Here’s How Sitters Can Steer Clear Of Scammers On Sittercity

Let’s turn the tables around. If moms worry about meeting scammers on Sittercity, so do babysitters as well. Although there are a couple of filters in place to keep the scammers away, you can never be too sure.

Sittercity never compromises safety. Even with all their safety measures in place, they will always emphasize safety. Sittercity always encourages parents to run background checks on the sitters. While they boast of a reliable selection process in place, they never fail to stress the safety features of their selection process.

Unfortunately though, sitters cannot run background checks on the families that want to hire them. The sitters are not privy to any kind of information about the family that’s interested in them.

Running background checks and reading the reviews are the two essential things every parent must do on Sittercity. Luckily for parents, Sittercity makes it very easy for them to do such tasks.

How About The Babysitters?

For Sittercity, safety is not just for the kids. It’s for the sitters as well. Unfortunately though, sitters cannot run background checks on the families that want to hire them. The sitters are not privy to any kind of information about the family that’s interested in them. They will only get to know the family when they’re invited for an interview.

Nonetheless, Sittercity exerts extra effort in keeping their sitters safe. Here are a couple of tips from Sittercity as to how the sitters can stay safe at all times.

Request For A Phone Interview

When parents post a job on Sittercity, the next step is usually the phone interview. They will call up the sitters who have expressed interest in the job post.

There are cases when parents leave a message on the sitter’s profile. They handpick the sitter they like and leave a message on her profile. For some parents this process of finding a sitter is more convenient and reliable.

For the safety of the sitter, she should always request for a phone interview before meeting up with the possible employer. That way, the sitter can gauge if the job post or the message that’s posted on her profile is legitimate or not.

For the safety of the sitter, she should always request for a phone interview before meeting up with the possible employer. That way, the sitter can gauge if the job post or the message that’s posted on her profile is legitimate or not.

Furthermore, she can gauge if the childcare needs of the possible employer is a match with her credentials. Should there be any red flags in the phone interview, the sitter can spare herself the trouble of showing up for a face-to-face interview.

Show Up Prepared

Preparation is the key to a successful interview. If you’ve prepared enough, you’d know exactly what you’re getting into in the first place.  Preparing well for an interview is one good way for you to stay safe.

According to Chicagonow.com:

The more you prepare for the interview, the more confident you’ll feel. You’ll want to try to anticipate the interviewer’s questions (cheat sheet!), and think about how you would answer them. Whenever possible, cite specific incidents or stories instead of generalizing. Practice your responses over and over until you’re comfortable with answering just about anything. But do NOT memorize your responses word-for-word, or else you’ll come across more robotic than competent.

Aside from practicing responses, sitters should always be well dressed for the interview. Showing up professionally dressed is one way for them to stay safe. That way, the focus is on the job at hand and not on anything else.

Putting in extra effort to prepare for an interview includes showing up on time. Punctuality is a must for all sitters.

Sitters should also make sure that they have everything they need for the interview. Bringing along a smartphone is another way for sitters to stay safe during the interview. That is an essential thing every sitter should have. She can call in case, she is running late or she can call for help in case anything should happen. After all, having a smartphone is one good defense.

Focus On The Interview

For sitters to stay safe, it’s a must to focus on the interview. This means that sitters should also try to get to know the family really well. As much as the parents try to get as much information from the sitter, the sitter should also do the same thing. That way, she stays safe because she knows exactly whom she is dealing with.

When a sitter shows up for an interview, she brings with her a wealth of personal information for her possible employer. Coming prepared for an interview means the sitter has with her an updated copy of her resume, various IDs, and certificates; to mention a few.

As much as the parents try to get as much information from the sitter, the sitter should also do the same thing. That way, she stays safe because she knows exactly whom she is dealing with.

All these documents have vital information about the sitter. Sittercity recommends that the sitter get to know the family well as she is sharing with them personal information that could be used somewhere else. Related read: Get a discount on Sittercity now

By focusing on the interview, the sitter can gather enough information about her possible employer. She will have a good idea as to the kind of folks she has just shared personal information with.

It’s also recommended that the sitters clarify their compensation in the interview stage. This way, they’re protected in terms of financial compensation.

Have A Safety Mindset At All Times

It’s not enough for the sitter to be safety conscious in the interview stage. Even if the interview turns out to be successful, the sitter should always be safety conscious.

Sittercity recommends that all sitters have a safety mindset at all times. Even as they embark on their new job post, they should always have a safety mindset. One good way for them to instill a safety mindset is by regularly letting their friends and family know where they are.

One good way for them to instill a safety mindset is by regularly letting their friends and family know where they are.

One vital tip from Sittercity is that the sitter should always be aware of the boundaries or the terms of references discussed in the interview. This way, she never has to compromise any task that she isn’t comfortable in doing.

Watch Out For The Warning Signs

For sitters to stay safe on the job, they should always be aware of what’s happening around them. Even if the family is trustworthy, sitters should never be too complacent in their work environment.

Sittercity states that sitters should always watch out for some warning signs. One such warning sign is when something looks too good to be true. Sitters should never fall for something that looks too good to be true.

Another warning sign is when the possible employer is not using Sittercity as platform for communication.

Another warning sign is when the possible employer is not using Sittercity as platform for communication. There is a valid reason why parents and sitters are required to use Sittercity as a platform for communication. It’s their protection.

If a job post looks dubious, the sitters are encouraged to email Sittercity Member Services at support@sittercity.com. This way, Sittercity can look into the matter immediately.

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