If you’ve ever wanted to get involved with Barnard Babysitting but have felt too scared to give it a shot, here is your sign to learn a little bit more about the basic process and see if it’s a commitment you would be interested in taking up. 

Babysitting seems like a great job opportunity in the city, but getting started can be difficult, especially when you’re new to the city and don’t have access to a network of families you already know. However, if you’re a Barnard student who’s been looking for job opportunities through Barnard, chances are you’ve heard about Barnard babysitting. Applying for a babysitting job on Handshake can seem like a huge challenge when you’re unfamiliar with the app or have little babysitting experience. This is a small guide on getting started with Barnard Babysitting via Handshake. Bwabysitting if you will.

First off, download Handshake! It is a must! If you haven’t filled out your account information, including adding a picture and listing majors, clubs, and other relevant information–this is your sign. Employers like to make sure that they’re talking to an actual trustworthy person more than anything else, so feel free to list things that may not feel relevant to the babysitting job (even if it is the primary reason why you downloaded the app). 

Second, look up the word babysitting under jobs and sort them by location and by date posted. These positions tend to get filled up relatively quickly, so you’ll probably have an easier time finding families who are available this way. 

Finally, it’s time to start applying for jobs! Look at entries that work with your schedule and that you think you are qualified for. Your first babysitting job is NOT the time to first attempt taking care of an 8-month-old baby. Handshake has an option to send a message privately, and I encourage you to introduce yourself and your major, list some prior or relevant experience, and leave an email or phone number so the family can reach out to you separately. Be sincere and passionate. There are different kinds of babysitting gigs out there, you may find that after-school pickups are easy for you and don’t require as much background babysitting experience as they do knowledge of how to get around the city and be familiar with public transportation. Or, you may find you enjoy being an after-school helper and helping the kids finish their schoolwork and try some crafts while also being in the presence of a caretaker or family member. And, of course, you may enjoy more traditional babysitting. 

After you reach out or apply for a babysitting job, the caretaker who posted it will likely prefer to reach out to you via SMS, although sometimes they will prefer to reach out via email. However, it is unlikely that the majority of your interactions with your employer will be on the Handshake app itself. A lot of the caretakers are Barnard alumnae or Columbia affiliated, so it is always nice to hear about their experiences here and where it has taken them. They are usually very kind and straightforward over the phone, so don’t be afraid to chat with them.

So, if you’ve been thinking of trying babysitting but are afraid because you don’t know any families in the city, this is your sign! Barnard babysitting has been around for a long time, but Handshake has made it much easier and quicker to get started whenever you want. Seriously, whenever. If you prefer trying the occasional job here and there rather than committing to a weekly commitment, that is completely fine! There will be many job opportunities for you! However, be mindful that you are a student and likely have other commitments so make sure you don’t overwork or overload yourself. Good luck!

Image via Bwarchives