parents and that they'd loosen up eventually. They didn't and I was miserable.
I don't want to make the same mistake again.

I know often in this field it feels like we have to settle or else we won't have a job, but in the long run, you will probably be miserable. Go with your gut OP. This family may be perfect for another nanny, but just not right for you!

Yes I have. I worked for a family with a newborn and they were very cautious and "all business" during the interview process. I thought it was just because they were first-time parents and that they'd loosen up eventually. They didn't and I was miserable.
I don't want to make the same mistake again.

Have you worked for first time parents with babies this young before?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Agreed. The MB is doing a good job in hiring.

The only red flag, really, is that you think there are red flags. Are you an inexperienced nanny?

Uncalled for. Perhaps OP is just used to a different kind of experience (it's a novel concept that not all jobs are the same, I know).

OP-some of these things would strike me as odd as well because I prefer to have a much more casual relationship with the people I choose to work with. I have always found the best jobs to be the ones where everyone just "clicks" and things progress more organically. Nothing that this NF is doing is really out of the ordinary, it may just be an indicator that they are people you would not mesh well with in the long run.

OP here. Thank you PP. That is exactly the point I was trying to make. I am trying to avoid working for people who I won't "mesh" with. The mom seems very "all business."
I have worked for these types of people and it wasn't successful.
I am afraid that she will be difficult to work for. Her husband was incredibly kind though. He did admit that she runs everything.

You could always offer to do trial days on a weekend.

Anonymous wrote:As long as all the questions she asked you are appropriate and legal then I think there is nothing wrong with the route she is taking. She had a six week old and she wants to narrow down the pool of candidates as much as possible to waste as little time as possible. As far as the working interview days go, I think if they really liked you they would be willing to do these on a weekend. Also, I always meet the parents in public places for the first interview. I believe it is also what care.com recommends for safety reasons.

Agree with all of this. When DS was six weeks old, DH and I were just starting to get out of sleep deprivation mode. I think it is ok/normal for her to want to narrow down the pool as much as possible. Also agree with meeting in public, I can't imagine going to someone's house that I hadn't met before. Also, 2 day trial period seems pretty normal to me, especially as a FTM. DH and I are pretty laid back parents, but if I was leaving my new baby with someone I didn't know well, I would def. want to have a couple day trial period to make sure it was going to work out.

Overall, I don't see any major red flags.

No, not a red flag.. They have a 6 week old and are probably anxious leaving them w.some whom they haven't known a while and want to know as much as possible.

Make sure you're getting paid for these 'trail days'.

Anonymous wrote:Agreed. The MB is doing a good job in hiring.

The only red flag, really, is that you think there are red flags. Are you an inexperienced nanny?

Uncalled for. Perhaps OP is just used to a different kind of experience (it's a novel concept that not all jobs are the same, I know).

OP-some of these things would strike me as odd as well because I prefer to have a much more casual relationship with the people I choose to work with. I have always found the best jobs to be the ones where everyone just "clicks" and things progress more organically. Nothing that this NF is doing is really out of the ordinary, it may just be an indicator that they are people you would not mesh well with in the long run.

I am not an inexperienced nanny. I haven't interviewed for quite a while and don't remember having met a potential MB who is quite so efficient.

Agreed. The MB is doing a good job in hiring.

The only red flag, really, is that you think there are red flags. Are you an inexperienced nanny?

has a six week old not had

As long as all the questions she asked you are appropriate and legal then I think there is nothing wrong with the route she is taking. She had a six week old and she wants to narrow down the pool of candidates as much as possible to waste as little time as possible. As far as the working interview days go, I think if they really liked you they would be willing to do these on a weekend. Also, I always meet the parents in public places for the first interview. I believe it is also what care.com recommends for safety reasons.

I am currently interviewing for a new nanny position.
I was contacted through Care.com by a first time mom of a 6 week old.
I spoke with her husband (who she asked to serve as an initial filter for any inappropriate or undesirable candidates) over the phone and we hit it off immediately. He seemed quite easy-going and laid back.

A short while later, I received a message through Care.com from the mother.
She sent me a list of questions to answer prior to the interview. While I have no issue with this, she asked me to answer questions that really are more face to face interview questions. I'm wondering what kind of stuff she's going to ask me when we meet.
She also told me that she expects a 2-3 day trial period while she is home before she makes her final decision. I have a full-time job and there is no way I am going to give notice and risk this not working out.
She also wants me to meet at Starbucks for our interview (a first for me).

Are these red flags or just the actions of a cautious new parent?