Do you judge any potential nannies on look?

[Anonymous]

Assuming you didn't have 100 applicants, would you avoid responding to applicants (not giving them a chance to interview) that included a picture or told you they were fat? Had tattoos/facial piercings? Are male? Anything?

Or are we all open minded and keep our decisions to what they write and how the resume looks?

[Anonymous]

I think we would all be lying on here if we said we didn't judge nannies on first appearances just as we do anyone else.

Anytime we come into contact with ANY person, in ANY situation, whether we realize it or not, we automatically prejudge them internally in our minds. This is fact.

Regarding nannies, I say that the first thing I notice of course is gender. I much prefer a Female over a Male...If I had an older school-aged son, perhaps if I were a single mother even and wanted a "Big Brother-type" Manny, this would work for me.

Also, age does play a factor. A young, college girl who looks wet behind the ears and inexperienced probably would get passed over by me vs. someone who was a little older, at least in her late 20's.

In photos, I prefer someone who is smiling, who isn't dressed too provocatively (I have seen many nanny photos with girls in low cut tops and have wondered to myself, "What are they thinking??!!") and who doesn't have excessive tattoos, piercings or make-up and punk colored hair. Note: I didn't say any...I said "excessive."

Weight doesn't matter much to me, but someone fit of course would be ideal because as anyone knows, caring for young kids is a busy job.

[Anonymous]

I'll admit I am a reverse-ageist. I do not want any more young (under 40) nannies. I've been burned by their drama and constant texting/phone use and simply am no longer going to even consider them.

[Anonymous]

Of course we judge by looks. Who wants to hire a nanny whose eyes seem dead rather than full of life? Who wants a nanny who sends a picture of themselves scowling rather than one smiling or grinning?

If a nanny told me they were fat, I wouldn't hire them because that's unprofessional to share that type of information in an interview.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'll admit I am a reverse-ageist. I do not want any more young (under 40) nannies. I've been burned by their drama and constant texting/phone use and simply am no longer going to even consider them.

+1 I don't want a young nanny either and definitely judge them on how young they look.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Of course we judge by looks. Who wants to hire a nanny whose eyes seem dead rather than full of life? Who wants a nanny who sends a picture of themselves scowling rather than one smiling or grinning?

If a nanny told me they were fat, I wouldn't hire them because that's unprofessional to share that type of information in an interview.

OP here, I understand that. I don't know if I could have made a distinction, but imagine you have a photo of a young lady who looks happy and smiling, but she has, like PP said, strangely styled hair with some touches of pink, a nose ring, and some other peircings and maybe a noticeable tattoo.... I mean maybe she is the worlds best nanny on paper but would you look at her and just say thats not the type of person I want making decisions for my child?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think we would all be lying on here if we said we didn't judge nannies on first appearances just as we do anyone else.

Anytime we come into contact with ANY person, in ANY situation, whether we realize it or not, we automatically prejudge them internally in our minds. This is fact.

Regarding nannies, I say that the first thing I notice of course is gender. I much prefer a Female over a Male...If I had an older school-aged son, perhaps if I were a single mother even and wanted a "Big Brother-type" Manny, this would work for me.

Also, age does play a factor. A young, college girl who looks wet behind the ears and inexperienced probably would get passed over by me vs. someone who was a little older, at least in her late 20's.

In photos, I prefer someone who is smiling, who isn't dressed too provocatively (I have seen many nanny photos with girls in low cut tops and have wondered to myself, "What are they thinking??!!") and who doesn't have excessive tattoos, piercings or make-up and punk colored hair. Note: I didn't say any...I said "excessive."

Weight doesn't matter much to me, but someone fit of course would be ideal because as anyone knows, caring for young kids is a busy job.

I understand why usually only people with sons want a male nanny, but what does being single have to do with it? Are you saying that little extra need for a male role model for the children would let you look past your comfort zone and find a guy?

[Anonymous]

Wow glad I never interviewed with you people!!! When I was hired by my nanny family I was 274 pounds and they hired me because of my qualifications and experience. 8 years later I'm still with the family and I've lost 137 pounds... Your loss!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wow glad I never interviewed with you people!!! When I was hired by my nanny family I was 274 pounds and they hired me because of my qualifications and experience. 8 years later I'm still with the family and I've lost 137 pounds... Your loss!!!

While I commend you on your weight loss, even if I could go back in time and have the opportunity to hire you I would not, I just don't have 8 years, 5 years, even 1 year of income to waste on an overweight nanny trying to get her life in shape. After you have lost the weight, sure, I will gladly interview you, but at this point in time you aren't really fit to be a nanny.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't interview someone who's picture is not professional, and definitely not someone who's picture(s) show them to be someone who shows a lot of skin or parties constantly.

[Anonymous]

I think my appearance has worked in my advantage many times. I've gotten positions over people who were more qualified (well...had more experience).

I was told my several employers my interview skills got me the job, when honestly I know I was a nervous babbling wreck in my interviews.

I'm average weight, average looks. I can see parents not wanting anyone too heavy, or too thin. Definitely not too attractive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow glad I never interviewed with you people!!! When I was hired by my nanny family I was 274 pounds and they hired me because of my qualifications and experience. 8 years later I'm still with the family and I've lost 137 pounds... Your loss!!!

While I commend you on your weight loss, even if I could go back in time and have the opportunity to hire you I would not, I just don't have 8 years, 5 years, even 1 year of income to waste on an overweight nanny trying to get her life in shape. After you have lost the weight, sure, I will gladly interview you, but at this point in time you aren't really fit to be a nanny.

NP here. I'm obese and work for a wonderful family, going on 3 years. You have a right to hire who you want but to say that 'you aren't fit to be a nanny' is your opinion and not fact.

[Anonymous]

I do. I wouldn't want any visible tattoos, weird coloured hair, weird piercings or someone too overweight (I mean really obese). The latter because I just don't know if they can keep up with my spirited kid physically.

[Anonymous]

I have definitely been discriminated against because I am too thin. I've made comments about how I eat healthy and would encourage the children to do so and then the overweight moms have rolled their eyes at me. They have also made comments about how I should gain weight. My weight is totally normal too. I am 5'5 110 lbs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have definitely been discriminated against because I am too thin. I've made comments about how I eat healthy and would encourage the children to do so and then the overweight moms have rolled their eyes at me. They have also made comments about how I should gain weight. My weight is totally normal too. I am 5'5 110 lbs.

I find that hard to believe. The perfect people always want to feel like they have it so hard too, that they are also oppressed or discriminated against, but in fact it is just not true.