I know that when you are searching for a job (especially when you are unemployed) you aren’t too particular. Well, that is a mistake if you are looking to be a nanny. It is easier said than done to turn down a job when you have 0 income but hear me out. Interviewing for a nanny position is much different from interviewing for any other jobs. You aren’t being interviewed and screened. You also need to be interviewing and screening. What do I mean?

1. Do you get a good vibe from the family you are interviewing with?

2. Are you going to be a live-in or live-out? (this makes a giant difference in income earned and availability)

3. how old are the children?

4. How many children do you feel comfortable watching at one time? Usually the answer is 2-3.

5. Nanny-sharing… bad idea. Do not acceptable a nanny-share job unless you are being properly compensated for it. Some people try to pay just for watching 2 children when you are actually watching 4.

6. Driving the children to school and other various activities. You need to make sure that you are using the families car and not your own. The reason is that god forbid you are in an accident in your car with the children you can be sued. If you do choose to use your car, get extra liability insurance.

7. Cleaning/Extra chores. Again, make sure you will be compensated for all of this.

8. Vacation/Time off. Ask about this during the second interview.

9. Your interaction with the children. It takes time to build a routine with a family so take that into consideration when you meet with the children.

10. Special needs. If you don’t feel comfortable around children with special needs you need to be honest about that. Parents with special needs children are already sensitive… don’t string them along if you have no intentions of taking the job.