Why won't you tell me your experience?

[Anonymous]

I posted an ad asking for responses to include prior experience. None of the responses thus far have said anything specific if they've mentioned experience at all.

"I have years of childcare experience." doesn't help me.

Why don't people have a ready written paragraph on their experience that they can just send?

[Anonymous]

I'm sure I'll be flamed for this but here goes...

For whatever reason, but probably $$$, you aren't attracting the right candidates.

I have anything a potential employer could ask for ready to go at any moment - a blurb about my childcare experience, my professional resume, my nanny resume (including parent-authorized photos), my list of references, my history of vaccinations/negative TB tests/etc, background check, and driving report. I know several nannies who are equally well-prepared as well as many who are not; those in the first group charge as much as $5/hr more than those from the latter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm sure I'll be flamed for this but here goes...

For whatever reason, but probably $$$, you aren't attracting the right candidates.

I have anything a potential employer could ask for ready to go at any moment - a blurb about my childcare experience, my professional resume, my nanny resume (including parent-authorized photos), my list of references, my history of vaccinations/negative TB tests/etc, background check, and driving report. I know several nannies who are equally well-prepared as well as many who are not; those in the first group charge as much as $5/hr more than those from the latter.

$18 an hour to night nanny an older easy baby. Not enough?

[Anonymous]

I believe most night nannies, regardless of the age of the child, charge $20-25/hr? Those with more experience will weigh in, I'm sure.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I believe most night nannies, regardless of the age of the child, charge $20-25/hr? Those with more experience will weigh in, I'm sure.

I posted an ad in the past where I didn't specify the rate and I still got all responses, save one, with almost no detailed experience listed.

[Anonymous]

As a nanny, I have a professional resume, cover letter that I edit for each application, lots of references, and a portfolio detailing my education, experience, and performance reviews. The vast majority of nannies are not professionals, do not have a resume, nor do they read enough English/have the reading comprehension to follow specific instructions. If you expect this (and of course you should!) you eliminate a lot of candidates. To attract the top candidates your ad needs to specify a rate (I completely ignore ads that don't include one, I don't appreciate taking the time to apply only to learn they intend to lowball me on the rate), and it needs to be competitive. Your ad should also be more than a list of demands and what YOU want, as there should be something that makes me want to apply, be it the pay, benefits, hours, etc. I am really turned off by ads with no mention of pay or benefits but have a list of expectations and instructions for me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As a nanny, I have a professional resume, cover letter that I edit for each application, lots of references, and a portfolio detailing my education, experience, and performance reviews. The vast majority of nannies are not professionals, do not have a resume, nor do they read enough English/have the reading comprehension to follow specific instructions. If you expect this (and of course you should!) you eliminate a lot of candidates. To attract the top candidates your ad needs to specify a rate (I completely ignore ads that don't include one, I don't appreciate taking the time to apply only to learn they intend to lowball me on the rate), and it needs to be competitive. Your ad should also be more than a list of demands and what YOU want, as there should be something that makes me want to apply, be it the pay, benefits, hours, etc. I am really turned off by ads with no mention of pay or benefits but have a list of expectations and instructions for me.

A very good point, thank you. When we have advertised for a day nanny we have described the benefits, options, etc. of working with us. I now think this ad is not good enough in that department and I will change it. This ad does include a pay range.

[Anonymous]

Why can't you look after your own kid at night?? An older easy baby??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why can't you look after your own kid at night?? An older easy baby??

If you must know I am very ill.

[Anonymous]

But thank you to everyone else who answered. You were very helpful. I'm glad you weren't flamed 15:29, I don't think you deserved to be.

[Anonymous]

Are you getting any good responses? A competitive rate and good ad will attract a range of nannies, from stellar to well below average. You just need one great one, but I think the only way to weed out the 90% of candidates who are just not even close us by hand.

Now, if you are getting no responses from possible candidates, I'd agree, look at your rate, duties, or consider broadening your search to other sites.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are you getting any good responses? A competitive rate and good ad will attract a range of nannies, from stellar to well below average. You just need one great one, but I think the only way to weed out the 90% of candidates who are just not even close us by hand.

Now, if you are getting no responses from possible candidates, I'd agree, look at your rate, duties, or consider broadening your search to other sites.

With your help, the new ad is getting that range, including some very promising candidates.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are you getting any good responses? A competitive rate and good ad will attract a range of nannies, from stellar to well below average. You just need one great one, but I think the only way to weed out the 90% of candidates who are just not even close us by hand.

Now, if you are getting no responses from possible candidates, I'd agree, look at your rate, duties, or consider broadening your search to other sites.

With your help, the new ad is getting that range, including some very promising candidates.

15:29 here and so glad your new ad is attracting good candidates! It is absolutely true that great nannies will skip over ads that don't specify pay or are too expectation-heavy without listing any attractive reasons to apply. Best of luck in your interviews

[Anonymous]

Maybe you just aren't posting it in the right place.

Hopefully you are skipping Craigslist.

[Anonymous]

So, you changed the ad and less than two hours later you started getting good responses? Wow, that's great!