Why is it so difficult?
Even stay-at-home parents address babysitter’s or nanny’s services from time to time. And, moms and dads, who have a full-time job to support their families, are definitely in desperate need of one. Besides, this job has no location limits, as well as minor age ones, as even teens may start babysitting as their part-time job. Basically, everyone who’s keen on spending time around children and knows how to take proper care of them may take up the job once the parents of a child make sure that the person is trustworthy enough to leave their child with. Even having a specialized education or first aid training are rather benefits or advantages, but not obligatory employment conditions. There should be no problems with finding a job as a babysitter then. Unfortunately, that’s not the case.
The matter is that some people are scared of leaving their kids with a person they’ve never met before, so they try to find a babysitter among their close friends or family members. They’re frightened by numerous horrible examples of unprofessional babysitters’ behavior. And, they definitely don’t want something to happen with their precious child while a babysitter, who’s at least supposed to ensure child’s safety, minds her own business during the work time. That’s why parents prefer seeking references from other parent they know and usually end up hiring a babysitter the latter have before or even currently. When that may be a little bit more calming for them, they definitely limit their choice. They may miss out on finding a highly professional and experienced babysitter, who lives just around the corner and is aware of the most advanced methods of child upbringing and development.
And, this approach definitely limits the babysitter’s opportunities, especially of those, who’re new to the market and are willing to be hired as someone’s nanny for the first time. Experienced nannies might have trouble finding a job due to that factor as well. The power of recommendations is quite strong, but sooner or later the circle of friends and familiar families, which need someone to look after their kids, is narrowing down. To parents deep regret (or happiness), kids grow up and become old and independent enough to leave them at home without someone’s surveillance. Eventually, they even get a car to drive themselves to school or other after-class activities they attend. And, at this point, they’re definitely supposed to do their homework on their own. Unless, of course, teenagers need the tutor’s help to get through the subject they’re not quite good at or to get ready for the school finals. But that’s a totally different story.
Those of you, who’re really trying to be competitive on the market of babysitter’s services and find a decent job, have to meet certain professional requirements. Those include being able to communicate with children, discipline them, take care of infants and newborns, be able to arrange various entertaining and educational activities to encourage the child’s mental and physical development, etc. But being good at your job and knowing how to babysit doesn’t help you find one. Untill the target audience is aware of an opportunity to hire you as a babysitter/nanny for their kids. And, no one but you has to tell them about it.
So, if you’re interested in finding a job as a babysitter, follow these steps in order to present yourself on the market of child care services and get the job as soon as possible. Good luck!
Tips to find a job as a babysitter
1. Printed advertisements
Spread the word about yourself in the nearest neighborhoods. You may print your own business cards and leaflets to give them away to parents and families you meet. You may also walk around the neighborhoods, mostly inhabited by families with children, and deliver your ‘advertising materials’ to people’s mailboxes. You may minimize these marketing costs by taking free samples of babysitter’s business cards and pamphlets. Customize them, include your contact information and brief work experience description and print them out on your own.
2. The word of mouth
Asking your friends and family members to see if someone they know needs a babysitter may work as well. Or, you may as your previous and current employers for references. You’ll need their positive feedback during the interview if you find a potential job on your own. Or, they may recommend your babysitting services to one of their parent friends. However, if you rely only on that factor, you’ll never know when the job may come. But the influence of personal communication and references is undeniable, as we’ve already determined above.
3. Babysitting job for teenagers
Babysitting is a great job option for teenagers. So, if you’re 13 or more, you may ask your parents if they wouldn’t mind mentioning the fact that you’re looking for a babysitting job to their friends or co-workers. Most likely, they know a lot of people who have babies or younger children you may take care of after school or on the weekends. Maybe, your classmates and friends have younger siblings. Ask some of them if their parents use or would like to use the babysitter’s services and if they are comfortable with hiring a teenager for this job. Those are probably the easiest ways to find a babysitting job for teenagers. The fact is that people are extremely cautious when it comes to entrusting their child to practically another, but an older child. That’s why personal recommendations and references play the greatest role here.
4. Community institutions
Attend various neighborhood events or celebrations and casually let parents know that you work as a babysitter. Maybe, one of them is just looking for a nanny for his child. Church and community centers may help you find a babysitting job as well. Besides, their recommendations are really valuable, as church won’t advise its members hire an unprofessional or irresponsible babysitter. And, people know that.
5. Babysitting and job search websites
Most people look for different services online these days. It’s much faster and easier than asking their friends and family member for references, finding printed ads in magazines or newspapers, etc. And, Internet provides much wider choice. That’s why those websites will help you out a lot. A lot of people get hired as babysitters through them. You may post an ad or create your own babysitting profile just once.
You may visit HireRush.com and create your own babysitting profile for free. As our clients get an opportunity to call the workers directly from the site, you won’t have to wait for too long until you start receiving responses. A lot of parents will be able to see it when looking for a full-time nanny or occasional babysitter. They will contact you right away if they’re satisfied with the information and references you’ve left on your page. The only thing you should do is to compose that ad wisely. Include the answers to the most common questions people ask while interviewing a babysitter. This will help parents make a choice in your favor.
Create your own babysitting profile here
Besides, you may find parents, who’re already looking for a babysitter and who’ve created their own profiles and included their contact information in it. So, those websites feature babysitting jobs as well. As you’ll see for yourself, it’s the easiest and the most effective way of finding a job as a babysitter. And if you’re determined to find a family to work for, check out one of my previous posts, where I recommend you 6 best websites to find a babysitting job on. Don’t entrust anyone to make the employment choices for you. Be the one, who is in charge of his own career and income.
