Interview Tips for Babysitters and Nannies

Here are some handy tips to help you succeed in your interviews for babysitting jobs.

Be Prepared

• Get your own background check done ahead of time. This will give parents peace of mind.
• Bring copies of your qualifications, your background check, 2 references and a brief resume.
• Dress appropriately for the interview and the role. e.g., smart casual, something you would wear if you were playing with children.
• Plan ahead to make sure you arrive at the interview on time.
• Prepare some answers to questions that parents are likely to ask you (see the list below).
• Prepare a few questions that you’d like to ask the parents about the role.

Be Yourself

• Be yourself!
• Put your phone on ‘do not disturb’ during the interview.
• When answering the parents' questions, keep it short and simple.
• If the children are present make an effort to interact with them.

Questions parents might ask sitters or nannies

• Where are you studying or working at the moment?
• Why have you applied for this role?
• Tell me about your past experience with childcare (when, where, who).
• Do you have any relevant qualifications? (e.g., in childcare, First Aid?)
• What’s the best thing about working with children?
• What’s the hardest thing about working with children?
• How would you manage specific issues such as separation anxiety or resettling the baby to sleep?
• Have you ever had an emergency situation when babysitting and what did you do?
• What days or hours are you available to work?
• What is your hourly rate?
• Do you have a driver's license and a car? What is your driving record?
• Do you have a Background Check available to show us?
• Do you have 2 professional references available?

Questions sitters or nannies might ask parents

• What ages are the children?
• What are the main duties of the role?
• Tell me about the child’s personality, likes and dislikes.
• What are their favorite things to play?
• Would I be required to prepare a meal?
• For a baby - will they take a bottle from me?
• Do they have any allergies? If so, is there an action plan if there's a problem?
• Do they have any special needs?
• Is there a routine I should follow? (e.g., a bedtime routine).
• For a small child - do they have a comfort toy and/or pacifier?
• If I need to resettle the baby, what settling strategies do you use?
• What hours would you like me to work? Daytime / evening / frequency and duration?
• My hourly rate is $xx - how do you like to arrange pay? (e.g., at the end of every shift, or once per week)

Best of luck!