goAuPair's New Matching System Requires Parent to Apply First
Edina, I wanted to let you know that I tried to review goaupair's new matching service (I also sent you an email about this last week) and I had to fill out an application before I could see anything or even try the new matching service. I went back to read your story again and it does say (from goaupair agency) that parents could use the new matching system "without applying."
This is not true and I would suggest that you try it yourself! I cannot believe an agency would release a statement like this and it not be true! What is the deal here with goaupair's new matching system and their promise to parents that anyone can use it without the family application?
I also want to say, the application is not just a cursory one where they just ask you for your email and address - it requires to to share details of marital status, criminal background, how you spend your vacation time, etc! This is a lot more than I would want to reveal to an agency even before I reviewed their au pairs and considering that is not what they are promising!
Edina, you are right, thank
Edina, you are right, thank you for your perspective.
I just now decided to go back to my old agency for the next year (switching back to AuPairUSA from AuPairCare) and discovered that they made a similar positive change to their matching process.
They start sending candidate applications to the families as soon as they receive the first application materials. Only in order to finalize the match they need complete information. So one can start viewing the candidates a day or two after faxing or emailing the application package, without waiting for the interview with the local coordinator or waiting for reference letters to arrive to their office.
Last year, with AuPairCare, I was very impressed with being able to view applications the next day after I applied. Now I can do the same with AuPairUSA. I cannot apply online, I have to print the application and sign parts of it, but I can fax it, or scan in and email the pages the same day. Actually, I think I can fill out the PDF application form itself and email it back without printing; the parts that have to be signed are separate documents and can be received later.
I have used GoAuPair's au
I have used GoAuPair's au pair preview service even before I discovered it discussed here.
After registering and giving basic info, one can view and search pages of au pairs, but the information one can see about each au pair is minimal; it is not the complete dossier by far. If you click to view more about a particular candidate, THEN it takes you the application to the agency link.
So it is what it is. It is a teaser, a preview, but not a review. To see complete information about a candidate, a family DOES have to apply
Au Pair "Snapshot"
Hi Anna, yes, the information you see is a "snapshot" of the au pair - the basics, age, country of origin, driving experience, hobbies, etc. If you really want to see more, you will have to apply and complete the entire host family application.
So, what is the big deal then with goAUPAIR's Au Pair Review? For the first time, au pair agencies are allowing unregistered parents access to information that was previously considered "confidential" and only privy to paying customers (host parents who applied and were accepted into their program).
goAUPAIR is not the only agency offering increased access to their au pairs data base - Au Pair in America and USA Au Pair both have user friendly and easy accessible pages of au pairs to view!
As the economy forces parents to spend less on childcare, au pair agencies are getting hit hard - this has forced the industry to "rethink" their marketing strategy and how they operate overall. As a result, innovative programming and marketing plans have been rolled out - allowing any parent to view their au pair data base is a major change for au pair agencies! This is good news for the consumer - you can view what kinds of young women are attracted to each agency and you get a "feel" for the quality and level of screening the agency is doing.
For example, Au Pair in America now allows any parent to view their available au pairs waiting to match (in the past, you not only had to complete a lengthy application, pay a hefty application fee, and send in multiple letters of references, but you had to pass muster during a face-to-face, hour long interview where a counselor screened you). Now, you only have to provide your name, address and email address to view hundreds of au pairs!
When viewing Au Pair in American's data base of Chinese au pairs (they are the largest recruiter from China), we noticed that the majority of Chinese au pairs are not going to be good drivers - most of them received their license in the past 6-12 months, even when the ages were over 23. This means the girls were not driving until they decided to apply to the cultural program and travel to America to become an au pair.
So, as you view the data base, you can also make an informed and intelligent summations of the quality of their recruits based on driving experience, English skills and childcare experience.
Anna, as you point out, you are not going to get the entire application for each au pair - you are only receiving a "snapshot" of each girl.
However, things are quietly and dramatically changing in the au pair industry, and as a result of our struggling economy, au pair agencies have been forced to "reinvent" themselves. They are sharing more information with the consumer and this is great news for any parent who is thinking of using an au pair for their childcare needs! Information is still the leading factor in the consumer's decision to purchase any goods or services.
goAuPair Preview feature
I was curious after reading these comments, so I checked it out this morning, and was able to view quite a bit of information (and they have 12+ pages of applicants) on their au pairs in the Preview function. Only had to enter my name, address, phone, email, and I could view. Of course, right away I received an email from a placement coordinator who wants to contact me, but since I'm already using another agency and won't be ready to re-apply (hopefully) until late this year, I won't be pursuing at this point. I did find it interesting to note the predominance of South American/Central American applicants in their pool, at least in the first six pages I viewed; there was a feature allowing you to set preferences, but I didn't do that. I also liked that they rate the English proficiency, something which my agency has only just begun to do. Of course, unless I know what ranking my previous four au pairs would have had, I have no way to ascertain where they would fall on my English language scale! I also liked that they have you select the nearest geographic area in which they have representation, since that's a requirement of the Dept. of State, to ensure that they cover your locale.
Happy That Au Pair Review is Accessible
Hi MadreDeDos,
We are very happy to hear that you got onto the Au Pair Review and were able to use it without completing many pages of the host family application.
