According to the latest government statistics, there are nearly 1.2 million people employed in childcare in the U.S., seeing to the basic needs of children every day.
Still, with millions of Americans sheltering in place due to the coronavirus, and many daycare centers and schools closed for the foreseeable future, childcare workers who need to earn money now need to pivot to other industries. The good news is that their skills and experience can translate to other industries.
We'll show you how to find jobs that best fit your skills, focusing on "transferable" skills that any employer can use and will help you be seen as a better fit over other job candidates.
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Transferable skills to emphasize on your resume
Whether you're a teacher, manager or office worker in a daycare or an in-home nanny or babysitter, you have skills that can be applied to other jobs. These are known as your "transferable" skills.
The skills you learned during your time in a childcare setting include hard skills, technical skills and even soft skills such as communication, teamwork and problem-solving. By emphasizing these talents on your resume, you'll stand out from the competition and help the employer envision you putting those skills to work in their organization.
In addition, you may have relevant training or certifications that will also appeal to other employers, making you even more valuable to another organization. Here's what you need to consider adding to your resume to attract the attention of other employers:
Hard skills: Employee scheduling, management experience, inventory management, health training such as first aid, experience implementing safe sleep practices for children
Technical skills: Employee scheduling software, inventory software, billing software
Soft skills: Empathy, communication, collaboration, teamwork, adaptability
Certifications and training: CPR training, Child Development Associate credential, National Association for Family Child Care Accreditation
These industries are hiring people with your skills:
If you were a daycare provider, nanny, au pair, babysitter, after-school teacher, daycare assistant, childcare workers, daycare worker, you might for qualified for one of these roles:
- Sales associate (for example, at an essential retail store like Target)
- Grocery store associate (for example, at Kroger)
- Drugstore sales associate (for example, at CVS)
- Caregiver (for example, at a nursing home)
- Food delivery driver (for example, for delivery app GrubHub or Pizza Hut)
- Shipping associate (for example, in a warehouse for an ecommerce company like Amazon)
- Maintenance worker (for example, working in essential stores like grocery or a drugstore)
How to apply for these roles and what you'll need:
In person:
- A current email address and phone number
- A resume
- Identification, such as a driver's license or passport
Online:
- A current email address and phone number
- A resume
- A brief cover letter
How to find these jobs in your community
Do I need a resume during the COVID-19 crisis?
Many employers like grocery stores and shipping operations need workers fast and are hiring by the hundreds. While some are waiving the requirement to have a resume, it's best to be prepared with an updated document. A well-written resume is the best way to show off your transferable skills to a potential employer, especially when you are changing roles or industries.
In addition, you may also need a cover letter. For the roles highlighted on this page, your cover letter should be brief, targeted to the job and employer and not simply a repetition of your resume. It should include a few short paragraphs describing who you are, what you can offer and what attracted you to the role for which you are applying. It's also a great opportunity to highlight how your skills and experience will be of use in this new role.
Below, we've provided a sample resume for you to review.
Text resume example: A childcare worker applying for retail associate role
Name: Cynthia Humphrey
Address: Olympia, WA 98502
Email: example@example.com
Phone number: 555-555-5555
Summary Statement:
Dependable and dedicated childcare worker with 10 years of experience in daily problem-solving and providing a supportive and positive environment seeks position as a retail associate for an essential business. Flexible and adaptable, able to collaborate with a diverse group of people and a good communicator.
Summary of Skills:
- Positive reinforcement methods
- Active listener
- Reliable and punctual
- Cheerful and energetic
- Behavior management techniques
- Approachable
Work History
Childcare worker
Sunnyside Day Care
Olympia, WA
9/2015–3/2020
- Worked with children in various classrooms, ranging in age from infants to 5-years-old
- Provided safe, engaging atmosphere for children
- Used games, videos and age-appropriate play to engage children and spark their creativity and personal growth
- Addressed inappropriate and disciplinary issues right away
- Met with parents on-on-one to establish individual development plans
Nanny
Seattle, WA
01/2010–09/2015
- Answered a wide range of childcare needs for busy parents of three children, ranging in age from 2-10. Directed after-school activities, such as homework, class projects
- Prepared up to three meals a day as needed, along with snacks
- Responsible for ensuring meals were nutritious and avoided foods that triggered allergies in youngest child
- Maintained safe environment for children
- Responsible for overnight care when parents traveled at same time, about three times a month
Education & Certifications
Ballard High School
Seattle, WA
2015
CPR and First Aid Certifications
2016
Safe sleeping for children training
2017
Water safety course
2018
LiveCareer Resume Builder example: A childcare worker applying for retail associate role
