Why can't I get a nanny/babysitting job?

Question

I am not trying to sound rude or cocky or anything but...I have been on 4 interviews within the past year, and each time the mothers have passed on me. One time it was a scheduling conflict, but the other 3 times, the one mother told me she had chosen someone else, the other two never wrote or called back. I have excellent references, have been working with children all my life and have a few years of documented experience. I am first aid and cpr certified, have all my clearances, have my own car, non-smoker and I am even and early childhood education major in college. I really am getting upset/mad that these mothers (never met the fathers) are not choosing me or not even letting me know why. I always look nice, so I dont think its my physical apperance. I just am really confused on WHY I cant get a decent nanny job. Any help?

Answer 1

I'd hire you, you seen very well qualified and remind me a lot of myself with all your references/backround. I'd say it's just bad luck, the interview doesn't connect well with you or is already set on one person. It's actually happened to me once. I wanted a mother's helper for the Summer of 2004. This first girl i met with was great all around. The second and third were horrible. I was already set on the first one when a fourth contacted me. She would have been the better choice by far, but my mind was already up. I hired the first one and while she was good, i think i would have preferred the last one that contacted me. I ended up meeting with her toward the end of the summer and hiring her the following year. It's unfair, but it happens.
Be very outgoing on interviews. Ask questions. If the children are around, give them a little interest. When i interviewed i always looked for these things. Did they show interest? were they outgoing? Would my kids enjoy being around her? You could have no experience with kids, but if you're responsible, have common sense and my kids adore you, youre an A+ in my book. Sounds to me like you've had just back luck so far. Don't give up.
Best wishes to you and good luck! =] Early childhood education is a lot of fun, hope you enjoy it.

I'd also try babysitters.com and look there. It's free, easy to use and very safe.

Answer 2

Try not to get aggravated or upset. Technically you've only had two people that decided not to call back. The fact that you're making it to the interviews is a good sign.

There could be many unseen factors that played a role in someone not calling you back. Perhaps they were flooded with responses, found someone they felt was more experienced or suitable for the specific position or found another solution like daycare.

As with jobs in any field, you're going to have to go to a lot of interviews before something that fits comes along.

Don't give up. You will find the right and perfect job. Perhaps consider working for a daycare center in the meantime, if you're having a hard time finding something.

Definitely go to a lot more interviews though. You've only gone to a very few, and it takes quite a lot to find something these days.

Answer 3

my children have nannies during the winter months of the year.
when i hire a nanny i look for the obvious things that you have stated above (first aid, experience with other children, references) and i also take into account a couple other things. Maybe you arent hitting the target when it comes to the other things that mothers and any parent look for when hiring someone to be with thier children.
First of all, i have two kids, a preschooler and an infant, so i need someone who is experienced in both ages and who feels they can handle both ages at the same time.
I notice how the person interacts with my kids when they interview, i dont care how much a person has good references or what they are certified in, if they dont talk to my children and my children dont like them its just not going to happen.
Pay rate, and what you charge also comes into play, def not important as anything else, but if you charge a whole lot and also seem a little off somewhere else then you are probably not going to get hired.
Seriously, honestly, from a parents mouth I would just guess the reason you dont get chosen out of the other nannies is that you arent clicking with the mothers you are meeting. You are talking about yourself too much and not asking about thier situation and thier children enough. Maybe you are in too big of a hurry at interviews, or you act like this is just a way for you to make money....
lots of differnt forms of it, but the last thing a parent wants is someone who is going to be less dedicated to their kids than they are. so we will hire the person who seems to enjoy our kids, and thier job, before any one else. even someone with a car and good hair.
good luck to you hope i helped.

Answer 4

O_o Probbaly because you've only been on 4 interviews. It might not have anything to do with you, but the fact that there were others just as, if not more, qualified than you. The job market is a harsh place, and it takes a lot of prospects and interviews to get a few precious job offers.

Answer 5

I would try to offer her the bottle first thing in the morning. I have noticed with both my kids they seem more hungry in the morning so she may not fuss as much in the morning. If it works for a little bit in the morning but starts to fuss just keep offering it each meal for a few minutes especially in the morning. Maybe she will give in. Also what kind of bottle are you using? I noticed with my son he won't take a bottle unless its the Playtex drop ins which I'm guessing its due to the nipple being wider. Worth a try. You can buy individual of these bottles to see if it works before you invest in a bunch of bottles the baby won't take.

Answer 6

often its just that you dont meet the families requirements - every family look for different things, some are weird (believe me) - but at the end of the day you have to respect the family decision - even if they are ultimatley wrong.
just be yourself and represent the best side of you as possible, whilst remaining honest and open and you will find the right family for you.

often fathers dont interview as it is 'a mothers role' in most peoples eyes

Answer 7

4 is nothing. We interviewed 10 daycares before going with one.

Also, do you have them provide health insurance? Not that you shouldnt, but some may choose to go with applicants where they do not need to, such as if its provided by a spouse. Kind of a sad thing (considering all the un-insured) but may be a cost concern of your employer.

Answer 8

First of all, you have to look at your whole presentation and analyze yourself. Is there something you're doing? Saying? Find one of your friends' mother who has smaller kids and ask her if she'll do some mock-interviews with you. Maybe she can tell you some things to work on.

Take a sales class. It seems like you have all the skills necessary, so maybe you're just not selling yourself to these mothers properly. There's actually a audiobook on iTunes called "How to Not Suck at Sales" by Jeffrey Gitomer. It's like $15 I think. It will tell you how to present yourself better to potential clients.

Lastly, just as an afterthought ... what do you look like? I know it sucks, and is totally superficial, but if you're really attractive, maybe the mothers feel threatened by you.

It sounds like you're a college student. That means that you're a younger woman who is attractive and applying to be their baby-sitter. How many baby-sitter/husband stories do we hear about these days?

Just a thought ...

Answer 9

I would ask them for feedback on your interview skills. If not, utilize your college to do some mock interviews for feedback.

I am a hiring manager for a large corporation, and some of the deal breakers for me are:
1. providing general statements and not specific examples
2. negativity towards peers, bosses, customers, etc
3. inappropriate dress (too tight, too revealing, too casual)
4. lack of personality (no smile, monotone)
5. patchy work history (been fired, large spaces between employment, etc)

Answer 10

You`ve just been unlucky so far, and you said 2 mothers didn`t reply, so out of 4 you had 2 ignorant ones. Keep trying, something will come your way. They weren`t obviously meant for you.