Looking for Nanny Jobs? Clean Up Your Social Media First: 9 Things You Need to Do!

Many people think of social media as their private space, to openly share thoughts, feelings, and experiences with friends and family. But some employers research potential candidates online before offering a job. What you think of as private space is actually accessible by the public and you may have little control over how others perceive your posts.

If you are a nanny, it’s likely the family you want to work for will take a quick look at your social media to determine that you are responsible and respectful. This is expected and appropriate since a nanny holds a place of great importance within a family. In order to make the best possible impression, take these steps to tidy up your social media. In the future, think of everything you post as just as important as a bullet point on your resume.

The 9 Step Guide to Cleaning Up Your Social Media Before Applying for Nanny Jobs

Follow these steps to help ensure an internet search for your name doesn’t stop you from landing a great nanny job.

1. Google Yourself

You might be surprised what shows up when you type your own name into a search engine. A college newsletter you worked on or an old blog post you have long forgotten might be open and accessible for anyone to see. If anything concerns you, take it down or contact the individual website administrators to see how it might be removed.

2. Review Your Pictures

Yes, you had a great time on that beach vacation. But what may have been innocent fun can look like a wild time on social media. Take a hard look at your photos on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and remove anything that shows you smoking or consuming alcohol. Put yourself in the shoes of conservative parents looking for someone to care for their children, and ask yourself if any images, such as those that are physically revealing, diminish your image as a potential caregiver.

3. Analyze Your “Liked” Pages

Facebook allows you to look at a public version of your profile. Review this for any questionable content. Remember when you “like” a group, television show, issue page or political party, that becomes part of your public profile, and may not put you in a positive light with parents. Similarly, review the people you “follow” on Twitter and Instagram.

4. Show Your Love for Kids

Review your posts to ensure you’ve got lots of positive content about children and child care. Avoid posting cynical or sarcastic articles that talk about kids behaving badly. Articles about non-profits doing good work to support the welfare of children, like providing hot school lunches and promoting volunteerism in schools, are positive additions to your feed. It can be difficult to know what’s a “good” or “bad” post on social media, since everyone’s perceptions are a bit different. If all else fails, simply change your social media settings to private.

5. Use a Professional Email Address

Silly or edgy email addresses were fun when you were younger. But being a nanny is a professional position with a great deal of responsibility. If you don’t have a non-offensive, neutral email address, create one, preferably a version of your name.

Don’t try to be funny or use nicknames, inappropriate, religious and politically incorrect phrases (gender, race, political affiliations). Addresses that start with “shorty1985” or “sexymomma” do not invoke the best impression for a potential nanny.

6. Scale Back the Emotion

Tweets are almost synonymous with quick bursts of emotion. While your moments of frustration may be forgivable in real life, on social media they will stay frozen in time until you remove them. Frozen in time means accessible by a potential employer, who may see your anger or frustration as an indicator of a short fuse. Typically, parents want their nannies to have a degree of patience and understanding. At the same time as you are deleting your emotional posts, consider taking out anything that may reveal your political views.

7. Face Negative Comments Head-On

In your Google search or social media sweep, you may discover that others have said bad things about you. That doesn’t mean those comments are fair or true, but your potential employer doesn’t know that. Do what you can to get these comments removed, by contacting the sites where they are posted.

8. Monitor Your Friends’ Tags

Facebook has made it easier for you to choose what items end up in your social media feeds, including ones that are the result of your friends choosing to tag you. Review your social media activity to remove your tag or delete any images or statuses that are inappropriate to be seen by a potential employer. Remember — tags mean friends of your friends can see these items, and that reach could extend to a member of the family considering hiring you.

9. Create a Positive Social Media Presence

While you’re posting about the good work of children’s welfare organizations and otherwise showing a love of kids, use your creativity to demonstrate you’ll make an excellent caregiver. A Pinterest board of children’s art projects, craft ideas for toys and clothing, and seasonal activities for kids are all indicators you’re knowledgeable about how to look after kids and keep them entertained. Most importantly, it shows you will actually care for the little ones in your charge.

Conclusion

While cleaning up your social media may seem like a huge hassle, it can ensure that you get the opportunities you deserve as a nanny. It is unfair for you to lose out on a job because of a random photo you posted seven years ago. Take steps online to put your best foot forward so you have the chance to demonstrate your professionalism and skill as a caregiver.

For more tips for nannies and babysitters be sure to check out the other articles in the Advice for Caregivers section of our blog.

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