Continuing the theme of “the professional nanny”, today I’m sharing 5 Things You Should Never Fudge On Your Nanny Resume. Because, I’m telling you, I get it. Landing a job can be tough sometimes, especially if you’re looking mid season after all the positions have been filled. You need to pay your bills, you’re missing the kiddie interactions and worried about having too much of an unexplainable gap on your resume that screams “sketchy”. But I assure you, when it comes to writing your nanny resume, these 5 Things You Won’t Want To Fudge.
5 Things You Should Never Fudge On Your Nanny Resume
1. Don’t stretch your experience with varying ages
Whilst it’s part of the job to be familiar with all ages – in most cases nannies should be knowledgeable from new-born to adolescence – sometimes it just doesn’t happen. Your last three families all had school age kids and the only time you’ve been close to a baby was that time you babysat for a friend? The ‘baby’ was actually two years old and already asleep.
Some circumstances you can’t control. But don’t fudge it into more than it was. If interviewing for a position with a baby, the parents will appreciate your honesty rather than finding out two days into the job you’ve actually got no idea. If you are unsure or inexperienced, it won’t take long for the parents to see through your fumbled attempts at preparing formula and swaddling. Plus, honesty from the get go will probably sell you more than pretend experience will.
2. Don’t pretend to be a domestic house goddess if you’re not
The quickest and easiest way to create problems between you and your employers is failure to perform duties according to expectation. Even if you’re a super nanny and the kids adore you, failure to cover all aspects of the task will cause problems. If your employers expect light housework duties and you’re not doing them, they’ll be debating whether their financial investment is worthwhile. Seeing as there are many different types of nannies and that you should define what type of nanny you are, it’s perfectly acceptable to elect not to undertake these tasks. It’s also reasonable to stipulate your interpretation of “light housework”. Just make sure everyone is on the same page.
3. Don’t talk up your cooking abilities
A solid understanding of healthy eating, meal components and the importance of children’s nutritional guidelines are essential. But not everyone can be a master chef. Especially when you’ve got to multi task. However, if your idea of cooking is microwaved Mac n Cheese, don’t proclaim to be able to cook. Instead push that you’re willing to learn and will readily follow a recipe.
4. Don’t spin stories into happy endings
The interview process is rigorous. Families interview countless applicants and size them up according to individual ideals. So I understand that the need to sell yourself is crucial!
However, don’t pretend you left your last post of three months for positive reasons if they weren’t. Whilst job commitment is highly valued and a random three months raises eyebrows, it’s only natural that not every nanny will fit every family. Explain that you gave it your best shot but that it didn’t “gel”. This shows prospective employers you’re serious about getting it “right” and speaks volumes to your character.
5. Don’t commit long term if you can’t
This last one can have major consequences to your reputation long term. If you’re looking for a career that lets you go to work everyday and enjoy the playground as your office, the nanny job is for you. It’s also a decent interim job between career moves, travels or further studies. I’m sure you’ve realised that flexible hours, fun activities, and a reasonable income are alluring qualities.
Nonetheless if you know you’re going to travel in a few months, or that you’re likely to get bored and move on soon, don’t lead employers on. Committing to a long-term position and then breaking contract will hurt the children, your employers and ultimately your reputation. Instead, maintaining complete transparency with potential employers will be of greater benefit because the nanny community talks!
Are you interviewing for jobs and still waiting for call backs? Email me, I can help.
Are you a parent and not sure where to start with hiring someone to care for your littles?
Email me. I got this!
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For more on the professional nanny, check out these links:
one | So You Want To Be A Nanny two | Sell Yourself: A Killer Resume ‘Bio’ three | Interviewing Tips: Vetting Your Nanny Family four | The Nanny Style: Dress For Success five | 5 Things (You Probably Didn’t Know) About Being A Nanny
Linking up with Essentially Jess for #IBOT
I agree with all the ideas you’ve shared. The key points above are essential especially if you are looking for the best nanny for your kids. For me, I always look at the heart of a person whenever I am looking for nanny for my kids to be in our home.
Whilst I don’t use a nanny the neighbours down the road do. They say it can be quite tricky getting the right dynamic for the family and finding a nanny that thinks of doing little things like picking up the toys when the kids are asleep as opposed to sitting on the couch with a cup of tea and her smart phone.
