Landing your dream nanny job is possible! You know, the one with exactly the pay and work schedule you were hoping for. The one with a family that appreciates all you do. The one you actually look forward to going to when you wake up in the morning. To increase your chances of landing that dream job, however, you need to set yourself apart from the competition. So, how do you do that? The key is to nail the job interview!

The first step in wowing the family over in the job interview is to really prepare. Most candidates just wing the interview. Candidates who “wing it” often appear nervous, unprepared and unprofessional. But when you’ve actually spent some time preparing for the interview, you’ll appear confident and skilled -- two qualities that all families look for in a nanny!

How should I prepare for the interview?

• Think about the types of questions you would ask a prospective nanny if you were the parent (see Potential Interview Questions for Families). Decide your answers to these questions and continually repeat the answers until they roll right off your tongue without hesitation. Practice! Practice! Practice!

• Be prepared to talk about some of your favorite indoor and outdoor activities with kids. If you need ideas, do some internet research. There are a million ideas online. The more specific examples you can offer, the better. And the more creative ideas will leave a lasting impression, which may mean the difference between you or another nanny winning your dream job.

• Be prepared to talk about how you ensure a safe environment for kids. Again, if you need help, check out the internet. Their children’s safety is priority number one, so families want to hear that you are well-educated about safety precautions.

• Create a written list of questions for the family to help you get to know them and learn more about the job (see Potential Interview Questions for Nannies). Take along a folder which includes a pad of

Colorado Nanny

How to Land Your Dream Nanny Job!By Jane Jones, Owner, Colorado Nanny

paper, your prepared questions and a pen for you to take notes.

• Create a portfolio to showcase your prior experience, qualifications and commitment to the job. Nanny portfolios typically include a current resume, degrees and certifications, letters of reference, sample schedules and childcare logs, lists of favorite activities, and photos with the kids. (See portfolio checklist)

What should/shouldn’t I do during the interview?

• Arrive on time or early. Timeliness is crucial in any nanny job. If you’re late to an interview, the family will assume you’ll be late to work. And being late to an interview, pretty much guarantees you won’t get the job. Plan ahead in case you get lost or hit traffic, and give yourself plenty of time.

• Dress conservatively in a casual yet nice outfit that shows you care about making a good impres-sion. You might consider a nice top and pair of pants or a simple dress or skirt outfit. There is no need to get very dressed up since your job will require casual attire but your efforts to look well put together show the family your interest in the position.

• Minimize or eliminate perfume, heavy make-up and jewelry.

• Don’t chew gum.

• If the children are present during the interview, be sure to interact with them, even if only for a few minutes. Asking the children simple questions such as their age and grade is a great way to start communication with the kids and will show the parents that you have a sincere desire to build a relationship with their children. Be sure to get down on the kids’ level and make eye contact.

• Don’t forget to ask the family your prepared questions. One question you’ll want to be sure to ask is what the expectations are for the nanny. Knowing what the parent expects will help you to better determine if this is your dream nanny job and the parents will appreciate your open line of commu-nication and your willingness to listen to their needs and wants. Don’t forget to take notes. This shows your organization and interest in their information.

• Share your love of children. Parents want to know that you will love their kids as much as they do, so make sure to share with the parents when and how you decided the nanny job was the perfect job for you. Parents enjoy hearing and knowing that you have a true desire to work with kids and will take care of them to the best of their ability.

• Don’t ask questions about compensation and benefits unless the subject is brought up by the family.

• If a family asks you any question that you are not comfortable answering on the spot, tell them that you’d like to give the question further thought and will follow up with them after the interview.

• Remember to thank the parents for taking the time to interview you. If you are interested in their position, show you enthusiasm and hopes of hearing from them.

What should I do after the interview?

• Send a thank you note (see sample thank you). This will really make a good impression since, unfortunately, not many people do so. A hand-written note is the best. An e-mail is acceptable. A text should be a last resort. Be sure to put some thought into the thank you and mention what you like about the job.

There is more competition for nanny jobs these days (especially great jobs), so in order to make that job yours, you really need to stand out from the competition. If you practice interview questions, put together a creative portfolio, write a thoughtful thank you note and, most importantly, convey your love of kids, you’ll be the one chosen for that perfect job!

