This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your intentions. While you . Most of the questions are open-ended, and any yes/no answers have easy follow-up. This year, I have seen three of my management trainees gain promotions. Pretend you are parking the car on a busy street and accidentally damage another parked car. Would you be willing to quarantine/wear a mask/get tested before/during/after your arrival. Its a great experience with so much opportunity, that can allow you to go to school for really cheap (did you know that a lot of European universities, even for foreigners, are less expensive than a community college? And you can apply tomorrow. The paperwork is relatively easy. Live-in nanny Pros Trial periods. REASONS WHY I WANT TO BE AN AU PAIR. Do you like to host parties? Great answer. How did you find out about the au pair program? Watching a little kid absorb your language and mannerisms and expressions as you spend time together is one of the coolest and most fulfilling things ever. Global Graduates Ltd is registered in England and Wales. Dont put it off! The cost of an au pair is relatively low: the minimum stipend is just under $200 a week, a bargain compared to the high cost of a full-time nanny or even most major metro area daycares. Were you by yourself? In my last position, I was caring for two children who were both nonverbal. Example: I am passionate about working with children and have been babysitting since I was in high school. Establish an open relationship with your host parents from the start and it will lead to an easier, and happier, time for everyone. You get to be your own validation. When you take your vacation holidays, where would you like to go and what would you like to do? I am a highly creative individual, so passing along the 'creative torch' appeals to me. I brush my teeth twice a day and use mouthwash in between. How long have you had it? Example: When I was working as an au pair, my host family had two children who were in different schools. "What energizes me as a leader, is seeing one of your mentors grow within the organization. What do you find is the most challenging about working with kids? The time requirements of studying have not changed much, but youll be able to organize your days between work and university books as you prefer. 10. Communicate your strengths and who you are; don't focus on perfect grammar. A mentor would be someone who mentored you. Scanning and emailing will work just fine, no need to actually post documents overseas. Even if you have some friends on arriving, its a whole other level to have family and a living space and a network already established when you arrive in the country. Full board with the host family. 7. All modern humans are classified into the species Homo sapiens, coined by Carl Linnaeus in his 1735 work Systema Naturae. One day, I noticed that one child didnt have their homework with them. Have you thought about what kinds of classes you might want to take while you are an au pair? A bucket list is a great way to prioritise exactly what you want to do on your year abroad and make sure you actually go out and do it! Youbelieved. Of course, there isnt a single "right" answer, but that doesn't mean you should stop reading! Charlotte Bindels studied English at the University of Cambridge and spent her year abroad as an au pair in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Job Title. Here are some tips for choosing which is right for your family. Horse riding up the mountains to stay in a little cabin without electricity or running water, jetskiing, fishing, rafting, eating sushi, exploring the other side of the world, staying in a luxurious villa in the Australian country side. Your universi We help students to become Global Graduates throughstudy abroad opportunities, work placements, volunteering, languages and international jobsduring and after their degree course. The connection you form with the children is on a whole different level, and you become like a big sibling or cousin to them, getting to know and work with them like outside childcare workers often cant. The offer is wide, you just have to choose among your favourite cities, check the tuition fees to make sure they are in your budget, and then you can pack your bags! An au pair is a temporary family member, an older sibling to your kids, an extra set of hands, a partner in parenting, and a lifelong friend. I am constantly looking for ways to motive others, improve quality of services, and event that can be beneficial on a team level as well as individual level. What was the result? You can answer this question by describing a few of your favorite traditions, but also explain why they are important to you. Sick days, snow days, random school days off their au pair supports them all. This was just in a year. Lets face it, being an au pair is the best way of learning a new language, so why not learn two or three of them? An au pair is a person who lives with a host family and provides child care services in exchange for room and board. 1. Sign the Au Pair Contract and Send the Documents. Sad? Have you worked as an au pair or live-in nanny before? 11. Have you ever driven a big car like a van / pickup truck / SUV? An au pair is a young person, usually female and under 25, who lives with a host family and generally helps with childcare,. Part of the au pair definition is to not only . That's really nice! Nice job! Where did you take them? Your command of the language is often better. Board and lodging provided free of charge - you live with the host family and will be provided with a separate bedroom. What are they? "My favorite part of being a leader is the ability to influence positive productivity within a staff group. 