A compelling CV is key to landing your dream job. To help your CV stand out in the crowd and land you the interview for your dream job, our KiddyKare experts have created this guide to writing the perfect CV.

Top tip: remember your CV (Curriculum Vitae) is often the first impression you make on potential employers. It’s more than just a list of your experiences; it’s a reflection of your skills, achievements, and professional journey, so let’s make it shine.

What to include in your CV

1. Personal Profile

This is your chance to sell yourself and the traits you think make you a great candidate for the role. You can do this by describing yourself and your goals in a few sentences. Tailor this to the role you are applying for to highlight the skills you can transfer across to your new role.

2. Highlight Your Work Experience

We find starting with your most current role allows your career timeline to be followed easily. In each section include your job title and a description that details your job specification. This allows future employers to match your skills and roles to the job specification of their vacancy.

Top tip: if you’ve had a break in your employment history, regardless of the reason, make sure to include this period in your CV. Whether it was due to job searching after a temporary contract, parental responsibilities, further studies, or taking a gap year, detailing these intervals helps maintain a clear and complete employment timeline.

3. Showcase Your Education

Include your most recent and relevant education, and add in any courses you’ve undertaken – however make sure they are relevant to the job in question.

4. Key Skills

This is where you can highlight any professional skills you feel would make you stand out from other candidates. These can be personality traits you can bring to the company that will ensure you succeed, or knowledge-based skills that you have learnt throughout your experience.

5. Tailor Your CV for Each Job Application

If you’re applying for a different role, that isn’t like your current or previous roles, it is best to tailor your CV to show how your skills, experience and personality traits match with the new role you’re applying for.

As you know, lots of skills can be transferred across to many roles and sectors, however tailoring you CV to highlight your most relevant skills for a new role, allows your suitability to come across clearly to the hiring manager.

Final Tips

Keep it concise: keep your CV short and to the point, this helps the company read about you without running out of time. Two pages is ideal.

Use a professional format: a fancy font, won’t help and if anything, it could put someone off. A most used font like will keep it clear and save you some time.

Proofread: spell check is there for a reason and will really show attention to detail. Also ask someone else to read through your CV to spot any errors and make sure it makes sense.

Writing a good CV takes time and effort, but it’s worth it to create a document that truly represents your professional journey. This way you can add current experience to an already strong document.

Good luck with your job search!

Recruiting through the pandemic

December 9, 2020

As we are all aware the pandemic has made recruitment for new staff members difficult. With the rules changing daily and different areas having different levels of restrictions it can get confusing.

KiddyKare know how important it is to follow a correct, safe recruitment process. This to ensure all the relevant checks are completed, KiddyKare thought it would be helpful to outline the procedures we follow to ensure a safe recruitment process.

KiddyKare’s recruitment step by step:

Interviews

Interviewing candidates right now is challenging however there are different processes you can follow to make this COVID-19 safe.

Telephone interviews are a normal first stage for many companies but are becoming more common due to the pandemic. This helps you gain more information about the candidate to see if they are the right fit for the role before proceeding further.

A video chat works well as a next stage interview. You can use this to get to know the candidate in more depth and answer any questions they might have. A lot of educational settings are used to being able to see the candidates in action, however during the pandemic this may not be possible for all. Creating a task for the candidate to complete prior to the video call or ensuring you have more robust interview questions in place will help provide the information you would gain from seeing them in action.

Right to work

The right to work document checking process has been updated to allow remote document checking until we can check the original documents. Once original documents can be seen this must be done as soon as possible. We are still required to check the right to work documents, if you are unsure on the documents candidates need to provide please do use the link below where you can check these.

Please do refer to the below link to see the list of documents require for a right to work check:

Right to work checklist – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Please do refer to the link below for more information on the right to work changes:

Coronavirus (COVID-19): right to work checks – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

DBS check

The DBS process is mostly completed online by both parties; however, we would normally check the candidate’s documents face to face. Some changes have been made to allow companies in urgent cases to virtually check the candidates documents via video call.

