How Au Pair USA Works

For decades, InterExchange Au Pair USA has been connecting American families with experienced, dedicated au pairs from around the world. Every InterExchange host family is unique, and so is each au pair. We work hard to evaluate our program participants’ needs, expectations, personalities, and lifestyles to ensure the best match and set the stage for a very successful placement.

Unlike other au pair agencies, InterExchange does not leave the matching process to a computer or a database. The matching process is all about people, and it deserves the personalized attention of our experienced staff. Here’s how it works:

Au Pair Candidate Interview

Au Pair USA has representatives in more than 40 countries who recruit and interview au pair candidates. If a candidate meets all of the basic requirements for becoming an au pair, the representative asks him or her to fill out a detailed application, and schedule an initial interview. During this extensive, two-hour interview, the representative gets to know the candidate and evaluate her or his experience, personality, and suitability to serve as an au pair. The representative also answers the candidate’s questions about the program.

Au Pair Screening and Selection

After the initial interview, the international representative evaluates whether the applicant is suitable for the Au Pair USA program, based on:

• The applicant’s personal essay
• Detailed information about a range of childcare experiences
• Professional and character references
• English language proficiency
• Appropriate motivation for wanting to become an au pair
• Maturity in responding to interview questions
• Energy level and enthusiasm for becoming an au pair
• Apparent flexibility and openness to the viewpoint of others

If the applicant is accepted into the Au Pair USA program, all of the above information is compiled into an Au Pair Interview report which is forwarded with the candidate’s completed application to our New York office, where the matching process begins.

Host Family Interview

Before accepting a host family into our program, a local coordinator visits their home to discuss their family’s specific needs—including how many children they have, their ages, and the type of care they require. The local coordinator also ensures that the family has a private bedroom for the au pair, and that they understand the responsibilities of being a host family.

Customized Matching

Our placement coordinators will search for au pair candidates that match your needs and lifestyle. Then, they’ll forward that family the au pair’s application and supporting materials. Our exclusive matching process guarantees that an applicant is evaluated by one family at a time, so families don’t have to worry about “competing” with another host family for a certain au pair.

Family/Au Pair Phone Interviews

If the host family is interested in an au pair, they’ll conduct two phone interviews with him or her—usually within 48 hours of receiving the application. The first interview is usually a more informal “getting to know you” conversation, while the second interview is a chance to talk about more specific questions.

Au Pair Selection

If the host family decides they want to host the au pair, they contact Au Pair USA and approve the match. We then begin the process of securing the au pair’s J-1 visa, arranging his or her travel to the United States, and finalizing the start date.

Every stage of our process is designed to ensure the best possible fit between the au pair and the host family. If you have any questions about our screening and matching procedures, please email us or call 1-800-Au-Pairs (1-800-287-2477).

Apply to become a host family

Apply to become an au pair

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