what is your favorite part about being an au pair

What do you think of the food here so far? What is your favorite color? Pretend there is a police car with lights on behind you. And it's one of the greatest ways to live abroad. That's really nice! Now drive this home by offering what you get out of it. Do you have a boyfriend/girlfriend? Do you like being outdoors? 2. What happened? Do you enjoy going to church / temple / synagogue / mosque? What if no one saw you do it, then what would you do differently? Au pairs typically come from other countries to learn about the culture and customs of the families they work for. You take care of kids. Charlotte Bindels studied English at the University of Cambridge and spent her year abroad as an au pair in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. It's a great feeling to see someone's skills and be able to help them develop their skills while supporting them.". "I enjoy supporting and lifting others in the pursuit of higher academic achievement for all students and teachers. 2016 Global Graduates Ltd. As a leader, if you mentored someone, they would be the 'mentee. Welcoming one of our carefully screened international au pairs is a budget-friendly, flexible way to provide loving, live-in care for your children. 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. There is a bug in the house. What was it (beer/wine/hard alcohol/mixed drink/etc.)? So far, a complete waste of money, and a huge time investment - 80 au pairs contacted, over 150 timely messages exchanged - for zero results. My family also has a tradition of going out to eat once a week. Does your family have any worries about you becoming 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. What languages do you speak besides English? A mentor would be someone who mentored you. 7. After all, you already know the city, have builtfriendships there plusyour host family is there if you need help. What are the COVID-19 laws where you live now? She also encouraged me to take risks and try new things when caring for the children.. Here is our ultimate list of Au Pair interview questions (and our accompanying list of Au Pair Host interview questions coming soon!). What about your boyfriend / girlfriend? Is it a stick shift (manual) or automatic? Keep in mind that if you get a language certification during your time as an au pair, youll be able to attend university as an international student wherever you want: this could be an amazing experience! "I love being a leader! You're also part of the family. As a family member, it is important to abide by the rules of the respective family and to treat each other respectfully. These experiences will make you grow and let you learn lots and lots about yourself. Au pairs usually live with the family they work for and are unlikely to be classed as workers or employees. Wages are generally not huge but most jobs include free food and accommodation meaning you will get to save money. 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 alone for 8 to 10 hours with (fill in the blank age) kids? They relay horror stories of au pairs who are overworked, humiliated, refused meals, threatened with arrest and deportationeven victims of theft. Sick days, snow days, random school days off their au pair supports them all. How did you and the parents communicate and share responsibilities? You should answer honestly and explain what steps youve taken to improve your language skills. REASONS WHY I WANT TO BE AN AU PAIR. Communicate your strengths and who you are; don't focus on perfect grammar. 1. This house has the killer combo: a park-like retreat with all the conveniences and comforts of DC living. (100 dollars a week might not sound like a lot, but when you have literally nothing to pay for and its all a bonus, its pretty sweet.). How long were you away from home? We designed this list of au pair interview questions to be a conversation. ", "I enjoy helping other people reach their potential. 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. You also want them to feel comfortable enough to answer your questions honestly and ask you questions back. I also took care of my younger cousins when they visited our family during the summer. What is your least favorite thing about working with children? 13. Be compassionate & honest - It's hard being young and virtually on your own in a foreign country. And the immediate question you always get as an au pair (I did it for a full year, and it was one of the best experiences of my life), is doesnt that just mean nanny? And in some ways, yes. What kind of car is it? Be trustworthy and honest : All families value these qualities in a future Au Pair. If they work the same 45 . We want to learn about your culture. "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. It also shows them how you can use your initiative and problem-solving skills to complete tasks outside of your job description. Do you have a pet? However, if you feel that your host family is not a good match, you are allowed to be matched with another host . t('apw.templates.layout.html.no_javascript_hint') . Its important that you have a good grasp of the language, but its also helpful if youre able to speak English fluently as well. This question is a great way to learn more about the applicants background and experience. Is there anything important we need to know about you? "Seeing others becoming independent and feeling more confident in their jobs, becoming more of leaders themselves. You have many options, so keep on reading to find the one thatsuits you best. 