Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Want a Great Nanny Job? Get Your Driver's License

Finding a Nanny Job in a Tough Economy

Since last week we have suggested that to find a great nanny job in a tough economy you should tell anyone who will listen that they are searching for a new nanny position. We also encourage having a standout resume. Nothing is more important to landing a nanny job than great references. Caregivers should ask former employers, parents, teachers, or neighbors to write letters of reference. Nannies will increase their chances of getting a better job by have their CPR/First Aid certification. And if you can't drive, there's no better time to get your driver's licence.

Nannies who have a current driver's license, are willing to drive, and have a clean driving record have an advantage in landing nanny positions over caregivers who cannot drive. Employees who drive can help parents tremendously by taking children to school, activities, and doctor visits and they can run errands to the dry cleaners, post office, or grocery store.

But, a driver's license is also the most important form of identification used in the United States. In countries with no national identification card (like the United States), driver's licenses have often become the identification card for many purposes. All nanny employers and nanny agencies run a DMV report on their nanny candidates.

Obtaining a driver's license will be slightly different in each state. For most beginner drivers, they will have to go to a local DMV office with a birth certificate and two forms of identification and take a simple written test containing around 30 questions. Once they have a learner's permit they can practice driving in a friend or relatives car or sign up with a driving school before taking the road test evaluation. It will take a few weeks to get a license but well worth the benefits.

If you want to land a great nanny job, learning to drive and getting your driver's license will greatly improve the pool of jobs you can choose from.

If you drive your own car for work, the family must reimburse you for the current IRS gas mileage which is 50 cents per mile.

Do you drive your own car for work? Are you reimbursed IRS gas mileage of 50 cents per mile?

5 comments:

Steph 6 said...

When I drive I use their car. In past jobs that I've used my car they helped pay my insurance and paid irs gas mileage was 50.5 cents at the time.

Anonymous said...

First of all I am an aupair and families that hire aupairs are required to provide us with means of transportation.

If you work as an aupair in a city then the family provides the public transit costs for you.

Why nannies wouldn't get the same isn't fair.

Tobago Nanny said...

I use their car and they pay for all costs to drive kids. I once used my own car and they paid me IRS costs but it wore my car down. I no longer want to use my car and it will be a big factor when interviewing in the future.

Fiona Littleton said...

Since I live and work in a city I don't need a car. They pay for transportation anywhere during working hours.

Michelle said...

I've done both and much prefer driving their car for work. In any other profession you drive the business's car.

I have always received at least the IRS gas mileage but that doesn't help for the wear and tear on my car. It aged my car quickly.

I drive my boss's car for work and my own on personal time.