As my semester closes this week, I reflect on my communications class. The skills and knowledge I have obtained throughout the course are invaluable-how to communicate with others both verbally and nonverbally, both in written and through body language, and even how to handle the toughest job interview. In addition to my semester ending, I am leaving a position I have held for 3.5 years. During my interview for my new position, I was a bit nervous, as I had interviewed with the same company four years ago and didn't get the job. I remember everything I learned in class, relaxed, and was offered the job. As with any job, I am a bit nervous I won't like the new position, however, I do feel that the new job is in my best interest, as I will have the opportunity to advance within the company, whereas my current employer doesn't offer advancement in positions or pay. (I started with the company in 2008, and it has taken me 2.5 years to earn $0.50 more than my original hourly pay.) Questions we don't know how to answer, inappropriate questions, and the tone of voice used by the interviewer can make the candidate uncomfortable...etc.
Nannies, what are some of the craziest interviews you have been on?
48 comments:
I'm in a communications class right now and it is the biggest POS ever. I haven't learned anything I didn't already know. I hate classes like this where I just feel like I'm wasting time. (and money)
Sorry for that mini-rant.
The one interview that really sticks out in my mind was from a few years ago for a nanny job. They were a super-rich couple that was pregnant with their first baby. I can't remember what the father's job was but the mother was a SAHM who I swear was a mail-order bride from Russia. She didn't know a single thing about taking care of babies and was asking me the most basic questions. The fun really began when we started discussing pay. They offered me a good wage but the father started an insane rant against the government and said how he wasn't going to take taxes out of my check because I deserved all of my money and if I wanted to pay taxes then I'm a sucker. Oookay!
There was one I was talking loudly bordeline shouting and I din't realize it until the interview was nearly done. Yeah didn't get that job. It was my first nanny interview and I was all nerves.
Then there was one I had at the playground. The kids were fine, but mom wandered off when she saw some friends of hers, so we didn't really talk. I foolishly decided to go for a working interview and their kid was fiated on trying to hurt me. This was after they were a half hour late. So told mom later that I had decided to go another direction. She then freaked out that I was unprofessional etc.
Oh yeah there was one where the dad kept talking about my shoes. I had on normal flat shoes. Weird.
nanny interviews I would assume are the strangest because of the informal aspect. Not like at an office where everyone is on their best behavior. You get to see the true colors of the world.
For that I commend you nannies. I would probably throttle my bosses.
I once interviewed with a 2 psychologist parents with twins. When I asked them what their parenting style was like, they both looked at each other and point blank said "we only have one rule with our kids, we NEVER want to say the word "no" to them and we would expect the same from any family member, day care, or Nanny". Hahahahaha I was offered the job but I couldn't take it after they said that. Especially with twins. Good luck with that!
I interviewed for a family with a husband who worked and a SAHM for a day a week so the mom could do some freelance work. They informed me when I got there that the baby (2 years old) would nap almost the whole 4 hours I would be there...strange. And he wasn't allowed to go outside or play loudly. He was also always to be dressed in a onsie with footie PJS on top with pants over that and shoes on....poor kid was about to pass out from heat stroke! The mom obviously had no idea how to raise a non neurotic child and asked me such basic questions like how to get rid of diaper rash.... Food was also interesting. He ate cheese and eggs every day for lunch with water...hmmm can't be healthy. He also didn't say anything. At two children should have 30-60 words minimum he had 2, yes and no. He didn't even make the babble noises to try and form new words. A little worrisome to me!
Needless to say, I tried it out for a day and haven't been back...I couldn't borderline abuse a child by overdressing and under stimulating them.
I went to one in a tiny apartment, one tiny baby, and the dad was watching TV and playing a game on his laptop while half listening to my answers. The mom asked me lots of questions about the chores I would do.
Lyn i worked for a family once who after working there for three months told me, "oh i dont believe in telling them no." WTF?!? Im all for positive reinforcement but come on! Incidentally her kids were total brats.
