How to write a brilliant Nanny CV
Includes Free Nanny CV Example!
Struggling to write your nanny CV? We’re here to help! A CV is effectively an employer’s first impression of you and we’ll show you how to make it a brilliant one. We also have a free download of a Nanny CV example for you at the end.
10 Nanny CV Tips to get you started:
1. Keep your CV 1-2 Pages
Keep your CV to two pages maximum – nanny employers are busy people and may be reviewing several other CVs. A CV should be a snapshot summary of your skills and experience. Remember you will have the opportunity to discuss everything in more detail with the parents or carers during interviews.
2. Research the job role
Try to find out as much as you can about the job you are applying for. You may need to call the agency, job advertiser or the parent to have a chat about what they are looking for in a nanny. This will help you sell all your skills, qualifications and experience which relate to that specific job post.
“A sole-charge, nanny /house-keeper, live-in role with travel is very different to a part-time, live-out, shared-care role. Cater your CV towards the age of children you are hoping to work with.”
– Michelle Cusack, Nanny of the Year 2019
3. Include a Personal Summary
Write a brief summary or ‘personal profile’ at the beginning of your CV to introduce yourself. This can include your background, how many years experience you have, what type of nanny you are and what you’re passionate about. You can also include a hobbies and interests section covering what you like to do when you’re off the clock to add that extra personal touch.
“I like to add a little paragraph about myself, including things like hobbies and general life experiences, this gives the employer an idea of what you are like as a person.”
– Felicity Hinchliffe, Norland Nanny
4. Your Education and Certification
As a professional childcare provider, its’ vital to demonstrate you have the appropriate training and certification in place such as DBS Checks and childcare safety training e.g CPR and First Aid. For education, list the education provider such as school/college/university, the dates studied and what qualifications you completed with grades.
5. Childcare Experience and Employment History
Use this section to highlight your most relevant childcare experience. You can outline your duties in more detail for your most recent or longer-term positions and keep it brief for older or shorter roles. Don’t forget to add location, dates and the ages of children when you started. You can then bullet point your key duties. If you have a gap in your employment history, you can state what you did such as ‘Travel Gap Year’ listing the countries you visited and the duration of your travel e.g. September 2020 – September 2021.
6. Mention your achievements
As well as daily duties, mention some of your key achievements. Did you support with sleep training a newborn, transitioning children between nursery and school settings, teach your charges how to swim or play an instrument, provide additional tutoring or homework support? This can be an opportunity to impress the parents and stand out amongst other applicants.
8. What makes you tick?
A nanny is a very personal form of childcare so don’t be afraid to inject some personality. For example, what types of activities have you enjoyed planning for your charges? If you like cooking, do you have a signature dish? What is your preferred pedagogical approach? Try to demonstrate what type of nanny you are.
“While some parents would love you to be outside with the children everyday and expose them to managed risks (i.e. climbing trees, picking berries, skateboarding) others would not; just as some nannies would love these activities and others would not. Try to demonstrate what type of nanny you are.”
– Michelle Cusack, Nanny of the Year 2019
9. Be 100% Honest
Be truthful with yourself about what type of job you are looking for and your capabilities. Your claims will need to be backed up with certificates, references and examples that you can mention if you secure an interview. It’s also common for jobs to have a trial period to test out your skills.
10. Your References
It’s best to have 2 references but be wary that the employer must consent to having their details on your CV as a method of personal data protection. If you are applying for a job through an agency they may contact your referees before your CV is passed onto an employer. The prospective employer will then be given the reference contact details following a successful first interview.
“I’ve always included 2 references at the bottom, with the parents name, number and email address – with their permission. This saves time and shows the family you’re interviewing for that you’re happy for them to contact your reference at their own convenience.”
– Felicity Hinchliffe, Norland Nanny
Free Nanny CV Example – PDF Download
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