How to Apply Your Skills to Your Job

Other than being a superstar caregiver, you may have many other skills under your belt that can be extremely valuable to families during every time of year. Set yourself apart from other candidates and show your families how valuable you are by mentioning these skills in your Care.com profile and talking about them with your employer.

Revealing that you were a lifeguard for three years in high school or that you have a nutrition degree can help parents realize that you’re more than just a nanny, babysitter, housekeeper, pet sitter, etc.

Here are 11 skills that can be applied to your caregiving job and will be valued by the families you work with — meaning more job security for you!

1. CPR and First Aid Certifications
   It’s essential to have certifications in CPR and First Aid, so that you can handle any emergency situation calmly and successfully. Families will feel relieved to know that their family members and pets are in good hands with an emergency-certified caregiver. You can even teach the kids about first aid kits or what to do in case of an emergency.

   Learn How to Get First Aid and CPR Training and Pet First Aid and CPR training 
    

2. Newborn Specialization
   Families with infants value caregivers that specialize in newborn care, so emphasize your education and experience with young kids. New parents need all the help they can get, so nannies that have experience in caring for infants are a perfect fit. For first-time parents, help them with newborn care techniques they may not feel comfortable with. Having a source of knowledge of newborn care can be extremely helpful for families.
    

3. Nutritional Education
   If you have education or training in nutrition, include that in your resume and profile. Preparing healthy meals for children and for seniors can be very important to families. Show how your expertise and experience with nutritional meal preparation is valuable in the everyday family routine. Plan healthy lunches and snacks and even help out with preparing a healthy dinner for the whole family.
    

4. Organization
   Lots of families struggle with organizational issues. If you can help, they will definitely appreciate it. Whether you’re a housekeeper, babysitter or even pet sitter, talk about how you’re also a Certified Professional Organizer or how you rock at reorganizing closets and offer to help with a clutter problem.

   Just be careful that you don’t step on any toes. Say something like “You mentioned the other day that Johnny’s closet is a mess. I can stay an hour late tonight and organize it for you.”
    

5. Child Development/Psychology Education
   Many nannies have pursued an education in child development or psychology and parents will be happy to know that you have a professional degree of expertise in childhood development.
    

6. Fitness Knowledge or Training
   Knowledge of active living practices and the benefits for children, adults and pets can be an asset when you’re a caregiver. A healthy balance of active and inactive time is essential and your fitness training will benefit the entire family. Apply your knowledge by teaching kids a new sport or organizing outdoor activities for the entire family.
    

7. Fluency in a Foreign Language
   Children are like sponges in their early years, so having a foreign language spoken around the house can be beneficial to their overall knowledge and future learning abilities. If you’re bilingual or multilingual skills, teach the children a few words every day or even help them with their foreign language homework.
    

8. Elementary Education
   Nannies with elementary education degrees are highly valued for families with young children who are approaching or currently attending school. Your ability to help teach kids elementary skills will be a great asset during back-to-school season, as well as the year. Helping the kids with their school work or expanding their homework with a few added educational activities can be a great help.
    

9. Lifeguard Experience
   Pool or beach days can be stressful for parents when the kids aren’t comfortable swimming. Any experience you have lifeguarding or taking swim lessons can help. Parents will feel at ease knowing that your watchful eye can care for their children by the water or even teach their children to swim.
    

10. Defensive Driving Training
    Defensive driving skills may not be at the top of the list of skills that you think would be helpful as a caregiver. But when you have to drive kids to after-school activities or seniors to appointments, families will feel extra confident about your driving skills if you’ve taken a defensive driving course.
     

11. Time Management Skills
    Managing a chaotic family schedule can be a trying task. If you have great time management skills, make it known. Create a family calendar or planner to keep everyone’s activities and appointments organized, or develop a daily routine for the kids when they come home from school.