In my previous article, I shared the qualities you need to stand out from other nannies and get noticed by your ideal family. In this article I will share how to communicate your qualities to a family to help secure a position.
Once you’ve considered the five qualities to stand out (your passion, your personality, your philosophy, your training and your experience), you need to get these qualities down on paper. Understanding your value will help you find the opportunities that suit you, but to stand out from other nannies and land a position, you must have a great resume.
I dedicate the first section of my resume to explaining these elements. I talk about my philosophy, what I believe in, my experience, my training, and what being a nanny means to me. If you don’t have a lot of experience, you really need to explain your passion and your values. Let the parents know why you are different to other nannies and how you are going to be a wonderful addition to their lives. You must also clearly state what you are looking for as a nanny. Help parents understand whether their position is the right fit for you. And remember, be honest – take off your rose-coloured glasses before you start writing.
If a parent has received your resume and is keen to connect, you should have an introductory phone call so that both sides can quickly understand if an engagement is suitable. You should first focus on the parent and ask what support they need for their family. You will make a great impression if you tell parents that you want to be the right fit for them, and to do that you need to understand their family. Parents will appreciate the interest you are showing in their family, rather than just the position that’s described, and they will also have specific questions for you.
If the phone call goes well, it will usually be followed up by an interview and a chance to meet the family in person. Here are my tips for your first meeting:
- Wear clothes that are professional but approachable and suitable for childcare.
- When you greet the parents, be sure to make eye contact and greet them confidently and safely (ensuring you’re meeting COVID-safe requirements)
- When you are introduced to the child, you must let the child take the lead. In most cases it’s the child, not the parent, who actually decides on the nanny. This is where experience helps a lot, as your first impression with a 10 month old will be different to a 4 year old.
- Make sure you are including the parent by talking through your approach with them, but once the child engages with you it’s important to give them more attention than the parent. Parents will trust their intuition when they hire a nanny, so you want to understand the child and connect with them as much as possible.
Those are my tips to finding and securing opportunities that are right for you. It’s amazing to work for a family which shares a close connection. If you’re able to find a great family to work for, it’s important to start an engagement with clear expectations and agreements. If you’d like to know more about this, or have any other questions, please contact me as I’d love to help you with this amazing profession.
