Am I charging too high of a rate?

[Anonymous]

I just moved to DC back in May. I've been looking for a position nth have been unsuccesssful. I am American, 8 years of nanny experience, I drive, have certifications, immunizations, and I'm pursuing my teaching degree. I've been on 4 interviews so far. I had offers from 3 but all told me my rate was too high for one ifant. I asked for $16 per hour. They said the market rate is $14 or 15 for one child. I'm not sure if this is the truth? The other family waned a nanny to be with them " forever.." and didn't want a nanny I'm school. It's been challenging get a job here. Help me out..

[Anonymous]

Which area are you living in? As is, infant care is usually more expensive than caring for an older child. That being said, rates fluctuate depending on what the parent is looking for (experience, education, etc.), and they usually get what they pay for. For a parents to turn you down because you are $1 over what they want to pay is ridiculous- maybe you dodged a bullet. You don't want an employer who will nickel and dime you. Good luck on your search!

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

They're trying to see what you'll go for. $16/hour is not unreasonable for infant care in DC, especially for someone pursuing an education degree. Don't be afraid to stand firm or counter.

[Anonymous]

I don't think you're asking too much. I started out paying the manny $15 for one infant and he had no childcare experience at all, and no college.

[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.

I do write properly. I don't care to do so on here. Thanks Ms. Know It All.

[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.

I do write properly. I don't care to do so on here. Thanks Ms. Know It All.

You choose to misspell and use incorrect punctuation?
Do you go out of your way to make mistakes?
Whatever you say "Teacher."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

I do write properly. I don't care to do so on here. Thanks Ms. Know It All.

You choose to misspell and use incorrect punctuation?
Do you go out of your way to make mistakes?
Whatever you say "Teacher."

Pp here. Ignore the damn trolls on this board.

[Anonymous]

MB here. If you're getting consistent feedback from potential employers that your rates are higher than other applicants they're considering then you probably need to accept that, or find a way to make your qualifications stand out in order to justify your rate.

If you need flexibility for schooling, and may not be available for a multi-year position, and your rates are higher, then you are going to be less attractive than other candidates.

It's just the marketplace.

I don't think $16/hr is particularly high. But I also don't pay that much as the base rate for the 50 hr/wk position for our nanny. And we have two kids and live in close-in Montgomery County.

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

8 years of full time nanny experience, or 8 years of "nanny" experience (meaning babysitting mixed with summer nanny jobs or part time after school care)?

Pursuing an education degree is not as valuable as you'd like to think. Having the degree completed would be a different story.

American - meh, big deal. Drive? Not a huge factor if working in a walkable area with an infant. Our (legal to work in US) Guatemala-born non-driving nanny was phenomenal. You would not have had an edge on her based on what you've listed as your qualifications.

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

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,

[Anonymous]

When do you take classes OP? Because if it's at like 6 p.m. I would not hire you because I need the flexibility to be late once in a while.

That could be an issue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When do you take classes OP? Because if it's at like 6 p.m. I would not hire you because I need the flexibility to be late once in a while.

That could be an issue.

You obviously didn't even read the thread because she just (two posts up) said her only evening class is at 7:30.