When you’re applying for your next nanny position, you might be confronted with this timeless question: why are references so important? After all, you’ve got glowing letters of recommendation and a loaded resume. Isn’t that enough? But the reality is, not quite. While letters of recommendation have their place, they don’t tell the whole story, and there’s a big reason families trust references over letters when making hiring decisions.
Let’s unpack why references are important, how they differ from letters of recommendation, and how you can use both tools strategically to land your next dream role.
1) Why references are important, and how they’re different from letters of recommendation
If you’ve ever wondered why references are so crucial, especially when compared to letters of recommendation, the answer lies in their honesty and confidentiality. While both tools help showcase your skills and experience, references provide a clearer, more authentic picture of your past roles.
References are usually shared privately between potential employers and your former nanny families. This confidentiality allows them to speak freely about your strengths and areas for growth. While this may seem like a con, in our experience, it’s also a BIG pro! Think of it this way—when a family sits down to write a letter of recommendation, they’re typically following a certain format. They may write down a list of your best qualities and remark on what a big difference you made on their family. And all of this is great! But it’s not particularly specific. When a family is asked specific questions or given certain prompts about their experience working with you, the stories that come to mind are the ones that are going to stick in a prospective family’s minds, too. If you were hiring someone to work with your family, would you be more likely to gravitate towards the candidate who was professional and punctual or the candidate who once showed up an hour early to set up a special birthday surprise for their nanny kids? The little stories that sometimes get pushed to the back of our minds are sometimes the ones that make the biggest difference!
Direct references also allow your previous family to get specific in a way that could directly impact a future opportunity. Maybe they didn’t think it was relevant to talk about a specific family vacation you took with them when the kids were 2 and 4. But let’s say you’re applying for a position with a family that travels extensively and currently has a 2- and 4-year-old. That experience just became worth mentioning!
On the other hand, letters of recommendation are written with the knowledge that you will likely read them, which can make them feel a little polished at best and formulaic or impersonal at worst. Families might not feel as free to speak their minds or provide a level of informality that often lends itself to a stronger recommendation.
2) The truth about letters of recommendation
Let’s be honest: many of us, at some point, have left a job and given our nanny family a “softer” version of the reason for our departure, one that may not capture the whole truth. Maybe you mentioned wanting to explore new opportunities or schedules, when in fact there were other concerns that pushed you to leave, too. It’s natural, we get it! And it’s one reason why letters of recommendation don’t hold a candle against references.
Since letters of recommendation are prepared documents that are meant to be read by many rather than one person in particular, the family may choose to keep certain details private or frame them more positively, knowing you’ll see the letter, too. This is not necessarily dishonest. It’s human nature. But it highlights why prospective families rely on direct, confidential references when making hiring decisions, as opposed to letters of recommendation.
3) Confidentiality makes references powerful
A major reason why references are important is that they offer families more freedom to share candid feedback. References given over the phone or through direct, private written communication allow families to be more open about both your strengths and any areas for improvement. A pre-written letter of recommendation often isn’t the time or place to include these details, adding to the fact that references are a stronger source of information for hiring families.
This honest feedback provides potential employers with a balanced view, helping them feel confident in their decision to move forward with your application. And as a nanny, you benefit too! Constructive feedback can help you grow and prepare for future roles.
When a family is hiring a nanny, they are essentially introducing a stranger into their home to care for their most beloved—their kids. Having a trusted, truthful recommendation helps ease parents’ minds.
4) How to present letters of recommendation the right way
Even though references are essential, letters of recommendation still play an important role in your job search. When including letters of recommendation, make sure they’re in PDF format, not Word or Pages documents. Why? PDFs are more professional and can’t be easily edited by others.
Better yet, ensure your letter of recommendation includes the writer’s signature at the bottom. This adds credibility and shows attention to detail, qualities that speak volumes about you as a professional nanny. Hiring parents are more likely to trust a reference that is in PDF format with a signature on the bottom as opposed to a word document, which, let’s be honest, anyone could’ve put together! Bonus points if the letter has some sort of letter heading on it, like a parent’s professional letterheading.
While letters of recommendation are helpful, remember why references are important to families looking for honesty and authenticity in their hiring process.
Understanding why references are important helps you stand out as a professional nanny. While letters of recommendation support your application, references provide the honest, confidential insight families need to make their choice with confidence.