The more you can articulate your family’s expectations and deal breakers upfront, the more likely you will find a good au pair match. This will save you a lot of time emailing or video chatting with potential candidates that need to be the right fit.
Look for Experience
There are several ways to do on how to find an au pair that matches your family’s needs. The more specific you are about your family’s needs and what kind of personality traits you want in an au pair, the more likely you are to find a great match. If you decide to use an agency, provide a detailed family profile that includes photos, descriptions of each household member, and their daily schedules. This will help au pairs understand what is expected of them and allow you to filter out those that may not fit your household well.
When interviewing au pairs, ask them how they would handle real-life scenarios that can arise in child care. Their answers will give you a glimpse into their personality, cultural differences, and ability to think independently. For example, if you have an infant, ask how they would handle a crying baby refusing to be soothed. Au pairs work longer than nannies and daycares, so choosing a candidate comfortable with this responsibility is crucial. Also, au pairs often live with their host families and will share the same meal schedules, activities, and vacations, so look for candidates that enjoy this type of lifestyle.
Look for Commitment
A host family must be prepared to invest much time and energy in the au pair matching process. They should review profiles, interview au pairs via video chat, and take their children out for play dates or weekend outings with the au pair so they can get to know them better. The right au pair should want to be a part of the family and not feel like a hired employee. During the interview process, look for answers that indicate an interest in learning about your children and their likes and dislikes. Also, discuss household rules and any special requirements, such as a curfew, with candidates so both parties clearly understand the role.
An au pair should be committed to their year abroad as well. If they want to make a quick buck or escape a difficult relationship, it may be a sign that they will only stay for a while. It’s a big commitment, so both parties must be serious about their expectations and goals for the year ahead. Be sure to ask au pair candidates about their “non-negotiables,” and trust your gut if you think one of those criteria isn’t being met by a family.
Look for a Spark
A lot goes into finding the perfect Au Pair for your family. From vetting the Au Pair to interviewing them via email and video chat, it is important to take your time to find someone who will fit perfectly into your home.
One of the most important factors is the Au Pair’s personality. You will spend much time with your Au Pair throughout the year, so they must be a good fit for your family. This is why looking for a spark during video interviews is important. During these conversations, you will be able to determine whether or not the Au Pair has a personality alignment with yours.
When considering the Au Pair’s hobbies and interests, you should also look for a spark. This will give you a good idea of what activities they will be willing to do with your children. For example, if your children are interested in sports, your Au Pair will likely be as well.
Look for a Good Fit
If you’re considering hiring an au pair for your family, it is essential to take your time searching and look beyond just their childcare experience and specialized skills. After all, you’ll be living with this person daily for a year, so they must have a personality that meshes well with yours. The best way to find this out is by talking with au pair candidates and arranging video interviews. Ask about their hobbies, interests, and passions, and listen to how they respond. You may have found your match if they have a positive outlook and an engaging personality.
Finding the perfect au pair can be a long process, but it is worth ensuring you’re getting the right match for your family. Take the time to review au pair profiles, interview via email and video chat, and be patient – this is a big decision, and finding a good fit will be well worth it. The more host families invest in their search, the better their chances of finding the perfect match. That means uploading appealing photos, writing friendly, easy-to-understand descriptions, and being active on the site by contacting au pairs interested in their family. It also means allowing au pairs to ask questions about the family and their expectations – it shows investment, curiosity, and care on both sides.
