Would you be put off by this?

[Bearbrownies]

I have to do an interview soon for my business, and I have no childcare atm. Would you be put off if the person interviewing you for a job brought their kids along? My kids are 2 and 5 btw.

So you’re a recruiter and not actually hiring anyone, just vetting someone looking for a job through your agency? Or are you hiring someone to work for your agency directly?

If it’s the latter, how would you feel if this person did the same - brought their kids to a client meeting once you hired them? That’s the message you’re sending out.

Yes.

But you KNOW that, OP. You are time wasting.

What type of recruitment is it? I'd be distracted, and - to be honest - somewhat paranoid that my reaction to your children's interactions would be judged as part of my interview.

Unless you're a nanny recruiter, in which case, fair enough...

Yes. Very unprofessional.

The kids would just be sitting next to me, no running around or playing with toys.

Ahh you should've said you have magical Mumsnet kids.

In that case YANBU.

Yes

Extremely unprofessional

Tbh OP if I were using your agency to provide staff and I found out you were taking your children along when interviewing my potential staff I'd stop using you.

Can you not do a Skype interview?

Not a good idea, as an interviewee I may take it that you are so cool with child care that I could bring my own to work!

I would also refuse an interview in a public place like a cafe
All very unprofessional

The kids would just be sitting next to me, no running around or playing with toys.

Just sat there mute and still then?

Hahahahahahahahahaha!

Sorry had read that the first Dc was 12 not 2 - not at all reasonable then I’m afraid. You can’t ignore a 2 year old in a public place for 45 minutes in the care of a 5 year old.

Yeah you're right, they would interrupt the interview.

@Nanny0gg not just sit there mute no, but my kids don't run around in cafe/restaurants in general

Sorry that's unprofessional. You need to sort childcare.

I agree with the others, OP. I would be distinctly unimpressed and it would absolutely put me off working with/for you.

It wouldn’t bother me and it might actually calm my nerves. It won’t be as quiet and intense.

Both your children and being in a cafe would put me off to be honest.

I know there's a recruitment agency locally who interviews in a cafe because their office isn't accessible - I find cafes difficult places to be because of other people and noise. I personally, wouldn't be able to concentrate and do my best at an interview there.

Children and an interview in a public place?

I wouldn't touch your business with a barge pole.

I can't see a two and five year old just sitting there silently throughout a job interview! Mine would have interrupted every two seconds. Not professional at all.

I'd find it quite distracting if I was mid-answer, or trying to think of something, and then one of your DC interrupted to ask you a question or point something out etc. Even if it was just for a moment and you quietened them down, it would take me out of the concentration.

No. I’d refuse the interview. And I’d tell everyone I know about it. Ridiculously unprofessional.

Yes, I think that is white unprofessional - it would make me feel that you weren’t that invested in me as a candidate as you couldn’t give your full attention. It’s also tough to ask a candidate to give their best in an interview with such a huge distraction present. What if your 2 year old starts asking questions when they are mid way through answering you and they have to wait til you deal with your kids?

Lots of agencies will provide childcare and presumably it’s only for an hour so you’re looking at less than £20.

*quite not white!