The Weight of the Wait: What to Do After the Interview
When I started with my current nanny family, I did not fully know what I would be getting myself into with twins and an older sibling. Little did I know, this would become my favorite position ever. As much as I love my job, I was once stuck in limbo with waiting for a callback from my bosses. We’ve all been there, waiting for the time to pass just to hear if we have gotten the job after an interview. It puts a ton of weight on our shoulders. It drains us and keeps us on the edge of our seats. Although the waiting can take its toll emotionally, there are a few things we can do to help the time pass a little easier.
1. Stay Busy
Time always passes by quickly when we’re having fun. Do things you love to detract from the stress of the waiting game! Hang out with your girlfriends, go get your nails done, or get lost inside of a book. You can also do more productive things like cleaning your house or car. If all else fails, get yourself to the computer and head to Pinterest right away! If you’re like me, you’ll love recreating crafts, recipes, outdoor projects, and so much more. It’s sure to keep you busy!
2. Update Your Nanny Portfolio
I’ve always kept a working portfolio to take with me to interviews. If you have not yet created a portfolio, I highly suggest doing so. All of my prospective employers have loved it! What’s a portfolio, you ask? Well, it can be whatever you decide, but mine consists of my educational background, certifications, reference letters, résumé, and a few examples of projects that I have done with previous charges. If you are just getting into the nanny world, it may be more difficult to create a portfolio. In these cases, you can add work experience and letters from families that you have babysat for, along with activities that you may have created with children.
3. Keep Applying
Don’t give up on that job hunt no matter how confident you feel about that job search. The job isn’t yours until the offer is in hand, so keep on applying. There are lots of websites for nannies to search for the perfect new job. I like to use www.enannysource.com, www.nannies4hire.com, www.gonannies.com, www.greataupair.com (also for nannies), and www.care.com. Make a profile that describes yourself as a nanny, and be honest about what you want in terms of job expectations. Being upfront will save you and the family a lot of headache down the road. If you are uncomfortable with creating online profiles, you can apply through an agency. They will match you up with the right family based on their needs and your skills and support you through the application and placement process.
4. Don’t Settle, Get Better!
You should always be striving to be the best nanny you can be. What does that mean? Better yourself by attending early childhood education seminars in your area, renew or get CPR certified, or enroll in some early childhood education classes at a local community college. Continue to grow and be an advocate for your career. You can also join groups and associations that will look amazing on your résumé. Check out the International Nanny Association and National Association for the Education of Young Children for example. You may also be lucky enough to live in an area with a local nanny organization you can join to meet up with other nannies who care about their careers too.
5. Haven’t Gotten That Return Call?
So have a few days passed and you still have not heard anything? I would suggest following up with a simple email or phone call. You can contact the family and state that you enjoyed meeting them at the interview and that you are just checking in. This will let the family know that you are enthusiastic and very interested in the position.
I know it can be super hard while the waiting period passes. In the likelihood that you are not offered the position, stay positive! Even though there are many, many more nannies out there than there are open positions, the one position for you will surely come along. If you continue to apply, update your portfolio, and stay persistent, you are bound to land a position.
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