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How Do Agencies Verify "HNW, UHNW, or High-Profile" Experience on Nanny Resumes?
Many nanny agencies list “proven experience with HNW, UHNW, or high-profile families” as a requirement—but how do they verify this experience? Would an agency contact previous employers to confirm their wealth status? What if your former high-net-worth employer led a relatively down-to-earth lifestyle? Does this still count as HNW experience?
I saw this question in one of the Nanny Facebook Groups, and I thought it was such a great idea that I would write a blog post about it.
For many nannies working through word-of-mouth recommendations, it’s interesting to consider how an agency might assess this if they ever needed their services. Nannies ask:
Does my resume showing hints of high-profile roles suffice, or would they ask my references directly?
Read on to learn how agencies might approach this requirement and what counts as HNW experience in their eyes.
Many nanny agencies require candidates to have “proven experience with high-net-worth (HNW), ultra-high-net-worth (UHNW), or high-profile (HP) families.” But how do they verify these specific types of experience? It’s a common question in the nanny community, with many wondering: Does my resume, which includes hints of high-profile roles, count? And would agencies reach out to former employers to confirm their wealth or lifestyle?
In this post, we’ll dive into what these terms mean, how agencies typically assess experience with these families, and how to prepare your resume and references to communicate your qualifications effectively.
Understanding the Terminology
The nanny industry’s focus on different wealth classifications can initially be confusing, so let’s clarify what HNW, UHNW, HP, and even “HENRY” mean in private household staffing.
High-profile (HP) families may or may not have vast wealth, but they are widely recognized through media, public roles, or cultural influence. Given the public's attention, these families often need staff skilled at managing privacy and discretion.
High-net-worth (HNW) families have a minimum net worth of around $1 million to $5 million. They might maintain a lower profile while still having unique lifestyle requirements, including additional help with household management or security.
Ultra-high-net-worth (UHNW) families have assets over $30 million. These families frequently require a fully-staffed home and expect employees to adhere to specific protocols and standards consistent with their wealth and lifestyle.
HENRY (High Earners, Not Rich Yet) families earn high salaries but may not have amassed the same level of wealth as HNW or UHNW families. They often require help similar to HNW families and expect the professionalism and adaptability of nannies who can cater to their demanding schedules and aspirations.
How Do Agencies Verify HNW, UHNW, or High Profile Experience?
When agencies request “HNW, UHNW, or HP experience,” they typically aren’t looking to validate your former employer’s bank account. Instead, they’re seeking assurance that you understand the expectations, discretion, and service levels these families require.
To assess a candidate’s experience with HNW, UHNW, or high-profile families, agencies often ask detailed, specific questions that help clarify the nature and scale of the work environment. These questions are not about directly confirming a family’s wealth but verifying that a candidate has handled responsibilities and protocols unique to affluent households. For instance, agencies might inquire about:
Home Size and Layout: Agencies may ask about the residence's square footage or the number of properties managed, as larger homes often require experience with complex household logistics and higher levels of organization.
Staffing Structure: Candidates might be asked if they worked in a fully staffed home, including roles like estate managers, private chefs, security staff, or additional nannies. This experience signals that a candidate is comfortable working as part of a larger team and understands the dynamics of a fully staffed residence.
Household Operations: Questions about day-to-day operations, such as managing complex schedules, overseeing events, or ensuring privacy protocols, can reveal how candidates handle high-stakes tasks and maintain discretion.
These details give agencies a better sense of your exposure to the unique demands of HNW/UHNW families, helping them match you with clients whose lifestyles and expectations align with your skills.
Here’s how agencies might further verify this type of experience:
1. Questions for Your References
Agencies may reach out to your previous employers with questions designed to gauge the environment in which you worked rather than directly asking about financials. Here are examples of questions agencies might ask:
Did the family’s lifestyle or schedule require high adaptability and flexibility?
Were there specific privacy and confidentiality protocols in place?
Did the family have unique or high expectations around service standards?
Was there a dedicated household staff, or did you work with other team members?
Did your role include travel, and if so, was it on private or commercial flights?
These questions help agencies understand the nature of your role, which is a better indicator of your familiarity with HNW environments than a specific salary or employer title alone.
2. Resume Hints
Your resume should provide clues to your experience level without disclosing confidential information. Agencies look for keywords and phrases like:
“Worked in a fully staffed household” or “collaborated with other household staff.”
“Experienced in high-stakes decision-making and maintaining confidentiality”
“Accompanied family on domestic and international travel”
“Assisted with event preparation or protocol during family gatherings.”
These keywords convey that you’ve worked with high-profile families without directly mentioning their wealth.
3. Background and Personality Screening
High-net-worth families often prioritize character and discretion over specific skills. Agencies might conduct in-depth interviews or personality screenings to ensure you understand the unique responsibilities and lifestyle expectations of HNW families.
Does “Down-to-Earth” Count as HNW?
What if your high-net-worth employer maintained a relatively “normal” lifestyle? Many families with considerable assets choose to live low-key lives, sometimes leading nannies to wonder if this experience “counts” as HNW.
The key here is less about the employer’s lifestyle and more about your adaptability. Agencies value candidates who thrive in formal and informal settings, whether the family was low-profile or enjoyed a more elaborate lifestyle. If your role required flexibility, discretion, and high standards, it would likely be valuable HNW experience in the agency’s eyes.
How to Prepare if You’re Seeking an HNW or UHNW Role
If you’re aiming to work with HNW or UHNW families in the future, here are a few tips to showcase your qualifications:
Tailor Your Resume: Use specific, professional language that reflects high-level service experience and familiarity with confidentiality.
Emphasize Key Skills: Highlight skills such as discretion, confidentiality, adaptability, and working within a fully staffed home.
Build Strong References: Choose references who can speak to your experience with affluent or high-profile families, even if they won’t explicitly discuss wealth.
Seek Related Experience: If you haven’t worked with HNW families, consider volunteering or interning in high-service environments, such as hotels or private clubs, where you can gain relevant skills.
Agencies typically verify HNW, UHNW, or HP experience through a combination of resume details, reference checks, and a clear understanding of the unique demands of these families. With a well-prepared resume and supportive references, you’ll be able to demonstrate that you understand and can meet the expectations that come with these roles—without revealing any confidential details about your past employers.
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