Job hunting is never a pleasant task, especially in a down economy. The recession has definitely affected us in the Seattle area and we’ve seen a change in not only the amount of jobs but salary levels as well. There are still good jobs to be had, but the competition for them is fierce. So, here are a list of tips to make yourself stand out to potential families:
- Be prompt and be responsive! If a family is taking the time to call you for an interview, call them back right away. If you are going to an interview, arrive early. If you have to cancel, call and email the family. Do not assume they will get your email or your voicemail!
- Be realistic and negotiable! If there are 10 people with equal credientials vying for the same position, it’s not a good idea to be inflexible with regards to salary. We are not saying you should take less than you’re worth, but remember to be open to other types of compensation like paid time off and help with health insurance.
- Make your resume shine! Make sure all your paperwork represents you in the best way possible. Correct grammar and spelling mistakes. These are just not excusable when there is spell check! The old idea that your resume needs to be one page long is not really applicable anymore. Make sure you list ALL of your relevant experience, no matter how far back. It doesn’t matter if a job was 10 years ago and you no longer have a reference, it shows your work history and your professionalism. List your work experience in chronological order with the most recent job first. Make sure you detail out the ages of the children and give a brief summary of your responsibilities.