Without a map, its impossible not to wander off the road now and again. What do you like to do when you are by yourself? REASONS WHY I WANT TO BE AN AU PAIR. Your response shows care for others and a strong ability to be a mentor. What was the result? What do you do? These are all things I can thank to my host families. Be a non-US citizen and live in a country serviced by GreatAuPair. What languages do you speak besides English? They want to know that you are genuinely interested in working as an au pair and not just looking for any job. ", Our Professional Interview CoachKevin Downey Reviewed the Above Answer. 6. Go out and explore, practice your language skills or meet new people. What did you prepare? Light jacket (similar) A pretty scarf The clich is true: throwing on a scarf makes you look instantly more chic. So far, a complete waste of money, and a huge time investment - 80 au pairs contacted, over 150 timely messages exchanged - for zero results. 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. This is why picking a host family that you click well with is so important. Definition of an au pair An au pair is a young adult from overseas who lives with your family on a legal visa for up to two years and provides childcare in exchange for a weekly stipend, room and board, and an opportunity to become part of an American family. ", Our Professional Interview CoachLauren McCabe Reviewed the Above Answer. Working as an au pair means that room and board are provided. Try modeling good behavior so children can imitate and follow your lead. A hair dryer, curling iron or straightener (your host family usually lets you use theirs) This post is also available in: German. Example: I am currently enrolled in an online au pair course through ABC University. Being young means being flexible, you just have to adapt and you will definitely find whats best for you! Tell me about your family. Have you ever tried (fill in the blank family favorite food)? It depends what you want to study, really! Enjoy the newness of it all but dont feel stupid for missing home, everyone does. Program. I love being around kids and helping them learn new things. If there wasnt, I would contact the landlord to see if he had any suggestions.. What are the things you wish to do and see in our country? It provides a cheap way to travel abroad Who would say no to earning money while traveling? I asked the child if they remembered doing it at school, but they said no. 6:00pm-9:00pm -- Tutoring. She is on Twitter. Typically an au pair is a young, single person from overseas who wants to come to Australia to learn English and live as a member of an Australian family. We do this by creating interview questions that we think you might be asked. What did you do to resolve it? Then register as an au pairat AuPairWorld! Ask your au pair candidate if they have any questions for you! Remember you are the "eyes and ears" for the parents. Here, 21 of the best reasons why: 1. If youve decided that au pairing is for you then Im here to pass on my sage wisdom from a year living as an adopted big sister/semi-professional back up dancer to an 8-year old girl. ", "I enjoy encouraging others to fulfill their potential. But even if you dont end up being BFFs with your hosts, they really can become lifelong surrogate family members. If theres something specific youd like me to focus on, Im happy to do so.. Include personal facts like: Age, country of origin and current home, who belongs to your household, what you are doing at the moment, your hobbies, your language skills. Au pairs are usually young adults up to approximately 25 years who receive free board and lodging as well as pocket money during their time with the host family. What you want to do after being an au pair? Plus, we'll offer some tips for buying baby mittens, so you find the right pair for your child. Any interviewer should be thrilled to see this quality :), Written by Rachelle Enns on June 11th, 2020, "My favorite part of being a leader is the sense of giving someone the chance to reach their potential. Have you ever been alone for 8 to 10 hours with (fill in the blank age) kids? 6-12 Months is Usually the Length of the Average Au Pair Job. Because yes, there is a contract to sign for your social security among other things. Example: I have had disagreements with my previous families, but I always try to resolve them in a respectful way. Scanning and emailing will work just fine, no need to actually post documents overseas. Socially or at home? Hi, Abbie and Maddie here. Au pairs typically come from other countries to learn about the culture and customs of the families they work for. Your attitude is going to be really important so try to stay positive and happy during . They're black and they stand at 1.5inches so slightly but still clearly higher than regular sole shoes. Just like there are bad host families. Its important to show that you are willing to work through disagreements with your host family, as this is an integral part of being an au pair. 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. Loose cotton tee (similar) 7. Did it work? How would you keep them occupied? Our Picks for the 5 . Artist? Just focus on bringing your own personality and talents into the role and the family should appreciate you for being you. We usually go to our favorite Italian restaurant, but sometimes we try new places.. Great! Is that a normal dinner for you? I experience personal and professional growth with each new leadership task and challenge that comes my way. Comment below or head over to the My Au Pair and Me Host Parent Community on Facebook. What would you do if you had a disagreement with your host family? (And yes, the kids will always remember you.). Through others' accomplishments, I feel fulfilled. If you have already tried some of the local cuisine, be honest about what you think of it. Chucks 4. What is your favorite color? Were you by yourself? Make a Bucket ListAt the start of the year youll probably have big ideas about where youll go and what youll see. An Au Pair stay is a unique opportunity to broaden your cultural and language skills. I see a victory for someone on my team as a victory for the whole team. Where did you visit? "), "My favorite part of being a leader is being able to help my co-workers meet their goals through encouragement and coaching.". So make a good impression! 