Do you know how to make your nanny CV stand out? Firstly, it is important to highlight your experience and skill set. However, this isn’t all you have to do in order to stand out. Lots of candidates will have plenty of experience, so how successful you are in standing out from the crowd depends on how you sell yourself. Only YOU have your own unique skills and character, so don’t be afraid to let this shine through in your CV!
Go beyond previous roles
You need to go beyond your experiences in your previous roles. For example, if you have worked with children aged 0-2 years old, don’t just tell them, share the support you provided for both the child and the parents. Did you help potty train the child? Did you help to wean them onto solid foods and create healthy routines? Let them know! A parent’s biggest concern is the happiness and wellbeing of their child, so make sure you show them that this is a priority for you too and you will immediately catch their eye.
Keep it relevant
It’s also important to keep the information on your CV relevant to those reading it – so those skills you learnt during your time as a barista aren’t necessarily the most important. Try to think like a parent; what would you want to see if you had 60 seconds to read a nanny CV to look after your child? This isn’t to say that skills you learnt from jobs outside of your field can’t be useful, but it’s certainly something to consider when listing your work experience.
Presentation is key
Presentation is a crucial part of formatting your nanny CV. You could have 10+ years of experience in childcare, but if the employer can’t make sense of your CV then you will struggle to stand out. Make sure all headings are clear and the same size, the font is nice and easy to read and don’t be afraid to use a splash of colour to really make your CV one of a kind.
The first page
You should also try to ensure that the most important information falls on the top half of your first page, so that it’s the first thing the reader sees and grabs their attention. If this means bumping your school qualifications down a bit, then so be it (unless they’re relevant to the role you’re applying for!). A bonus would be a nice, welcoming, smiley picture of yourself to show your personality. After all, it’s much easier to feel a connection to someone when they’re smiling at you!
Do your research
Finally, to really make your nanny CV stand out: do your research. If the job you are applying for specifies any interests the child has, then specify any interest or experience in the same areas. For example, if the child loves nature and adventure then show on your CV that you love nature and adventure too. The parent(s) priority will be finding the perfect candidate to keep their child happy and healthy, and showing your shared interests can play a huge part in helping you stand out.
2019’s Nanny of the Year, Michelle Cusack, once said “A sole-charge, nanny/housekeeper, 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.”
Though it can be stressful, making your CV stand out is by no means impossible if you go about it in the right way. Personality can be a huge factor in parents selecting the best nanny for their child/children, so use this to your advantage and let your character permeate throughout your CV!
How can Polo & Tweed help?
Are you confident about how to make your nanny CV stand out? Don’t worry, we can help. Our highly experienced recruitment consultants will happily give you tips and feedback on how to make your Cv really stand out. Simply contact us now to get you started.