finding a Nanny

[Anonymous]

I feel like I am doing something wrong - maybe just simply not moving fast enough - when trying to hire a nanny. This will be our first nanny. I placed an add on care.com. Got a good amount of responses. Liked 3. Had phone interviews. One girl I called, said I found another job, but my friend is interested - huh?? The other two were lovely on the phone and sounded like great fits. Set up in-person interviews, but both canceled just a few hours before! Both said they had other offers they would accept.

ugh. Am I just not moving fast enough? I don't know how to move any faster, this is all new to me. We have a payroll service ready to.

Anyone use agencies?

[Anonymous]

What hourly rate are you offering?
That could be your problem.

[Anonymous]

But why not tell me that on the phone or ask? It was never discussed on the phone. I listed between $15 and $20 per hour in the add. I have one preschooler.

[Anonymous]

Use your neighborhood listserv, local contacts, parents' group, church network (or any similar group you belong to), work networks, etc... Get the word out that way.

I just completed a search and used DCUM, Care.com and neighborhood listservs and by far the best candidates (and person I hired) came from the neighborhood referrals. This was true the first time I hired a nanny years ago also.

Your rate range is not your problem. You might want to be even more specific on care.com, seek out candidates whose profile/background you like and reach out to them, etc.. But by far my best advice is to get the word out to people you know.

[Anonymous]

Care.com is the worst.

[Anonymous]

It depends on how fast you are trying to go through the process. If I don't get a message from a family within 3 days after submitting an application, I move on. I've had a couple families that wanted to drag out the process for three months. With one family, it was fine, they kept me informed as they moved through the steps for weeding people out and interviewing, I think I either got a text, email or quick call once a week, just as an update, then they let me know that I was the back-up choice to their top candidate; that was fine, they knew I was interviewing with other families at the same time. The other family expected that all candidates would have open availability to interview with them on their schedule (at first she wanted to schedule for either 5am or 11pm...), they didn't want to provide any updates on where they were with the process, nor provide me with any information as to how long the process would take; I informed them that one of my main concerns with NF is communication, and I obviously wouldn't be a good fit for their family.

On the other hand, I'm leery of anyone that wants to skip a background check solely due to time concerns. Also, it raises red flags for me if the family wants to skip an interview (I'm fine with phone, skype and/or in-person), to not have a trial period and yet doesn't want a contract for at least a month.

[Anonymous]

Thank you. That is helpful. I have been slow to respond. Will work on that.

[Anonymous]

We found the greatest nanny in the world on care.com - but we moved FAST. Responded to her within hours of her posting to us and set up an interview (no phone interview) she came over - was amazing - and we called her that afternoon and offered her the job (contingent on her references checking out and background check).

Move fast, OP. Our nanny told us later that she had three other job offers (all with single newborns) right after we offered her our job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We found the greatest nanny in the world on care.com - but we moved FAST. Responded to her within hours of her posting to us and set up an interview (no phone interview) she came over - was amazing - and we called her that afternoon and offered her the job (contingent on her references checking out and background check).

Move fast, OP. Our nanny told us later that she had three other job offers (all with single newborns) right after we offered her our job.

What is her compensation package?

[Anonymous]

Not sure where you live but try jobs.ausg.org
It's the American University job board so you will get local college students or older sitters.

I use this board for jobs and love it.

[Anonymous]

I definitely echo PPs who said move quickly. Nothing bugs me more than when a NF just lets my message sit in their inbox unanswered for a few days or weeks, and then is suddenly interested when I have moved on. Then I have to go back through and see what they are actually looking for, and most of the time by then I have found something else.

Definitely make sure that you are responding to messages within 24 hours if possible. As a nanny I respond as quickly as possible to families because I know they want someone responsive and available.