Feeling so disheartened in my job search :(

[Anonymous]

Hi. I posted previously ('How can I make myself more marketable?') and received good advice, so asking again for any words of wisdom.
I did register for classes and am planning on finishing my degree, so I appreciate the advice on that.

I have been on Care and Sittercity as I previously stated, and have been applying to several positions daily, as well as receiving messages from interested parents (I have numerous positive reviews on my profiles and other information which I believe helps with this) but I feel like some of these parents are wasting my time. I had one interview today which I was feeling very positive about. In the job posting, the parent stated rate of pay 10-15 hourly, but after meeting and talking to her for almost an hour, we got to pay expectations and she said she expected to pay $10/hr or $250 a week...why did she not put 10-10 on her listing then?? Also had a phone interview today for a strictly transportation job of school pickup and drop off 4 days a wk and listed at 15-30/hr, but when I spoke to the parent, she stated that $60/wk would be ideal for her...what? And yet AGAIN, I responded to a posting with a pay rate of 15-20/hr, but when parent responded, pay rate was $350/wk for full time 55 hours a week or $10/hr if I just wanted to do after school care 15 hours a week. I don't understand this. I feel like parents posting one rate then discussing a lower rate are falsely advertising and it's frustrating because I waste my time.

Another couple points: I put in my profile that I would absolutely prefer to be employed on the books but am receiving responses from parents who don't care to do that. I also, like my previous position, prefer to be paid on a salary basis (so paid if I'm available but not needed if they choose to take a day off or go on vacation) but parents aren't open to this setup.

I know that some might wonder why I won't go to an agency. I have actually been contacted by agencies on Care and Sittercity to apply with them (as a side note, does anyone find it funny that they would go on other care websites to look for candidates? Their care seeker families might as well use Care and Sittercity in that case.) but as I am obese, and don't speak a foreign language, I'm positive that parents won't respond positively to me after seeing my picture. I think parents who pay an agency fee expect high requirements, right? Also, there are 2 big agencies in Houston, and I spoke with an employee of one who stated that there weren't any families within my desired vicinity (15-20 miles from home).

Any words of wisdom? Thanks.

[Anonymous]

A couple of things:

The best agencies do not recruit on other sites, but the mediocre and bad ones do. It is a bit absurd, yes.

You do not need to speak a foreign language to register with an agency. I only speak English and got my full-benefits (including health insurance), high paying, wonderful job through an agency.

Why are you so quick to assume that just because your weight will lead some parents to pass you over, you shouldn't even bother trying to get your resume in front of the ones who won't care? I'm beginning to think your feelings about your size are more of a hindrance than the weight itself (or than parents will think it is). You can register with as many agencies as you want so DO IT! Job hunting is a numbers game and the more connections you have, the better.

[Anonymous]

10-10 is NOT an option. It's ridiculous to act surprised that they are offering $10/hr when that was within the range they advertised

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:10-10 is NOT an option. It's ridiculous to act surprised that they are offering $10/hr when that was within the range they advertised

The range was $10-$15, not $10-$10. Maybe stop skimming, then replying with wrong info?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:10-10 is NOT an option. It's ridiculous to act surprised that they are offering $10/hr when that was within the range they advertised

The range was $10-$15, not $10-$10. Maybe stop skimming, then replying with wrong info?

PP again. If $10-$15 isn't an option, then they should have specifically stated what they wanted to pay in the description. Simple. Sitters don't know that that's not an option.

[Anonymous]

Re saying you would like to pay toward the low end of your range - of course that is what the employer says. It is up to the candidate to counter and lay out why a higher rate is justified in her case.
Also OP - unless families in your area advertise as specifically wanting the nanny to speak to the kid in a foreign language, stop describing yourself as not speaking another language and tout that you are a native English speaker. Particularly for jobs that may involve work with school age kids I have to imagine many MBs in most areas would find that desirable, all things being equal.

[Anonymous]

Wanted to say: you don't want salaried pay. What you are looking for is guaranteed hours. Huge difference.

Salaried pay: your rate is $10/hr. you typically work 40 hours per week. You will always get $400, whether you work 10 hours or 60 hours.

Guaranteed hours: your rate is $10/hr. you typically work 40 hours per week. You will always get $400, unless you work more. Then you would get overtime pay ($15 per hour). If they went on vacation and didn't need you one week, you would still get your $400 for the work week.

I only used $10/hr and 40 hours because its early and I haven't had coffee.

[Anonymous]

OP, I'm an MB and you sound great. I don't get why you're hung up on not knowing a foreign language. Given that there are a lot of English as a second language nannies looking for employment, I'm sure your native English speaking would be a plus. I would think it's a smaller portion of people who really truly want their nanny to speak a foreign language to a kid. Let that go.

How obese is obese? And what have you done in your profile to make it clear that you model healthy eating habits and are active and healthy enough to keep up with my kids?

