How to put babysitting on a resume

To put babysitting on a resume, follow these steps:

Create a single entry for all of your babysitting jobs in the experience section

Rather than giving each babysitting job its own entry, this creates a more readable and digestible way to list your experience as a babysitter. Be sure to include the overall time frame you were a babysitter, even if it was for multiple families or your babysitting work was more sporadic.

You should also list the family names you babysat for. If the number of families is too many, just select the ones that you babysat for the longest or the ones you know who would strongly recommend you for employment.

Do not include the families' contact information. You can use them as references if they don't mind; however, in your reference section, you should write that all references will be furnished upon request.

When describing your babysitting duties, be sure to use action words

Action verbs that may be included are words like cared, created, played, helped, cleaned, coordinated, prepared, and managed. These action words will give the sense that you are a responsible and proactive worker.

Highlight babysitting tasks that are relevant to the new job you are seeking

Your job descriptions, the skills you have, and the tasks you have performed should all be geared toward how they apply to the new role you are seeking. Some responsibilities you might want to include could be coordinating children's activities, preparing meals, and negotiating pay rates with families.

Seek to use professional language when doing this. For example, instead of saying you "broke up a fight between three sisters", say you are well-versed in "resolving conflict situations".

The skills you choose to highlight or strongly emphasize will depend on the job you are applying for.

For instance, if you are applying to a teacher-related position, be sure to include any academic assistance you gave to the child or children you babysat. Did you help with homework or enhance a baby's developmental status through structured play? These are important aspects of the job that will translate well into your new prospective role.

Consider using a different job title than babysitter

The title babysitter can evoke a sentiment of youngness or even being underqualified. Instead, consider using a term like "childcare provider". This sounds more professional and is still a completely accurate representation of your work as a babysitter.