We found that goAUPAIR was very responsive to readers' comments and concerns (see my post: "Clarification...") about the manner in which they had to register before they were able to use their newest feature, Au Pair Review!
I also like the rating system for English - very clever and very useful! I think this is the first time any au pair agency actually attempted to rate au pairs' English skills.
Rating English skills
I haven't looked at the Au Pair Preview for Go AuPair, so I'm not sure how their English skills ratings work, but since you mention that you're not aware of other agencies rating English skills, I just thought I'd point out that Cultural Care does so (although perhaps not in the same way or to the same extent as Go AuPair? As I said, I haven't looked at their site, so I can't compare). CCAP rates their APs' English skills on a scale of 1-7. I've found their ratings to be pretty accurate thus far. Our last au pair was rated a "6," and her English was so good that I joked with people that I wasn't sure that *I* would even get a "7"! Then we met our current au pair, who was rated a "7," and I can see why our prior AP "only" had a 6. (Our AP prior to the "6" was a "4" on their scale, and I found that to be a pretty accurate assessment as well. She was able to understand all of our instructions, but social conversations were more difficult because we often had to rephrase things in simpler terms in order to be understood.)
Clarification from goAUPAIR.com about new Au Pair Review Feature
Dear readers,
We have received several many emails from host families (and comments here on this page) regarding the new matching feature rolled out by goAUPAIR, Au Pair Review. This new feature allows new host parents to view au pairs (and their qualifications, etc.) without having to complete a goAUPAIR host family application (which requires a fee) or sign a contract. This is a great resource for prospective host parents and for existing host families who may want to switch agencies - you can get on and sample what the agency is offering without doing all that paperwork and sending in a check!
However, parents who emailed us with concerns and complaints told us when they tried to register for the Au Pair Review feature, they were sent to the host family application page and they were filling out several pages of this application. They felt mislead since goAUPAIR's press release states they would not have to complete the host family application. We went on the site and found the same thing when we tried to register for Au Pair Review.
We contacted the agency and they were very prompt in responding to customers' concerns. This is what they told us as of yesterday:
A representative from goAUPAIR told us "We hope this clarifies the misunderstanding between registering for the Au Pair Preview and completing the Online Host Family Application. Once again, the feedback from yourself and your readers has been tremendously helpful and we welcome any further comments you may collect. If you believe you are experiencing problems or otherwise have questions regarding the Au Pair Preview please feel free to email us at feedback at goaupair.com or call us at 888-287-2471."
goAUPAIR's new Au Pair Review Matching Feature
Hi Marcie,
Yes, we are aware of some difficulties when using the new feature, Au Pair Review, just launched by goAUPAIR.
We are testing the feature and have contacted the agency. We are waiting for an explanation why parents have to complete a long series of pages that do resemble an application before you can register and use the Au Pair Review feature. According to their ads and press releases, parents do not have to complete a host parent application in order to use this new matching service.
We will report back when we get our questions answered.
Thank you for the post!
Edina
Au Pair Review matching feature
Dear Edina
I was trying to use the new matching feature also (at goaupair) and I didn't complete all the pages, that yes, appear to be the host family application. In their press release they say:
Mar 02, 2010 – goAUPAIR is excited to announce its new Au Pair Preview. The Au Pair Preview allows families to search, review and compare hundreds of well-qualified and prescreened available Au Pairs without having to fill out any application
But when you get to their Au Pair Review page, you have to click Register. Then you have to complete the application. It does not say you "don't have to fill out any application" only that you do not have to "sign any contract or make a committment"
Word for word, on their website, on the top of the register page it says:
The Au Pair Preview is a free online resource available 24 hours a day provided exclusively by goAUPAIR. Search, review and compare Au Pairs without signing contracts, making commitments or waiting.
Now, clearly they are saying two different things here. Once they get a potential customer to visit their website and the register page for this new feature, they change their wording and only say you don't have to sign a contract. But, clearly you have to complete this host family application. I have completed several of these host family applications with various agencies, and this is what these pages are!
They either made an honest mistake or they are misleading the public. Either way, they should allow parents to use the Au Pair Review feature since we could find an au pair we really like, jump in and apply (complete the host family application) and try to match with that au pair. It would be a great feature for parents!
I will check back to see what the end result is of your website's review on this feature and I would consider goaupair, but I am not going to complete this application, give them all my personal information upfront without seeing their au pairs through Au Pair Review.
Thanks Edina for your service - it is so confusing out there with all the different programs and au pair features and I trust this website's reviews and editorials! That is how I switched out of a very bad agency into my present one and got an amazing au pair using your advice on interviewing!
Thanks again.
Maybe you are right...
I tried goaupair's au pair review too. I am considering switching agencies and wanted to look at their au pairs. I thought I was not clicking on the right places, but each time I got far enough to see some of the au pair's profile I was taken to the Register Page. Here, you have to fill out several pages of information before you get to the family application. Only when you Register and complete the application, may you use the Au Pair Review Service! So frustrating since I spent most of an afternoon on this a few days. ago. UGH!
See here: http://www.goaupair.com/apavailable.aspx?showid=3