The first decision you need to make is how you want to find a job.  Your choices include working with a nanny referral agency such as FreeFromCare, working with an online nanny recruitment service, searching newspapers for any relevant posts that are advertised or referrals through networking with friends and relatives already living in Canada.

Online Nanny Services/Finding Family through advert or friend or relative:

There is a choice of online nanny services on the internet – these are sites where nannies can advertise seeking a job and families will post vacancies with the aim of finding each other.  These services are usually either free of charge or have a small fee to pay and will provide a limited range of the services offered by a traditional full service agency such as FreeFromCare. 

There are also different online based classified newspapers or sites which list advertisements of the families looking for live-in care.

If you speak to your friends or relatives in Canada they can help you look for a possible Employer.  People often choose this method of finding a job rather than going to a professional agency.  Some succeed in finding an Employer but you need to understand the difference in the two options.

For you the nanny, the families have not been screened by anyone against the Live In Caregiver Program requirements and for the family, they will need to complete a large amount of complex paperwork before you apply for the work permit.  As a nanny you need to protect your safety and your personal information.  Do not become a victim of any scam or waste time and money with “ghost” families.  Make sure it is a legitimate vacancy and family.

SCAM WARNING! There are many online scammers who are working to scam money from nanny job seekers. Be careful! There are many people who went to Canada under the Live-in caregiver program and now try to make “monkey business” by trying to recruit nannies and caregivers for families that do not exist, asking for thousands of dollars in exchange for a non-existing job. Remember they are in Canada and you are not. If they cheat you will never find them and get your money back.

Working with a nanny agency:

As a nanny referral agency, FreeFromCare work with families to refer pre-screened candidates for employment who match their needs and characteristics.  There are agencies such as ours in the country of your destination (such as Canada) or locally in the place where you reside.  We have direct access to the Canadian Employers unlike many other overseas Agencies, who recruit on behalf of Canadian based agencies. 

In April 2010 CIC announced new regulations for the Live in Caregivers which prohibits recruitment agencies charging Caregivers fees related to the recruitment.

Recruiters charge fees which, under the LCP, must be paid by the employer who has requested the recruitment services. Recruitment services can include, among others, advertising, application filing and collection, processing, pre-screening interviews, testing or analysis of skills or knowledge, arrangement of formal interviews with workers, confirming that the worker meets program criteria and negotiating a wage or salary on the employer’s behalf that is in line with the employer's and LCP requirements.

However recruiters must be distinguished from immigration lawyers and/or licensed consultants who are authorized representatives of foreign nationals. Immigration consultants may, for a fee, represent, advise or consult on immigration matters with a person seeking to enter Canada as an immigrant or foreign worker or after their entry to Canada.

Some services may be offered to potential employees that are not considered recruitment services, such as resume writing, interview preparation and first aid courses. Under the LCP, fees for these non-recruitment related services may be charged to the Job seeker.

When using a recruitment agency, regardless of the location, you should make sure that the Agency does not charge you any fees for finding a job.

FreeFromCare will carefully screen families and nannies to ensure suitability for the position and the Live in caregiver program.  We also assist families in completing all paperwork required to make an offer of employment and process the LMO at no cost to you. If you use an online service, advertisement or friends you need to rely on the family to do all of the paperwork.  We have experience of where families not using the services of a professional agency are often reluctant or uncomfortable doing this – it is imperative that you take the lead and ensure the process is completed in the correct way and all steps are followed by the family (such as posting the correct advertising, filing the LMO application, drafting the sworn declaration and providing satisfactory proof of their income). 

General Job hunting advice:

Regardless of the method you choose to find a job, here are some general job hunting tips.

• BE PREPARED before you respond to the advertisement/vacancy. Have a list of questions ready that establish early on in the process if this will be a potential job for you. These might include: Where is the job, ages and number of children/ elderly, hours needed, and compensation offered.
• DOCUMENTATION - you should have all paperwork ready for the families you are interested in; this should include a current resume, written list of your references, educational and experience background.
• INTERVIEWING: never accept a job unless you have had a personal interview with the prospective employer either by phone or Skype. Do not listen to anyone who tries to negotiate between you and the Employer (relatives, friends etc). Do not allow anyone to tell you that the Family will accept you without even talking to you. No family will bring someone to their home to take care of their loved ones without checking their documents, references and talking to them. Go through a list of interview questions, and trust your instincts. If it doesn't feel right, it won't get better.
• WRITING A WORK AGREEMENT: You and the family must design a work agreement defining the hours, scope of work, compensation, holidays, vacations, and overtime compensation.

Regardless of the method you use to find your nanny job, the experts agree that you must do the following:

Go with your initial feelings. If you are not comfortable for whatever reason, move on to another opportunity. Part of finding the right job and making a success of it is ensuring that you and the family are compatible.  – You either get on or not.

Communicate: Make sure you know the hours, what your duties will be, what your methods and beliefs are with raising children, and compensation before you start work. Prioritize your work – the care of the family members is your key task.

Be professional: Working with a family’s loved ones is a challenging but rewarding career. Make sure you provide your employer and their family with the best possible care. Always be ready for work at the agreed start time.  Always look for ways of improving your skills and education.  There are opportunities to meet other people in similar roles through networking sites for caregivers.  There are books that will offer advice and new ideas.  If you hear of seminars that are available go to them.