Interviewing Tips
As a job-seeker who is looking for babysitting jobs in Vancouver, you will probably be invited to job interviews. And just because babysitting might not be a "formal" job (though it can be), you should treat the interview seriously, and strive to make a good impression. Here are some interview tips to help you in your job search:
- Ask questions. As long as the questions are intelligent, asking questions shows the parents that you are serious about the job, and more importantly, their children. Don't be afraid to ask, when is their bedtime, will they need help with homework, where are the emergency numbers, etc.
- Be positive. Parents don't want a Gloomy Gus taking care of their kids; they want someone positive, someone who will be able to entertain them with fun games and activities, someone who can turn a bad situation into a good situation. You can tell the parents about successes you've had with coaxing kids to do their homework, go to bed, eat their peas, not hit their siblings, etc. You can also say outright, I have a positive attitude about babysitting.
- Dress for success. You are obviously not expected to wear a suit to a babysitting interview - nor should you! But make sure that you look presentable, that you are not wearing sweatpants and T-shirts. In all, make sure to look put-together. When parents see someone who is put-together, their brains make the subconscious equation: put-together babysitter= put-together children.
- 4. Arrive on time! If you say you will be there by 6:00 pm, be there. If you are late to an interview, how will a parent trust you to be punctual for a babysitting job, when the parents really need you?
- 5. Turn off your phone! Unless you are expecting a very important call (for example, someone close to you is about to give birth) turn your phone off or on silent. Parents probably will not expect you to turn your phone on silent all the time that you're watching their children, but you should be able to spare a few minutes to your potential employers.
- 6. Pay attention. Don't space out during an interview. You don't want to ask a question that the parent already answered. A spacy interviewee can mean a spacy babysitter - and parents do not want that!
- 7. Don't badmouth past employers. Even if they deserve it! It doesn't reflect well on someone who speaks ill of previous employers, even if you are totally not at fault. It can also make the parents think, what will she say about me behind my back?
- 8. Be prepared to answer questions. No, babysitting is not rocket science, but you should be prepared with intelligent answers to parents' questions. For example, be prepared to talk about your strengths, past experience, your references and your child care philosophy.
- 9. Don't talk too much! It's great to have good verbal communication skills, but listening skills are just important. You are not being hired to talk to an employer's children; you are being hired to watch and listen. Make sure this skill comes out during the interview.
- 10. Let your natural love of children shine through. This is, after all, what parents can see. And if you don't have this natural love, this might be one of those hard-to-explain feelings a parents gets about why the job is not the right match for you.