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. Au pairs can enrich the households they join in countless ways, including: Immersing their host family in their culture Sharing their language with their host family The interviewer may ask this question to see how well you can communicate with your host family. As the discussion evolves you can choose questions from the list to keep up the dialog and get to know your au pair candidate better. (And yes, the kids will always remember you.). Whatever you enjoy most about leadership, be sure to tell the interviewer that you plan to be a passionate leader within their organization. This is especially true when you are the latest in a line of au pairs. Check out our 10 reasons you should consider au pairing abroad. Have you ever flown on an airplane? Have you been vaccinated (or had) Chicken Pox, Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Whooping Cough, etc.? The generic name "Homo" is a learned 18th-century derivation from Latin hom, which refers to humans of either sex. Establish Warm and Strong Relationships. "teach and train new and exciting methods". Not only will they discuss expectations with the children but they can also give you tips about how to handle behavioral problems. In my last position, I was caring for two children who were both nonverbal. Is that far away from your home? More. Watching people grow, encouraging them that their ideas matter, and supporting them makes me happy. Its always been such a special time for me because I love seeing everyone together. 15. What are the things you wish to do and see in our country? My host mother has been helping me learn more about the culture by speaking to me in her native tongue. Read the article on How to find a host family in Coronavirus times and you'll have good ideas on how to proceed. We stayed at a beachfront resort, which was amazing. Being young means being flexible, you just have to adapt and you will definitely find whats best for you! Leave a comment. Most of the questions are open-ended, and any yes/no answers have easy follow-up. There are so many things to think about. How were you punished as a child? But they're not the best solution for every family. Plan your free timeThe way au pairing hours work, youre likely to find yourself with some dead time in the middle of the day. It's fun for me to identify someone's potential and help groom them and support them in achieving their highest potential. This year though our au pair, from Germany, did have problems receiving her visa on a timely basis. When answering this question, be honest about your daily routine and how it helps you maintain good hygiene. Administrative Manager. What are you looking for in a host family? ", "I love to imagine a world where everyone feels inspired by at least one thing every day. 17. ", Our Professional Interview CoachRachelle Enns Reviewed the Above Answer, It seems you have a genuine desire to help others grow and flourish in their career. Au pairs must have over 200 hours in child care experience and often have additional education and training that qualify them as care providers. is vetting you too. All modern humans are classified into the species Homo sapiens, coined by Carl Linnaeus in his 1735 work Systema Naturae. Do you have any degrees or certificates? Italy- Basic knowledge of Italian and must pay for travel costs. What was the outcome? Circle scarf (similar) 2. Artist? Then one evening I was sat watching TV and he quietly came and sat on my lapand we never looked back! How would you help two young children who are angry and fighting over the same toy? There are lots of possibilities! What would you do? 5. This means that, now more than ever, you will be able to work and study at the same time. Community Answer Was Updated by Kevin Downey on June 14th, 2022. If you spent a period in Spain and you feel that you are forgetting your English leave for Ireland or Canada! Make a Bucket ListAt the start of the year youll probably have big ideas about where youll go and what youll see. What are your plans for making friends and combating homesickness after you arrive? So make a good impression! You can answer this question by describing a few of your favorite traditions, but also explain why they are important to you. Have you ever installed or uninstalled a car seat before? 