Crafting a compelling au pair cover letter can be a daunting task, especially if you're in the thick of job applications and just realized it's a requirement. Unlike your resume, your cover letter should not merely repeat your experiences; it needs to highlight your most impressive professional achievement and tell the inspiring story behind it. Striking the right balance between formality and authenticity, without falling into clichés or exceeding one concise page, can be challenging. Let's navigate these waters together.
- Write a au pair cover letter that helps you stand out (and get the job);
- Understand how to start and end your au pair cover letter with the appropriate greeting;
- What to include in the body of your au pair cover letter to put your best foot forward;
- Your most important achievements - how to present them as part of your au pair cover letter.
And if you want to make your life even easier, simply drag and drop your au pair resume into Enhancv's AI cover letter generator, and it will write your cover letter for you in just a few moments.
If the au pair isn't exactly the one you're looking for we have a plethora of cover letter examples for jobs like this one:
- Au Pair resume guide and example
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- Certified Dental Assistant cover letter example
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Au pair cover letter example
Liam Johnson
Austin, Texas
+1-(234)-555-1234
help@enhancv.com
- Emphasize measurable achievements: The cover letter highlights a significant achievement—"bolstered cognitive and language skills by 20%"—which provides concrete evidence of the candidate's successful curriculum development and its impact on children's early development.
- Tailor to organizational values: The writer aligns personal philosophy with the center's commitment to child-centric learning, demonstrating a strong fit between the candidate's approach to education and the organization’s mission.
- Express shared goals: The cover letter indicates a desire to "further enrich the learning experiences" at the organization, showcasing a forward-thinking attitude aimed at contributing to the center’s ongoing success and nurturing young minds.
Structuring and formatting your au pair cover letter
Here's what the structure of your au pair cover letter should include:
- Header (with your name, the position you're applying for, and the date);
- Salutation (or greeting);
- Introductory paragraph (or your opening statement);
- Body paragraph (or further proof of your experience);
- Closing paragraph (with a call to action);
- Signature (that is optional).
Use the same font for your au pair resume and cover letter - modern fonts like Lato and Rubik would help you stand out.
Your au pair cover letter should be single-spaced and have a one-inch margins - this format is automatically set up in our cover letter templates and our cover letter builder.
When submitting your cover letter, always ensure it's in PDF, as this format keeps the information intact (and the quality of your document stays the same).
On one final note - the Applicant Tracker System (ATS or the software that is sometimes used to initially assess your application) won't read your au pair cover letter.
The top sections on a au pair cover letter
Header with Personal Contact Information and Date: This section is crucial for providing your personal details and the date, making it easy for the host family to know who you are and how to contact you.
Greeting or Salutation: Tailor this section to the family if possible, using their name to create a personal touch and show that you've done your research about them.
Introduction and Motivation for Applying: In this section, explain why you are interested in the au pair position and what makes you passionate about living with a host family and caring for children.
Experience and Skills Related to Childcare: Highlight relevant past childcare or educational experiences, special skills, or certifications that show your capability and enthusiasm for the au pair role.
Closing and Call-to-Action: Finish with a polite conclusion expressing your eagerness for an interview, your willingness to provide further information, and a note of thanks for considering your application.
Key qualities recruiters search for in a candidate’s cover letter
- Childcare experience: Demonstrates the ability to effectively care for children of varying ages and provide a safe environment.
- Cultural sensitivity: Shows awareness and respect for family practices and a willingness to integrate into a new cultural setting.
- Language skills: Indicates the ability to communicate with the host family and children, particularly in their native language if it differs from the au pair's.
- Flexibility and adaptability: Ability to handle unexpected situations and adapt to the family's schedule and lifestyle.
- First aid and safety knowledge: Equips the au pair with the skills to respond to emergencies and ensure the children's safety.
- Positive and nurturing attitude: Reflects a genuine love for working with children and contributing to their development in a supportive manner.
How to address hiring managers in your au pair cover letter greeting
Goodbye, "Dear Sir/Madam" or "To whom it may concern!"
The salutation of your au pair cover letter is how you kick off your professional communication with the hiring managers.
And you want it to start off a bit more personalized and tailored, to catch the recruiters' attention.
Take the time to find out who's recruiting for the role (via LinkedIn or the company page).
If you have previously chatted or emailed the hiring managers, address them on a first or last name basis.
The alternative is a "Dear HR team" or "Dear Hiring Manger", but remember that a "Dear Ms. Simmons" or "Dear Simon," could get you farther ahead than an impersonal greeting.
List of salutations you can use
- Dear Hiring Manager,
- Dear Host Family,
- Dear Sir/Madam,
- Dear [Last Name] Family,
- Respected Recruitment Team,
- Dear [Agency Name] Representative,
How to start your au pair cover letter introduction
The opening paragraph of your au pair cover letter can seem like a real enigma.
Where do you start writing?
In your au pair cover letter introduction, focus on yourself by stating what:
- gets you motivated and excited about the role;
- you like best about the company, from culture to awards.
Write no more than two sentences, which are both authentic and show your enthusiasm for the opportunity.
The middle or body of your au pair cover letter body: a great instrument to tell a story
Now that you've set the right tone with the greeting and introduction of your au pair cover letter, it's time to get down to business.
Hear us out, the body of your au pair cover letter is the best storytelling instrument you have, in your job-hunting arsenal.
Writing the next three to six paragraphs, take the time to reassess the advert to discover job-crucial requirements.
Next, choose one accomplishment that covers those key skills and talents.
Use precisely that achievement to tell an exciting story of how you match the ideal candidate profile.
In the undertones of your story or au pair cover letter body, hint at the difference you'd make and sell your application as the perfect one for the job.
A sincere and original way to end your au pair cover letter
When writing their au pair cover letter, candidates tend to use one of these phrases, "Sincerely yours" or "I look forward to hearing from you".
Both statements show good manners, but your cover letter should end in a more actionable manner.
Write about:
- how you see yourself growing in the role/organization;
- the benefits you would bring about (you'd impress even more with tangible metrics);
- the next steps in the process (provide your availability for interviews).
What to write on your au pair cover letter, when you have zero experience
The best advice for candidates, writing their au pair cover letters with no experience, is this - be honest.
If you have no past professional roles in your portfolio, focus recruiters' attention on your strengths - like your unique, transferrable skill set (gained as a result of your whole life), backed up by one key achievement.
Or, maybe you dream big and have huge motivation to join the company. Use your au pair cover letter to describe your career ambition - that one that keeps you up at night, dreaming about your future.
Finally, always ensure you've answered why employers should hire precisely you and how your skills would benefit their organization.
Key takeaways
Summarizing the most important aspects in writing your au pair cover letter, remember to:
- Create a personalized au pair cover letter for each role you apply for, that includes the recruiter's name in the salutation;
- Format your au pair cover letter with single-spacing, one-inch margins, and a modern, yet ATS-friendly font;
- Always start off your au pair cover letter with two sentences that reflect what is most important about your application;
- Your au pair cover letter body should feature your biggest accomplishments and the job-relevant skills it has taught you;
- Instead of opting for the "Sincerely yours" ending, close your au pair cover letter with a nod to the future with what you aim to achieve in this potential role.
