Either/or.

Just so you know, if you require a second interview to play w/the child, this would be a "working interview" for the nanny and she should be compensated for her time and effort.

Most of the positions I've interviewed for are a 3-step process. Phone interview, in-home interview where I am able to meet both parents and the kids, and finally a paid working interview (usually about 4 hours).

Anonymous wrote:My employee reached me via care.com, asked for a good time to talk on the phone and we did a phone interview, then she asked to do an in person interview. Interviewed with the parents and met the baby, and offered me the job a few days later. The week before starting full time she had me come in for about an hour to show me the house, the babys room and where everything for him is kept and go over her expectations. For me, I loved this as I knew exactly what she expected and it has been working out great. Good luck, OP!

Most of my positions have followed this pattern as well. Phone interview- in person interview- in person orientation. We usually also sign the contract at the orientation as well.

PP again. Forgot to mention, a lot of families like to meet at Starbuck's or similar for first meeting (either with or without the kids in tow) and while I understand this is safer for both parties, it's a bit frustrating because you have to plan a second interview to visit them at their home (never accept a job without seeing where you will be working) and to possibly meet the kids if you haven't already. So that's probably at least 2 hours of your time already, and there's no guarantee they will offer you the job.

Hi, nanny here. I like to start off with emailing to make sure we are a good match.

Then I request a phone interview to discuss all the details and so we are both sure it makes sense to meet and to feel more comfortable with each other.

My preference is for one interview (1 hour or less) at your home where I can meet the parent or parents, and preferably the kids as well, even just briefly. I am happy to come back for a second interview to meet the other parent (usually dad) and maybe spend some time with the kids - I expect a second interview to be unpaid but last 1 hour or less.

If you want me to do a working interview, or trial day, this would be paid at my normal rate of $20/hour.

I don't like people who expect you to come for multiple long interview and not get paid. I once interviewed with a family 3 times (each interview was 2 hours long) and was thrilled when I got the job. Then one month later, they basically fired me through no fault of my own (really I did nothing wrong) saying they were looking for something different.

A phone interview and one in-home interview are the norm.

MB here. I did screening over the phone with people, invited four for interviews. At those first interviews, DH and I were both there, and the nanny met us, our dog, our baby. We asked three of them back for working interviews.

The working interviews were paid in cash, four hours, and DH or I were home the entire time, though not in the same room.

My employee reached me via care.com, asked for a good time to talk on the phone and we did a phone interview, then she asked to do an in person interview. Interviewed with the parents and met the baby, and offered me the job a few days later. The week before starting full time she had me come in for about an hour to show me the house, the babys room and where everything for him is kept and go over her expectations. For me, I loved this as I knew exactly what she expected and it has been working out great. Good luck, OP!

I'm wondering what's typical for new nanny interviews--just one interview where you meet both parents and kids? Or one where you meet parents and then a call-back to meet and play with the kids? I'm an employer that's done just one interview in the past, but hiring now and wondering if it's smarter to do two.