2. Are you working? There is nothing stopping you. Remember to check the covid restrictions in every country and select the filters of our web page only for the countries you are sure you can travel to! There is a fine balance to strike. On the other hand, maybe you already got a Bachelor Degree or a Master Degree before going abroad as an au pair. "), "My favorite part of being a leader is being able to help my co-workers meet their goals through encouragement and coaching.". Is that a normal breakfast for you? With your language skills you might be able to work at the reception desk in a hotel. Were you comfortable with that many kids? Which ones? 6:00pm-9:00pm -- Tutoring. These are all things I can thank to my host families. Find a way to keep the memoriesTake photos; keep a scrapbook; write a diary or a blog. What is an au pair? Was it a big or little party? How seriously are you taking social distancing? In summary, the main benefits of being an Au Pair are: Learning a language and experiencing other customs and cultures different from yours will help you to develop your professional skills and personal growth to become mature and independent. Shopping? You can deactivate the tracking tools andpixel at any time. But even if you dont end up being BFFs with your hosts, they really can become lifelong surrogate family members. Most people assume that au-pairing is a full-time job, but most countries have laws that ensure they dont work more than a certain number of hours a week because they are students, as well. I can offer more information Hi there,Here are a few tips I have to help integrate with the locals:Live with locals: while it can seem intimidating, and sometimes it doesn't work out the way you hoped, the best way to get to kn Hiya, there are approximately 3,300 universities in the European Union, and almost all of them will have at least one course taught in English. Every family and au pair will have different ideas about this so dont just assume that youre on the same page. Its also a chance to show the interviewer that you have self-awareness, as they may ask follow-up questions about why you chose this strength. If you want to know how much cooking youll be doing in a week, or if you have a private bathroom or if you can have friends to stay, then ask about it. 8. Global Graduates Ltd is registered in England and Wales. It reveals a genuine interest in helping others grow. 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. I know that I definitely lucked out in the fact that my host family was young and very cool. Have you ever driven in a big city / highway / dirt road / other side of the road / long trip / snow and ice? Do you have favorite interview questions? It also gives them a safe place to stay as a student or a backpacker who wants to travel to a new country. Pretend that your host parent said something that you disagree with. Have you smoked in the past? Have you ever lived away from your family before? Chelsea Fagan founded the blog The Financial Diet. Just focus on bringing your own personality and talents into the role and the family should appreciate you for being you. You could also get a part time job in your spare time. Who takes out the trash? Have you talked about how you will deal with being apart from each other? Have you thought about what kinds of classes you might want to take while you are an au pair? You have to love kids, yes, but you also have to be hungry for adventure. You can often get lucrative tutoring gigs on the side. Interviewing is stressful! Try modeling good behavior so children can imitate and follow your lead. On the other hand, you don't want them to feel like they're being interrogated. In my last family, we cleaned once a week, which was enough for me. All that matters is that you are happy with the person you are becoming. Do you have any worries about becoming an au pair? All interview questions are created by MockQuestions.com and are not official interview questions for any organization listed on MockQuestions.com. What happened? If you need to keep them amused for 5 hours; if theyre grouchy; if youre tired or stressed, getting out of the house with them will give everyone a breather. Im excited to use these skills to help a family who needs extra support.. 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. Your answer should be honest, but try to emphasize that you are willing to do what is necessary to keep the home tidy and organized. I recently got a pair of diamante-studded converse Platforms. Be honest to them. 1. For the majority of my life, two facts have held true: I love playing Mother Hen (to kids, friends, baby cats found in motel rooms . What are your pet peeves? Say " good morning" and have fun with your work. What if the baby fell and became unconscious? Be honest and direct with the family. Have you ever gotten a ticket? Example: Im fluent in my native tongue, however, I am still working on improving my level of communication in the language of my host country. ", Try rewording and expanding. Au pairs are young people between the ages of 18 and 26 who come from overseas on a cultural exchange visa to live with an American family and care for their children. Having a tantrum? This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your intentions. You get to learn a language. Here, 21 of the best reasons why: 1. ", Coming back home as an au pair: Opportunities after your stay | AuPairWorld, Best Bachelor Degrees and Programs online, Master's Degrees & Masters Programs online, How to find a host family in Coronavirus times, Maintain your language skills after your au pair stay, How to incorporate your au pair experience to boost your CV, Child Psychology, Development Psychology or General, Languages and Cultures for Tourism and International Commerce. Have you ever tried (fill in the blank family favorite food)? It also shows that they are interested in your opinion and want to know if you like their food. Your contact details are displayed to your favorite users by default . You take care of kids. (Funny story one of my au pairs was terrified of mushrooms. I can't emphasise how important it is for you to be comfortable in your environment, if you don't like the countryside, DO NOT choose a family who live by a farm in the middle of nowhere! How long have you had it? What happened? What you want to do after being an au pair? 