Am I charging too high of a rate?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I must suggest that you learn and use proper grammar and punctuation. This could definitely be a deciding factor for some families. Should we hire the candidate who can put together a sentence or the one who can't?
The fact that you are in school to become a teacher and can't put together a sentence is frightening.

Go back in your dark hold and pull the cover over your head.

[Anonymous]

I don't know, seems like your rate is cheap OP. I charge $25/hr, starting another year with a wonderful family. I am slightly more qualified than you in every regard but not enough to make a jump from 16 to 25, so I think your desired rate is more than fine, you just need to find the right family for you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are you going to be making much overtime in these positions? Are there many other benefits being offered? If they are offering other benefits (including things like housing as a live-in, paying for insurance, more than two weeks paid time off per year, etc), and/or will be paying 10+ hours of OT per week, then perhaps you are asking too much.

You say you drive; will you be offering the use of your own (safe, reliable) car for transporting children?

Do you speak any other languages?

Are you turning up your nose at cooking, laundry, or other housework?

What "certifications" exactly do you have?

Also, you yourself admit you've only been on 4 interviews. Come and whine here when you've been on 8-12; sometimes it takes time (and effort) to find the right job,

I came from the NY area, if that matters. In previous families I've received 1-2 weeks vacation, 3-5 sick days, and some paid holidays. Most families have done OT, and I only do legal pay.

I have an associated degree in Early Childhood Development, I'm CPR/First Aid certified, and I get my annual flu vaccine. I have also my TDAP.

I do all baby-related housekeeping, make homemade baby food, load/unload dishwasher, clean up after myself, run errands/grocery shop, and keep common areas tidy. Some families had me take care of pets, and vacuum/sweep, on occasion.

I drive but do not own my own vehicle yet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I must suggest that you learn and use proper grammar and punctuation. This could definitely be a deciding factor for some families. Should we hire the candidate who can put together a sentence or the one who can't?
The fact that you are in school to become a teacher and can't put together a sentence is frightening.

Go back in your dark hold and pull the cover over your head.

It's a valid point.

[Anonymous]

MB here. Your rate is not too high. You just haven't found the right family yet.

[Anonymous]

Your rate is high if the market is telling you that it is too high. That one family should not be thought of the market though. Too many trolls on this board to get real insight.

My two cents is that it is reasonable to ask that rate particularly if you are good. Perhaps you didn't make a good impression. It is reasonable but you are not entitled. The families are within their rights to negotiate and what they cite is also reasonable. The market has a range. They are looking for lower end, perhaps, you are looking for high end.

However, if you keep meeting families like this, then the market is telling you something and you should revise your rate.

[Anonymous]

OP again. I want to note that I have stellar references and 3 glowing recommendation letters. I think I may have not met with enough families yet. I'm using care.com.

[Anonymous]

I started at $18 an hour for one newborn at the end of 2013 (I've been with him ever since). I have a college degree with graduate work in ECD but very limited experience.

I certainly do not think $16 in 2015 is too much.

[Anonymous]

Wow...It seems to me as if these threads always ALWAYS head south no matter what.

I have been on the other forums + haven't seen as much meanness as I have on this one. I wonder if someone comes just into this forum to pick fights.

No good.

[Anonymous]

OP, your rate is not too high. But - and I need you to read this with your emotions pulled back - what the families are telling you is that your rate is too high in proportion to what you seem to offer. The right nanny can certainly get $16 and much more. You need to take a critical look at how you interview and how you come across, and go from there. Families do not hire on "certifications" alone; an overall vibe and impression of the candidate means much more. Do you click with families? Do you sound educated? Are you warm? Are you a natural with babies? Do you genuinely like to be around children/babies? Do you have ideas for the common parenting dilemmas?

PS: I think it's a bit weird you list immunizations as your qualifications. It doesn't take anything to get shots, my 4-year old has them and he's not applying for nanny jobs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wow...It seems to me as if these threads always ALWAYS head south no matter what.

I have been on the other forums + haven't seen as much meanness as I have on this one. I wonder if someone comes just into this forum to pick fights.

No good.

Your other forums aren't anonymous, are they?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, your rate is not too high. But - and I need you to read this with your emotions pulled back - what the families are telling you is that your rate is too high in proportion to what you seem to offer. The right nanny can certainly get $16 and much more. You need to take a critical look at how you interview and how you come across, and go from there. Families do not hire on "certifications" alone; an overall vibe and impression of the candidate means much more. Do you click with families? Do you sound educated? Are you warm? Are you a natural with babies? Do you genuinely like to be around children/babies? Do you have ideas for the common parenting dilemmas?

PS: I think it's a bit weird you list immunizations as your qualifications. It doesn't take anything to get shots, my 4-year old has them and he's not applying for nanny jobs.

Maybe I haven't made myself clear. I have been told I present myself very well. I am very professional and interview very well. I've been told this from two top CEOs, three highly regarded law partners, a few celebs I've worked for, and about 5 other people. I made $18-20 easily in NY.

I list immunizations because in Ny, most nannies refuse to immunized. It's pretty important for a lot of NY families to have a vaccinated nanny.

With the rate. I've clicked well with 3 out of the 4. They knew my rate, but gave me a low-ball number when they have me an offer. I think families here are just really cheap.

[Anonymous]

Not at all. I have no idea how you'd make ends meet living in DC on $16/hr if you were living alone with an apartment, car payment, health insurance, etc. I'm in the suburbs of Chicago and still live paycheck to paycheck on $18/hr. It's rough out there. So no, don't sell yourself short.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That rate does not seem crazy especially for an American pursuing higher education.

Ideas -
do you need to leave at a specific time each day for class? Could be an issue for some.

Are you only a year left from being done with your degree and so would become a teacher after just a year? I definitely would not hire someone for only a year unless I was replacing a nanny for the final year before preschool / school.

I possess 8 years of full-time infant/toddler nanny experience. I take Saturday classes, and one evening class at 7:30pm. The jobs I am looking at have an end time of no later than 6pm. I will be working as a nanny for 3 more years.

That would be an issue for me. I need to know you can stay late when I need you to.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not at all. I have no idea how you'd make ends meet living in DC on $16/hr if you were living alone with an apartment, car payment, health insurance, etc. I'm in the suburbs of Chicago and still live paycheck to paycheck on $18/hr. It's rough out there. So no, don't sell yourself short.

I live with my boyfriend. We moved here for his new job. I hear you about Chicago. I am born and raised. Moved to NY when I was 21. What's the market rate for Chicago these days?