As we begin the new year and families start planning for what lies ahead, it’s a great time for you to do the same with your career—starting with your résumé.
If you work in the world of private homes—nannies, housekeepers, estate managers, personal assistants, chefs, companions, drivers—your résumé is often the first impression you make on a family or recruiter. It doesn’t need to be fancy. It does need to be honest, clear, and truly you.
Yes, You Can Use AI. No, It Shouldn’t Sound Like a Robot.
AI can be a helpful assistant. It can:
- Help clean up grammar and spelling
- Suggest stronger wording
- Help organize your responsibilities more clearly
But AI is not the finished product. It’s a tool, not your voice.
If you copy and paste AI text without changing anything, it usually shows. Recruiters see this every day:
- Generic corporate-sounding language
- Over-polished phrasing that doesn’t match private service
- Little AI icons, graphics, or tech-heavy templates
Skip all of that. No robots. No flashy nonsense. Keep your résumé clean and easy to read.
Use AI as an assistant—then put everything into your own words. If it doesn’t sound like how you actually speak, rewrite it. And remember: less is more. A résumé isn’t meant to be a novel—it’s a snapshot.
Double-Check the Basics: Dates, Titles, and References
This part is critical.
Before sending your résumé anywhere, confirm:
- Job titles match what you actually did
- Employment dates are accurate
- Your résumé matches what your references will say
If your résumé says 2019–2023 but your reference remembers 2020–2022, that creates confusion. Even innocent mistakes slow down the process.
Make sure everything lines up. It protects you.
Overlapping Jobs, Temp Work, and Multiple Families Are OK
Sometimes your résumé won’t be perfectly clean—and that’s real life.
You might have:
- Worked part-time for two families at once
- Taken on temp or fill-in roles
- Covered maternity leaves
- Helped during short-term transitions
You can absolutely include this. It doesn’t hurt you—it shows hustle, flexibility, and work ethic. Just label things clearly as “part-time,” “temporary,” or “contract” when needed.
Structure tells your story. It doesn’t have to be perfect—it just has to be accurate.
Your Résumé Is Only Half the Story
Your résumé tells us:
- Where you worked
- How long
- Your title
- Some of what you did
But what it doesn’t always show is who you are.
We want to know:
- What types of households you’re best in
- What you truly excel at
- Your working style
- What you’re looking for long-term
Add a short, real summary in your own words. Not fluffy. Not corporate. Just honest.
“I’m a calm, organized housekeeper who thrives in busy homes with children.”
That tells us more than three paragraphs of buzzwords ever could. Think of your résumé as a calling card—a way to open the door to a conversation, not the whole conversation itself.
At the End of Each Job: Tell Us Why You Left (In 5–6 Words)
This is especially important in private service.
At the end of each position, add one short line explaining why it ended:
- “Family relocated out of state.”
- “Children left for college.”
- “Principal downsized residence.”
- “Temporary role during transition.”
- “Position restructured.”
- “Medical leave, now fully cleared.”
Short. Clean. Honest. It prevents assumptions before they ever start.
Highlight the Skills That Match the Job
Every household has different needs. Make sure the skills that matter most for the position you’re applying to stand out. If you’re applying for a nanny role, emphasize childcare and family coordination. For a housekeeper, highlight wardrobe care, organization, and deep cleaning. Estate managers should showcase staff supervision and vendor management.
Don’t bury these skills in long lists—make them easy to spot.
Tailor Your Résumé for Each Position
One résumé does not fit all. Don’t be afraid to adjust your résumé depending on the role. Highlight different skills or experiences that match the family’s needs.
For example:
- If a position requires cooking, move your culinary experience higher up.
- If it’s a formal household, emphasize your experience with etiquette and service standards.
Small changes can make a big difference in showing fit.
The Most Important Rule: Be Totally Truthful
This part matters more than formatting, wording, or design:
The only way recruiters can truly help you is if you are completely truthful.
Stuff happens. We know that.
Families change. Health issues pop up. Personal situations arise. Jobs evolve. Gaps happen. Overlaps happen. None of that disqualifies you.
But surprises do.
If there’s something sensitive in your history, tell us up front. If there’s a rocky exit, explain it honestly. We don’t judge—but we do need to be prepared so we can represent you properly and protect everyone involved.
How We Look at This at Crimmins Residential Staffing
At Crimmins, we take a lot of pride in presenting qualified people and helping them while we help our clients. That means:
- Protecting your reputation
- Protecting the family’s trust
- Making sure there are no surprises on either side
Your résumé is the foundation of that process. When it’s accurate, thoughtful, and real, everything else goes more smoothly.
A Simple Final Checklist
Before you send your résumé out:
- Your dates match your references
- Your wording sounds like you
- You removed AI icons and gimmicks
- You explained why each job ended
- You clearly labeled part-time and temp work
- You told the truth—even when it’s uncomfortable
- You kept it short and clean
- You highlighted the skills that match the job
- You tailored it for the role you’re applying to
If you’ve done that, you’re in excellent shape.
Let Us Help You. Now Get Started.
If updating your résumé feels overwhelming, you’re not alone. Many excellent nannies, housekeepers, chefs, estate managers, assistants, and companions struggle to put their experience into words.
That’s what we’re here for.
Let us help you tell your story the right way.
Now go open your résumé—and get started.
