At The Nanny Solution, we review hundreds of nanny applications each week. But, not all of them make it past the first review and we miss out on some great candidates simply because their résumés lack certain key skills.
What are these nanny résumés missing?
Here are the top 10 skills you should always include in your nanny résumé to ensure your application makes it to the next round.
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1. Child Development Knowledge
Understanding child development is essential. Parents and agencies want to see that you know the different stages of growth and can handle these changes effectively. Provide examples of working with toddlers or other age groups on your résumé, emphasizing activities that promote motor skills development. Mention specific tasks like stacking blocks or organizing activities that target gross motor skills.
2. First Aid and CPR Certification
Having an up-to-date first aid and CPR certification is non-negotiable. Many nannies overlook the importance of maintaining current certifications. Just like professionals in other fields, nannies must keep their skills up-to-date. Always include your valid certification dates on your résumé.
3. Communication Skills
Effective communication with both parents and children is an important skill. On your résumé, highlight how you communicate with parents about their child’s day, development, and progress. Mention any regular meetings or daily updates you’ve provided, showcasing your ability to maintain open and clear communication.
4. Patience and Emotional Stability
Working with children can be challenging and stressful. Demonstrating patience and emotional stability is vital. Include examples of how you’ve handled difficult situations on your résumé, such as a child’s meltdown or temper tantrum, in a calm and composed manner.
5. Organizational Skills
While it’s not your job to manage the household, organizational skills are important for arranging children’s activities, keeping track of schedules, and preparing for outings. List tasks like organizing school bags, planning weekly activities, and maintaining the child’s playroom to show your ability to keep things in order.
6. Creativity and Imagination
Being able to keep children entertained and engaged requires creativity and imagination. Use keywords like arts and crafts, storytelling, and imaginative play on your resume. Describe how you’ve turned ordinary objects into exciting toys or activities, such as making a box into a pirate ship or spaceship.
7. Multitasking
Nannies often need to multitask, such as watching children while preparing meals or managing different age groups simultaneously. Highlight your ability to handle multiple tasks smoothly. Examples might include preparing lunch while supervising playtime or putting a baby to bed while entertaining a toddler.
8. Nutrition and Meal Preparation
You don’t need to be a gourmet chef, but understanding nutrition and meal preparation is important. Mention your experience in preparing balanced and healthy meals. If you have experience with specific dietary requirements, such as vegan, vegetarian, or kosher households, be sure to include these details.
9. Problem-Solving Skills
Being able to resolve conflicts, adapt to sudden changes, and think on your feet are important qualities. Use keywords like quick thinker, adaptable, and good at problem solving. Provide examples of how you’ve managed sibling conflicts or dealt with unexpected changes in plans.
10. Flexibility and Adaptability
Every child and family is different, requiring nannies to be flexible and adaptable. Outline how you’ve handled various situations and adjusted to different family dynamics on your résumé. Bullet points might include being flexible with children’s schedules or adapting to changing activity plans.
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