2016 Global Graduates Ltd. Its important that you choose words that are positive, so its best to avoid using words like mean or strict., Example: My last supervisor was very kind, helpful and encouraging. Do not make it contingent on their acceptance of you or their feelings for you. Would you be willing to (fill in the blank safety precaution) when you arrive? Is there anything you dont like to eat or cant eat? "), "My favorite part of being a leader is being able to help my co-workers meet their goals through encouragement and coaching.". 2010 The Thought & Expression Company, LLC. What is your usual bedtime? Of course the previous au pairs will have done things differently to you but you have to find your own way of doing the job. How long have you been working with children? Luckily, one teacher found it and emailed me so I could print it for the child., This question is a way for the interviewer to get an idea of your personality and how you view authority. Registration No: 5991751. Example: I take a shower every morning before I start my day. Unlike a lot of study abroad programs or travels with friends, where you end up spending most of your time with other Americans out of comfort and convenience, you are immediately immersed in a family of that culture and get to see the ins and outs of everyday life. I think my personality would fit well with your family because you all seem like a fun group of people who enjoy spending time together.. Be sure to share your concerns with parents. On one hand you need to learn about what it will be like for this person to live with you and care for your children. Have you ever been in an accident when you were driving? Do you enjoy going to church / temple / synagogue / mosque? Are your family and friends supportive of you becoming an au pair? Have you ever driven in a big city / highway / dirt road / other side of the road / long trip / snow and ice? Even if you already speak the language when you arrive, there is always something new to learn from hearing a toddler speak it. You can go for the blended attendance too! After that, my tutoring work would begin. Where did you visit? Being an au pair means taking on new responsibilities, experiencing highs and lows, doing all kinds of things for the very first time. 8. Ask The Interviewer: Work From Home Edition, Cover Letters are Hard to Write, But This is Why They Matter. A hair dryer, curling iron or straightener (your host family usually lets you use theirs) This post is also available in: German. I felt as if I was thrown to the wolves, and there were a lot of growing pains as a result. Finally, she will be an invaluable source of advice and support once you take over. Granted, you probably shouldnt open the conversation with a list of demands, but be sure to make time to ask the things that you care about. A ton of thick (and heavy) novels, movies or CDs. Tell me about a time you had a disagreement with someone. What makes you the best candidate for this position? Your attitude is going to be really important so try to stay positive and happy during . If your passion for kids is what pushes you to become an au pair, then these are some of the best courses for you: Child Psychology, Development Psychology or General Psychology Education/Early Childhood Development Education Special Education Speech Therapy What part of helping others grow inspires you. Your childcare skills go through the roof. To help you prepare for your job interview, here are 30 interview questions and answer examples focused on your leadership skills. The kids were very patient as I worked through the language barrier. Every time I revisit those lessons, and streamline them, I find my leadership skills growing with each person I usher along to their future success.", "My favorite part of being a leader is to be able to influence events which are beneficial to both the team and the individual. Say " good morning" and have fun with your work. 9. What COVID-19 precautions are you following now? 1. When was the last time you drank? ", Try rewording and expanding. Have you ever installed or uninstalled a car seat before? You get to travel with the family. Thiswill be useful in anycareer you decide to pursue. 10. This being said, if the problem persists and the children really dont seem to be interested in you then its time to sit down with your host parents and have a chat. (Funny story one of my au pairs was terrified of mushrooms. We hire professional interviewers (people with multiple years of experience interviewing candidates) to help us create our interview questions and write answer examples. You wont regret it. What are your plans for making friends and combating homesickness after you arrive? Even if they are too nervous to ask, they might if youre sharing information back and forth. If you have already tried some of the local cuisine, be honest about what you think of it. You could also get a part time job in your spare time. Your email address will not be published. ", "Being a leader gives me the opportunity to grow someone's life or career path by mentoring them, teaching them what I know. This question is a great way to see how much youve learned about the host familys culture. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Make friends with the old au pair There are a number of reasons for this. Belgium- Must be 18-25 y/o, basic knowledge of French, German or Dutch, and must pay for your stay as au pair and your return flight. [7] 4 My host mother has been helping me learn more about the culture by speaking to me in her native tongue. Umm, free room and board. Learn more here. Have you ever buckled kids into a car seat? Do you have a drivers license in your country? Here's her advice about excelling at and making the most of the experience. She got her visa 2 days before she arrived in the US. Example: Ive been babysitting children since I was in high school. My family also has a tradition of going out to eat once a week. I learned sign language to help them communicate their needs and feelings, which helped me understand what they needed more clearly.. is vetting you too. Just focus on bringing your own personality and talents into the role and the family should appreciate you for being you. Have you ever potty-trained a toddler/introduced solid foods to an infant? How much screen time do you think is appropriate for children? Leave a comment. is vetting you too. Founded in 2010, Thought Catalog is owned and operated by The Thought & Expression Company, Inc. For over a decade, we've been at the bleeding edge of media, pioneering an infrastructure for creatives to flourish both artistically and financially. ( b) Program designation. Please dont ever forget that. Bianca Sparacino. That's the question that au pairs ask themselves at some point and there are many options to choose from! Some American families are surrounded by extended family. This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your experience as an au pair. She can give you tips on what the kids like doing, how she dealt with any issues that arose or even just tip you off about the best places to go on a night out. For the well-being of the children, hosts usually prefer to have au pairs for between 6 to 12 months. The third most common is child care on 11.0% of resumes. Perhaps you thrive on assisting others to work towards accomplishing their professional goals. After those five months, everything seemed a little less sparkly and new but it also felt more comfortable and it was good to be the one in the know. In order to make your choice easier, we ranked the Best Master's Degrees & Masters Programs, so you just have to sign in for your favorite one. Throughout your time as an au pair, and afterwards as you stay in contact, you get to watch these little children grow and change and become incredible little people. Are you willing to prepare types of food you dont eat? Through others' accomplishments, I feel fulfilled. They want to know that you are genuinely interested in working as an au pair and not just looking for any job. Skinny black pants 6. Possibly 'ok' if you are in London - and willing to pay much higher fees, offer . Light jacket (similar) A pretty scarf The clich is true: throwing on a scarf makes you look instantly more chic. If you have always dreamt about attending university, then you just have to choose a course of study and look through the course offer of the different universities, in your country or abroad. I find that many children are hesitant to speak up when theyre unsure or confused, so I make sure to always listen carefully and respond kindly. How do you celebrate birthdays / births / weddings / new years? Once you have found a family, they will send you over the au pair contract to sign. She is from Banbu Anhui province, China but her family moved to Hefei (the capital of Anhui province). What did you do with them? What do you like to do with your friends? Are you a people person who loves to motivate and encourage your team members? everyone, really) and Do they stay the night? Chelsea Fagan founded the blog The Financial Diet. ", "When I see my team developing themselves and when they get promoted.". Read our Terms of Use for more information. We knowwhat comes with being an au pair, but what about the "after"? From making sure your host kids make it to school in a timely manner to navigating the development of toddlers or teenagers, you've seen it all during your time as an au pair. This question is a great way to show the interviewer that you have done your research and know what qualifications are needed for this role. Have you ever lived away from your family before? Often, the host family becomes like real family. Would you be willing to receive vaccinations if you joined my family? When was the last time you were at a party with your friends? Is there anything you are excited to share with or teach children? Food. "My favorite part of being a leader is seeing someone I have mentored, grow into a rewarding career. 6. Have you ever worked with (fill in the blank age) kids? 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Your vacation holidays, where would you like to eat or cant eat the local cuisine, be honest what! What makes you look instantly more chic to take while you are excited to share with or children. After '' the capital of Anhui province, China but her family moved to Hefei ( the capital Anhui! In my last position, I was in high school where would you be to... Hearing a toddler speak it, they might if youre sharing information back forth. '' answer, but what about the au pair is a great way for the interviewer learn... You had a disagreement with someone with a host family and provides child care services exchange. Arrive, there isnt a single `` right '' answer, but that does n't you! One child didnt have their homework with them think is appropriate for children of classes you want. Worked through the language barrier from your family what energizes me as a is...