Acing your au pair interview: questions and tips
The video interview is the decisive moment of your search: it's where on-paper compatibility becomes (or doesn't become) a real human connection. Well prepared, it's also your best protection against bad surprises. Here's how to approach it, on both sides of the screen.
Before the call: do your homework
Re-read the family's profile in detail: the children's names and ages, the city, the weekly routine. Mentioning these details during the call shows genuine interest — it's what makes one application stand out among ten.
Set up a quiet spot, a stable connection, and test your camera. Allow 45 to 60 minutes: a good interview can't be rushed in fifteen.
- Write down 3 personalised questions about the family
- Prepare 2 concrete childcare anecdotes
- Have your availability calendar in front of you
- Check the time difference before confirming the slot
Questions families almost always ask
You don't need perfect answers — families are looking for authenticity and maturity, not a rehearsed script. Practise answering in one to two minutes, with real examples.
- Why do you want to be an au pair, and why our country?
- What experience do you have with children our kids' age?
- How would you react if a child refuses to listen or has a tantrum?
- Can you cook simple meals? Do you have a driving licence?
- What will you do with your free time? How do you handle homesickness?
Questions you should ask back
An interview is an exchange, not an exam. A serious family will appreciate your questions — they show you're genuinely picturing the year ahead.
- What does a typical week look like? How many hours, which schedule?
- What's my room like? Private or shared bathroom?
- How do weekends and holidays work?
- Was there an au pair before me? Can I talk to them?
- How do you see my place in the family: guest or full member?
Red flags you shouldn't ignore
The vast majority of families are kind and fair. But some signals should make you slow down, ask more questions — or walk away.
- Vague hours: "we'll see depending on our needs" is not an answer
- More than 30 hours a week mentioned without hesitation
- Refusing a second call or to show you the room on video
- No questions about you at all — they want an employee, not an au pair
- Pressure to commit immediately or to go around the platform
After the interview
Send a thank-you message within 24 hours, mentioning one detail of the conversation you enjoyed. If both sides are enthusiastic, suggest a second call — with the children this time. Nobody should commit to a year on the strength of a single conversation.
Above all: trust your instinct. If something feels off despite a perfect profile, dig deeper. The right match is something you feel in your gut, too.