Please do refer to the link below for more information on the DBS check changes:

COVID-19: Changes to DBS ID checking guidelines – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

References

Gaining the candidates references virtually is a normal recruitment process however due to the current situation people could be working part time or on furlough. This could make gaining candidates references a longer process, however most business will have a secondary contact in place if an employee is not currently working.

Interview and CV tips

January 23, 2020

Looking at starting a new childcare role within the new year?

Are you trying to find that new challenge you have been craving?

Here at KiddyKare we can’t wait to be able to help you out. If you are looking for a step up or an entry level position we are here to help. Please do get in contact with us to speak to a qualified consultant about your job search. In the meantime, please do read below our CV tips and interview tips for help with your new year roles!

Kiddykare’s Top 5 CV Tips

Make sure to always check your spelling.
Try to keep your CV simple, but informative. Please do try to avoid text boxes and fancy boarders!
Please don’t forget to add your contact details – A telephone number and email address are a must on your updated CV.
Adding dates to your CV employment history is a great help for potential recruiters, it makes referencing a lot easier when we know your start and end date.
Lastly your short, snappy personal statement is a great way to catch the attention of your new potential employer.

Kiddykare’s Top Interview Tips

First impressions count, make sure you are always looking smart and presentable.
Please do always make sure you are confident in the answers you give. Clear and concise answers will make you look like you have done your research.
Keep good eye contact throughout the interview with positive body language. Avoid crossed arms as much as possible as this can give of a bad signal.
Do research about your potential employer and the job role you are applying for. The best place to find out relevant information about the company is on their website.
Always make sure you ask questions about the role or company at the end of the interview. Preparing some questions in advance is always a good idea!

If you have any questions about our tips or job roles, please do get in contact.

If you feel like you need help with your CV or interview confidence, just give our consultants a call on 01628675828.

We are always more than happy to help!

Kiddykare team

Is your social media affecting your job search?

January 23, 2020

As you probably already know, social media plays a very large part of today’s world but what you may not know is that it can play a large part in your job search.

I mean after all why wouldn’t someone do some online research into someone they’re going to interview? Tapping into social media provides an insight into how someone is as a person. If they’re going to be the face of your company, you would want to know that they are going to wear it well. Right?

Nevertheless, it doesn’t have to be a negative. As social media now plays such a large part in our lives, you can use it to your advantage. That’s where I come in. By making a couple of changes to how and what you post, your social media could improve your chances of securing your dream job.

Let’s start with the biggest part of your social media, your profile picture. Now I know how easy it is to pull a funny face and put it up as your profile picture to make all your friends laugh. However, in these circumstances it’s probably best to stick a nice, clear picture of your face.

Now to follow up on that new profile picture, we should probably write a small bio. It doesn’t need to be an essay; but it might be quite nice to list your favourite hobbies and activities. We might need to miss out the drunken nights and 3 am visits to the chip shop.

Next let’s have a look and go through your social media feeds to get rid of anything that you wouldn’t want your future employer to see. Once you’ve done this, going forward try not to post anything you wouldn’t want them to see.

Kiddykare Team

Hints and tips on preparing for your nursery interview

July 8, 2015

The KiddyKare guide on how to prepare for a successful Nursery interview!

Preparation

1. Decide what to wear.

You should be smart and tidy, no jeans or trainers, we would suggest some dark trousers and a smart top! If you are staying after the interview for a play session ensure you are wearing something comfortable and no high heels!

2. Take a look at the Nursery website for information about the nursery.

It is always looks good if you have researched about the Nursery, take a look at their photos and if you are interested in a senior or management vacancy it is a good idea to take a look at their most recent Ofsted report. If the Nursery is part of a chain, look at where their other Nurseries are – you could mention this in your interview.

3. Take all of your relevant documents with you.

We suggest that you put them into a file with your Current CV as this will look professional. You may also want to take any written references that you have gained or testimonials you may have received from children or parents.

