8 Ways to Make a Great First Impression

Making a good impression is essential to landing the nanny job that you want. In a competitive job market being well-prepared for your nanny interview can mean the difference between getting the job offer and not. In addition to being prepared to answer questions about your childcare philosophy and nanny experience, there are a few other things you can do to make yourself standout as the best candidate for the position.

1. Show up on time. When it comes to working as a nanny, the importance of being punctual can’t be overstated. If the nanny arrives late, the parents will likely run late too.  Leave yourself enough time to arrive a few minutes early. If you are unsure of where you are going, do a trial run the day before.
2. Dress for the job. Toss your suit to the side and pull out your best pair or pressed khakis and a flattering polo or knit top to wear to your nanny interview. Dress comfortably, casually and conservatively to send the message that you’re prepared to get on the floor and play with the kids.
3. Be well-groomed. Take inventory of your appearance before heading out the door. Be sure that your hair is away from your face, your nails are clean and your clothes aren’t wrinkled. Avoid heavy makeup and strong perfumes.
4. Bring a resume. Bring an updated resume with you to your interview. A simple two page printout that includes your contact information, a personal statement and profile, a photo, your skills and qualification, short overviews of your previous nanny positions and your reference contact information, along with a quote attributed to each reference from any letters of reference you may have will help you to stand out. Be sure to check your resume for spelling, grammar and formatting errors.
5. Have current CPR and first aid certification. Show that you are prepared to handle an injury or emergency by keeping your CPR and first aid certification current and by showing proof of your certification.
6. Be polite.  Be sure to be friendly and use your manners. Parents want their children to be polite and well-mannered and they’ll be looking for a caregiver that can model and instill these in these virtues in their children.
7. Interact with the children. If the children are present, make an effort to engage them. Offer to hold the baby, read a book to a toddler or have a tea-party with a preschooler. Parents want to know that you’re able to connect with their kids.
8. Show interest in the position. Be enthusiastic about the opportunity to work for the family. Look the parents in the eyes when you speak, talk about why you love working with children and share what made you decide to become a nanny. Prior to leaving the interview, let the family know you are interested in the position and if the parents have requested additional materials be sure to fulfill their request promptly.

While most interviewees fail to send a thank you card after the nanny interview, we encourage all Morningside Nannies to send a thank you note. Sending a thank you note either by email or postal mail keeps you fresh in the parents’ mind, provides you with the opportunity to share any additional information you’d like the parents to consider and reiterates your interest in their position.

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