Tag Archives: resume

General Safety Issues

SAFELY FINDING A BABYSITTER WHILE LIVING ABROAD (GUEST POST)

While traveling the world as an expat or living in a location other than your native country, finding a babysitter may be one of those necessities that you can’t live without. Regardless of your location, there is always that sense of safety and trust that needs to be between yourself and your babysitter. Depending on the country you live in, that trust maybe difficult to come by. However, there are many ways you can narrow down your search and find that perfect candidate for babysitting your children.

1. Resume – Although you may not require a detailed resume such as they use while looking for careers, a history of past work and experience from an individual could help you determine if he or she is right for the job. As some younger babysitters may not have an extensive background in childcare, you may not want to disregard those individuals immediately. However, some kind of previous experience is always a bonus when it comes to child development or care.

2. References – It’s always a good idea to contact a candidates references, but keep in mind that these references will usually always give the person a good review. Most of the time a person looking for a job will list references that will give them a good referral. While these referrals may describe the candidate as a shining beacon of virtue, he or she could also be running from the law for grand larceny. It is this reason that many will turn to a thorough background check if it’s available in the country you are currently residing in.

3. Scrutiny – When it comes to your children, you should always scrutinize the past of your prospective employee. Your questions need to be developed in manner than can help you determine if he or she is simply telling you what you want to hear. Construct your questions centered around your own previous experiences with your children and hear how your candidate would handle the same situation. Always assume that someone has prepared themselves for the interview process and has already practiced questions in order to answer them “correctly.” While this may seem like a dim view of humanity, you can’t be too careful when it comes to the welfare of your children.

4. Agency – There are many agencies around the world that will help individuals connect with babysitters and full-time childcare professionals. Normally, these agencies have strict guidelines of their employees. Most of these agencies in the United States will perform background checks on all employees in order to assist in hiring the most perfect childcare professional possible. These kinds of agencies are available in various parts of the world including the European Union. Sites like Babysitting.net focuses on bringing those looking for babysitters and those looking to babysit together in a safe manner.

Finding a babysitter doesn’t have to be a difficult task, but finding one you can trust with 100-percent certainty is. In the United States, you could simply run a background check on the candidate or location in order to quell some of those fears you may have. While other countries provide a similar service, not all of them do. When it comes to your children, you can never be too careful when selecting someone who is going to be with them for long periods of time. 

This article is contributed by Madoline Hatter. Madoline is a freelance writer and blog junkie from ChangeOfAddressForm.com. You can reach her at: m.hatter12 @ gmail. com.

General Safety Issues

FIVE STEPS TO SECURING YOUR FIRST NANNY JOB (GUEST POST)

Editor’s Note:  As it’s almost time for school to begin, many parents may be searching for someone to care for their toddlers.  We receive many good tips from nanny and babysitting blogs that pertain to the care of our children, so from time to time you will learn important information about the care of your child/children.  This particular post is for those who may be considering a change in careers, and what career is more important than to be trusted with the most precious possessions we are blessed with, our children.  pb

Securing a job as a nanny may not be as easy as you may initially think. Perhaps you’ve raised your own children and feel qualified to help others raise theirs, or maybe you’ve been laid off from work and think working as a nanny is a quick way to earn an easy buck.  The reality, however, is that many parents and placement agencies will only work with nannies that have several years of documented childcare experience. So while landing your first job isn’t impossible, it’s definitely going to take a concentrated effort.

So you’d like to secure your first nanny job. Now what?

Step 1.  Gain childcare experience. To be considered as a viable nanny candidate, you must have some prior experience working with children.  If you’ve done limited babysitting, consider expanding your client base and doing more. You could also gain experience by working as a “mother’s helper” or as an au pair. If you are not yet 100% confident in caring for children on your own, consider volunteering as an assistant in your church nursery or preschool, or connect with other organizations that service young children. There you’ll likely have experienced role models to learn from. 

Step 2. Expand your training, knowledge and skills. If you aren’t yet CPR and first aid certified, make getting so a high priority. Consider taking early childhood education courses at your local community college or participating in a distance learning program especially for nannies or childcare workers. Attending conferences geared towards early childhood educators can also help you acquire knowledge and strengthen your skills. Read books on child development, subscribe to parenting magazines and educate yourself on best practices for nannies. Joining a local nanny support group or professional nanny association, like the International Nanny Association, can provide you with nanny specific resources. 

Step 3. Secure letters of reference. As you gain childcare experience, either through volunteering or working, gather letters of reference. Keep a childcare journal and be sure to document the hours that you spend caring for children, along with the dates of care, parents contact information, children’s ages and your specific duties and responsibilities. In addition to childcare related references, secure a written character reference or two from a reputable member of your community that knows you well.

Step 4.  Create a resume and portfolio. Put together a resume that outlines your work history, educational background and child care experience. Include a letter of intent that states why you wish to work as a nanny. In your portfolio, include any certificates that you have earned and letters of reference that you have gathered. You may also wish to include some photos that show you interacting with the children in your care (with their parent’s permission of course), as well as photos of any special projects you and the children have done.

Step 5. Use all available resources. Once you are ready to secure your first nanny position, let the world know. Tell your friends and family members, create a profile on eNannySource.com, contact your local placement agency, and put flyers in places where parents and children frequent. Not every parent will consider hiring a nanny that doesn’t have nanny experience. Cast your nets wide to find the parents that will.

Like with any career, getting your foot in the door is always the hardest part.  Once you secure your first nanny job, provided you excel at it, getting future ones shouldn’t be so hard.

Sent by Martina Keyhill at (http://www.becomeananny.com/blog/5-steps-to-securing-your-first-nanny-job/)