2016 Global Graduates Ltd. Tell me about a tradition in your family. 5) Be polite and nice to the children: Another tip of the tips to be a great au pair is don't forget to be polite and to have a big smile. Be compassionate & honest - It's hard being young and virtually on your own in a foreign country. 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. Learn how your comment data is processed. I couldnt even have them in the house or she wouldnt open the fridge.). The great, and pretty unique, thing about au pair work is that theres plenty of time to do your own thing and very little taking up your mental energy. 4. Do not make it contingent on their acceptance of you or their feelings for you. "I enjoy supporting and lifting others in the pursuit of higher academic achievement for all students and teachers. I also enjoy being active and doing things outside like going for walks or playing sports. Do you eat meat / pork / fish / shellfish / dairy / gluten / etc? Have you ever flown on an airplane? One day, I noticed that one child didnt have their homework with them. We would love to hear from you! What belongs on your au pair packing list: The essentials: 1. What happened? ", "My favorite part of being a leader is the fact that I can influence and impact our future leaders. Do you have any degrees or certificates? 17. You are in a foreign country, so why dont you take this opportunity to get the documents and start searching for a job right there, where your adventure has begun? On the other hand, you don't want them to feel like they're being interrogated. If they work the same 45 . If you want to build out your answer, even more, consider giving an example of a time when you saw someone who worked with you become more confident because of your guidance and help. It is an economically advantageous way of traveling, with accommodation and food covered by Host Family. Empathy and being a team player. I also took care of my younger cousins when they visited our family during the summer. She also encouraged me to take risks and try new things when caring for the children.. ", Try rewording and expanding. When was the last time you went to church / temple / synagogue / mosque? 11. Have a question or concern? What is your least favorite thing about working with children? Read our Terms of Use for more information. My neighbors daughter was only two years old at the time, but she loved playing games and doing arts and crafts. When was the last time? You get to meet tons of other au pairs. 16. Sick days, snow days, random school days off their au pair supports them all. Have you thought about what kinds of classes you might want to take while you are an au pair? Has a poop all over them? What would you do if the child is not paying attention or has a bad attitude about learning? My host mother has been helping me learn more about the culture by speaking to me in her native tongue. Would you be willing to receive vaccinations if you joined my family? For security reasons, AuPair.com will never share your email address. I ask questions like what did you have for breakfast? or where was the last place you drove the car? I need a au pair who can converse answer my questions and follow up with questions of their own. 2010 The Thought & Expression Company, LLC. Is there anything you dont like to eat or cant eat? Dont panic if they take a while to warm up to you and dont feel like you have to force them to like you. This year, I have seen three of my management trainees gain promotions. Thiswill be useful in anycareer you decide to pursue. Chelsea Fagan founded the blog The Financial Diet. As long as they find a way to communicate. It gives you a feeling of security that you often never have when youre in another country. I love being able to explore new places and try different foods. She is very patient and kind, which makes learning easier for me.. I keep my nails trimmed and my hair washed and styled appropriately for work.. Who did you see this week/month? I think this experience can be even more extreme when youre au pairing because youre living in the same house as all that strangeness. This year, I have seen three of my management trainees gain promotions. Great answer. This question is a great way to learn more about the applicants background and experience. We do not claim our questions will be asked in any interview you may have. Ive been babysitting since high school, and my experience has taught me so much about what it takes to care for kids of different ages. The third most common is child care on 11.0% of resumes. This question is a great way to see how much youve learned about the host familys culture. Do you smoke or vape? What did you do? How seriously are you taking social distancing? How long have you had it? Au Pair duties for that family may include lots of cleaning up after the kids, driving around town for events, and engaging the kids in daily routines. For short term (under 12 months) au pair cost and availability, please contact our program experts at (800) 928-7247 ext. You take care of kids. So if you think that it will be a free vacation, it's a bad start. When you lived with ___ who did the cooking? If you had to describe your last supervisor in three words, what would they be? Are there special things you do or dont do in observance of your religion? Take the time to travel around the country and see the sights, visit neighbouring countries and seek out all those amazing and unique things that make living abroad so great. Is that a normal breakfast for you? This is a great response and definitely provides the interviewers with a clear sense of who you are and what you enjoy about leadership. The purpose of this page is to help you prepare for your job interview. Have you ever lived away from your family before? Youbelieved. Do you wish to be fully integrated in our familys life or do you prefer to have more space and time for yourself? Example: My family celebrates Christmas with my extended family every year. They have support to pick their kids up from school and to kick off afternoon/night routines with them, like snack time, homework time, and taking them to extra curriculars. I know a lot of people who went to American study abroad programs where their classes were almost exclusively in English, and most of them came home learning very little of the language. Don't use bad or rude words because children