Can I Interview Au Pairs Before Choosing One? (What Every Host Family Should Know)

Can I Interview Au Pairs Before Choosing One? Au Pair Interview Best Practices

Yes, families can and should always interview an au pair as part of their matching process. Hosting an au pair for live-in childcare is a big decision that carries impact for all members of your family. By interviewing your au pair before matching, both parties can get a feel for compatibility, while also addressing questions about personality, requirements, and obligations for how to be an au pair host.

How Does the Au Pair Interview Process Work?

The process of interviewing an au pair will vary based on which agency you choose. Some agencies offer more support and tools than others, which may provide a different experience for families searching for an au pair.

Here is how the interview process works with AuPairCare:

The Family Room: Families who apply and register gain access to our database, where you can search for au pairs based on childcare experience, skills, nationality, driving status, language, age, and more!
Matching Account Managers: You'll get to work with our highly skilled Matching Account Managers who play an active role in finding the best fit for your family. They also work with you to address any questions and offer recommendations and advice for your family's needs.
Interviewing: When you find an au pair you'd like to meet, AuPairCare will help you set up an interview. During this interview, you can share information about your family, learn more about the au pair, and see if the match would be a good fit.
Mutual Match: After you interview au pairs and find the right fit for your family, you can finalize your match, and AuPairCare will coordinate the rest of the details for your new au pair's arrival.

What Questions Should I Ask During an Au Pair Interview?

The questions you ask during an au pair interview should reflect the information or goals you are hoping to get out of the interview. There is a range of topics you can go over, from childcare experience, talking about hobbies and personality traits, reviewing potential childcare duties, and more.

Here is a list of sample questions you can ask during your next interview:

Background and Personality

Can you tell us about your family and what your childhood was like?
What made you decide to become an au pair?
What hobbies or interests do you enjoy in your free time?

Childcare Experience & Approach

Can you describe your past experiences caring for children, and what you enjoyed most about it?
What do you find most challenging when caring for kids, and how do you handle those situations?
How do you like to spend time with children—what activities do you enjoy doing together?

Adaptability & Expectations

Have you ever lived away from home for a long period before?
How do you handle being homesick?
What are your expectations for living with a host family?
What does a typical "perfect day" look like for you, and how do you balance work and personal time?

Cultural Exchange and Communication

What's one tradition or part of your culture you'd love to share with our family?
How do you prefer to communicate if there's ever a misunderstanding or conflict?

How Many Au Pairs Can I Interview Before Making a Decision?

There is no maximum on the number of interviews a host family can have. Families can also interview the same au pair multiple times to ensure that it will be a good fit. We understand that selecting an au pair is a personal process and requires time to consider who will be the best fit for the job. Facing a large number of candidates can feel overwhelming, therefore we encourage host families to interview no more than three candidates at a time.

This helps to ensure that families can be thoughtful about their interviews and spend an adequate amount of time making the right decision. If you are having trouble with finding the right match, be sure to reach out to a support staff member, such as the AuPairCare matching team, for extra guidance and advice on how to interview and complete your match.

It is good to remember that interviewing au pairs is not just about evaluating candidates; it is also important to build trust and connection with the au pair on the other side.

What Support Does AuPairCare Provide During the Interview Process?

AuPairCare has a dedicated team of matching experts who will help your family make the right choice while you search and interview candidates. The AuPairCare matching team helps families with:

Answering all questions and giving advice related to interviewing and compatibility
Coordinate the placement of au pairs and host families until the au pairs arrival
Provide a high level of communication and customer service for both host families and au pairs

Not all agencies are created equal; some au pair agencies may offer some guidance but will mainly leave host families to make the decision themselves. That is why for first-time host families, it is vital that they choose an agency with a high level of customer service that will help them navigate this potentially overwhelming journey.

When Do Families Usually Know They've Found the Right Match?

There is no right or wrong answer that lets you know when you have found the right match. There are a multitude of factors to pay attention to, and it depends on which factors are most important to you and your family's needs.

Hear what some of our host families say about finding their right match:

"As soon as we interviewed our au pair, Lina, my husband and I knew that it was meant to be. A perfect fit for our family. She has helped to turn the chaos of new parenthood into a loving and structured family home with her dedicated, nurturing attitude." - The Hovattar family, Bay Area, CA

"As we entered the au pair search process, we were looking for someone who would have the maturity, responsibility, & confidence required for the job. Our au pair, Angie, and I both felt a strong conviction that it was the perfect match when we first met on our first phone interview together." - The Gephart family, Austin, TX

Key Takeaway

Interviewing your next au pair is more than just a step in the matching process, it's a foundation that is required for building a lasting, meaningful connection that supports your family's daily life and cultural growth.

By taking the time to ask thoughtful questions, understand each candidate's personality, and select an agency like AuPairCare that fully supports your childcare journey, families can make confident decisions that lead to fulfilling experiences for both themselves and their au pair.