Transferable Skills in Childcare Might Qualify You for Other Roles

Workers with children seeking to return to the office will need to first make arrangements for childcare. Working parents confined to home because of the COVID-19 are more apt to recognize and appreciate the almost 1.2 million people employed in childcare in the United States more than ever.

The talks couldn’t come at a more opportune time. In a survey of 6,000 childcare centers in March, 30 percent said they wouldn’t survive a closure of two weeks without significant public investment.

To weather the pandemic, the childcare industry requested from Congress $50 billion in stimulus assistance, but the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act passed in March set aside $3.5 billion in grants to states through the Child Care and Development Block Grant Program and $750 million for Head Start programs.

Still, as cities and states ponder how to reopen, childcare centers remain closed because of social distancing guidelines, and thousands of childcare workers remain unemployed.

While on the surface the situation feels bleak, this is a good time for those with childcare skills to find new work in other industries. Childcare workers have cultivated skills that are valuable to other businesses that are still operating, such as nursing homes that still seek those with caregiving skills to keep their patients safe and happy.

The trick to finding a job in a new industry is to learn how to use your “transferable skills” to your advantage. These are skills that are valuable across industries. Learning to identify those skills and highlight them in a resume will help you stand out among other applicants.

Transferable skills and training to emphasize on your resume

Your “transferable skills” are those you can put to work in a different role. Whether you taught children, managed a daycare center, worked in billing or were employed as an in-home nanny, the skills you picked up along the way will add value for other types of employers.

Specifically, you have three types of skills: hard skills, technical skills and soft skills. Emphasizing these talents on your resume will help you attract the attention of an employer and distinguish you from other job seekers, even if you don’t have direct experience in the field.

You also want to remember to include relevant training or certifications that will be of further value to the employer and information about your education, where applicable.

Here are the relevant skill you need to add to your resume:

Hard and technical skills: Hard skills including, employee scheduling, management experience, inventory management, health training such as First Aid. Technical skills, such as proficiency with employee scheduling software, inventory software, billing software

Soft skills: Empathy, communication, collaboration, teamwork, adaptability

Certifications and training: Certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), safe sleep practices for children, Child Development Associate credential, various accreditations from The National Association for Family Child Care

Education: If you have a bachelor’s degree in education, communications or business, for example, be sure to add it to your resume even if it isn’t directly relevant to the role you are seeking. Or, if you’ve taken additional coursework in childcare, management, finance or another area, be sure to include that as well. Childcare certificates and other special training should be listed under a separate header.

These industries are hiring people with your skills

If you were a daycare provider, nanny, au pair, babysitter, after-school teacher, daycare assistant, childcare worker or daycare worker, you might be qualified for one of these roles.

• Sales associate (for example, at Target)
• Grocery store guest services (for example, at Kroger)
• Drugstore sales cashier (for example, at CVS)
• Caregiver (for example, at a nursing home)
• Food delivery driver (for example, for Domino’s Pizza)
• Shipping associate (for example, in an Amazon warehouse)
• Maintenance worker (for example, in a grocery store)

How to apply for these roles and what you’ll need

When applying in person, you will need to have a current resume that highlights your relevant skills and accomplishments, a current email and phone number, and identification such as a driver’s license or passport.

If you’re applying online, you will also need a current email address and phone number, and an up-to-date resume that reflects the skills the employer is seeking.

An employer may also request a cover letter, which is a good opportunity to briefly outline why you’re a good fit for the job and why you want to work for the employer.

How to find these jobs in your community

• LinkedIn
• iHireRetail
• Indeed
• Glassdoor

How to create a resume that will capture an employer’s attention

While there’s a flurry of hiring activity for many essential employers and a scramble by the unemployed to grab those jobs, that doesn’t mean you should cut corners and not deliver a top-notch resume and cover letter. By using our resume builder, you can create a resume that targets the areas that are unique to that job and hone in on your transferable skills, helping you stand out from the competition.

In addition, a cover letter that addresses why you want the job and why you’re a good fit will make a more personal connection to the hiring manager and make you more memorable from what could be hundreds of other applicants.

Text resume example: A nanny applying for a caregiver role

Name: Karen Rowell
Address: Philadelphia, PA 19115
Phone: (555) 555-5555
E-Mail: example@example.com

Professional Summary

Seasoned nanny knowledgeable about optimal care methods, looking for a role as a caregiver. Knowledgeable about incorporating stimulating activities into daily routines to promote healthy mental and social development. Adept at staying organized and managing hectic schedules.

Summary of Qualifications

• Adheres to kind and compassionate approach when dealing with difficult issues.
• Career history serving individual families with multiple children in both live-in and live-out scenarios.
• Responsive, dependable and vigilant with highly protective nature.

Skills

• Meal planning and preparation
• Infant, toddler and preschool curricula
• Schedule creation and maintenance
• Reliable transportation
• Active listener
• Housekeeping

Work History

Nanny
The Miller Family
Philadelphia, PA
March 2016 to Current

• Supported two children ages 3 & 5 in daily activities, including playing, meals and snacks, hygiene and socialization.
• Developed games and activities using arts and crafts to support learning and verbal skills.
• Worked with parents to develop and implement discipline programs to promote positive behavior.

Nanny 
The Jefferson Family
Philadelphia, PA
May 2012 to February 2016

• Safely transported children to and from school, medical appointments and extra-curricular activities.
• Assisted children with homework assignments and special projects across different subjects to promote academic success.
• Made healthy snacks and meals for two children.

Babysitter
The Stevenson Family
Philadelphia, PA
July 2009 to April 2012

• Maintained updated list of emergency contact information and child’s health information to act quickly if emergencies occur.
• Fostered close relationships with children by asking about school, friends and hobbies.
• Prepared bite-sized snacks and carefully watched young children eat to prevent choking.

Education & Training

Associate of Arts in Child Development
Bucks County Community College Newtown, PA

CPR & First Aid Training
Citywide CPR Philadelphia, PA
Current

My Perfect Resume Builder example: A nanny applying for a caregiver role