Landing your dream nanny job is possible! You know, the one with exactly the pay and work schedule you were hoping for. The one with a family that appreciates all you do. The one you actually look forward to going to when you wake up in the morning. To increase your chances of landing that dream job, however, you need to set yourself apart from the competition. So, how do you do that? The key is to nail the job interview!

The first step in wowing the family over in the job interview is to really prepare. Most candidates just wing the interview. Candidates who “wing it” often appear nervous, unprepared and unprofessional. But when you’ve actually spent some time preparing for the interview, you’ll appear confident and skilled -- two qualities that all families look for in a nanny!

How should I prepare for the interview?

• Think about the types of questions you would ask a prospective nanny if you were the parent (see Potential Interview Questions for Families). Decide your answers to these questions and continually repeat the answers until they roll right off your tongue without hesitation. Practice! Practice! Practice!

• Be prepared to talk about some of your favorite indoor and outdoor activities with kids. If you need ideas, do some internet research. There are a million ideas online. The more specific examples you can offer, the better. And the more creative ideas will leave a lasting impression, which may mean the difference between you or another nanny winning your dream job.

• Be prepared to talk about how you ensure a safe environment for kids. Again, if you need help, check out the internet. Their children’s safety is priority number one, so families want to hear that you are well-educated about safety precautions.

• Create a written list of questions for the family to help you get to know them and learn more about the job (see Potential Interview Questions for Nannies). Take along a folder which includes a pad of

paper, your prepared questions and a pen for you to take notes.

• Create a portfolio to showcase your prior experience, qualifications and commitment to the job. Nanny portfolios typically include a current resume, degrees and certifications, letters of reference, sample schedules and childcare logs, lists of favorite activities, and photos with the kids. (See portfolio checklist)

What should/shouldn’t I do during the interview?

• Arrive on time or early. Timeliness is crucial in any nanny job. If you’re late to an interview, the family will assume you’ll be late to work. And being late to an interview, pretty much guarantees you won’t get the job. Plan ahead in case you get lost or hit traffic, and give yourself plenty of time.

• Dress conservatively in a casual yet nice outfit that shows you care about making a good impres-sion. You might consider a nice top and pair of pants or a simple dress or skirt outfit. There is no need to get very dressed up since your job will require casual attire but your efforts to look well put together show the family your interest in the position.

• Minimize or eliminate perfume, heavy make-up and jewelry.

• Don’t chew gum.

• If the children are present during the interview, be sure to interact with them, even if only for a few minutes. Asking the children simple questions such as their age and grade is a great way to start communication with the kids and will show the parents that you have a sincere desire to build a relationship with their children. Be sure to get down on the kids’ level and make eye contact.

• Don’t forget to ask the family your prepared questions. One question you’ll want to be sure to ask is what the expectations are for the nanny. Knowing what the parent expects will help you to better determine if this is your dream nanny job and the parents will appreciate your open line of commu-nication and your willingness to listen to their needs and wants. Don’t forget to take notes. This shows your organization and interest in their information.

• Share your love of children. Parents want to know that you will love their kids as much as they do, so make sure to share with the parents when and how you decided the nanny job was the perfect job for you. Parents enjoy hearing and knowing that you have a true desire to work with kids and will take care of them to the best of their ability.

• Don’t ask questions about compensation and benefits unless the subject is brought up by the family.

• If a family asks you any question that you are not comfortable answering on the spot, tell them that you’d like to give the question further thought and will follow up with them after the interview.

• Remember to thank the parents for taking the time to interview you. If you are interested in their position, show you enthusiasm and hopes of hearing from them.

What should I do after the interview?

• Send a thank you note (see sample thank you). This will really make a good impression since, unfortunately, not many people do so. A hand-written note is the best. An e-mail is acceptable. A text should be a last resort. Be sure to put some thought into the thank you and mention what you like about the job.

There is more competition for nanny jobs these days (especially great jobs), so in order to make that job yours, you really need to stand out from the competition. If you practice interview questions, put together a creative portfolio, write a thoughtful thank you note and, most importantly, convey your love of kids, you’ll be the one chosen for that perfect job!

