The interview is your opportunity to get to know the applicant and assess whether he or she can perform the duties you require. This is also the time to discuss all of your expectations of the applicant as well as the salary and benefits you will provide.
Ercolini offers to you this compilation of questions and topics to use as a guide when interviewing a potential candidate.
Personal Background
- What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
- What are your strengths and weaknesses?
- Tell me a little bit about your background.
- Is there anything else you wish to tell me about yourself?
- Do you have any allergies?
Experience
- Tell me about your experience working in this field.
- How did you become interested in this work?
- What is your education or training in regards to this type of work?
- What were your responsibilities in your last position?
- What did you like most about your last position? What did you like least?
- What was the reason for leaving your last position?
Responsibilities
- Review the position and describe in detail the duties and expectations.
- For household positions, discuss thoroughly each task required and its frequency.
- If filling a nanny position, go over the ages of the children and their activities as well as the responsibilities.
- Review the daily schedule.
- Indicate whether the applicant will be required to run errands.
- Go over any pet care responsibilities and what’s involved.
Driving and Transportation
- Applicants may drive their own car, or you can provide one to them. Discuss this in the interview.
- If driving is not necessary for the job, and an applicant does not drive (or does not have a car), will you provide a transportation allowance?
- If driving is necessary, whose car will be used for the position?
- If the applicant's car is to be used, is there a mileage or gas reimbursement?
- If a car is provided for the applicant's personal use, discuss frequency, cost and restrictions.
- Make sure that all vehicles are properly insured and discuss how things would be handled in the case of an accident.
Hours and Salary
- Discuss the required hours of the position and any flexibility that is needed.
- What hourly, weekly or monthly salary will you offer? How often would it be paid?
- How does the applicant feel about working weekends? Evenings? Discuss any overtime you will pay.
For live-in applicants
- Describe the living arrangements
- Indicate whether you have a household curfew.
- Discuss who will be responsible for the payment of any utility bills.