Our Review of Au Pair USA's "10 minute" Online Application
A few weeks ago, we posted Au Pair USA's press release where they claim their newest feature is a "10 minute" online application. Mr. McHugh, Au Pair USA's Program Director, wants to save busy parents valuable time from their hectic schedules, so he streamlined the family application. Historically, the family application was viewed negatively by most host parents - it was long, tedious and required additional uploads, such as family photos, references, and long lists of names, phone numbers and emails.
However, Au Pair USA misses the mark - the application, although easy to click through and not as labor intensive, takes twice as long as Mr. Hughes promises. It may take you even longer if you are a slow typist, don't have all your information you need next to your computer or if you don't already have a full week's schedule made up for the au pair.
Click here to read our entire review of Au Pair USA's "10 minute" online application.
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Comments
Au pair usa award winning agency??
Is this the same agency that won that au pair of the year award? 2010?
I too found it impossible to complete this in 10 minutes
Well, you are much faster than me because it took me over an hour to complete! I did put in a daily schedule since our kids do different things on each day, and at different places due to different ages! Whew! It is a madhouse sometimes but it keeps me on my toes. I have been complentating hiring an au pair to help me with my 5 kids and my husband keeps telling me "do it" so this is the first agency I registered with. Let's see what they send. I will keep you updated!
I know you said they were a good agency and they are in the neck of my woods!
Au Pair USA's 10 minute application falls flat
Yeah, Edina, I found it took me twice as long as your testers found (40 minutes). There is that section you mention about the au pair's daily/weekly schedule where you have to fill in her duties Monday - Sunday. This took me the most time as I had to dig out my draft of duties for the au pair and carefully copy them into the space provided.
If someone else came along to fill out this section and had little idea of what the au par's schedule would be, it might take much longer, given they would have to figure it out as they go.
Even though I had the draft ready, each day had something unique and different so this took more time.
I also expected more at the end of the "rainbow" - but I got the same message. However, I did receive a very nice call back and they are looking for au pairs for me as we speak (at least I hope they are!).
I do get applications from them online.
New Host Dad