Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I make it crystal clear that unless I've been given notice, I'm not looking for another position. The family knows how careful I am, and I usually ask the parents just as many or more questions than they ask me. Because I live with them, we need to be a good fit on several different levels. The families who've had a problem with more than a 1 month gap are families who didn't want to answer any questions, so I wasn't interested. The families who have hired me respect that I'm a professional, I know what to ask to quickly and efficiently eliminate obvious mismatches before answering as many questions as the family, to be followed by another round of questions from me.

Bully for you.

Unfortunately your answer is completely non-responsive to OP's question.

My point was that OP needs to look for families who respect that she's a professional and isn't going to take the first job offered if it isn't a good fit.

I agree with the MB poster. I explain that the gaps in my employment were periods where I was focussed on school or taking my time to find the right fit. To be perfectly honest though, I'm rarely asked for an explanation. I'm pretty laid back, and the families I work best with are also laid back, so anyone asking about for an explanation of the employment gaps that inevitably happen in our industry is probably too into minutiae for me.

Anonymous wrote:I make it crystal clear that unless I've been given notice, I'm not looking for another position. The family knows how careful I am, and I usually ask the parents just as many or more questions than they ask me. Because I live with them, we need to be a good fit on several different levels. The families who've had a problem with more than a 1 month gap are families who didn't want to answer any questions, so I wasn't interested. The families who have hired me respect that I'm a professional, I know what to ask to quickly and efficiently eliminate obvious mismatches before answering as many questions as the family, to be followed by another round of questions from me.

Bully for you.

Unfortunately your answer is completely non-responsive to OP's question.

I make it crystal clear that unless I've been given notice, I'm not looking for another position. The family knows how careful I am, and I usually ask the parents just as many or more questions than they ask me. Because I live with them, we need to be a good fit on several different levels. The families who've had a problem with more than a 1 month gap are families who didn't want to answer any questions, so I wasn't interested. The families who have hired me respect that I'm a professional, I know what to ask to quickly and efficiently eliminate obvious mismatches before answering as many questions as the family, to be followed by another round of questions from me.

When I'm in between jobs I like to travel. After a 3 year jobs ends I typically take 4-6 months off. I've never had an issue, most don't even ask or care.

"I have had enough experience to know how important it is to find the right fit between nanny and family. I would rather take the time to find a job that I will be in for the longterm, than rush into something that turns out not to be a good fit. I actually did accept a position but it ended abruptly when the father was fired from his job. The things that most appeal to me about the position with your family are...."

I'm an MB. I would absolutely respect that answer, especially if your resume and references back up your overall experience, qualifications, and professionalism.

Don't worry too much about it. People have gaps - it happens. I do not recommend lying - if someone senses that you're not being honest or direct then it could turn them off. There is nothing in your post that you need to feel embarrassed about.

You can also spin your answer about the gap directly into things that will appeal to the potential employer. Give them a reasonably honest answer, and then redirect the conversation back into showing them how qualified you are.

Good luck!

Always simple to say you were helping out a friend or family. None of their business.

Up until now I have had steady with nothing more than a few weeks gap between jobs. My last position ended in Oct. and I haven't been able to find the right fit. I took one job but that ended a week after the dad got fired from his. Its a big 4 -5 month gap, and I don't know how to explain that I haven't been able to find a decent fit?