You have made it so far! Your portfolio is almost complete! Hopefully, you are feeling a little less stressed about the NOTY portfolio process. This is the big week for EDITING, EDITING, and 
more EDITING. I cannot tell you enough how important editing is to the application process. You have until now spent hours writing, rewriting and then editing these documents.
This is what you have so far:
Section 1 Questionnaire- complete!
Section 2 Cover Letter – in draft form
Section 3 Education – complete!
Section 4 References – 3 people agreed to it and ready.
Section 5 Essays – in draft form
Section 6 Work History – in draft form
Section 7 Certificates and Documents – scanned in PDF form
Section 8 Publications and Presentations – scanned in PDF form
Section 9 Media Appearance and Awards – scanned in PDF form
Section 10 Letters of Recommendation – on their way or in your possession in PDF form
Section 11 Images – gathered in JPG form with parents’ permission to use
Section 12 Attestations – this is the last thing you will do
Many words have been written, erased, edited and spell checked. These words have been “seen” by you numerous times. Your brain might be completing sentences without even reading them on the paper or screen. This happens a lot with all the writing one does for the application process. There are probably things that have been missed, as you have been working on this for the past 6 weeks. This is where you want someone else that you know is good at editing to look at your paperwork.
Having others edit and review your portfolio is important as it could make or break your portfolio. Ask them to have it back to you within a few days.
Once you have had one or two people review your work, it is time to copy and paste it from the document you have written them on into the NOTY Digital Portfolio you will have access to through your INA member portal. Take it slow because you don’t want to accidentally miss copying something.
You will also need to mark “yes” to all the questions on Section 12 – Attestation. This should be the last thing you do.
Once that is complete, put it away for a few days. That is right, DON’T hit submit right away. Once you hit submit, there is no way to go back and change your answers. Save everything, then come back to it a few days later.
This is the nerve racking part. Hitting “Submit” is like being at the post office about to let go of those 4 spiral bound Portfolios we used to require. Are they really done? Are they complete? Did I answer every question the best way I could? Am I ready for this? You will ask yourself all these questions and more. But now is when it is time to trust in your process. If you followed our guidelines, asked questions when you needed to and did your best, rest assured all will be well. Remember that the deadline is January 15, 2018.
AND…………………………………………………………. SUBMIT!
Give yourself a little party and a pat on the back for all your hard work. You deserve it.
Please also be sure to email a digital photograph of yourself (no children in the photo and on a plain background if possible) that is professional and of high digital quality. This will be needed for our social media announcements and conference program.
For many of our previous NOTY Nominees, having a physical copy of their portfolio was important. Feel free to create one and have it printed. We may be asking the selected NOTY to do so and it might be a great keepsake to remember all the hard work you have done.
Once your portfolio is submitted, INA will be conducting the background checks and starting the first part of the selection process. By the time you submit your online portfolio, you will also need to be registered for the INA conference because you cannot be considered for NOTY until you are. You will be notified by February 15, 2018, whether you have been selected and an official 2018 NOTY Nominee. After that date, the selection committee will contact you for an interview and begin speaking to your references. If you are chosen as 2018 Nanny of the Year you will be notified in April 2018 so that you can prepare.
This year we will also be announcing the NOTY Nominees in March via email and social media. Should you make it and be considered an official NOTY Nominee, your assistance will be needed in writing your introduction.
Good Luck!
Quick Links to the previous weeks of the NOTY Application Process