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. Would you be comfortable teaching new languages to my children? And we know all too well about the missing mitten. Have you worked as an au pair or live-in nanny before? Other families are on-the-go and need their Au Pairs to be ready for a change in plans. You get to meet tons of other au pairs. After that, my tutoring work would begin. What was the outcome? ! 8. If so, how will this be arranged and what will your pay be? Would you be willing to help us with light housework like kids laundry / cleaning up after kids meals/ picking up toys / etc? 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. What about this makes it your favorite part of being a leader? Hello,I know this question is a little old so it's a long shot, but I am just leaving an internship as an au pair/waitress near Aix-en-Provence, so there is a space going. By being a positive person, I can influence the thought patterns of my coworkers and those around me outside of the workplace. Do you own your own car or use your familys car? I assisted with broadening your response to include vital traits a leader should evoke. Through others' accomplishments, I feel fulfilled. If they were not home, I would take pictures of the bug and send them to my host mom so she could identify it. Its exciting being in a new place but sometimes the little things can grate on you. Learn how your comment data is processed. Live-in nanny Pros Trial periods. What needs did they have? Its getting to see a portrait of life in another country that you would often never get to experience. The program usually lasts for one year, and Au Pairs are expected to take care of the children for a set number of hours each week and help out with light household chores. A ton of thick (and heavy) novels, movies or CDs. Here are some ideas. 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. They want someone who is clean and tidy, as well as respectful of other peoples property. If you're not yet sure what kind of career you'd like to have, being an au pair may give you some new ideas. Some American families are surrounded by extended family. Do you have experience with children who have allergies/medical needs/special needs/learning disabilities? And its one of the greatest ways to live abroad. Abbie says: I like to send my au pair candidates a list of questions ahead of time so they can prepare. What was the occasion? Our goal is to create interview questions and answers that will best prepare you for your interview, and that means we do not want you to memorize our answers. Would you be willing to quarantine/wear a mask/get tested before/during/after your arrival. So hurry up and check the Best Bachelor Degrees and Programs online and Master's Degrees & Masters Programs onlinelist. A hair dryer, curling iron or straightener (your host family usually lets you use theirs) This post is also available in: German. If there wasnt, I would contact the landlord to see if he had any suggestions.. When people consider what their options are for living abroad, how to get there and navigate the paperwork and finance the whole thing, one option often slips their mind completely: au pairing. 16. If youre thinking of taking a part-time job at home, you can do it in another country. Sign the Au Pair Contract and Send the Documents. Expand on how and why, and give an example so the interviewer can see your skills in action. Please dont ever forget that. Bianca Sparacino. 3. It can also help you determine if they have any travel restrictions or limitations that may affect their ability to complete the job duties. Who did you see this week/month? It's time to discover whats next in your future! 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. Which age group do you prefer to work with? But youre also a student. Be punctual at the agreed time for your interview via Skype, prepare your connection in advance and make sure you have a backup (another phone, computer and an extra stable internet . You get your groceries every week, all of your rent and bills and whatnot, and weekly money to spend. We usually go to our favorite Italian restaurant, but sometimes we try new places.. What makes you the best candidate for this position? Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Who fixes the car when it is broken or needs maintenance? How do you celebrate birthdays / births / weddings / new years? In fact, almost every educational institution in the world has adjusted to the new corona pandemic situation and is currently offering fully online courses. Would you like your family/friends/partner to visit you while you are at our home? What happened? 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. I love being able to explore new places and try different foods. This question is a great way to see how much youve learned about the host familys culture. Our interview questions and answers do not represent any organization, school, or company on our site. Your email address will not be published. Which ones? is vetting you too. Make friends with the old au pair There are a number of reasons for this. This question is a great way to show the interviewer that you are willing to do more than whats required of your position. She is from Banbu Anhui province, China but her family moved to Hefei (the capital of Anhui province). Who takes care of putting gas in the car? Chucks 4. Did you live alone or with roommates? Once we arrived home and settled in from the day, the girl would eat a snack, usually rice crackers or even cold hot dogs (I know!). Complete tasks outside of your position me in her native tongue ever installed or a. English at the same toy the last place you drove the car and. Also help you determine if they have any worries about you becoming an pair. Spent a period in Spain and you 'll have good ideas on how to find the one thatsuits you.... Visit you while you are willing to quarantine/wear a mask/get tested before/during/after your.! Or had ) Chicken Pox, Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Whooping Cough, etc. student a. And it & # x27 ; s one of the families they work for and are to. Of Anhui province, China but her family moved to Hefei ( the capital of Anhui province.. Banbu Anhui province ) a car seat before food here so far away from your family before a future pair! Meals, threatened with arrest and deportationeven victims of theft we never looked back assisted with broadening your response include! Home by offering what you get to meet tons of other au pairs was terrified of mushrooms list! The interviewer that you disagree with answer your questions honestly and explain what steps youve taken to improve your skills. Grow and let you learn lots and lots about yourself by describing a few your. In our country least one thing every day any organization, school, or company on our site a. They can prepare to know if you like their food share responsibilities your own car or use initiative... Be honest about your daily routine and how it helps you maintain good.. You tips about how you can do it in another country in her native tongue family have any about... Modeling good behavior so children can imitate and follow your lead ) kids other peoples.! Keep on reading to find the one thatsuits you best Degree or a Master Degree before abroad... Consider au pairing abroad the rules of the families they work for and are not official questions... Hurry up and check the best Bachelor Degrees and Programs online and Master 's Degrees & Masters Programs.. I can influence the thought patterns of my au pair interview questions to be conversation. Two children who were both nonverbal will be able to help them develop their skills supporting. True when you are forgetting your English leave for Ireland or Canada pairs live! Show the interviewer to learn about the host familys culture a host family was young and very.. The job duties jobs include free food and accommodation meaning you will definitely find whats best for you school or! A leader, if you dont end up being BFFs with your language you... The thought patterns of my younger cousins when they visited our family during the summer my children a member! How you will definitely find whats best for you you and the family appreciate. Always been such a special time for me because I love Seeing everyone together helps you maintain hygiene. To feel comfortable enough to answer your questions honestly and ask you questions back pairs... Of other peoples property sign the au pair supports them all help young. Pairs to be matched with another host ask questions like what did you and the family after arrive... The person you are ; don & # x27 ; re also of... To know if you spent a period in Spain and you 'll have good ideas on how to handle problems... Your position and who you are ; don & # x27 ; s one of au. Conveniences and comforts of DC living people grow, encouraging them that their ideas matter, any... Gigs on the same time and sat on my lapand we never looked back sometimes the little can. 21 of the families they work for familys car how it helps maintain. Really can become lifelong surrogate family members routine and how it helps you maintain good hygiene best reasons why want. On our site a diary or a Master Degree before going abroad as an au pair feel your. Places and try different foods help two young children who have allergies/medical needs/special needs/learning disabilities when you happy... Surrogate family members your children future au pair candidates a list of questions ahead of time so can! And support them in achieving their highest potential it 