When to talk money?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would never hire a nanny who found it taxing to meet my kids. I also would never hire a nanny who wanted to talk money before meeting my kids.

It's not "taxing" to meet kids, but it IS time consuming to go to multiple interviews all over town only to find out the family expects me to run their entire household, work 55+ hours a week, and is planning on paying $12.50 an hour. Sorry, but my time is more valuable than that.

OP called it taxing. I can understand not wanting to go to multiple interviews and drive all over town for a job you won't take, but I suspect that you can ask things about responsibilities and time and such in a phone interview. I would even share a salary range and other requirements I am seeking in a nanny (CPR, vaccinations, etc), but there is no way I would hire a nanny without seeing how she interacts with my kids. That's just irresponsible. The most important connection in the nanny relationship is the one with the kids. Frankly, I'm surprised the nannies on this thread don't find that to be critical enough to meet the family before taking a job.

A PP did mention being left alone with the kids or being asked to spend 1-5 hours with the kids. That, to me, isn't meeting the kids...that's a trial day, which, of course, is ridiculous before an offer is made. It is also ridiculous to expect any nanny candidate to spend hours with the kids unpaid. But if a nanny candidate is unwilling to meet the kids and leads off a phone interview with what she expects her pay to be, that is a huge red flag to me and I would take her off my list.

Usually, the families decide that they don't want the in-person interview with me. Because I'm out-of-state, I offer 10+ hours a day open for calls, no appointments necessary, and I will skype with prior notice (ie. a text 5+ minutes before) during that time. However, I won't pay for my transportation out to them for a 2 hour interview, the family needs to do that, so most elect to just do emails, phone and skype. One family had a road trip, and the kids had a blast!

[Anonymous]

I'm the OP and I don't understand why a nanny wanting to know salary during a phone interview is a huge red flag to you. It makes zero sense. If I'm not on the same page with you in terms of salary, hours, and expectations, why waste our time? I come to your house, meet your kids, you like me, your kids love me, but I'm charging $4 more an hour than you want to pay. Then what?

[Anonymous]

OP here again, and OF COURSE I would meet the kids and family before accepting a job! But I'd also need to know the salary before accepting a job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm the OP and I don't understand why a nanny wanting to know salary during a phone interview is a huge red flag to you. It makes zero sense. If I'm not on the same page with you in terms of salary, hours, and expectations, why waste our time? I come to your house, meet your kids, you like me, your kids love me, but I'm charging $4 more an hour than you want to pay. Then what?

It would be great to hear a few parent responses to this excellent question. Thank you.

[Anonymous]

So funny, just posted an hour ago. Agree, parents please tell us what you are offering before an person interview.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm the OP and I don't understand why a nanny wanting to know salary during a phone interview is a huge red flag to you. It makes zero sense. If I'm not on the same page with you in terms of salary, hours, and expectations, why waste our time? I come to your house, meet your kids, you like me, your kids love me, but I'm charging $4 more an hour than you want to pay. Then what?

It would be great to hear a few parent responses to this excellent question. Thank you.

Any parents willing to chime in? Thank you!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would never hire a nanny who found it taxing to meet my kids. I also would never hire a nanny who wanted to talk money before meeting my kids.

Seriously? I LOVE what I do, but this is my career; neither you nor I have a ton of extra time to waste. Ballpark, “We’re looking to hire someone around the $20/hr range and can discuss the specifics in more detail if we have a second interview.”

But, I work through agencies, so that I don’t waste my time with people like you.

[Anonymous]

I'm looking for a nanny now. I'd be more than happy to discuss pay even before the phone interview. But I'd definitely bring it up before an in-person interview even if the nanny doesn't ask.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would never hire a nanny who found it taxing to meet my kids. I also would never hire a nanny who wanted to talk money before meeting my kids.

Are you willing to pay hourly wage for the privilege of meeting your kids? If not, you should not insist on nanny doing this. You sound like a major PUTS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm looking for a nanny now. I'd be more than happy to discuss pay even before the phone interview. But I'd definitely bring it up before an in-person interview even if the nanny doesn't ask.

+1. But I usually have some wiggle room in budget and benefits so I usually ask the nanny for their expectations as opposed to listing exactly what I can offer. I don't want to waste time with an in person interview if we're too far apart either (whether it's pay, start date, or any other mutual requirements) but do expect that I can wait to see the nanny before formalizing all the specifics.