Once interviewed for a family with a young au pair who wanted a share with a neighbor (2 two year olds) and supervision of the au pair. WTF? When you hire a seventeen year old (new to Cali./US) you might need a sitter for them too.
I went to an interview that was weird. Ten minutes in to the interview another candidate showed up. The dad also took the baby away from me after two minutes claiming she was tired, took her upstairs and didn't come back. The whole thing was really awkward!
I once went to a Nanny interview where I met the Mother first. Things went well, the kids were cute and well-behaved and the pay offer was great. I thought I had the job, but she said she wanted me to meet her husband before they hired me. I said, "Sure" and they even agreed to meet me at a coffee shop by my house. Well immediately I hated the husband. He never took off his sunglasses and he kept asking me the most personal questions....Like did I have a boyfriend? Where was the Father of my kids? How often I spoke w/him? Etc. The questions came one after another in quick succession. Finally, I mentioned I had two cats and he immediately grimaced and told me, "Aaahhh....my children and I are allergic to cat dander" and then scrunched up my resume in his hand, right there in front of my face!! I was appalled when he said, "Sorry..we cannot hire you because of the cats since you will have their fur on your clothes when you come over" and ended the interview abruptly. I asked for my resume back, and he said.."OOps I accidentally scrunched it, but no worries...we promise to shred it when we get home" then he offered to buy me a coffee. Talk about mixed messages.
Brenda K: That is hysterical!!
I interviewed with this one family a few years back where the Mother questioned me, then gave me a job application to fill out. She apparently made it herself and quite honestly, I was put off by it since I usually do not fill out any job forms during interviews.
Well she asked me some pretty weird questions. Like if I took any meds for depression, anxiety, bi-polar, etc.
I personally thought that was none of her business and told her I didn't think it would be a good match and left. Then her husband who was a Dr. asked me point blank, "Why in the world would you want to work in childcare?? It's such HARD WORK!!" LOL. This coming from a Dr. ☺ ☺
ahhh... there is one person here who is more of a bitch than I ever could be. Quit an accomplishment to say the least. LOL
I think when dad's ask about boyfriends it could also be that they had a bad experience with a psycho boyfriend showing up at their house looking for their nanny. That would be my only concern
Phoenix, did you imply that Truth Seeker is a bitch? I read her post and personally did not read anything "bitchy" about it.
Are you trying to start some trouble here???????
Why of course she is Amy! But it's OK because shes an "asshole" her words not mine so everyone can just deal.
no. i would never call her that. I don't have a problem with her at all. Never did.
Read more posts genius
I actually like Truth Seeker. I have mad respect for her. I'm not quite sure why you thought I was talking about her.
The Scene: A nanny job interview in the parents' office, where I would be caring for the baby until "everything was going smoothly". No parks, no activities, no nothing in walking distance.
The questions: The first few questions were nice and normal, nothing unexpected, then, "Have you accepted Jesus Christ as your personal savior?"
The Response: "Um, well, I used to go to church, but I do believe in God..."
I had an interview with a family I liked very much. The parents were extremely nice, the toddler adorable, and I hit it off right away with the sweet bright 4 yo.
On to the trial week. They had 3 different soaps for different kinds of dishes, did not use the dishwasher because the water might not be hot enough, never use the microwave because of radiation, insisted the 4 yo finish every bite of a huge plate of food, and when she said she was full, told me to force feed her the rest with the spoon. The coup de grace, wait for it.......they don't use toilet paper. I respect cultural differences, but clean a 4 yo after a B M with water and my hand? Sorry, no.
I was doing a trial week for a family I liked a lot. The kids were great as was the pay. On my first day there, before mom ran out the door, she told me that I would have to hand scoop out the children's feces out of the toilet bowel, they didn't like flushing poo for some obscene reason. She handed me a box of gloves and left. My first and last day.
