What Do I Need A Résumé For?

            Top three reasons why you need a résumé:

·         Being a nanny is serious work, and you need to communicate that you take it seriously.

·         To leave a positive impression. Back up that impression with something in writing.

·         A resume automatically positions you head-and-shoulders above those who submit nothing.

Consider those reasons for a moment, then apply them to any other profession: retail worker, receptionist, sales representative, or manager, just to name a few.  Those top three reasons apply to everyone targeting a professional position.  So nannies have more commonalities with “traditional” employees, as opposed to differences.

Show that you take your work seriously.  Your resume should communicate the maximum number of positive points about you.  Did you work for a family for years?  Did you care for many children at once?  Did you perform additional responsibilities above and beyond caring for the children?  And those are just a few of the professional assets to present on a resume.

Leave a positive impression – in writing.  Most clients would indicate they’re looking for the perfect nanny to come into their private homes and care for the most precious people in their lives, their children.  And clients will likely interview several, if not many, candidates.  Submitting a resume strengthens what they remember from your interview, so they’re less likely to confuse you with another candidate.

            Place yourself a cut above the competition.  The fact that you submitted a resume demonstrates you’ve given your job, and your profession as a whole, a significant amount of thought.  That concept definitely translates into how much thought and care you will likely give to their children.  So your competition may care about kids, but your resume shows you care more.

            The cliché is true: You never get a second chance to make a first impression.  A quality resume ought to be that first impression.

Contributed by Jewel Bracy DeMaio, CPRW, CEIP, A Perfect Resume.com: http://www.aperfectresume.com.