Sally@Toddlers on Tour recently posted…Travel with Kids – It’s not just about the destination
This is great advice for anyone looking for a job as the bottom line is be clear about what you want and what you can offer and don’t lie (someone usually gets hurt or fired when you do)
Deb @ home life simplified recently posted…The power of the new
Great tips. From a parent’s perspective, I’d much rather honesty than trying to make me happy.
Thanks Jess – yes I complete agree with you. Honesty is always the best policy!
Hope @ Nanny Shecando recently posted…5 Things You Should Never Fudge On Your Nanny Resume
I’m so glad I came across this post. I need to look at hiring a nanny soon. I didn’t know I could get someone that would do housework. That would be amazing. Thank you for the insights.
Denise recently posted…7 things I do when I really don’t feel like writing
Glad it was helpful Denise – yes you can absolutely get a nanny to do some housework! Mainly it’s within the realm of seeing to the needs of the kids i.e. the kids clothes washing, kids dirty dishes, kids cooking etc. But if you get a proactive positive minded nanny, then they’ll usually just combine that of the parents needs within the one task.
Hope @ Nanny Shecando recently posted…5 Things You Should Never Fudge On Your Nanny Resume
Oh how I wish I had access to your blog a few years ago. We decided to hire a full time nanny when my eldest was 3 and my middle just a bub. It was so hard to find and interview one and know what to ask and look for – never mind get a contact organised. Lucky we found a real gem and I was devastated when we had to say goodbye when we moved to Aus.
Glad to hear you were lucky and found a gem. When you get a fantastic person and they make a connection with your family, it really is the hardest thing when you have to leave or move away!
Hope @ Nanny Shecando recently posted…5 Things You Should Never Fudge On Your Nanny Resume
Hold up nannies do housework and cook? Wow I think I need a nanny, but maybe one who works pro-bono because they love my baby because I certainly can’t afford to pay them. I used to babysit as a teenager but I was never expected to do housework or cooking, now I understand why so many people want a nanny.
Toni @ Finding Myself Young recently posted…Mummy Must Have | Pretty Little Closet
Haha Toni – I totally get you! I’d love to be able to do it just for the love – though I really do love my little kids so so so much! It probably is one of the most challenging things to negotiate, the notion that you’re being paid to love their kids and yet after a while you become so attached that you’d still do it even if you weren’t being paid.
Hope @ Nanny Shecando recently posted…5 Things You Should Never Fudge On Your Nanny Resume
What a fascinating insight. I’ve always figured we couldn’t afford to employ a nanny, but the idea of someone helping out with the kids and housework is definitely appealing!
Bec @ Seeing the Lighter Side of Parenting recently posted…Baby born. Baby not on Facebook. Is baby real?
It definitely is something worth considering Bec – especially if you’ve got a few kids as it can work out to be much more affordable than the cost of traditional child care options. You can absolutely find a nanny who’s able and well equipped to keep your household in order – light housework, homework tutoring, and cooking included!
Hope @ Nanny Shecando recently posted…5 Things You Should Never Fudge On Your Nanny Resume
This is such great advice for anyone looking for work as a nanny. Honesty is definitely the possibility with all job interviews, especially when children are involved. It’s important to be realistic with what you’re capable of and I definitely like to tell prospective employers that I’m willing to learn. They love to hear stuff like that 🙂 Hi via #teamIBOT
Renee Wilson recently posted…8 signs you’re more addicted to Frozen than your child
Exactly Renee, showing a willingness to adapt and grow and learn is always an endearing quality. xx
Hope @ Nanny Shecando recently posted…5 Things You Should Never Fudge On Your Nanny Resume
I remember being so worried whether our nanny would cope when I hired her – the twins were only 5 months old and a real handful. The agency that sent her to interview were confident in her abilities tho so I took a leap of faith and she ended up staying nearly 4 years!
Emma Fahy Davis recently posted…Touched Out.
You and your kids were very luck indeed – such a beautiful story!
Hope @ Nanny Shecando recently posted…5 Things You Should Never Fudge On Your Nanny Resume