4. Find out exactly where the nursery is.

Know how long it will take to get there, and where you will be able to park. If there is no parking at the Nursery, find out where the nearest car park is and make sure you allow enough to time to park and then get to the Nursery. Print off a map to take with you in case you get lost! www.travelinesoutheast.org.uk or www.maps.google.co.uk Allow plenty of time to get there – if you are running late it may get you flustered and you won’t have a positive interview. Try to arrive on time – not too early as they may not be ready for you in a busy Nursery!

5. Have a look through the possible questions you may be asked.

And think about some answers. Take a look at section A in preparation.

6. Make sure you know exactly what position you are applying for and which room they are recruiting for.

If you are unsure check with KiddyKare beforehand. If you know what age children they are looking to place you with, you can think of some activities appropriate for that age range beforehand.

7. Prepare a list of questions you may ask at the end.

Write these questions down so you don’t forget them, this shows you are interested in the position (see section B).

8. Make sure you refresh your knowledge on the EYFS

Take a look at the Early Years Foundation Stage website to update yourself www.standards.dcsf.gov.uk/eyfs

Can you name the 6 areas of learning?

The interview

1. Always arrive on time to the interview

If you are running late just call them and apologise: remember to take the Nursery’s phone number with you and a note of who you will be seeing, so that you can ask for them when you arrive.

2. Try to stay relaxed

I know it’s easier said than done, but keep smiling and try to stay calm!!

3. Be polite and professional

Greet the person interviewing you with a handshake and smile, this will look professional.

Do not smoke before the interview they will smell it on you and it doesn’t look professional.

4. Give detailed answers to questions

When you are asked questions, try to give them a detailed answer not just yes or no – they want to find out more about you and your ideas and the way you would work within their team.

5. Try to keep eye contact

This shows you are confident in what you are saying.

6. Stay for a play session if asked by the Nursery

This is where you will spend some time in the Nursery rooms to give you a chance to see if you would be happy working there. They may also ask the staff for some feedback on what they think of you! Ensure that you interact with both the staff AND the children as you will be assessed on this.

7. Be prepared to ask some questions of your own

They may ask at the end of the interview if you have any further question, this is when you can use your pre-written questions (see section B).

8. Thank them

As they are showing you out, thank them for their time, wish them a good day and again shake hands.

9. Let us know how you got on

Once you have left the interview – call KiddyKare to let us know how you got on!

Section A – Typical Nursery Interview Questions

Below are some questions that you may be asked in a Nursery interview:

They will ask you about your career to date. They may ask which positions you enjoyed the most and why? They may also ask why you left each position?

Q: What do you most enjoy about working with children? What do you enjoy the least?

Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?

Q: How would you discipline a 3 year old?

Q: How would you deal with a child who has bumped their head?

Q: If a parent came to collect a child who you didn’t know, what would you do?

Q: What is your understanding of the EYFS? Have you had experience in documenting a child’s development and doing observations?

Q: Can you name the six areas of learning?

Q: Who are OFSTED?

Q: Could you tell me what activities you could prepare for a 2-3 year old?

Q: Could you tell me what are the ratios for 0-1years (1 staff:3 babies), 1-2 years (1 staff:3 children), 2-3 years (1 staff:4children), 3-5 years (1staff:8 children).

Q: Do you have any experience in working with children with special needs?

Q: What training courses have you attended? (Remember first aid, manual handling, music courses, and activity courses). Is there any training that you would like to do in the future?

Q: What are your best attributes or what can you offer the Nursery? This is basically what you are best at in a team.

Q: They may ask if you have any holidays planned – Most employers will honour any previous commitments.

Section B – Questions to ask future employers in your nursery interview

Now some questions that you could ask – Remember to write these down!!

Q: How many children do you currently have in the Nursery/how many are you registered for?

Q: Which room are you recruiting for and how many children can you have in that room?

Q: Does the nursery offer any training?

Q: Are there any chances for promotion in the nursery?

Q: Does the nursery have parent meetings; would I be involved in them?

Q: When is a decision on my application likely to be made?

Call us anytime with any queries or questions you may before or after an interview and remember – keep smiling!!!!

Prepare to ace your interview