Crisis managing a diaper blow-out, calming wild toddler temper tantrums, and finding a new nanny position or babysitting job. Caring for kids isn’t always about fun and games!
Finding a job posting that seems like the perfect fit for your personality, experience, and schedule is actually the easy part. The hard part is writing a winning application that helps get you the job.
If you’ve applied to job after job with no responses, you may be wondering if parents are even reading them. Believe us, they are. Remember, finding a nanny or babysitter is just as stressful as finding a job is for you. Keep in mind that parents are crunched for time; that’s why they need you! And finding the perfect person for the job is a whole part-time job in itself.
That’s also why when they receive a stand-out job application, they’re more likely to move that candidate to the top of their list. If you can show upfront why you’re a good fit for working with their children, you’ll be one step ahead of the other applicants.
Whether you’re a college student looking for part-time babysitting jobs or a professional nanny looking for that perfect family to work for, we’ve compiled a few tips for writing a job application that’s more likely to get you hired.
1. Reference Details From the Job Post in Your Application
Read the job posting closely. Does mom mention her cute puggles and want someone with infant CPR certification? If she receives a few stellar applications from sitters who mention they love dogs and have an up-to-date CPR certification, those caregivers will be her top picks.
When you read through a job posting, identify what the parents’ deal-breakers are. Reference how your specific experience applies to those needs. That way, you’re showing how you’re a good fit for not just any job, but their job.
2. Treat Copy & Paste Like the Plague
Personalization is key when writing your babysitter or nanny job applications. It may take longer to write three personalized applications than it is to copy and paste the same application 10 times, but it’s a smarter and more effective way to apply for jobs.
You’ll have much more success if you tailor your application to the job posting. Avoid sending all families the same generic application. You don’t need to copy and paste your bio into your application either. Just include about yourself that’s relevant to that specific job.
Remember, your application is an opportunity to talk about why you’re a good match for this family. If they want to learn more about you, they’ll visit your babysitter profile and review your bio, qualifications, and experience.
3. Show—Don’t Tell—Your Experience
While it’s impressive you have 10 years of childcare experience, the number doesn’t help parents understand all the amazing work you’ve done over that time. Try to make your application read less like a resume and more like a story.
Talk about the different families you’ve worked for and what specific duties your past jobs have included. Did you care for infants? Did you pick the kids up after school and drive them to practice? What about homework help?
Dedicate one or two sentences of your application to explaining how your specific experience is relevant to the job posting.
4. Gracefully Brag About Your Talents and Tricks of the Trade
Parents come to Sittercity because we help connect them with not just any caregiver, but the one who is the truly best match for what their family needs.
Every kid is special and parents are looking for a just-as-special babysitter or nanny. In your application, explain what makes you different from other caregivers. For example, if you know the secret to getting kids to eat their veggies or are particularly talented at explaining mind-boggling geometry problems, let parents know!
And if it relates to what the parents are looking for, feel free to include a moment that made you realize why you love this work. Was it when one of your charges finally tied their shoes on his own? Was the baby’s first word one that you taught them? Any way to show how much joy you get out of your job is a plus.
5. Include Your Go-To Sitter Activities
Parents like to know what kind of caregiver they’ll be hiring. Give them an idea of what a typical day would be with you and their kids.
Describe some of your favorite outdoor or indoor kids activities, routines, or games. Do you like to lead kids in a craft or drawing time with music? What is your favorite book to read before bedtime? Do you teach all your charges your top-secret tooth-brushing dance to make it more fun?
6. Mention When You’re Available
Some job postings don’t mention specifics about the schedule. To help parents see if you’d be a good fit, let them know when you’re generally free to work. We also recommend that you keep your availability calendar as up-to-date as possible.
7. Be Sure to Have a Profile Photo
You could have the best application in the bunch, but families are more drawn to the ones with photos. Don’t sell yourself short by not having a photo—check out our photo guidelines to make sure your winning application is at the top of the pile!
