Getting Hired Guide
for Nannies, Caregivers
or any Household Employee
Help land a job you’ll love by starting off on the right foot. This guide will help you set yourself up for success and wow your prospective employers, plus weed out employers that aren’t a good fit for you.
Make Sure You’re Paid On-the-Books
Getting paid correctly and legally is now easy and affordable thanks to technology. We’re starting out this guide with getting paid on the books as the number one item because it affects people in so many ways. It sets the tone that you are a professional and your job is important, which it is. It provides a better future, and a better present. If you are paid under the table, you lose out on critical benefits and safety nets, including building up social security credits, medicare, and access to unemployment (so you have a cushion to find the right next job!) if you get laid off. You also need verifiable income to apply for credit cards, car loans, renting an apartment, mortgages, student loans and more.
You are not an independent contractor even if you work part-time or for other families. Some families may not know they need to pay on the books, especially if this is the first time they have ever had a nanny or household employee.
Good to know: Their employer taxes will be about 10% of the overall wages they pay you (read here about what the taxes mean on your paystub). If your employer hired you so they can do their own work, they can probably qualify for a tax credit that offsets their taxes, sometimes reimbursing them for 100% of their employer taxes.
A great way to start is to use the Calculator, right here in the app. Text the parents the Nest Payroll app so they can use the calculator too, and you can all get on the same page.
Have a resume that speaks to parents and families
Don’t copy the corporate world style resume. Make it personal. Why do you love doing what you do? Parents and families want to know about you and the specific ways you can help them so they can visualize you in their home. There are an abundance of online resources for caregivers and nannies to help you polish your resume.
Also, all prospective bosses are going to search your name online so make sure your online presence is what you want people seeing. If you want to post personal information online to your friends or family, make your settings private.
have a work agreement in writing
Having a work agreement or contract reduces awkwardness and misunderstandings, especially as things come up you just didn’t anticipate. Know your worth and your must-haves and make sure they are in there. If the family provides the contract, make sure it covers your needs too. A verbal agreement is not professional and will not cover you through tough times.
Understand both federal and state labor laws, including overtime, sick leave and minimum wage. Think through your requirements for more unusual situations such as staying overnight in an emergency, being invited on a family vacation to watch the kids, or the day a parent comes home early from work and says you can go home early too (hint: ask for a guaranteed number of hours). What if there’s another coronavirus crisis and they let you go, or ask you to move in with them? Think through the professional way you expect to be treated, and get it in the work agreement.
For examples of work agreements, you can download this one and modify for your situation. Additionally, Hand In Hand, a non-profit that supports domestic employers + employees, is a great resource. Take advantage of their excellent and free sample contracts and guide books.
Have your forms ready
You are going to need your social security number, date of birth and home address in order to fill out the first two forms.
I-9 form: https://www.uscis.gov/i-9
Federal law requires that all employees complete this form. In case your employer doesn't know, they just need to file it away in case of an audit. They do not turn it in to anyone.
W-4 form: https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fw4.pdf
To be sure you don’t get an unexpected tax bill, or have too much tax withheld, complete a W-4 form when you are hired, or anytime you experience a change in your withholding requirements (marriage, birth of child, additional income, etc.). Your employer can update your tax withholding settings in the Nest Payroll app at anytime during the year.
Driving Record
Get an up-to-date driving record from your state, and give a copy of this to your prospective employer. It’s usually available for a small fee from your state.
Background Check
Get your own background check and provide a copy to your prospective employer. Sometimes the background check includes the driving record so you don’t need to get them separately.
Photo Identification
Bring your driver’s license, passport or photo ID with you so your identity can be verified.
References
Have a list of references that your employer can call to verify your previous employment, even if that work is different from what you are applying for.
check out these great career development resources
The Institute for Families and Nannies