Phoenix was joking around. My god some people just want to cause drama!!
Truth Seeker, I've had that question about meds on a job app before. I wrote on it "You are not allowed to ask me this under the ADA laws." and sent it back to the parents. And they actually called me for an interview, which I turned down. I am not about to work for someone that nosy!
Tales, I have been asked about religion WAY too many times and I get uncomfortable every time! Probably because I am not religious but live in a very religious area. I always say something like "My husband and I haven't found a home church but I was raised Christian." It isn't an exact lie but is very exaggerated unfortunately. Plus, I would never accept a job from someone who would ask me that question, again because they are just too nosy!
I had a trial week with this Indian family, and they were super weird. Before the Dad left for work in the morning, (the mother worked from home) they all prayed to this buddah in a cabinet.
They offerred me the job and asked me to sign a confidentiality agreement. I said, sure, if they signed one for me as well. They refused, which I thought was weird.
I was not the right person for the job.
I am from Australia and my very 1st interview was just so strange. My interview was for 10am and I turned up and the whole family, including extended family who were staying were ALL in their pj's. The kids were all dressed though. I was told that the Dad wanted to be the 1st to screen the Nannies so he took me into one of the kids bedrooms, sat me on a rocking chair, covered me in a blanket and the interview began!!! He sat on the bed....
Among other questions I was asked if I thought if he spilled some juice or water or food on the floor if I would be right behind him to clean it up without him asking?!?!
I was there for about 30mins and was asked all sorts of personal questions and all about my relationship with my own parents and my medical history...
Anway I didn't know at the time that he couldnt ask this!! I was 18 but when I got home I told my Mum and she said I should have nothing more to do with them!!
Lucky though because I went for an interview with my current family the next day who were wonderful and normal, I have been with them for 4 years!
Ewww....I am eating a snack right now as I am reading some of the responses...and now I am not eating anymore. LOL. The bowel stories really gross me out!!!!
In the Nanny profession, chemistry is so vital. W/out it, I don't see how a Family and Nanny could ever work together.
@Phoenix...no offense taken Dear.
I went on an interview with a family who offered me the position and then asked me if they could meet MY FAMILY. Major red flag. I declined the offer.
Let's see one of my most recent strangest was with a family that practiced extented breastfeeding/ attachment parenting.
During the intervie mom nursed both her 3 & 5 year old kids.
She then told me that during the day if they were thirsty she would expect I offer them er expressed milk in a cup and that I sgould hold them closely in a blanket like one would feed an infant.
She als mentioned that the children would need me to wipe them after toileting and I wasn't to encourage them to try and wipe themselves.
Also that they did not believe in using negative words with their children negative words like no or stop.
Susannah: Eekk..breastfeeding a 5 yr old..how gross.
Attachment parenting sure is strange....
I don't know alot about attachment parenting. I haven't read up on it. I only know what I've seen from potential families, and it's a little odd to me add to that it doesn't seem to encourage a child to develop beyound infancy.
@Susannah:
Attachment parenting is very weird. Anytime a family states to me that they believe in "attachment parenting" I see it as a huge red flag to run for the hills. LOL.
Basically, you breast feed your child longer than one year. You also have your child in bed w/you at night and when he or she cries, you are always to run to him or her and comfort them. Children are NEVER allowed to cry.
Also, for infants, one must also carry the baby around in a carrier close to them 24/7 during awake hours, etc.
The more families that practice this extreme and unusual practice...the more spoiled kids we will have running the country in 20 + yrs.
"Children are NEVER allowed to cry."
That reminds me of a training seminar I went to a few years ago when I was working for a daycare. The woman giving the speech actually said "Letting a baby cry is tantamount to child abuse" and the entire room held their breath. This specific school I was working at believed very heavily in independence in children...which is also something I believe in. Afterwards the director basically apologized for making us go to the seminar and said we could apply what we learned or not.
