Questions for AP in Skype interview

[Mendi]

I have my first Skype interview with an AP this morning. Only thing is, we've exchanged quite a few messages and so I've already asked her a lot of questions, such as

What do you want to get out of being an AP?
What sort of family do you think you'd like to live with?
What will you do to make friends here?
Do you want to take language lessons?
What do your family think about you coming over here?
What are your plans for after APing?
What kind of housework can you/will you do?
What will you do to entertain my children? (Though actually they are older kids so don't really need entertaining)

So am wondering what sort of stuff to talk about on Skype. Any ideas?

Really? No one?

Hasn't happened so far as she failed to turn up for the morning one; I messages her say shall we do it later, she agreed to 7.30 and has then not turned up for that either

Finding an AP is turning out to be a lot harder than I'd imagined.

I would talk about your expectations of the au pair and any rules you want her to observe. Also eating habits/food preferences, any foods she can't/won't eat etc. What does she like doing in her spare time? Also tell her about yourself and DH's typical lifestyle and what its like to live in your house. Try to be honest (don't paid a picture of super domestic organisation if you're often in chaos in the mornings trying to get out of the door). You need an au pair who is coming with her eyes open to the reality of the job and ready/willing to help.

If you need her to cook ask her for examples of the food she's used to cooking (many will say cakes and won't be able to think of anything else!).

Ask her what housework she is used to doing rather than what she can/will do as many will express willingness to do anything you ask but have never used a washing machine in their life (for example). That may be fine for you but you need to be aware of the learning curve they are on.

Always cross-check how long the plan to stay.

Discuss pay, holidays and other terms.

And of course, ask whether she has any questions - the questions asked can be revealing in themselves, of course.