INTERVIEW TEMPLATE
When you contact a caregiver/nanny working in Hong Kong, there are several general parameters to keep in mind.
1) The absolute best time to call them is between 6pm (EST) and 1am (EST) on a SATURDAY, because it is SUNDAY there in Hong Kong already (and most caregivers/nannies have Sunday as their ONLY day off. However, you can call them any other time, but they may not be able to talk or even answer the phone if their employer in Hong Kong is around. Remember during the winter, there is a 13 hour time difference between Toronto and Hong Kong. And once Daylight Savings kicks in, there is a 12 hour time difference between Toronto and Hong Kong.
2) The caregivers/nannies are generally reserved and demur. They are also quite likely to refer to you as either Sir or Ma’am.
3) The first telephone interview should last between 15 to 30 minutes.
4) Avoid specific “what if/scenario” questions during the first 5 to 10 minutes. Get to know the caregiver/nanny first.
5) Try to establish a connection with her. Find a way to “break the ice”.
Suggestions topics/questions:
1) What part of the Philippines are you from? Is it a city, village, farming community?
2) How many brothers and sisters do you have? Are one of the younger or older ones?
3) When was the last time you saw your family? (If caregiver is married and has kids, ask her how many kids, what ages. Are they in school already. Would you want to go see them before coming to Canada?)
4) What occupation/job did you have back in the Philippines? Why did you end up going to Hong Kong? **** (generally, they end up being forced to migrate to foreign countries for work because the wages in the Philippines are so low compared to foreign countries).
5) What kind of music do you listen to? If she is looking after school age kids in Hong Kong, ask her what kind of music they listen to as well. Share the type of music with her that you and your family listen to.
6) What hobbies do you have? Share your hobbies with her too.
7) Ask her about her employer in Hong Kong. Inquire as to the type of work she does and the hours. **** most of them work 6 days a week, and average 16 hours a day.
8) Ask her about the child(ren) she is looking after. Find out what she likes to do with them, i.e. read, play with ,etc.
9) After you get a sense that there is a connection, and the caregiver/nannie’s answers are flowing freely (sincere, and not just what she thinks you want to hear), then proceed to the more specific questions you feel you need answered with respect to the care of your child(ren).