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A well-made Au Pair introduction video is a valuable addition to your
Au Pair profile and can significantly increase the number of messages you receive, sometimes even more than
photos or your written profile. It gives families the opportunity to see your personality, hear you speak, and get a more authentic impression of who you are.
Your video should come across as friendly, natural, and positive. Here are a few tips and ideas you can talk about in your video:
Plan in advance what you would like to say
Think about what you want to say, then outline your main points. Having a simple script will help you stay organised, but try not to read from paper.
Language
You can choose to talk in the language of your preferred host country you would like to work with or in English.
Present yourself briefly
Try not to repeat all the details from your profile, as most people watching the video have probably gone through the profile as well. Make a brief intro about you and share:
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your name,
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your age,
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where you are from,
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your current occupation (studying, working, etc.),
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what you like, your hobbies and, most importantly,
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why you decided to take part in the program.
Share your childcare or tutoring experience
Host Families really care about your experience in childcare, so make sure you talk openly about it. Mention any experience you have had with childcare, such as babysitting, spending time with younger siblings or cousins, volunteering at school or in youth groups, or providing any tutoring or mentoring. You can also mention other jobs you have had and what you have learned from them, for example communication skills, teamwork, responsibility, or problem-solving.
If possible, mention the ages of the children you worked with and what types of tasks you handled.
Virtual childcare or tutor
If you are applying as a tutor or for virtual childcare, describe your teaching methods and skills, the activities you would prepare and how you would engage with children online.
Explain your motivation
Tell families why you want to become an Au Pair, for example:
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learning a new language or improving a languag
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experiencing a new culture
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working with children
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personal growth and independence
Keep the video short and natural
Speak in a relaxed and friendly way and try not to just read your speech. The video should not be too long, 2-3 minutes is enough to give a good first impression to the families. Focus on the most important points, smile and just be yourself.
Optional: Introduce Include your family and friends
Let your friends and family say something about you to make the video more interactive. The third party opinion adds a special value.
Filming Tips
Use landscape mode and natural light
Record your video in landscape (horizontal) mode, as this format looks more professional and works best on most screens. Choose an area with enough light, natural light is best, by filming near a window or outside on a bright day. Good lighting will make your face look clearer, improve the quality of your video, and help Host Families to get a warm first impression of you. Avoid filming in dark rooms or with strong backlighting, as this can make the video appear grainy or shadowed.
Choose a clean and quiet background
You should avoid filming in a cluttered room with a lot of background noise. A simple background looks more professional and also makes a better impression on the families.
Speak slowly and clearly
Since many Host Families are non-native speakers, it is important to express yourself clearly. A good idea would be to rehearse what you want to say, as reading can worsen the quality of the video.
Dress appropriately
Choose casual but neat clothes. There's no need to look formal; just clean and friendly. Choose appropriate makeup as well.
Ask somebody to help you with the filming
Videos look better when they are filmed by someone else, but a tripod will also do. If you feel more comfortable recording the video yourself, you can also solely ask someone to help you at the beginning to get the right frame.
Be confident and natural
Face the camera and make sure to be the only person in the video. Bear all the tips in mind, but remember to be confident and natural! Show your true personality so that you will be remembered. Smile, relax and be yourself, families want authenticity, not perfection.
Don’t be afraid to be creative
You can also include pictures, short video clips, or a montage with music background.
Many Host Families have registered at AuPair.com, hoping to find their perfect Au Pairs. Make this wish come true and travel abroad as an Au Pair -
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Do’s and Don’ts for your Au Pair Video
Do’s
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Look friendly and approachable
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Share about childcare experience, skills, and hobbies
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Good lighting
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Show your personality
Don’ts
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Dressed provocatively
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Share contact details
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Messy backgrounds and background noise
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Only reading from the paper
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If you include pictures or video clips, avoid party photos or nightclub clips
How to Edit Your Au Pair Video
Nowadays, there are plenty of apps and softwares that can skyrock any visual material. From simple to professional, from desktop to cloud base options - you can find any editor of your taste.
Easy editing apps
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CapCut
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InShot
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Canva
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iMovie (iPhone)
Check out the
list of simple and free video editors you can use.
Keep editing simple
Avoid adding heavy filters, extreme (or too many) transitions,or too much/loud music to your video. Videos that are clear and natural always make a better impression.
How to Upload Your Video to YouTube
You need to upload the video on YouTube and share the URL at AuPair.com so users can watch it! Read the detailed instructions on how you can
upload the video on YouTube from different devices. If you, for example, want to upload it from the YouTube app on your phone, here is how it works:
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Open the YouTube App
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Click Upload > Video
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Select your video and tap NEXT
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Select 'Unlisted' if you only want AuPair.com users to be able to see it.
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Copy the link and paste it into your AuPair.com profile.
FAQ: Au Pair Video Tips
How long should my Introduction video be?
Not longer than 2-3 minutes.
Should I speak English in my video?
Yes, you can speak English so most families will definitely understand. You can also choose to do the video in the language of your desired host country.
What do Host Families want to see?
Your personality, communication skills, childcare experience, and motivation for the Au Pair stay.
Do I need to share my childcare experience?
Yes! This is an important aspect for families and even small experiences (siblings, cousins, volunteering) matter.
Can I include music in my video?
Yes, you can, but make sure you keep it soft so that families can still hear you clearly. Also, avoid using any copyrighted tracks.
If you want to know more about the Au Pair experience, check out our
Au Pair Wiki.