{"id":9149,"date":"2024-12-06T18:30:04","date_gmt":"2024-12-06T18:30:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/?p=9149"},"modified":"2024-12-06T18:30:06","modified_gmt":"2024-12-06T18:30:06","slug":"how-to-interview-and-match-with-your-au-pair","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/advice\/how-to-interview-and-match-with-your-au-pair\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Interview and Match with Your Au Pair"},"content":{"rendered":"
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This post was revised in December 2024 by other contributors.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Interviewing your potential au pair is the first step in your relationship together.
Image courtesy of Patricia<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

When you apply through InterExchange Au Pair USA<\/a>, you will use our online matching and application platform, Passport<\/a>, which provides access to all au pair profiles that are available  \u2013 showing all of their experiences and how many hours they have worked each childcare-related job. Au Pair USA performs a background check and double checks all of their previous experience and references during our rigorous au pair screening process. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Au pair profiles will also contain pictures, videos, and letters that allow candidates to tell you about themselves. You can search for au pairs with a wide variety of all kinds of skills, talents, or lifestyles. For example, au pairs interested in dance or sports, au pairs who swim, or those with extensive driving experience. You can request certain things that you know will fit your family; even qualities such as someone who is a vegetarian, speaks certain languages, or is from a specific country. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Au Pair USA also has amazing Program Specialists<\/a> who are familiar with all available au pairs. These matching experts will talk to you about what you are looking for and what your needs are to suggest au pair candidates to interview. They are extremely helpful! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once you\u2019ve narrowed down your search, it\u2019s time to start the interview process. Interviewing your potential au pair can be exciting and nerve-wracking, but there\u2019s no need to sweat! Check out these top tips for interviewing and matching with your au pair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Start with the basics about your family.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Begin your conversation with a smile, and tell your au pair all about your family. Your potential au pair will be interested to know the unique personalities of your little ones, what your town is like, and how a typical day in your household goes. Keep things light, demographic, and informative. Don\u2019t forget to cover any special circumstances your household may have like dietary requirements or unique schedules. This is also a good opportunity to discuss any family pets and the au pair candidate\u2019s experience and comfort level interacting with them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ask about the au pair’s lifestyle.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Now that you\u2019ve introduced yourselves, it\u2019s time to find out a little more about the personality of your au pair. Your au pair will not only be your childcare provider, they\u2019ll also be living with you as a member of your household. Ask questions to see how your daily patterns will fit together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Try the following questions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n