I don't know why it is such a trend for people to be afraid of crying babies. I likely will apply some of the attachment parenting practices when I have my own children, such as baby-wearing. But I will not subscribe to the Dr Sears teaching of "if you don't do everything in my book you are a bad mom."
i once had an interview where the mom asked me to come to the bar they owned and were in the middle of remodeling for the interview i sat there waiting for an hr and the interview went well but when it came to finding out if i had gotten the job she texted me to tell me they had decided to choose someone else.
I had an interview where the mother commented on my high energy level and then asked me what I was taking that made my energy level so high. I am who I am, not a drug addict. Needless to say, I was offended.
And my favorite interview was with a doctor who refused to give information about the position, citing the fact that such information was too much information. The first question to start the interview was vague; he wanted to know what I would do if his daughter wouldn't listen. I gave my answer, which was vague. I wasn't sure what he wanted to hear, so I trued my best. He finally asked me what I would do if his 3 year old daughter was the most demonic child I have ever met. I answered that question too, and he called me the strictest and most rigid person he has ever met. He then attempts to figure out why I wasn't working in the field of early childhood education, calling me a fraud, deciding that something must be wrong with me if I wasn't working with children. He then asks me what I was doing for work; I tell him I was working retail. He thinks I am a manager, I tell him I am a cashier. He calls me a lowly cashier, expressing his thoughts about a low-paying job. (It wa a union store, I and I was paid quite well for being there a total of 18 months at the time) Another question asked was if I had a boyfriend, which I did at the time, and was I physically fit or athletic.
I had had enough, politely telling him what a jerk he was before hanging up the phone. After I hung up, I wondered if a position was offered, based on the tone of voice he used (very snooty and uptight) and the questions he asked. He did mention that his wife worked in Chicago, leaving their Milwaukee suburb at 545a to make a 615a train from downtown Milwaukee to Chicago, and she got home at 7-8p at night.
Can we say nanny and daddy playtime? hahahahaha
I agree that Attachment Parenting is very extreme to say the least.
I have seen many ads on Care.com and CraigsList that state that the families practice this and I always just scroll past their ads.
One family I interviewed with told me they practice this attachment parenting thing and that they do not believe in timeouts or just putting the baby down to sleep. They advocated I carry the baby in a baby carrier while at the same time massaging him and singing to him. Needless to say, I knew if I accepted the position, I would be stir crazy every day so I declined. Best decision I ever made.
Never allowed to cry? That's insanity.
I for one think a cry can be good for a kid or baby.
I'm also not into the one size fits all method of parenting.
I had a baby that would have lost his little mind if I carried him about all day. He liked to be free.
I think young children need to learn to do things on their own. They especially need to learn to fall asleep in their own beds, by themselves. So what if they cry a little?? Most young children do not like to go to bed and most will try to give a good fight. But sleeping is a natural thing to do and children need to learn that they need to rest at times. ♥
Bo one stays a child forever, so it's important to teach them life skills.
Why is it that non one in these parenting books seems to acknowledge that childrenc ry for different reasons and in different ways. Not every cry is about being in pain or distress or in need of immediate intervention.
There seems to be an epidemic of overly coddled children.
The defense is always by the time they're 18 it won't matter it's what happened with us.
Well with us we were actually taught appropriate behavior and everything we did wasn't just laughed off.
Don't get me started on this extented toddlerhood craze! Your kid is 5 not a toddler anymore.
Reposted for anonymous...get a moniker!
"I arrived at one home, the family had a few nannies already that worked in different shifts, which put me off of the job right away to be honest. I was there for an interview but instead of even asking me the most basic of questions the mother simply said "This is our current morning Nanny, work with her and we'll see if your a good fit!" so my interview ended up being teaming up with this other girl for about two hours to care for their kids, unpaid. The kids were sweet but the parents, who both worked from home, were totally absent and uninterested in getting to know me! They did ask a few questions here and there, and even offered me the job afterwards, but I was not into it."
