How to choose an au pair - questions to ask etc

[lookingforwards]

Hi
Soooooo, I need an aup air for Sept 2011 and have started looking on au pair world. FIrst time we've done this.
I've had 120 applications and am wading through them without really any idea what the best way of selecting one is. I am sending a 'yes, interested' email from aupair world (the standard green button email they give you) to people I really like. If they then get in touch with me via email, I respond checking they don't mind about me having a dog and asking for a resume and some references but then I've still got about 15 on my hands in varying stages of this process who all seem terribly keen and don't know how to choose between them.
So basically - What questions should I be asking?
Any help welcome!
Cheers

We've used au pair world successfully a few times.

Run through your day, telling them exactly what you expect from them. What time they need to be up dressed and working. What time the kids need breakfast. What they have to do next....everything. You want to be near-enough putting them off coming to you. See what the response is. (You want your au pair to know exactly what they are expected to do when they arrive, so there's no point in hiding anything....will only lead to problems when they discover the truth).

Ask about them, their family, their childcare experience, why they want to be an au pair, why they want to come to the UK, if they have ever been here, how long they want to be an au pair, what they want to do after being an au pair.

You want them to be asking you about your kids - what they like doing, what their personalities are like. If they barely mention them take it as a bad sign.

You'll gradually cut them down to a small handful who consistently come across and friendly and genuine on email. You can then call them to chat, have some questions ready. A great time to check out their English.

It's a long process but worthwhile to find the right one.

I press yes interested and follow up with an email along the lines Maid suggested. Those who don't respond I do not progress with. Then I send a schedule and check it's what they are expecting, then I do a telephone interview to check them and their english then I check telephone references. No ref's =no job offer however referee can be a teacher etc. That is quite revealing I had 1 girl previous host mum said was v lazy. I thought why would girl use her as ref so then got another ref and other mum said the same... She did not get the job!

How clear are you on what you want in an AP? Your non-negotiables, your nice-to-haves, preferences for language/nationality, level of education/experience, hobbies etc. You can use that to 'rank' them - obviously if they don't meet any non-negotiable then bin them! Often they'll drop out even if you start with 15 and you'll be down to 6 or 7, a couple of whom won't be able to give you refs, leaving you with 5 or so, a couple whose English isn't so good on the phone, 1 who accepts another job leaving you with 2 to choose from.

Do you have a standard email about the job with a set of questions (are you a driver? What dates are you available? What work have you done with children before? Why do you want to be an AP? Do you like dogs?!) If they meet your basic, basic requirements and if they respond saying they're interested then you could search on here for more comprehensive lists of questions and ask for a brief CV with 2 references. If they give you that then try phoning or skype to check their English. Assuming that goes well check refs and, if possible, fly your final choice(s) over for a weekend to meet them in person.

I'm also currently looking for an au pair using au pair world and have found this post useful. Just wanted to ask about the references, some au pairs have said they can supply from family members. Is this advisable? and also have there been any language barriers in obtaining these? and would also need some advise on what questions to ask for references.Thanks

Generally no family members aren't the best plan - go for an employer (of any kind) or teacher. If they don't have anyone who can comment on how they are with children then get one from a family member whose children they've looked after and one from a teacher/other person. If they're religious then priest/rabbi/equivalent is often good as they see them in a familyish setting and have probably known them a while.

I would ask about work ethic, stickability, English level if a teacher, reliability, energy and enthusiasm, honesty, timekeeping ability, how well they respond to criticism, how well they follow instructions, aptitude for working with children, ability to cope in a crisis, whether they'd trust them with their children and their personal hygiene (don't laugh - if they're preparing food or dealing with young children it's important!). Ultimately it's what's important to you but I think the above general personal qualities are a good indicator of attitude and the relationship that you personally have with your au pair is going to be very important. If they have lots of energy, a good work ethic, can follow instructions, respond well to feedback and aren't smelly you're probably onto a winner, which is better than someone hugely experienced who interacts brilliantly with children but has a problem with authority.

In terms of language ask them if their English teacher could be a reference, ask on here for help (I've called references and translated emails before) or if via email them translation engines give you some idea!