By Lisa McQuerrey Updated June 29, 2018
Employers that provide children’s services, like schools, daycare centers, recreational facilities and sports facilities, prefer to hire employees who understand and communicate well with kids. While education related to early childhood development, education or childcare is a plus, so are skills like responsibility, patience and a playful sense of humor.
Describe Work Experience
Highlight all of your experience working with children, providing detailed descriptions of the specific work you’ve done with kids. This approach demonstrates your enthusiasm for the work and your ability to connect with kids.
Example:
I had the opportunity to interact with amazingly talented kids at a summer theater camp program. We worked together on stage design, dialect coaching and dramatic technique. It was incredibly rewarding as a coach and counselor to watch some of the shy kids blossom over the summer.
Discuss Why You Enjoy Helping Kids
Share what you enjoy about working with kids in addition to defining your professional experience. The interviewer can read your work history on your resume, but it’s how you talk about your love of children that will grab attention. For example, if you’re interviewing for a teaching position, discuss your philosophy on teaching in a diverse classroom. Let your comments show that you see children as individuals and you strive to make a difference for each one.
Example:
Every child is different, and part of what I love about my job is that I get to help each one discover his own strengths and talents and nurture those traits through my educational approach.
Mention Relevant Personal Qualities
Outline the personal traits that make you good with children and link them to the specific job you are applying for. For example, if you’re interviewing for a recreation center manager position, talk about your favorite leisure activities and play up your energy level, upbeat personality and how you put special twists on games and activities to make them more interesting and inclusive.
Example:
I hated picking teams when I was a kid, so to avoid hurt feelings, when I manage recreation leagues, we run a four-square scramble to choose teams. It’s fun, there’s no exclusion and everyone’s on even ground.
Explain Teaching Style
Emphasize your ability to be responsible, reliable, authoritative, yet fair. Working well with children isn't just a matter of connecting with them, it's also about ensuring a safe environment, following a curriculum when called for, and providing guidance, instruction and support. Be prepared to answer behavioral-style interview questions about how you behaved in past workplace scenarios. These might include a question like, “Describe a time an introverted child refused to engage. How did you handle it?”
Be prepared to answer behavioral-style interview questions about how you behaved in past classroom or workplace scenarios. For instance, you might be asked to describe a time you helped a reluctant, introverted child engage in activities.
FAQs
Highlight all of your experience working with children, providing detailed descriptions of the specific work you've done with kids. This approach demonstrates your enthusiasm for the work and your ability to connect with kids.
What do you say when working with children interview question? ›
Keep your answer relatively brief, but include information about what makes you unique. You might refer to your hobbies, volunteer work and background. Example answer: 'I'm the eldest of five children, so I naturally took on the role of teacher and mentor, even before I entered the child care sector three years ago.
How to answer why do you like working with kids? ›
"I want to work with children because I want to have a positive impact on the lives of children, build relationships with children and fellow caretakers, and have the opportunity to learn and grow" is a good answer to this interview question.
What motivates you to do a great job at work with kids? ›
You make a great contribution not only to the children you care for and help to develop but to their parents and others in the community. You are helping shape the futures of the next generation. 4) It's a chance to be creative.
How do you write about working with children? ›
Talk about why you love working with children, what you find rewarding about it, and how you believe you can make a difference in their lives. This will help potential employers see that you are not just looking for a job, but are truly invested in the work you do.
Why should we hire you to work with children? ›
In your answer, choose a statement that reflects your values and shows assertiveness without being too specific. An example of this can be: “I am looking for a position that will allow me to use my skills and experience to make a difference in the lives of young children.”
How do you say working with children on a resume? ›
Good child care provider resume example
“Experienced child care provider with over five years of dedicated service in nurturing and guiding children of all ages. Proficient in creating engaging educational activities to foster development while ensuring a safe and nurturing environment. CPR and First Aid certified.
How do you say you work with kids on a resume? ›
Highlight relevant experience: When deciding what to include on your resume, focus on the most relevant experience related to childcare. Include details about your previous roles, responsibilities, and achievements that demonstrate your skills in providing quality care, ensuring safety, and promoting child development.
What qualities do you need to work with children? ›
You need to be a confident and authoritative communicator with the ability to talk to children on their level. Excellent listening skills are also crucial. Enthusiasm - you need to really like children and enjoy spending time with them and to have real enthusiasm for your job - kids can spot insincerity a mile off.
Why should we hire you? ›
A: When answering, focus on your relevant skills, experience, and achievements that make you the best fit for the role.You should hire me because I am a hard worker who wants to help your company succeed. I have the skills and experience needed for the job, and I am eager to learn and grow with your team .
Sample response: "From my perspective, listening, patience, and empathy are the most crucial traits for youth workers. I've come to realize that youth operate on their own timelines, and the best way for me to support them is by actively listening to and empathizing with them."
What excites you about working with children? ›
Your days are filled with adventure.
Working with children ensures each day will be a unique adventure because kids are exciting and unpredictable! Nothing matches the energy of a child's enthusiasm for life and eagerness to learn. You will find yourself engaging in different tasks and activities every day.
Why do you want to work in childcare interview answers? ›
I have strong interpersonal, communication and decision-making skills that I believe every good child care worker needs. More importantly, I seek to positively impact the lives of children that I care for."
What to say in an interview for childcare? ›
Example: "I make sure children in my care play safely by keeping the play area, playground and house organised and clean. I also keep an eye on children as they play. If I'm working with young children, I ask them to recite safe rules I instructed them to follow and encourage them when they play safely."
