17 Au Pair Interview Questions and Answers

An au pair is a person who lives with a host family and provides child care services in exchange for room and board. Au pairs typically come from other countries to learn about the culture and customs of the families they work for.

If you’re thinking about becoming an au pair, you’ll likely need to go through an interview process. During your interview, you’ll likely be asked a variety of questions about your experience with child care, your education, and your goals for the program. Review the following questions and answers to help you prepare for your interview.

Are you interested in working as an au pair?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your intentions. They want to know that you are genuinely interested in working as an au pair and not just looking for any job. Use this opportunity to share why you’re passionate about this role.

Example: “I am very much interested in becoming an au pair because I love children and have always wanted to be a nanny. I’ve been babysitting since high school, and my experience has taught me so much about what it takes to care for kids of different ages. I’m excited to use these skills to help a family who needs extra support.”

What are your qualifications to be 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. You can list out any certifications or training courses you’ve completed, as well as any relevant experience you may have.

Example: “I am currently enrolled in an online au pair course through ABC University. I’m also certified in CPR and first aid, which I got through my local community college. In addition, I have two years of childcare experience working with children aged five to 12.”

How would you describe your personality?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer your personality and how it fits with their family. You can answer this question by describing yourself in a few words, such as “I’m outgoing,” or “I’m quiet.”

Example: “My personality is very friendly and outgoing. I love meeting new people and making friends. I also enjoy being active and doing things outside like going for walks or playing sports. 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.”

What is your greatest strength as an au pair?

This question is an opportunity to highlight your skills and abilities. It’s 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. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think of a specific example of how you used this skill in your previous role.

Example: “My greatest strength as an au pair is my ability to communicate with children. I find that many children are hesitant to speak up when they’re unsure or confused, so I make sure to always listen carefully and respond kindly. In my last position, I was caring for two children who were both nonverbal. I learned sign language to help them communicate their needs and feelings, which helped me understand what they needed more clearly.”

Provide an example of when you went above and beyond your job duties.

This question is a great way to show the interviewer that you are willing to do more than what’s required of your position. It also shows them how you can use your initiative and problem-solving skills to complete tasks outside of your job description.

Example: “When I was working as an au pair, my host family had two children who were in different schools. One day, I noticed that one child didn’t have their homework with them. I asked the child if they remembered doing it at school, but they said no. So, I called both teachers to see if either of them had it. Luckily, one teacher found it and emailed me so I could print it for the child.”

If you had to describe your last supervisor in three words, what would they be?

This question is a way for the interviewer to get an idea of your personality and how you view authority. It’s important that you choose words that are positive, so it’s best to avoid using words like “mean” or “strict.”

Example: “My last supervisor was very kind, helpful and encouraging. She always made sure I knew she had my back and wanted me to succeed in my role as au pair. She also encouraged me to take risks and try new things when caring for the children.”

What would you do if you had a disagreement with your host family?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you would handle conflict and whether you’re likely to be a good fit for their family. It’s 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.

Example: “I have had disagreements with my previous families, but I always try to resolve them in a respectful way. If I feel like we aren’t able to come to a resolution, I would speak to my program coordinator or agency about it. They’ve always been helpful when I’ve needed advice on how to handle situations.”

How well do you speak the language of your host country?

The interviewer may ask this question to see how well you can communicate with your host family. It’s important that you have a good grasp of the language, but it’s also helpful if you’re able to speak English fluently as well. You should answer honestly and explain what steps you’ve taken to improve your language skills.

Example: “I’m fluent in my native tongue, however, I am still working on improving my level of communication in the language of my host country. My host mother has been helping me learn more about the culture by speaking to me in her native tongue. She is very patient and kind, which makes learning easier for me.”

Do you have any experience taking care of children?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your experience as an au pair. If you have previous childcare experience, be sure to share what age group you worked with and any unique responsibilities you had.

Example: “I’ve been babysitting children since I was in high school. My neighbor’s daughter was only two years old at the time, but she loved playing games and doing arts and crafts. She would always ask me to play with her dolls or help her color. I also took care of my younger cousins when they visited our family during the summer. They were five and seven years old at the time, so I helped them get ready for bed and played outside with them.”

When is the last time you traveled?

This question is a great way to learn more about the applicant’s background and experience. It can also help you determine if they have any travel restrictions or limitations that may affect their ability to complete the job duties.

Example: “I traveled with my family last summer when we went on vacation to Florida. We stayed at a beachfront resort, which was amazing. I love being able to explore new places and try different foods. My favorite part of traveling is getting to see so many things and meeting new people.”

We want to learn about your culture. What are some traditions that you and your family practice?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your cultural background and how you fit into the family. You can answer this question by describing a few of your favorite traditions, but also explain why they are important to you.

Example: “My family celebrates Christmas with my extended family every year. We all get together at my grandparents’ house for dinner on Christmas Eve, then open presents in the morning. It’s always been such a special time for me because I love seeing everyone together. My family also has a tradition of going out to eat once a week. We usually go to our favorite Italian restaurant, but sometimes we try new places.”

Describe your personal hygiene habits.

An au pair’s personal hygiene habits are important to their host family. They want someone who is clean and tidy, as well as respectful of other people’s property. When answering this question, be honest about your daily routine and how it helps you maintain good hygiene.

Example: “I take a shower every morning before I start my day. I also wash my hands frequently throughout the day, especially after using the bathroom or handling food. I brush my teeth twice a day and use mouthwash in between. I keep my nails trimmed and my hair washed and styled appropriately for work.”

What makes you the best candidate for this position?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your qualifications and how you feel about this role. It’s important to highlight your experience as an au pair, but it can also be helpful to mention any unique skills or talents that might make you stand out from other candidates.

Example: “I am passionate about working with children and have been babysitting since I was in high school. I love being around kids and helping them learn new things. I think my patience and ability to communicate well with others makes me the best candidate for this position.”

Which age group do you prefer to work with?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have experience working with children of various ages. If you do, it can show that you are comfortable and confident in your abilities to work with a variety of kids. When answering this question, try to mention age groups you’ve worked with before or ones you’re willing to work with.

Example: “I prefer to work with children between the ages of two and six because I feel like they’re at such an important stage in their development. However, I am open to working with older children as well. I think it’s important for au pairs to be flexible and adaptable.”

What do you think of the food here so far?

This question is a great way to see how much you’ve learned about the host family’s culture. It also shows that they are interested in your opinion and want to know if you like their food. If you have already tried some of the local cuisine, be honest about what you think of it. If you haven’t yet, tell them you’re excited to try it.

Example: “I love the food here so far! I had my first meal with the family last night, and I really enjoyed it. The kids were very patient as I worked through the language barrier. They helped me figure out which foods were safe for me to eat.”

How often do you like to clean?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your cleaning habits. They want to know if you will clean the house as often as they would like or if you prefer to let things go for a while. 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.

Example: “I am happy to clean every day, although I understand that some families might not have time for that. In my last family, we cleaned once a week, which was enough for me. If there’s something specific you’d like me to focus on, I’m happy to do so.”

There is a bug in the house. What would you do?

This question is a test of your problem-solving skills. It also shows the interviewer how you would react in an emergency situation. Your answer should show that you are calm and can think quickly to solve problems.

Example: “I would first try to identify what kind of bug it was, then I would call my host family to let them know about the issue. If they were not home, I would take pictures of the bug and send them to my host mom so she could identify it. Then I would find out if there was any way to get rid of the bug without harming anyone or anything in the house. If there wasn’t, I would contact the landlord to see if he had any suggestions.”