When preparing your nanny resume, remember that families looking for nannies are interested in creating working relationships built on trust and respect. As a nanny, you are entrusted with the care of a child, and are invited into families’ homes to carry out your duties.
We strongly suggest that you use the Nanny Application instead of a resume since it is much more complete than a resume.
If you do use a resume your resume should clearly illustrate the qualities that make you the nanny a family’s been looking for, while also demonstrating your understanding and respect for other, more subtle aspects of your profession, such as confidentiality.
A good nanny resume will include the following:
- Job experience
Be sure to include the length of time you held each nanny position. While not a requirement, many employers prefer to hire nannies that have worked with the same family for an extended period of time. Also important for employers to know are the ages of the children you worked with and the reason you left the position. It should be clear what your specific responsibilities were at each position, e.g.: infant care for an individual family, activity organization for a summer camp, etc.
- Contact information
You must include your name and phone number, but should refrain from including other types of personal information such as addresses, social security numbers, and other identification numbers such as from a driver’s license. Remember that at the application stage, it is important to protect both your and your potential employer’s privacy—as well as that of your references (more on this below).
- Education
CPR certification and other immediately applicable training—such as a teaching degree—should definitely be included. What surprises some applicants is that many families prefer nannies with well-rounded interests and some higher education, so think twice before omitting that calligraphy class—after all, you may very well spark the talent and interest of a young charge.
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Throughout the process of writing your resume and cover letter you should give due regard to the following:
Personality
Your resume and cover letter should help families have some idea who you are. Are you the taskmaster a family needs to keep their child on-task and up-to-date with school assignments and exams? Or are you the soft heart that brings comfort and diversion to the long lonely hours of the latchkey kid? The better you know and can explain yourself and your abilities, the sooner you will find a family that requires what you have to offer.
Confidentiality
As a nanny, the nature of your work is often very personal, and it is best to show from the beginning that you are capable of holding up your end of the bargain in terms of confidentiality and discretion. Potential employers will regard you more highly if you maintain a polite distance and avoid divulging or asking for a great deal of personal information about yourself or the family.
Your former employers deserve the same respect. When you list a family as a reference, be certain you have their consent before disclosing their personal information such as names and phone numbers. Do not disclose a family’s address.
When you prepare your resume, create two versions, one with your list of references, one without. Alternatively, you may create a separate reference sheet available upon request. This limits the circulation of your references to only the group of families seriously interested in hiring you.
Motivation
Having a nanny job is very often rewarding work with good pay—but nobody said it was easy. Dedicate a portion of your cover letter explaining why you enjoy working with children and chose your profession above others. Understanding why you do the work you do will help families decide if they want to get to know you better. Remember that for most families choosing a nanny is a very personal and individual decision—with your personality and working style being much of what determines a good fit.
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