Hosting an au-pair is an unforgettable experience for the whole family; not only do you get a pair of helping hands with childcare, but you help kids to immerse into a different culture and extend their perception of the world. Selection of an au-pair is a responsible task, as this person will make a temporary part of your family; thus, finding the right one is crucial.
According to Nina.Care, the minimum duration of a selection is 2-3 months, which includes the review of the applications and profiles, interviews, and the relocation. However, it may also take longer if you struggle to find the right person.
The check-list of the selection process:
1. Have a family talk
Before applying for au-pair services, it is important to get the agreement of all the family members, as it will help to avoid the tension in the atmosphere. Besides, the kids must express their opinion and be ‘consulted’ while narrowing down the list of candidates. It will help to make them involved and feel that their opinion is appreciated. It is also important to clarify which characteristics of an au-pair are NOT acceptable for the family members.
One of the common mistakes is defining a person as “just a good one”. The meaning of “good” varies from person to person.
2. Choose the agency
The agency is a fundamental aspect of the whole au-pair program. It is responsible for the choice of candidates, the training, the smooth cooperation between hosts and candidates, and 24/7 support in case of emergencies. The experts should always stay in touch with all the participants, making sure the whole hosting experience functions smoothly. At the Nina Care au-pair agency, specialists insist on having constant control over the full length of the candidate’s participation.
3. Define the list of critical characteristics
Driving license
Unless you live in a megapolis with well-developed public transportation, ask about driving skills and licenses, as they will often be in use.
Languages
Au-pair is a language exchange experience. The au-pair goes to the country native to the language they want to master, and the family can have a native speaker for the language they are interested in. Make sure that the basic language of communication is mastered to a certain level when the au-pairs can clearly express their opinion and understand basic conversations.
Personal qualities
You are about to accept a new family member, and character compatibility is a fundamental aspect of successful cooperation. You need to choose the person who will match the emotional portrait of your family. If your kids are shy, you can also hire a more easy-going au-pair, as they will help them to open up. Ask how the person resolves the conflict situations, what are the emotional triggers, and whether they can easily burst into tears when under pressure or tend to accumulate everything inside. Such details will help you understand the personality better than just a list of adjectives.
Hobbies
Music, dancing, video making, sports, books – the similarity of hobbies between the au-pair and the kids will help them find common ground right at the beginning of the communication and deepen the friendship. If the types of hobbies bring you mental discomfort (due to any reason), move on to the next candidate.
Circadian rhythm
It may seem silly to discuss, but it can often be a matter of dispute. If the whole family enjoys late nights, and the au-pair is an early one to rise, it may soon become a problem. It is important to choose the person who has similar to the kids’ schedule (if it is the priority of your cooperation).
Social media profiles are second nature. Thus, it is important to look through the types of posts, frequency, and overall online behaviour. It is also recommended to google the name of a person in order to check the digital footprint.
5. Do research into the culture
If an au-pair comes from a distant country, it is vital to check into its culture, traditions, and specific thing of their mentality. Such preparation will help to avoid any culture shock and help to understand certain types of behaviour.
6. Have an interview
Sometimes people ignore the interview option, as the description and photos are” enough to understand that it is the right person”. It is one of the biggest mistakes ever, as nothing can replace live communication. Besides, the candidates will have to think on their feet, having fewer chances to prepare for the answers and show their true selves.
Being an au-pair is a priceless experience for your people in terms of cultural growth; hosting an au-pair is also an unforgettable experience, as you will get childcare help and the presence of a new culture in your family. If you work profoundly with the selection, you and your kids will get an exciting year together.