How to Find an Au Pair Job

on July 8, 2015 at 12:59 am

Being an au pair is one of the easiest ways to see a new country, but it’s actually quite rewarding too. Not only do you have the opportunity to enrich a family’s life by bringing your culture and language skills, you get to explore that country and have the opportunity to “see it like a local”. I decided to au pair because I don’t have an unlimited supply of money and because it’s a great opportunity to have a home base in Barcelona for a while without burning through my savings. I found the process of finding a host family really easy so I thought I’d share some tips with you.

1) Be Fussy

I’ve heard so many horror stories of au pairs who didn’t really take the time to check their family was suited to them and dived in. A few weeks, or days, later the au pair was feeling restless and uncomfortable. Some families are quite strict with how late you can be out, so make sure that your lifestyles are compatible. It’s better to be fussy, take your time and find a family that you’re actually happy to stay with for a while.

2) Skype With Them

This is one thing that’s so simple to do but many people fail to do – SKYPE! Set aside at least half an hour to talk to your new potential “host” family. This is a great way to get to know them and to ensure that they are a good fit for you. If you can’t hold a conversation for at least half an hour then chances are things are going to be a bit awkward for you.

3) Ask Them Questions

Find out about what they like to do as a family during their spare time and what kind of activities you can be involved with. For example, a lot of families are quite content in Spain to sit in front of the TV from the time they walk in the door until bed time. This is quite boring for me and I’m glad I found a family that is active and adventurous.4) Be Realistic

It’s going to take some time to adjust to your new home, as well as it will take your host family some time to adjust to you. Don’t expect everything to be peachy from the get-go, but do make sure you make a conceded effort to get to know your family and show them you’re interested in them.5) Bring Presents

So cliche, but it’s a nice way to get things started. Bring some gifts for the kids and maybe some nice wine or chocolates for the parents. It shows that you’re thoughtful and it’ll set a really good tone for your time together. Plus, who doesn’t love giving some gifts?Being an au pair is a lot of fun and a great way to see somewhere new. Do you have any tips for landing a good au pair job?