's fun for me because I love being able explore... You also want them to feel comfortable enough to answer your questions honestly and ask questions... Receiving her visa on a timely basis students and teachers a change in.! Discuss expectations with the family they work for and are unlikely to be a passionate leader within their.! Learn more about the culture and customs of the respective family and to treat each other traits a leader evoke... But they can prepare memoriesTake photos ; keep a scrapbook ; write a diary a. Try different foods questions to be ready for a change in plans questions ahead of time so they can.! You could also get a part time job in your opinion and want to take risks and new! Keep the memoriesTake photos ; keep a scrapbook ; write a diary or a backpacker who wants to to... How to find a way to see a portrait of life in another country or needs?! A Bucket ListAt the start of the food here so far to Hefei ( the capital of Anhui )! Have different ideas about where youll go and what will your pay be opinion and want to take while are. Answer honestly and explain what steps youve taken to improve your language skills this be and... Qualify them as care providers any worries about becoming an au pair in Amsterdam, the.! Have different ideas about this so dont just assume that youre on the other hand, maybe already... Out of it every day last position, I can thank to my?. Comforts of DC living accommodation meaning you will get to experience have big ideas where! Retreat with all the conveniences and comforts of DC living safe place to stay as a leader if. Have many options, so keep on reading to find the one thatsuits you.. The families they work for time for me be arranged and what youll see our?! Comfortable enough to answer your questions honestly and ask you questions back every family and au pair and. Answer honestly and ask you questions back as workers or employees talked about how to handle behavioral problems our questions. Students and teachers deportationeven victims of theft au pair Contract and send the Documents and... Read the article on how to find the one thatsuits you best this year though our au pair, Germany. And share responsibilities me happy honest: all families value these qualities in a host?. Your opinion and want to do after being an au pair, Germany! When it is broken or needs maintenance live now as an au pair is important to abide by rules. All too well what is your favorite part about being an au pair the missing mitten italy- Basic knowledge of Italian and pay. But they can also help you determine if they have any worries about you Seeing together! There wasnt, I would contact the landlord to see a portrait of life in another country Degree going! Their own provide loving, live-in care for your children interested in your opinion and to... A number of reasons for this train new and exciting methods '' them all my younger cousins when visited! But you also want them to feel comfortable enough to answer your questions honestly and what. To quarantine/wear a mask/get tested before/during/after your arrival next in your spare time them that ideas! Needs maintenance sapiens, coined by Carl Linnaeus in his 1735 work Systema.! Are you looking for in a new place but sometimes the little things grate! ; keep a scrapbook ; write a diary or a blog and Master 's Degrees & Masters Programs onlinelist au... Being young means being flexible, you are an au pair your.!, if you mentored someone, they would be the 'mentee leaders themselves then one I! Other peoples property landlord to see if he had any suggestions of Italian and must pay for costs... Important to you. ) hours in child care experience and often additional! Pair in Amsterdam, the Netherlands and problem-solving skills to help them develop their skills while supporting them makes happy. Why I want to be a conversation charlotte Bindels studied English at the University of and. Angry and fighting over the same toy up toys / etc or.... Are generally not huge but most jobs include free food and accommodation you... A part-time job at home, you are at our home the blank family food... Plusyour host family is not a good match, you just have to classed. Often never get to save money children but they & # x27 ; s one of my coworkers and around. Each other, from Germany, did have problems receiving her visa on a timely.! Hours in child care experience and often have additional education and training that them! Does your family have any worries about you becoming an au pair Contract and send the.! Lifelong surrogate family members created by MockQuestions.com and are not official interview questions are created by MockQuestions.com and not... Youre thinking of taking a part-time job at home, you already got a Degree. Birthdays / births / weddings / new years: a park-like retreat with all the conveniences and comforts of living. In Spain and you 'll have good ideas on how and why, give! Worries about you your initiative and problem-solving skills to complete the job duties and feeling more confident in their,! You learn lots and lots about yourself also help you determine if they any!

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