I'm in Orange County and I see a lot of nannies dressed the way you describe, or worse like wearing jeans and a tee shirt. Personally I think that is way too informal. I personally wear a non revealing maxi dress with a nice cardigan and ballet flats. I make sure I'm freshly showered, with minimal makeup and my hair is done. I've been offered every job I've interviewed for, so clearly the parents approved of my attire. Once I've gotten the job and go in for some trial days I wear my normal nanny clothes. Black lounging pants from Old Navy and a nice shirt or blouse. Most of the nannies in my area are dressed similarly.

There are several LA Agencies that have dress codes and specifics on how to dress for interviews. You can look up Westside Nannies if you want to get an idea of what the "top" agencies in your area are telling their nannies as to how to dress for interviews.


Honestly, I think you were overdressed. I've worked in the corporate world and the nanny world. I always dress nice for interviews, but would never wear a suit jacket.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I live in SF and have a nanny. You sound like you were way overdressed to go on a hike through Golden Gate Park and have my muddy-handed 3 yr old touching your pants.

she wasn't on a hike with your kid, she was interviewing and trying to make a good first impression. Big difference.

Dressing the way OP did, would make me think she wouldn't be willing to GO on a hike with my kid. I strongly believe in a second, working interview though, so it'd all get figured out.

It sounds to me you dressed like a professional wanting to make a good first impression. Remember each home is different with what they want there nanny to dress like but you do not know what that is till you interview. As you know on this forum you are going to get drama and snarky comments, ignore it. I think your choice was good for a first interview, you might ask how the employer might want you to consider wearing if you got the position then follow that in the second interview. Dont compare yourself to other candidates, be yourself and remember it is about you caring for the children.

Anonymous wrote:I live in SF and have a nanny. You sound like you were way overdressed to go on a hike through Golden Gate Park and have my muddy-handed 3 yr old touching your pants.

she wasn't on a hike with your kid, she was interviewing and trying to make a good first impression. Big difference.

Ironed pants and a blouse are more appropriate. A suit just doesn't scream experienced nanny to me.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Im here to ask if California nannies dress like they would for an office job when they interview or if it is the norm to dress super casual. I just moved here so I am not used to the whole beach culture thing. I know I looked good. If it was for a corporate job I know it would have been fine. But it appeared there was a certain "look" all the nannies had. I thought you are supposed to dress to impress. But I can see how looking corporate could lead the mom to think you aren''t "fun" or "playful".

So....NO I am not asking if you think I looked pretty. How would you even know that without a picture?

And she didn't make a choice so why would I say people choose blondes specifically.

Dramatic much?

You sound like the drama queen, OP. You say you know you looked good. The other candidates clearly thought they also looked good. What advice is needed?

Wow okay then never mind. I WASNT ASKING IF I LOOKED GOOD.

I was asking if it was appropriate interview wear. I followed care.coms FAQ
(which I wil paste below) but I felt over dressed. And I am trying to find out if LA Nannies and employers are more casual.

NEVERMIND.

CARE.com info
"No matter what you are interviewing for, you want to look as professional as possible. If you have a suit, wear the suit. If you don't have a suit, wear business casual clothes, like ironed pants and a blouse,"

Anonymous wrote:I live in SF and have a nanny. You sound like you were way overdressed to go on a hike through Golden Gate Park and have my muddy-handed 3 yr old touching your pants.

Right.that's what I was worried abiut. But the children weren't at the interview. It was just the mom. I wouldn't dress that way day to day with the children.

I live in SF and have a nanny. You sound like you were way overdressed to go on a hike through Golden Gate Park and have my muddy-handed 3 yr old touching your pants.

Anonymous wrote:Im here to ask if California nannies dress like they would for an office job when they interview or if it is the norm to dress super casual. I just moved here so I am not used to the whole beach culture thing. I know I looked good. If it was for a corporate job I know it would have been fine. But it appeared there was a certain "look" all the nannies had. I thought you are supposed to dress to impress. But I can see how looking corporate could lead the mom to think you aren''t "fun" or "playful".

So....NO I am not asking if you think I looked pretty. How would you even know that without a picture?

And she didn't make a choice so why would I say people choose blondes specifically.

Dramatic much?

You sound like the drama queen, OP. You say you know you looked good. The other candidates clearly thought they also looked good. What advice is needed?

Anonymous wrote:I don't think you overdressed.
You wore what you thought was appropriate.

I don't wear jeans at all and I only wear pants for running and walking (Victoria's Secret stretchy yoga/supermodel pants are the only pants I own, I have them in a few colors)
So I usually wear skirts and dresses. I remember this one interview I had a few summers ago - I wore a short dress and flip flops. Completely casual, although comparing myself to an average person I am overdressed.
BTW, I got hired on the spot for that job and it lasted almost 3 years (I quit).

I don't think it matters that much what you wear as long as it's presentable and clean.
Most people care about your childcare experience, not what you wear.

Thanks for your constructive reply!

Im here to ask if California nannies dress like they would for an office job when they interview or if it is the norm to dress super casual. I just moved here so I am not used to the whole beach culture thing. I know I looked good. If it was for a corporate job I know it would have been fine. But it appeared there was a certain "look" all the nannies had. I thought you are supposed to dress to impress. But I can see how looking corporate could lead the mom to think you aren''t "fun" or "playful".

So....NO I am not asking if you think I looked pretty. How would you even know that without a picture?

And she didn't make a choice so why would I say people choose blondes specifically.

Dramatic much?

I don't think you overdressed.
You wore what you thought was appropriate.

I don't wear jeans at all and I only wear pants for running and walking (Victoria's Secret stretchy yoga/supermodel pants are the only pants I own, I have them in a few colors)
So I usually wear skirts and dresses. I remember this one interview I had a few summers ago - I wore a short dress and flip flops. Completely casual, although comparing myself to an average person I am overdressed.
BTW, I got hired on the spot for that job and it lasted almost 3 years (I quit).

I don't think it matters that much what you wear as long as it's presentable and clean.
Most people care about your childcare experience, not what you wear.

are you really here asking us if you looked pretty or here to complain that you're not blond and omg so many people choose blonds over brunettes!!

I went to an interview today and I wound up being about an hour early. I didn't know this before hand but the MB was seeing about 10 people in a row. It was kind of like speed dating. The interview was at a cafe so I parked in
front and hung out in my car. Since I was so early I wound up seeing 3 of the other nannies interviewing. I started getting nervous because they all looked similar and I looked nothing like them. Here is what they wore

Baggy/loose flowy tops or Oversized plaid tops.
Big Scarf
Tight jeans or leggings
Knee high boots.
Long messy blond hair early 20 y/old all very cute.
It was crazy they all looked identical.

Have you ever seen the show beverly hills nanny? That is what they all remind me of. I was just surprised that that was appropriate to wear to an interview.

Here is what I wore
Nice slacks-Black
Cute flats-black w/ studs
Floral blouse with a suit jacket (like what you would wear to an office job)
Short brown hair. 24 y/old. Now I think I am okay looking but I am not what I call "California Pretty" (tanned, thing and sparkling)

So am I off base. Did I over dress?