As the search for child care opportunities moves to a modern, virtual experience, it’s normal to have questions about the usefulness of online search tools. The benefits are certainly there. Rather than working through an agency, Sittercity allows sitters to take full ownership of their job search and do it on their own time. And in a world where most of our communications are stored right at our fingertips, sitters can enjoy the convenience of keeping this process organized within their Sittercity account.
While many sitters already have experience securing flexible opportunities through their online profile, there are a few things to keep in mind during the process.
Keep Your Profile Up-to-Date
Many sitters periodically return to Sittercity to find new opportunities. When this occurs, it’s important to review the details you have drafted in your bio, and the validity of your certifications. Remember— profile is like your resume. Keeping your profile fresh will give families the most accurate information about you and show them that you value your career.
Review Job Details Before Applying
Review each job listing carefully before applying or responding to families who reach out to you. To avoid wasting your (or the family’s) time, make sure to ask any relevant questions that could ultimately affect your interest in the position.
Sometimes, families will browse profiles and reach out to sitters individually rather than posting a job. When this happens, it’s a great time to ask questions about the job details.
If something looks too good to be true in a job listing (like a high hourly rate), or if the content is a violation of our Community Inclusion Policy, please reach out to our team.
Diversify Your Applications
The age-old proverb is right: don’t put all of your eggs in one basket. Since new jobs are posted every day, the best way to obtain a job from a family on Sittercity is to apply for as many jobs as possible. Though we know the process can feel tedious, the more jobs you apply for, the better chance you have at receiving a response. Need extra guidance in drafting your first message? Read some of our sitter application tips.
Practice Internet Safety
The trust and safety of the Sittercity community is our top priority. Though we have methods in place to identify and remove scam accounts and bad actors from the site, it’s important to practice basic internet safety when communicating with individuals online.
We encourage all of our members to keep communications on the platform even after a relationship is developed. By keeping all communications on the Sittercity platform, and by looking out for suspicious parent requests, you’ll help protect yourself from potential scam activity.
Manage Interview Requests
Sittercity offers a Request to Interview feature to help our families and sitters better manage their respective schedules. When a family is interested in scheduling a phone or in-person interview with you, you’ll receive a notification to your personal email. Once you receive a request, you’ll have 24 hours to review the job details, and action on the request within the “Bookings” tab on your sitter dashboard.
While you may feel pressure to meet with a family, it is ultimately up to you to decide whether or not the job details match the type of work you’re looking for. You can always decline an interview if it doesn’t seem like a good fit!
Read more about acing your next interview.
Run Online Background Checks
One important step in your online job search is the expectation of a current background check results posted to your sitter profile. While this type of screening is not required for sitters to seek opportunities on Sittercity, we do recommend that you run a new background check every three months. Families prefer communicating with sitters who are proactive about safety, and having one on file can really expedite the entire interview process.
Remember to Communicate
Once your application is submitted, it’s up to the parent to reach out to the sitter that best fits their needs. When a conversation is initiated, families expect their applicants to be prompt and communicative. Keeping an eye on your notifications and responding to all messages within 24 hours will indicate to families that you are serious about their needs, and will keep you from missing out on your next great opportunity. Remember—“ghosting” only hurts you and the rest of the sitter community, so it’s important to remain as communicative as possible during your search.
We’re so happy to have you as a part of the Sittercity community, and are here to help in any way we can. Please feel free to reach out to our Customer Success Team if you have any additional questions about how to use Sittercity to find your next sitter job.
