How can I come across as less intimidating and scary?

Leticia Zamora

 I have never been a full time nanny, always a part time nanny. I have childcare center experience, and experience with all age groups, plus an in-depth knowledge of child development. I have great references. I also happen to be older, seasoned, a veteran, and by industry standards, a career educator. I am short, plus sized, and able to chase after small children with the eyes in the back of my head. I bring to the table what younger, less experienced nannies bring: a wealth of knowledge and experience. Any family would be crazy and stupid not to hire me with my credentials-yet they hire inexperienced young college students and professionals who have no interest in being a nanny for a career. Instead it seems families hire these youngsters knowing they will have to start the nanny search over again and over again and again in a short period of time because the nannies don't stay long due to lack of interest in being a nanny, a career change (finding a job in their field of study) or going back to school after not finding a job.

     During college, I had a communications class, and one of our assignments was preparing for a mock job interview. I prepared for mock nanny interview, as my plan was to move to Chicago and become a nanny after college, as I wanted to take my career in a new direction. During my interview, my teacher advised me to explain to families why they should hire me, and the benefit of hiring me. I have done just that in a positive tone, and nobody has hired me. In fact, I remember telling one family that hiring me is an asset, because I am older, I know what I am looking for and what I want, plus my experience and education, not to mention the fact that I wouldn't be coming to them in two months and telling them I was going to quit because I didn't like being a nanny. They didn't hire me, and two months later, they were seeking another nanny. I wonder if they felt stupid for not hiring me in the first place, especially since I told them they would be looking for another nanny two months time.

     Last weekend, I interviewed for nanny share position with a decent pay for my area. Again, I made mention of my experience, and the fact that as a nanny part of my job was to guide them as first time parents through early childhood. They appeared very impressed with my qualifications, and I even sent one of the families a thank you note. Today I found out that I didn't get the job because they felt it wasn't a fit, yet they didn't even bother to ask for references (I only provide them if a family has actual interest) nor did they conduct a "working interview" to observe me with the children. (I believe I was a fit, they were afraid of me due to experience and the fact that I could run circles around their current nannies, both of whom are young with little experience.) I feel like many families make mistakes in hiring by not conducting a working interview, as anyone can fake an interview, get the job and be a horrible nanny.

     It got me to thinking: do parents see older (I'm in my 40s) experienced, career nannies differently than less experienced nannies? I'm overweight but carry it well, and working on losing weight. Do parents see thin or HWP nannies differently than overweight or plus sized nannies? Can families see someone with my age, experience, background and size as intimidating and scary? I seriously think I intimidate families without realizing it, and do so by accident. I am one of the sweetest people you can meet who loves her job, I just don't care for flaky families who can't see what I have to offer, which is a hell of a lot more than the college nannies and young professionals in town.