Dude, that was your own fault. Yeah, the parents were too lazy to interview you properly, but there's no way I would agree to work for free for two hours on a first interview. You do have the power to say NO.
I once interviewed with a woman who seemed nice and I thought we could potentially be a good fit. Then she asked me point blank, "Do you mind it if I referred to you as my Hired Help?" I was confused and shrugged it was no big deal to me. Then she explained to me that none of her Nannies or Housekeepers were referred to by their names. Instead they were simply called the "Hired Help." I think it made her feel good to be able to look down on her domestic employees so she could feel better about herself.
I thought in my head..."Can I call you the Hiring Bitch???!"
Britney,
WOW! I would have told her that the caste system has been banned, even in India. And then walked out of the door. What a bitch (and I rarely use that word!)
I met a woman for an interview at the local Starbucks in my town. She seemed nice. She kept talking and talking and getting louder and louder. It was really embarrassing!! I swear she talked so loud. People were looking around. One man actually left the table next to us to sit somewhere else.
She was asking questions about my son and husband which was fine. But when someone talks that loud, everyone hears your business. Worse of all she mentions pay so everyone hears. The pay sucked at $12 an hour. Ummm, around here no one works for that! With two chilren to care for. So I just said I gotta get going and I left.
Another interview....so I have been talking to this potential employer over the phone a couple of times. He mentions the crazy hours but they compensate extra because of that. So a Red flag that came over me was I never talked to his wife over the phone.
Well I did agree to an interview. I just felt weird and didn't want to go alone. I never get like that. So I told my husband he had to come and wait out in the car. So we drove their and he waited with my son in the car. The guy comes out to the door. He notices my husband in the car. My husband is a big guy. He goes "who is that"? I said thats my husband and he is going to wait for me.
I go in kids are sweet. But all their curtains are shut tight which I thought was weird it was daytime still.
So he is telling me about the job, etc. About 15 minutes out of nowhere the wife comes out. I think out of the garage. She hardly says two words and just seems miserable.
As I am leaving he hands me my purse. He was really weird about my purse. He asked "oh is this your purse" like maybe he has a fetish for purses, lol.
When I asked how much are they offering for the crazy hours, all of a sudden he has amnesia. It was really strange
What annoys me during interviews is when parents try to nickel and dime me. For example, if my ad states I charge $13/Hr for one child, then that is MY rate. Don't waste my time/gas by setting up an interview, then complaining to me how my rate is too high and if I can lower it.
Fun things I have heard on interviews...
"We were going to hire a cleaning lady too, but we decided to have the nanny do all the cleaning to save us some money."
"We prefer to pay daily rather than hourly so we don't have to worry about coming home on time."
"So are you ever going to get a real job?"
"Don't let the baby nap at all while you are here. We want her to sleep well at night so she doesn't wake me up to be fed." (This was a 5 month old.)
There was one interview for a nanny share, I met all 4 parents and 3 kids. I was there for over 2 hours and the parents hardly talked to me at all. The 4 of them were playing with their cell phones and gossiping with eachother. They didn't even watch to see how I interacted with the kids.
Anytime anyone brings up politics or religion-I run away as fast as I can!
I like it when families ask me if I am interviewing with other families. It makes me think they like me and are seriously considering hiring me. Perhaps it's just a quirk for me....LOL.
It's hilarious when people ask if you are interviewing with other families. I always want to say, "Of course I am! Aren't you interviewing other nannies?" I don't understand why they think every nanny they interview will pick them first.
One woman left me a message about an hour after the interview and told me she had just fired her other nanny and wanted me to start right away! She got furious when I told her I was still interviewing and hadn't made up my mind yet. I really wonder what some parents are thinking!
I hate it when families first have me interview with a third party before meeting with them. Or arrange multiple interviews (more than 2 + ).
Time is money folks. $$
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