Spring Edition 2010

Here are some common misperceptions about the infamous candidate application:

1. The agency will see what a great nanny I am when they meet me so my application is less important OR I am a great nanny and not a great writer - families are looking for a great caregiver not an aspiring journalist.

2. I am back on the job market and my application is a few years old but nothing much has changed so I really don't need to update it (besides, it's too much effort).

3. The picture I uploaded will be fine; it's the only one I have handy (even though it has me with alcohol in my hand, someone else cut out next to me, was taken at Glamour Shots, etc).

Some of you are not laughing and are asking, "Well, what's wrong with that?"  MBF has placement counselors and staffing specialists on hand to help assist you in how to put your best foot forward and package your experience in a way that fully demonstrates the extensive knowledge and experience you would bring to a position. However, we are a partner in the process..with YOU.You also have to be willing to invest the time and effort needed into your job search to find the right position.

Families are not even willing to grant an interview to those candidates whose applications are not, on paper, very impressive. In this current economic climate, many families are trying the "do it yourself" methods of an online listing service verses a full service nanny placement agency.These subscriptions do not yield candidates that have been screened but simply a database of hundreds of caregivers available in their area. 

How will you distinguish yourself among the hundreds of others in your area desperate to find employment right now? It is critical to be able to know how to market yourself, your talents and skills, and what sets you apart. Recently, one of our nannies was asking for a slightly higher hourly rate from a potential employer than that employer really wanted to pay. Finally, the potential employer placed the burden on this nanny and asked her to persuade the client of the value of what the nanny was offering. This nanny, very proactive and professional, put together a Power Point presentation in which she clearly articulated her value and the cost savings the family would realize in hiring her. She is a nanny who has distinguished herself in the mind of that client.Small things can make a big impression, like a hand written thank you note following an interview.

Families read many pieces of the candidate application word for word, so keep this in mind as you formulate your answers. Be thorough and use correct grammar, spelling and punctuation, complete sentences, etc. Review your application regularly and update as needed so it stays current (this goes for temp nannies too who have worked for MBF a long time - we are still sending your bios out regularly to families you will be sitting for). Use a professional looking picture that represents you well. And as a side note, make sure that any social networking pages have "appropriate content" or are marked as "private". 

We have the opportunity to represent great nannies and have developed a reputation among great client families for this top notch level of caregiver we maintain through our rigorous screening. We are here to help and support you and look forward to continuing our partnership with you to help place you in great jobs with great families!

Kathy Dupuy