can learn them. 10. What is your favorite thing about working with children? ", While this response is very positive and aligns well with the role you're applying for, I suggest adding on a few more sentences that are a bit more specific. She got her visa 2 days before she arrived in the US. In the process, I am being challenged and growing at the same time. Example: My greatest strength as an au pair is my ability to communicate with children. "Seeing others becoming independent and feeling more confident in their jobs, becoming more of leaders themselves. We use cookies that are essential for the operation of our website. While you . This is a MISTAKE! Speak a second language (if your au pair program is in a non-English speaking country). You get to teach a language. Its a job that works with your studies, not against them. Going back to your everyday life is not easy, and besides who said you that's what you have to do. 7. This was just in a year. As a family member, it is important to abide by the rules of the respective family and to treat each other respectfully. Have you ever been to (fill in the blank country)? Previously, Massachusetts families followed State Department regulations about au pair hours and pay. Au pairs can be expected to do a combination of child care and light housework duties in exchange for board and a small allowance. Depending on your interests, you can concentrate on different fields. As a leader, if you mentored someone, they would be the 'mentee.'. Give yourself time to settle inOne thing people dont always tell you is that moving to a foreign country can be exhausting! Would you be willing to help us with light housework like kids laundry / cleaning up after kids meals/ picking up toys / etc? Which is the best path to take? Duties usually include: pick-up and/or drop off to school, helping with homework, preparing meals/cooking, some grocery shopping or errands, bathing, and playing. What did you have to do differently to make sure they received the care that they needed? Pretend that your host parent said something that you disagree with. You wont regret it. Spain- Must be able to speak Spanish. Luxembourg- You have to finance your entire stay in their country. Are your family and friends supportive of you becoming an au pair? Have you ever soothed a crying baby/changed a diaper/made a bottle? If your passion for kids is what pushes you to become an au pair, then these are some of the best courses for you: On the other hand, if you are more keen on languages, want to learn new ones, become a teacher or a translator, then you can check these courses: Which ever way your wishes are taking you, you can dream big -thanks to the au pair programme and knowing another language. There is a bug in the house. If I feel like we arent able to come to a resolution, I would speak to my program coordinator or agency about it. ", "I love the responsibility of being a leader because I get to help mold people into a better version of themselves. In addition, we would like to use cookies and tracking tools for Google Analytics and Google Adwords as well as connect with users on Facebook through the use of the Facebook pixel. An au pair is a person from another country who provides live-in child care in exchange for room and board with their host family, along with a stipend. Are you religious? You must speak with a family over Skype or telephone at least one time before you can agree to match with . "Au pair" is a French phrase meaning "at the par" or "at the peer" [level] and is used to describe someone who boards temporarily in someone else's home. We hire professional interviewers (people with multiple years of experience interviewing candidates) to help us create our interview questions and write answer examples. Relax. If you have doubts on how to proceed because of the pandemic, dont worry! Excerpted from The Strength In Our Scarsby Bianca Sparacino. What do you think children need most from their au pair or care giver? Have you ever driven with kids in the car? And you can apply tomorrow. ", "I like to make a positive impact on the lives of others. Example: I am very much interested in becoming an au pair because I love children and have always wanted to be a nanny. Do you have any worries about becoming an au pair? They are working hard at English, so it helps if they have time to think about how they are going to answer in English. What are your qualifications to be an au pair? Some families are home-bodies. Find a way to keep the memoriesTake photos; keep a scrapbook; write a diary or a blog. Even if you already speak the language when you arrive, there is always something new to learn from hearing a toddler speak it. Too many dressy clothes and high heel shoes. You take care of kids. Reinforcing family bonds through spending quality time working together on a rewarding task. Gaining extra time to chat and discuss your respective days with one another. 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. Use this opportunity to share why youre passionate about this role. Full board with the host family. This question is a great way to show the interviewer that you are willing to do more than whats required of your position. 8. 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. (We actually ended up staying good friends even after I stopped working for them, and have gone on vacations together they as a couple, me with my boyfriend and I even have another trip coming up this spring with my former host mother!) Once you have found a family, they will send you over the au pair contract to sign. To show the interviewer that you often never have when youre in another country I am challenged. Coachkevin Downey Reviewed the Above Answer version of themselves you had a disagreement with your hosts they. 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Or she wouldnt open the fridge. ) program coordinator or agency about it ever soothed a crying baby/changed diaper/made... A family over Skype or telephone at least one time before you can concentrate on different fields about where go. A foreign country can be exhausting not to wander off the road now and again your studies not... Helping me learn more about the applicants background and experience becoming independent and feeling confident. Slightly but still clearly higher than regular sole shoes, try rewording and expanding personal Professional.