And finally, I get the frustration about rates. You might consider putting your rates right in your profile. That will eliminate some that are way too low, but other still won't read or will try to get you lower. When a parent comes in with a number, that may or may not be their final number. If they say they want to pay $10/hour, but you really like the job otherwise, negotiate!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:10-10 is NOT an option. It's ridiculous to act surprised that they are offering $10/hr when that was within the range they advertised

The range was $10-$15, not $10-$10. Maybe stop skimming, then replying with wrong info?

PP again. If $10-$15 isn't an option, then they should have specifically stated what they wanted to pay in the description. Simple. Sitters don't know that that's not an option.

Haha what as ass. Seems like you were the one skimming. Great advice dopey

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:10-10 is NOT an option. It's ridiculous to act surprised that they are offering $10/hr when that was within the range they advertised

10-10 is an option.i just went on the site and saw a few listings with that amount.

[Anonymous]

There are so many dishonest parents on care.com and sittercity. And no opportunity to call them out on their behavior. It should be illegal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:10-10 is NOT an option. It's ridiculous to act surprised that they are offering $10/hr when that was within the range they advertised

10-10 is an option.i just went on the site and saw a few listings with that amount.

So what? $10 is still within the $10-15 range. What if they were offering $11/hr and selected the $10-15 option, OP would be upset they weren't offering $15.

To be honest, I'm thinking they left the range open and offered what they felt the individual candidate deserved. OP was likely offered the lowest option because of how she interviewed. It has already been determined that she's not very motivated, she has a lot of hang ups about her weight, level of education and now lack of foreign language skills. I'm guessing she's not presenting herself well

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:10-10 is NOT an option. It's ridiculous to act surprised that they are offering $10/hr when that was within the range they advertised

10-10 is an option.i just went on the site and saw a few listings with that amount.

So what? $10 is still within the $10-15 range. What if they were offering $11/hr and selected the $10-15 option, OP would be upset they weren't offering $15.

To be honest, I'm thinking they left the range open and offered what they felt the individual candidate deserved. OP was likely offered the lowest option because of how she interviewed. It has already been determined that she's not very motivated, she has a lot of hang ups about her weight, level of education and now lack of foreign language skills. I'm guessing she's not presenting herself well

OP here. I appreciate the advice.

I just want to remark on this post. If the parent (and others) are not open to negotiation, then why even bother putting a range down instead of being clear? As far as not presenting myself well, I disagree. I brought a portfolio with me that included my résumé, letter of recommendation from my previous employers, copies of my DL, First Aid and CPR cards, Background check report, Driver's record check report, and references. I dressed business casually and asked appropriate questions I felt were relevant to the position. I try my best to be professional but personable. When I saw that this parent's pay range was $10-$15, I thought I would be ale to negotiate for $12-$13. My previous position was $250 for 15 hours a week, but as this position was for 25 hours, I was totally fine with a lesser hourly rate. The parent told me her budget was for $250 a week and I asked if she was open to negotiation which she replied no.

I know I have hang ups about my weight, and I know that not having a Bachelor's Degree is not gret, but I am trying to better myself. I can't do anything about the foreign language issue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A couple of things:

The best agencies do not recruit on other sites, but the mediocre and bad ones do. It is a bit absurd, yes.

You do not need to speak a foreign language to register with an agency. I only speak English and got my full-benefits (including health insurance), high paying, wonderful job through an agency.

Why are you so quick to assume that just because your weight will lead some parents to pass you over, you shouldn't even bother trying to get your resume in front of the ones who won't care? I'm beginning to think your feelings about your size are more of a hindrance than the weight itself (or than parents will think it is). You can register with as many agencies as you want so DO IT! Job hunting is a numbers game and the more connections you have, the better.

I think weight will be a huge factor. She is not just a little over weight but is obese which is unhealthy and there have been studies that prove that obese people are unhealthy and may not be as flexible or active as parents like. Work on your weight and your attitude and keep lookinh

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:10-10 is NOT an option. It's ridiculous to act surprised that they are offering $10/hr when that was within the range they advertised

10-10 is an option.i just went on the site and saw a few listings with that amount.

So what? $10 is still within the $10-15 range. What if they were offering $11/hr and selected the $10-15 option, OP would be upset they weren't offering $15.

To be honest, I'm thinking they left the range open and offered what they felt the individual candidate deserved. OP was likely offered the lowest option because of how she interviewed. It has already been determined that she's not very motivated, she has a lot of hang ups about her weight, level of education and now lack of foreign language skills. I'm guessing she's not presenting herself well

Agreed. Presentation is important. She needs to lose weight, look nice, have a bright attitude. She claims she can't work on her foreign language issue and that is crap. She can take a class and learn. I have a feeling she is presenting herself as desperate and asking for more value then she is worth.