How to Write a Nannying CV

Writing a CV is often the first step in applying for a job. If you have worked as a nanny before, you should ensure you include the relevant information and skills you have developed on your CV. If not, you should think about how your work history, education or personal life have given you the right skills to excel as a nanny. Your CV should meet the requirements of the nanny job description and include your experiences that have helped to shape you into an ideal candidate for a nanny position.

The nanny employment experts at Nannies Matter have produced the following guide on writing a nanny CV to help you understand what you should include and how to sell yourself as the best candidate for the role you want.

CV structure and cover letters

To write a great nanny CV, you must first understand what a CV should contain and how to structure the information. A CV should present a succinct breakdown of your skills and experience and should be tailored to specific job roles, so focus on the most relevant information to the job role you are applying for. The best CVs are limited to two A4 pages in length, which may require you to cut down your work experience into a digestible format for employers to read.

A cover letter should accompany a CV. This is a document that will allow you to sell yourself as a candidate in a longer format. The letter should be limited to one page or shorter, structured like a formal letter, and written in a direct and readable way that responds to the specifications of the job listing.

There is no one ideal way to write a CV and cover letter as their effectiveness will often depend on an employer's preferences. Some employers prefer information presented in a simple and regimented way, while others may prefer more creative looking CVs that use colours or images to catch the eye, although it is better to lean towards the former when applying for professional services roles. There are many online templates available for use when constructing CVs and cover letters, and you should try to assess your employer's preferences before choosing one. You should look for CV and cover letter templates that are specifically tailored to nannying or social care as a general field.

You should detail your professional skills and qualifications as well as your hobbies; some employers prefer to see that you have enriched yourself outside of your profession. This can be especially important to nanny jobs as employers may want to see that a candidate is creative and fun. Discussing hobbies that are relevant to childcare, or that are relevant to the interests of children, can make you considerably more employable and may be just as important as having the right nanny skills.

What should I include in a nanny CV?

When writing your nanny CV, you should start it as you would any other professional CV. Include your full name and contact details at the top of the CV and the cover letter so employers can get in touch with you. You may also want to mention where you are based, especially if you intend to work as a live-out nanny.

The first section on your CV should be a personal profile. This is a condensed introduction to yourself, your personality and your best qualities as a worker. Here, you should highlight your key attributes and your primary skills with a focus on those that are relevant to childcare, such as a strong organisational ability and positive attitude.

Following this, you should detail your education and work experience. Separate these into two different sections and include as many up-to-date examples as possible that are relevant to the role. If you have a lot of work experience, consider using a mix of recent employment and significant roles from your past that will allow you to talk about pertinent experiences. A significant role may be one that shows you in a positive light, such as working for a prestigious company or taking on a difficult opportunity. The purpose of this section is to show that you are qualified and experienced enough to do the job.

If you do not have much work experience, detail your A level, college and degree-level qualifications, including the full titles of your courses and your results, and the skills you developed during your education that you can now apply to a career in nannying.

After your education, you should discuss your skills. While your qualifications will show that you are able to do the job, this section will set you apart from other candidates and help to establish yourself as an individual who cares about their work.

Some essential skills for nanny duties include:

• Clear communication skills

• Enthusiasm and care for children and their development

• Flexibility

• Organisational skills and timekeeping

• Attention to detail

• Safeguarding

Finally, detail your personal interests and hobbies. Again, you should try to include those that tie in with your skills and the role for which you are applying. For example, artistic hobbies may show that you have great attention to detail and enthusiasm for creativity, which can help to support children in their education. Your employer will want to see that you are a friendly person to be around, especially if you are applying to be a live-in nanny as you will spend lots of time around them and their children and become integrated with their family. However, formality is key to a CV: if your application demonstrates your value as a candidate, you may be invited to an interview and given the chance to show your more of your friendly side.

For more advice on seeking nanny jobs, speak to our team today or browse our vacancies. We can recommend courses for you to take, job roles to apply for and guide you through the entire application process. Call us today on 0800 121 4881 or fill out an online contact form and we will be in touch at a time convenient for you.