Are you thinking of applying for a new role? Have seen a role with an agency which you would like to apply for?
How would you stand out from other nannies who are applying?
Read on and follow a few simple steps, which could push you to the top of the list.
1. Ensure you meet all the requirements for the role; adverts tend to have the days, experience and qualifications required. Ensure all of your certificates are in date, prior to applying and you hold an Enhanced DBS on the government yearly update service.
2. Use your full name on your CV, not your nickname. This is something you can discuss if you are successful and attend an interview with the client.
3. Do not display your date of birth, your religion or include a photo on your CV. An employer does not need to know this information and if they do, this could be seen as discriminatory. Note: An employer may need your date of birth at a later stage, to finalise payroll and to run a check on the government update service.
4. Ensure you use a clear and legible font and text size throughout your entire CV. If you would like to personalise your CV, use just two fonts. Size 10 or 11 is clear to read but professional. Think about the text colour too.
5. Use a clear layout;
a. Start with your first and surname
b. Your location; City & county ie. Guildford, Surrey or Reading, Berkshire.
c. Personal profile; A little bit about you, your experience and your personality. Try to keep this short and precise.
d. Key Skills: If you are Enhanced DBS checked (on the government update service), mention this in a bullet point underneath.
e. Key Skills: If you hold nanny insurance, mention this in a bullet point underneath.
f. Qualifications: Include your 12hr Paediatric First Aid, OFSTED registration, Childcare Qualifications, if you have any SEN training (Special Educational Needs) or any other recent and relevant CPD, such as 0-2 Training, Food Hygiene, Behaviour Management. Include any A Levels or GCSE’s obtained, in chronological order (recent first).
g. Work History: Chronological order (recent first). Include your previous employers family surname (Green Family), month and year you were employed (May 2019 – May 2020) and a brief description of your role; Sole Charge Nanny/ Shared-Care Nanny/ Mothers Help / Proxy Parenting / Temporary / Permanent, the ages of the child(ren), your day to day routine including any nursery duties you completed regularly and finally, your reason for leaving the role.
h. Hobbies/Interests: List these and think of how these might relate to the role you are applying for ie. Outdoor Walks, Baking, Sewing & Crochet.
i. References: An agency will ask for these at your face to face interview or prior to completing registration. Little Steps Nanny and Events Agency uses Safer Recruitment guidelines and only accepts references recieved in a written format, from your most recent employers. We send across our form to your previous employers. Please ensure you have gained your previous employers permission to share their contact details with Little Steps Nanny and Events Agency; Their full name, email address, home address and contact number(s). Little Steps Nanny and Events Agency will obtain a minimum of 2 previous references in a written format, to complete your registration.
6. Read. Read and re-read again. Ask someone to have a look over your CV before you send it across to an agency, to ensure your spelling and grammar is correct. Remember to use spell-check on your computer too. Have a think about: There, They're, Their, There.
7. Little Steps Nanny and Events Agency recommends your CV is 3 pages max.
8. Remember to keep your CV up to date. This will save you time in the long run.
*This blog has been written by Little Steps Agency and whilst every effort has been made to ensure that the information included in this article is accurate at the point of release, this should not be relied upon as legal advice.