What am I missing?

[Anonymous]

We have a great nanny who has worked for us for years. We will no longer need her when our youngest starts school, and have agreed to help her find a new position. I have posted on DCUM and have responded to posts, have posted on listservs in our neighborhood and other locations where our nanny would be willing to work, and have given glowing recommendations to anyone I've spoken with about her. Still no job offers...

Is the nanny market saturated right now? Are we too early (she's not available until September because we need her until then--although I'm trying to be flexible)? I feel like she has everything families say they want--maybe interviews aren't going well for some other reason. Does anyone have any other suggestions that might help?

And I have to say on behalf of the nannies out there, this is a tough field to be looking for a job in! I would love to have suggestions from nannies as well as families about how we might do this better.

[Anonymous]

Has she gone to local agencies? Signed with them?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Has she gone to local agencies? Signed with them?

I'm the OP. No, she hasn't and I don't think this is the route she wants to take. I guess I'll suggest she look into that if we don't find something soon--but what would be the advantage of doing this (serious question)? When we have looked into agencies over the years as potential employers I've never gotten the sense that they'd be worth the time or money.

[Anonymous]

It could be the market in your area.

Perhaps families who have hired summer nannies will need them until the Fall at the very least.

[Anonymous]

It may be easier to find a new position in the Fall when some college nannies go back to school.

[Anonymous]

It's usually best to share with your social media her availability. Include her email and/or cell/text number, plus your own.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's usually best to share with your social media her availability. Include her email and/or cell/text number, plus your own.

OP again--thanks for this! I had posted something to FB but will repost with more information including how to reach us both.

And thanks to the other PPs. We care a lot about helping her find something, to the point that we would definitely be willing to keep her on for additional time if she hasn't found something going into the fall. I thought this would be the perfect time with the start of the school year but it seems like everyone is in the same situation--has a nanny looking for a new job--and we don't know many people having babies anymore!

[Anonymous]

You really aren't reaching that many potential employers with DCUM + listservs + personal network. Think about it: how many individual people do you know who have kids the right age and want a nanny? Same with listservs -- they're a great place to find a nanny, but they are limiting for a job search because there is a very limited pool. As much as everyone hates it, she needs to post on Care, or at least look for job listings there, too.

[Anonymous]

I've been unemployed since the beginning of
March. After countless interviews I'm just now being offered a position. It's tough out looking for a job and she may not be able to find a position for awhile.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've been unemployed since the beginning of
March. After countless interviews I'm just now being offered a position. It's tough out looking for a job and she may not be able to find a position for awhile.

OP again--I'm so sorry to hear this! Do you have any thoughts about why you haven't had any offers? I know our nanny has talked to several families and has been called for second interviews but no offers yet. I wish I had a better sense of why...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've been unemployed since the beginning of
March. After countless interviews I'm just now being offered a position. It's tough out looking for a job and she may not be able to find a position for awhile.

OP again--I'm so sorry to hear this! Do you have any thoughts about why you haven't had any offers? I know our nanny has talked to several families and has been called for second interviews but no offers yet. I wish I had a better sense of why...

I interview well, I have a degree, I drive, speak English only and am a US born citizen. The problem I was finding was most parents want what I have to offer but looking for the cheapest person. I've had prospective parents call me back and say we really liked you but another candidate said she would do the job for 13$ if you're willing accept 13$ we would love to hire you. My prices are not high, but I'm not cheap either. I guess it's just more nannies looking for jobs right now than it is jobs so the going rate has been lowered by people trying to land jobs.

[Anonymous]

We had a very similar situation with our nanny and it was heartbreaking. It took months and months and we ended up keeping her for another year because nothing was working out. So, we will face this again next year. I think, as PP stated, most (despite what is said on this site) only want to pay $13 and, frankly, it is just a tough market.

[Anonymous]

I have just hired a nanny and didn't know where to look. I was struggling to find someone not through an agency because they want $000s for the introduction.
I wanted a recommendation from a Mom that I felt was like me in many ways. Maybe saying more about yourself and so people think "she reminds me of me, and she likes the nanny, so the nanny must be good". (I am paying way way more than $13/hour).