Professional moms tend to go through an agency.

Anonymous wrote:I'm curious to hear what MBs think of this thread. No, I've never seen a nanny portfolio, because it is an utterly ridiculous concept to consider a resume with references to be a portfolio. A portfolio typically consists of examples of past work. What are you going to do, take pictures of you changing a diaper correctly? Bring out a scrapbook of arts and crafts that you've completed with previous charges?

Professional moms (who expect business cards) don't have time to come here, lol. How do you suppose they can afford to pay those high wages to their professional nannies?

Hint: They focus on their work at the office.

My portfolio has resume & references stuff, plus examples of preschool curriculum stuff I've done at home. Most teachers have a portfolio for hiring that has a resume, reference letters, example of lesson plans and examples of the work their student did (such as if an art teacher, an example on mosaics the student did based on the lesson plan example).

I base my portfolio more on this to show a parent the benefit to hiring me. I work mostly work 1-4 years old. My goal is for when they start school to be a year a head.

Back to topic, I don't think business cards are cheesy, however I have seen some cheesy ones! I think if they are simple, and to the point, they are great! However, I do agree with those who feel it doesn't matter if you aren't making a connection. Biz card or not, a parent needs to want to connect with you to make that call to hire.

My real reason for box cards was so I would have to write my info double a million times for play dates or babysitting gigs. Also mine have the address to my online portfolio, resume and rates.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When do nannies get promoted? Just curious.

A promotion in terms of nanny pay is what benefits or pay is offered. Generally it's when a nanny moves into a household manger position or works with is able work with high end/high profile clients that it's considered a promotion, so to speak.

I get what you are try to say, in a snarky way. Nannies are directly promoted up a latter, as in other businesses. Neither are other who work in a freelance, consultant or contractor capacity.

You think consultants don't get promoted? Try telling that to people who have worked in the consulting industry and are now senior partners at their respective consulting firms.

I'm curious to hear what MBs think of this thread. No, I've never seen a nanny portfolio, because it is an utterly ridiculous concept to consider a resume with references to be a portfolio. A portfolio typically consists of examples of past work. What are you going to do, take pictures of you changing a diaper correctly? Bring out a scrapbook of arts and crafts that you've completed with previous charges?

Anonymous wrote:When do nannies get promoted? Just curious.

A promotion in terms of nanny pay is what benefits or pay is offered. Generally it's when a nanny moves into a household manger position or works with is able work with high end/high profile clients that it's considered a promotion, so to speak.

I get what you are try to say, in a snarky way. Nannies are directly promoted up a latter, as in other businesses. Neither are other who work in a freelance, consultant or contractor capacity.

Anonymous wrote:Btw- what you described as being your "nanny portfolio" is really just a resume with some references.

No, you are wrong. You've never seen one, obviously.

Btw- what you described as being your "nanny portfolio" is really just a resume with some references.

Some nannies are certainly professionals, but most are sitters, not nannies.

Btw, I can assure you that the Royal Nanny isn't giving you her business card.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No no no. Cheesy.

Is it cheesy when other business people do it?

Nannies aren't business people! And I'm a nanny! I would literally be embarrassed if I saw a nanny offering someone a business card. Some nannies take this thing way too far.

How are we not business people? We advertise our services, set our rates, negotiate our contracts. At least the good ones do. I suppose you are one of the bitter nannies passively accepting whatever terms are offered then bitching and moaning about how awful your job/MB are. You will only ever be taken as seriously as you take yourself. You might not be a business person, but I certainly am.

Look, like I said, I'm also a nanny. I'm not trying to be condescending or say that nannies shouldn't act professional, because they certainly should. But there is a difference between acting in a professional manner, and being an actual business professional. Unless you are a celebrity nanny, or nanny for the Royal Family, I don't see how you can consider it a career. There is no room for advancement, it's not a secure/stable job, you have no coworkers, etc. Yes, the pay might be great and you may even get benefits, but that does not make you a professional business person.

I'm not a bitter nanny. I don't passively accept whatever terms are offered because I am both educated and intelligent. I respect myself enough to not let another family treat me as if I'm some sort of indentured servant, which is probably why I work for a great family. And before you say my family can't afford a "professional" nanny, let me tell you that they make more than probably 90% of people who post on this forum. MB makes $2mil + a year and DB makes about $500k. They can afford the best childcare money can possibly buy. Of course they take me seriously. I have a college degree from a prestigious university. But, during the interview process, they asked me about my long-term goals. They asked me if I'm considering pursuing a masters degree, law school, etc. They made it clear that they wanted to hire someone who was ambitious and career-oriented - not someone who planned on being a babysitter for the rest of their lives.

Like I said, I'm not trying to be condescending. But I don't see how you could consider nannying to be on par with actual business professionals. This is insulting. I take myself seriously, of course, but I could never take myself seriously if I considered nannying a career. Nannies, for the most part, are glorified babysitters. Why would you waste your time and money making/handing out business cards for something that high schoolers and college students could do?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do you like the idea of nannies using business cards? Why?

I neither like it or dislike it. But if it isn't done well, then it could potentially hurt you.

God, I hate the discouragement every time a nanny attempts to present herself in a professional manner.

OP, I use business cards. If I connect with a mom while out and about and she asks for my information, I hand her one. Its great for getting referrals through word of mouth makes an impression. I also use a professional resume and cover letter when job searching, bring a portfolio to interviews, and don't wear anything I'd wear to bed to work! I take my job and my presentation seriously, and I am in turn treated and compensated like a professional.

What's in a nanny portfolio? curious.

My portfolio contains any materials I might need in an interview to describe my work history and ability. I have things like my resume and cover letter, proof of eligibility to work, my degree, evaluations and references letters, etc. Some parents could care less, but it keeps me organized and I remember to hit on everything, and for other parents I know it was the thing that sold them. I tend to work for very organized professional couples and they love that I am similarly organized. It also helps parents take me seriously as a capable adult, because I am young and look even younger.

I think Urban Sitter offers (a limited amount of) free business cards to those that pay for the highest level of membership (for the nannies at least).

It can be handy to pass out to those that might be interested in a sitter at a later point, for those that want to get your info to another friend for a referral, etc.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No no no. Cheesy.

Is it cheesy when other business people do it?

Nannies aren't business people! And I'm a nanny! I would literally be embarrassed if I saw a nanny offering someone a business card. Some nannies take this thing way too far.

What a troll! Even dog walkers have business cards, as do my doctors and lawyers.

Anonymous wrote:I think they're great. I would never look down on a candidate without one, but I think anything you can do to make you stand out and make it easy for families to contact you is good.

Agree.

Anonymous wrote:When do nannies get promoted? Just curious.

Are you being stupid on purpose?