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| Korpita |
My first interview was with the house manager who was a lady in her fifties who talked about my background and parenting philosophies, education and flexibility. I know she liked me.
My next interview was at the house meeting with the mother. The father was supposed to be there and arrived late.
The bulk of the interview was the mother going over the notes the house manager took. Then she would say things like, "you have no problem with being gone for two weeks straight at a time." I was super agreeable because this job looks amazing. She showed me a room in the basement that is the nanny guest suite. She said it was mine to use, but they weren't going to keep track of me. If it there was bad weather, they would expect I would stay here so I was available to work, otherwise, so long as I was punctual, they didn't care if I lived in or out.
The woman started talking about the travel that they did. She said this would be their last year of free travel because her oldest would be starting a regular school program so it would be a busy summer of travel. Then she looks at me, from head to toe and says, "what size are you?" I am surprised. I say "in clothes" she looks at me like I am an idiot and says, "yes". I say, "an 8 mostly". She says, "we're going to be on the beach most of the summer, I don't want any suprises." I just stared at her. Like Huh? She says, "cellulite, unsightliness, stretchmarks, flan, how's your body?" Still recoiling from shock, I say, "Um, I'm pretty fit". She looks at me again, like I am idiot and says, "Are you comfortable in a bathing suit?" I say, "Yeah, I guess". She says, "Yeah, I guess isn't what I want to hear". I say, "I'm sorry, I'm not following". She says, "In all your time have you ever worked for a female who didn't want to be outshined by her nanny? Well, that isn't me. The nanny I am looking for should be healthy and fit and able to spend the whole summer in a bathing suit without cowering or backing out of a room. We're very physical and on the move." Still reeling, I say, "I'm 28. I'm fit. I can handle that." At this point I wasn't sure if I wanted the job or not but I didn't want to say the wrong thing to lose the opportunity.
We talked a bit more about preschool activities and flying with two young children and accommodations while we traveled. She said some things then that made me want the job. Like, "A lot of times when we are away, we like to go out for late dinners, my husband and I. If the hours feel too long, you need to speak up, because we can always contract a hotel sitter." and "I'm not looking for a nanny for a few months, I'd like someone who would stay for a few years and really know the children and their schedule."
There is a ruckus in the hall outside the den and then her husband walks in and over to her and kisses her on the head. He looks me up and down and turns to her and wrinkles his nose. I felt like he was saying, "not really good." Then he turns back to me, says his full name, shakes my hand and says what a pleasure it is to meet me and how -housemanager- had such wonderful things to say about me and how my references speak so highly of me.
As creepy as it was, I'm kind of on the edge of my seat waiting for the job offer. Is this workable?
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