Fair salary?
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Anonymous
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Hi OP - have you tried neighborhood listservs? I found a fantastic nanny (and several other strong leads) from one quick posting on my listserv when I was at my wits end (in Kensington). I wish I'd done it weeks earlier. I think you're more likely to come across people who have been with just a couple of families for many many years (as opposed to more career oriented folks on the services, care.com etc...) which sounds more like the kind of person you're shooting for.
Good luck! |
nannydebsays
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OP, maybe if you posted your ad here (with identifiers of any kind eliminated) we could offer more help. From what you're saying it sounds like you're possibly missing out on candidates with better qualifications because of your ad and where you're advertising. If you are getting lower-end candidates, there has to be a specific reason, right? If you are willing to pay $14 or so gross to a less than stellar candidate, you should be able to find a better candidate unless something specific is turning those people off before they apply or during the screening/interviewing process. |
Anonymous
Hmm..you have a point. The ad I am posting is very much along these lines: "Seeking FT nanny to take care of X month old infant in Y location. CPR training required. No driving required. Regular hours between 7-5. Guaranteed 45 hours per week. Must be able to provide references. Legal to work in the US" Too little detail? My initial pool of applicants is small and the only ones that I have turned away are folk who either want $20+, or want to work on a student visa, healthcare workers with no prior nannying experience. There were one or two with very poor English. One who we almost decided on but backed out when we suspected a fake reference. |
Anonymous
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First, why are you only guaranteeing 45 hours/week when you are asking for somebody for 50 hours/week?
That will turn off some nannies who have options (i.e., good nannies). It is pretty standard for this area that you guarantee all the hours that you generally need the nanny for. What you are proposing is that if you get home early some day, or take half a day on Friday, that the nanny doesn't get paid for it. Second, this is the absolute WORSE time of year to look for a nanny, which is why you have fewer good candidates. Nannies will start looking again come the new year, so if you can hold off on your search until then, you will be in better shape. Otherwise, not sure why you are having problems if you are willing to pay $15/hour (gross). Agree that you absolutely should not be thinking in net terms. It will only lead to trouble down the road. |
Anonymous
| OP here:Thanks for the suggestions. I was hoping to negotiate rates based on the 45 hours with 5 hours as an extra for the days I run late or have appointments (PT, exercise) in the AM. |
Anonymous
| I don't think it's that crazy how you have it structured OP, so long as the applicant understands. honestly I am baffled that you are having such a hard time getting applications for the salary you are offering 1 kid and rockville. Perhaps just time of year? Seems a pretty standard and reasonable package you're offering. |
Anonymous
| OP where did you post your ad? Are you asking for email only responses? Expecting resumes? I'm also baffled at how anyone could get a low response in the Rockville area. There are lots of nannies living in Gaithersburg and Silver Spring so its pretty easy to find a nannies eager to avoid the commute into DC if you live in Rockville and Potomac. |
Anonymous
Care.com and craigslist |
Anonymous
No resumes, I am just asking them to call me. |
Anonymous
| Its just a bad time of year to be looking OP. The good nannies get snatched up in the fall. Most still looking in Dec. are less desireable. If you can hold off until after the holidays you may have better luck. Nothing wrong with your ad as far as I can see. Good luck! |
Anonymous
I agree with this. We were hiring in Dec/Jan last year, and had a lot more response after Jan. 1 |
nannydebsays
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IMO, your ad is a bit brusque. You don't want to write a huge essay, but you could add a bit more detail. For example: ****Dual career couple in X location is seeking a nanny for their feisty and loving X-month-old daughter/son. There will be no driving required, but we live within walking distance to X, Y, and Z, so there are plenty of opportunities for outings. We need someone who is available to work 45 - 50 hours a week, starting around 7 am and ending around 5 pm. We are looking specifically for someone who is CPR trained, and who has at least 3 references to share with us during the interview process. You also MUST be legal to work in the US, and we will need to verify that information.**** I would strongly suggest that you do as a PP suggested and set your hours a little higher than you think you'll need. If you want to have time to run an errand on the way home, give yourself that cushion of an extra hour each day. That will prevent you from feeling frantic if you get caught in traffic, and will keep your nanny from getting upset with you for "always being late". Nannies burn-out and quit over employers being perpetually tardy. |
Anonymous
| nannies also burn out working 45 hours a week or more. if you can prevent that, i'd do so |
Anonymous
| Nannydeb, thank you. After reading your ad and mine, I see what you are saying. |
nannydebsays
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Can you detail how a 2 career couple, both working high-level jobs, can manage to work 40+ hours a week and not employ a nanny for 45 - 50 hours? OP, a nanny with a bit of common sense will understand that she will be working long enough for you to leave the house, go to work, work, travel home, and arrive home. I've never worked less than 50 hours a week, and I've managed to avoid burn out for more than 15 years. |