How to Look for a Job as a Babysitter
Working as a babysitter can be a fun and rewarding first job for a teenager or young adult, or it can be a useful income supplement for an older person. If you like working with children, the role can allow you to form a meaningful relationship with the kids in your care. Many babysitters will come to be trusted friends of the families they work for on a regular basis. Pay rates for babysitters vary widely around the country, and may also depend on your level of experience, so ask around to find out what the going rate may be for your services.
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Instructions
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Talk with your parents if you are a teen, to make a plan of action that all of you are comfortable with. Your parents may want to set limits on where and for whom you will babysit, and they may also want to have input about how you market your services, to ensure your own safety.
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Take CPR training. There are special pediatric CPR courses available from your local Red Cross branch, aimed at people wanting to take on babysitting work. Having this certification will give any prospective employer confidence in both your skills and your commitment to the job.
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Use your network of friends and acquaintances and let them know you are looking for babysitting work. Many parents like to rely on the personal recommendation of a mutual friend when they look for a babysitter, so having your friends put the word out for you can be an excellent source of work.
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Make a flyer advertising your services. Make it colorful and simple. Highlight your CPR training and any other relevant experience, but keep it brief. Make sure it's very clear how you can be contacted. Add tear-off slips with your name and phone number to the bottom of your flyer sheet so that parents who see your ad can take your contact details with them.
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Post your ads on local public notice boards. Your local library can be a good place to do this, as most libraries have special programs for young children, and many parents are likely to see your ad. The local supermarket is another place that may have a good public board.
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Advertise your services on on-line sites such as Sittercity, Craiglist, or Indeed.com. Again, if you are a teen, check with your parents before you do this.
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- Photo Credit Mother image by Mat Hayward from Fotolia.com
