“Was she good?” gets you “she was great” every time. The value of a reference call comes entirely from how specific your questions are.
Tammy Gold, LCSW, spent years matching families with nannies before writing Secrets of the Nanny Whisperer (Penguin). Today she works beside families, and their agencies, as a neutral expert: defining the job, interviewing candidates, checking references and setting up the first 30 days.
Hesitation before answering. General answers when you asked for specifics. Praise that's all about reliability and never about the children. The last question is the most revealing on the list — enthusiasm or a pause both tell you a great deal.
Call references before the interview, and make sure at least two are former employers rather than friends or family.
She uses the Gold Targeted Reference Check™ and reports what she hears — and how it was said.
Screening call, reference questions, clinical interview, trial-day checklist.
Download free ↓Tammy joins your interviews, reference calls, trial debriefs, and onboarding. $189 / 60 min.
Book Tammy →Or text (818) 308-1358 · info@caremapmethod.com
Tammy provides expert guidance; she is not a placement agency and does not run background checks. Hiring decisions remain your family’s.