Are you planning to start your nanny job search soon? Whether you’re looking for your first position, or you’re a veteran nanny, there are always more things you can do to increase your chances of succeeding.
When you’re looking for a nanny position, there are hundreds of routes to go down: different countries, varied job descriptions and children of many ages and cultures. How do you decide which one is the right job for you? Here, we at Polo & Tweed are sharing our top tips on how to get the most from your nanny job search.
First Impressions Count in a Nanny Job Search
Your nanny job search will be far more successful if you make a good first impression! #tips Click To Tweet
One of the most common mistakes we see nannies make is failing to make a good first impression. We see so many CVs where job history isn’t up to date, or the opening line is irrelevant (think ‘I love working with babies’ for a job with an 11 year old child).
Your CV is your ticket to a good first impression with a potential employer. Poorly formatted, messy CVs and cover letters with poor grammar, spelling mistakes and strange graphics make it hard for us to read them, and don’t paint you in a good light.
We want you to succeed in your nanny job search, so even we may look kindly at a poor CV sometimes, but an employer won’t! Ensure that each job application you make is personalised to the position you’re applying for, and you’ll be much more successful in your nanny job search.
Trust a Reputable Agency
Many people choose to use an agency to help with their nanny job search, but ensure you choose a reputable one. Take some simple precautions until you know you can trust your agency, such as meeting them in person and sending documents securely.
If you feel uncomfortable with your agency choice, then have your wits about you when going for job interviews too. If a client wants to interview you in a public place, ask why. As a nanny, you should be getting to know the home environment.
If a job sounds too good to be true, then it may well be. Exercise precautions when using Gumtree, Craigslist, Indeed and other job sites for your nanny job search. If you want a simpler search, use an agency like us, Polo & Tweed, to help you find your next position!
Clarify the Fine Print
When you’re looking for work as a nanny, remember that you are interviewing a family as much as they are interviewing you. Be sure to ask intelligent, thought out questions, as this will show clients that you’re smart, considerate and a well-rounded individual.
A good agency will brief you on the fine print of a role, so you’ll know all about the terms of a contract. However, if there are any grey areas, or things you’re not sure about, be sure to clarify these before accepting a role. A successful nanny job search will lead to a long term role, so don’t sell yourself short.
Learn and Grow
The path to finding your dream nanny job won’t be straight forward. Try to learn and grow through the journey, by taking feedback well and fine tuning your skills in response, rather than taking it personally and having a defensive attitude.
It can be hard to take criticism, but we promise you’ll discover a new level of professionalism and inner peace if you can adjust in response to it.
A nanny job search can be daunting, exciting and challenging all at the same time. Remember to always stay focused and calm, and not take things too personally. Imagine you were hiring a nanny for your own child: not every candidate you meet would work, and the same goes in reverse.
If in doubt, always use a reputable agency and ensure you’re protected in your job search. Polo & Tweed would love to help with your next search, so why not register with us and let us help you find your next dream job?