Landing your dream nanny job is possible! You know, the one with exactly the pay and work schedule you were hoping for. The one with a family that appreciates all you do. The one you actually look forward to going to when you wake up in the morning. To increase your chances of landing that dream job, however, you need to set yourself apart from the competition. So, how do you do that? The key is to nail the job interview!

The first step in wowing the family over in the job interview is to really prepare. Most candidates just wing the interview. Candidates who “wing it” often appear nervous, unprepared and unprofessional. But when you’ve actually spent some time preparing for the interview, you’ll appear confident and skilled -- two qualities that all families look for in a nanny!

How should I prepare for the interview?

• Think about the types of questions you would ask a prospective nanny if you were the parent (see Potential Interview Questions for Families). Decide your answers to these questions and continually repeat the answers until they roll right off your tongue without hesitation. Practice! Practice! Practice!

• Be prepared to talk about some of your favorite indoor and outdoor activities with kids. If you need ideas, do some internet research. There are a million ideas online. The more specific examples you can offer, the better. And the more creative ideas will leave a lasting impression, which may mean the difference between you or another nanny winning your dream job.

• Be prepared to talk about how you ensure a safe environment for kids. Again, if you need help, check out the internet. Their children’s safety is priority number one, so families want to hear that you are well-educated about safety precautions.

• Create a written list of questions for the family to help you get to know them and learn more about the job (see Potential Interview Questions for Nannies). Take along a folder which includes a pad of

Contact Colorado Nanny Today!15530 E Broncos Parkway, Ste 380

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Phone: 303.400.6667 | Fax: 303.586.6217 | Email: jane@coloradonanny.com

paper, your prepared questions and a pen for you to take notes.

• Create a portfolio to showcase your prior experience, qualifications and commitment to the job. Nanny portfolios typically include a current resume, degrees and certifications, letters of reference, sample schedules and childcare logs, lists of favorite activities, and photos with the kids. (See portfolio checklist)

What should/shouldn’t I do during the interview?

• Arrive on time or early. Timeliness is crucial in any nanny job. If you’re late to an interview, the family will assume you’ll be late to work. And being late to an interview, pretty much guarantees you won’t get the job. Plan ahead in case you get lost or hit traffic, and give yourself plenty of time.

• Dress conservatively in a casual yet nice outfit that shows you care about making a good impres-sion. You might consider a nice top and pair of pants or a simple dress or skirt outfit. There is no need to get very dressed up since your job will require casual attire but your efforts to look well put together show the family your interest in the position.

• Minimize or eliminate perfume, heavy make-up and jewelry.

• Don’t chew gum.

• If the children are present during the interview, be sure to interact with them, even if only for a few minutes. Asking the children simple questions such as their age and grade is a great way to start communication with the kids and will show the parents that you have a sincere desire to build a relationship with their children. Be sure to get down on the kids’ level and make eye contact.

• Don’t forget to ask the family your prepared questions. One question you’ll want to be sure to ask is what the expectations are for the nanny. Knowing what the parent expects will help you to better determine if this is your dream nanny job and the parents will appreciate your open line of commu-nication and your willingness to listen to their needs and wants. Don’t forget to take notes. This shows your organization and interest in their information.

• Share your love of children. Parents want to know that you will love their kids as much as they do, so make sure to share with the parents when and how you decided the nanny job was the perfect job for you. Parents enjoy hearing and knowing that you have a true desire to work with kids and will take care of them to the best of their ability.

• Don’t ask questions about compensation and benefits unless the subject is brought up by the family.

• If a family asks you any question that you are not comfortable answering on the spot, tell them that you’d like to give the question further thought and will follow up with them after the interview.

• Remember to thank the parents for taking the time to interview you. If you are interested in their position, show you enthusiasm and hopes of hearing from them.

What should I do after the interview?

• Send a thank you note (see sample thank you). This will really make a good impression since, unfortunately, not many people do so. A hand-written note is the best. An e-mail is acceptable. A text should be a last resort. Be sure to put some thought into the thank you and mention what you like about the job.

There is more competition for nanny jobs these days (especially great jobs), so in order to make that job yours, you really need to stand out from the competition. If you practice interview questions, put together a creative portfolio, write a thoughtful thank you note and, most importantly, convey your love of kids, you’ll be the one chosen for that perfect job!