How to List Babysitter Skills on a Resume: Best Skills and Examples

Quick Navigation:

When looking for a job as a babysitter, it’s important to ensure that your best babysitter skills are listed clearly on your resume. A few of the most common babysitter skills that employers look for include patience, creativity and trustworthiness. In this article, learn why employers want to see babysitter skills on a resume, how to list these skills on your resume and tips for improving your babysitter skills to be better at your job.

Why do employers want to see babysitter skills on your resume?

Highlighting your skills as a babysitter on your resume is important to employers because it lets them know what you have to offer as a babysitter and whether you would be a good fit for a particular job. For example, if you have good cooking and cleaning skills and the position asks for a person who can cook and clean while on the job, then an employer will likely consider you for the position over someone who does not possess these skills.

Additionally, employers also want to see the most relevant babysitter skills on your resume so that they can understand your limitations and adaptability. For example, if you only have experience with toddlers and the position specifically requires the babysitter to manage the schedules of two school-aged children, then the employer may want to see your time management skills to decide if you are a good fit for the job.

How to list babysitter skills on a resume

Use the following steps to list your babysitter skills on your resume in the most effective and professional way:

1. First, create a complete list of the babysitter skills you possess

The first step to listing your babysitter skills on your resume is to determine all of the skills you actually possess. Oftentimes, you can use a skill in everyday life and not even realize it is applicable in a professional sense. For example, if you regularly manage a busy schedule, this could be considered good time management skills and can be included in your resume.

2. Second, include your babysitter skills in your work experience section

After you have listed and organized your skills, you can now begin to implement them in your resume. One effective way to do this is to incorporate several skills into the work experience descriptions you list on your resume. For example, instead of saying ‘utilized my safety skills,’ you could say ‘relied on my CPR training to prevent a child from choking.’ When including your skills in the work experience section on your resume, be as specific as possible to portray your skills in action. You should also try to include specific skills that were mentioned in the job description to further show the employer that you are a good match for the job.

3. Third, consider including a skills section to further highlight your babysitter skills

In addition to your work experience section, you could also consider including a skills section to further highlight your skills as a babysitter. You can create this section using a bulleted list of skills or you can list out your skills and separate each with a comma. When making a skills list, include only those skills that you think will be most important for the job you are applying for. 

Best babysitter skills to add to a resume

The following are babysitter skills to consider adding to your resume:

CPR and first aid training

This is often an important skill that employers look for when seeking a babysitter to hire. Many babysitters hold both first aid and CPR certifications, as this is typically a non-negotiable requirement for the job. There are several options for becoming CPR and first-aid certified including taking traditional classed through your local American Red Cross or online courses.

Time management

A babysitter is often required to oversee a child’s daily routine and schedule and needs good time management skills to do so successfully. Time management skills include prioritization, goal-setting, planning and staying organized.

Independent

Many babysitting jobs are for situations when parents are not home, which means that the babysitter must be able to work well on their own. Being independent and needing little to no supervision is key to being a good babysitter.

Interpersonal skills

As a babysitter, you will need to get along with children, parents and employers. Having good interpersonal skills can show an employer that you can work well with others in various situations.

Communication skills

Babysitters must regularly stay in contact with parents, especially if they are babysitting for an extended period of time. From expectations to scheduling to bedtime, a babysitter must be able to communicate with the parents and others to ensure that the child’s or children’s needs are met.

How to improve babysitter skills

The following are steps you can take to improve your babysitting skills:

1. First, know your limitations

Before agreeing to take a job, be sure that you fully understand the expectations and are comfortable with the position. This will ensure that you are able to provide the services needed and that the job is the right fit for you. Making sure that the babysitting position is right for you can give you the chance to develop and expand your babysitting skills without being overly challenging.

2. Second, be willing to ask for help

When first starting out as a babysitter, it’s important to be willing to ask for help or guidance when you need it. Trying to solve everything on your own may end up backfiring and will not help you advance your skill set. Rather, asking for help and then taking the advice that is given is the best way to expand your babysitting knowledge and skills.

3. Third, stay organized

Babysitting can sometimes be overwhelming, especially if you are watching more than one child. Staying organized, whether that be keeping a schedule or having a regular routine with the children, can help you excel in your position and strengthen your skills as a babysitter.