About

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner

« Nanny Employment Agreement | Main

June 29, 2007

Rewarding Resumes

There are many ways to present your past work history to potential
employers and placement consultants.

As a nanny consultant, I have seen some that were a few written
references - crumpled and coffee stained - passed over my desk, to
a virtual encyclopedia including references, certificates, photo's, dreams
and aspirations, all lovingly mounted and presented. In seven years I had
my agency, I was handed two videos with lengthy resumes, showing
activities with their charges.

Something in between the two extremes is sufficient.

PRESENTATION
A slip page folder works well to present your resume, as you can change
the pages easily as required. Also, references are removed easily for
copying. I have seen a beautiful old style photo album presentation,
which is great if you only go for a job every four to five years, it was
more a memory book than a resume.

When you first sit down to create you 'book' separate the information
into piles of references, certificates and have a pad and pen ready.
Keep one colour, theme or style through the whole book for continuity.
Up date the presentation every two years to keep it fresh.

First comes your title page with your name, this is the place to let your
personality show. Much loved photo's of you with the children, favourite
paintings/ pictures which move you, or just your name in a beautiful
script and border. Any photos you include must present yourself as a
professional, which means you leave out the bikini shot, even if your
charges are in it and you were at work!

Next comes the CV pages. Two pages is sufficient, if you go on for more
than this you can lose readers attention and they miss important information.

Keep in mind parents and consultants will be looking for -

  • The type of childcare experience you have had
    (Ages, specialties, location, commitment etc)
  • Training related to childcare and if it is current.
  • References - temperament, initiative, reliable etc.
  • Interests - Partner commitments/personal life, hobbies,
    your lifestyle outside work, etc.
  • Health Status
  • Samples of activities with families
  • Your future plans

CV CONTENT
Start with your personal details -

  • name
  • age
  • date of birth
  • contacts
  • phone
  • mobile
  • fax
  • email
  • address

Then outline briefly your work and study history over the past ten years,
working back from the present. If the positions listed are not child related,
list the skills you used and learnt which make you a good nanny.

If you have only a few years of work under your belt (or none), start with
the most recent jobs, include study and any activity you have done since
you were 15/16 years old where you demonstrated leadership,
responsibility and initiative.

For each job entry list

  • the month and year of employment start and finish dates
  • Name of Family
  • Age of Children at start date
  • Fulltime / part time/ casual
  • Reason for leaving
  • Reference contact name and number

Once you have all your job info included, then file your qualifications
and certificates.

Start with your First Aid, the Drivers History Report, Blue Card (or equivalent),
Child Development Qualifications and other certificates.

Make sure your folder is clean and in good order.

If you require any assistance in putting together a winning CV, please email marina@tacon.com.au

Posted on June 29, 2007 |

The comments to this entry are closed.