While I think it is a nice gesture and an act of goodwill on the part of the family, I prefer to post my own ads and then just use my families as references later on.

But to each his own.

Another MB here. I think ads posted by parents on a neighborhood listserv or school board, something where it's mostly parents that have access are fine and I would definitely be interested in a nanny from an ad like that. I don't feel the same way about ads on somewhere like DCUM. To me, that screams, the nanny can't do it herself, for whatever reason and that's a red flag to me.

I search aggressively myself and my employers recommend me on listservs. They attach my website that is professionally created which obviously shows how serious I am about my career.

Anonymous wrote:I've done both. I post ads myself looking for a job. But also had my former boss post on a listserv I couldn't be a member of as nanny. I found jobs both ways.

MB here. To me THAT is okay, as long as you're also working at finding a job. I like people who take initiative. If a nanny just sits back to let their employer try to find them a new job and they don't do any of the leg work themselves, I feel like it lacks initiative. This will be the nanny who won't do ANYTHING in my house unless it's specifically spelled out. Not who I want to hire.

I've done both. I post ads myself looking for a job. But also had my former boss post on a listserv I couldn't be a member of as nanny. I found jobs both ways.

I am surprised to hear how many MBs say they pass over ads written by parents. Most of my friends with nannies found theirs through neighborhood listserve recommendations posted by parents and there are TONS of such recommendations on our neighborhood listserve. I don't know why it would make the nanny seem lazy - to me it tells me the nanny's previous family values her enough to help her find a new job, and to conduct screenings interviews for her.

I pass by ads written by parents about their nannies. I think it's lazy and unprofessional. If I want to know the family's experience with the nanny, I'll ask for the written recommendation and follow it with a phone call.

MB here - I prefer it. It's a good way to screen though 100s of ads and the last time we hired a nanny, we discovered the nannies whose previous families were helping them job hunt also tended to be the best candidates.

Anonymous wrote:When that happens, who says that the nanny doesn't put ads online as well ?! You think they're lazy but you don't know if they don't do their own research on the side.
Maybe you should mind your own business.

Maybe you should mind yours. I was only asking for opinions from MB's.

OP here. I've had several parents tell me they would never hire a nanny whose bosses posted their ad. They have deemed it as lazy, irresponsible, unprofessional, etc. One mom said " if you want to show potential employers how well you were liked at last job, get a recommendation."

To PP. Yes, many parents do have graduate degrees and can write out a well thought post, but so can a " average" nanny. Employers want to know you are well spoken and can read/write in English.

I wouldn't hire a nanny whose ad was placed by their boss. You're an adult. Go to the library and place your own ad!

When that happens, who says that the nanny doesn't put ads online as well ?! You think they're lazy but you don't know if they don't do their own research on the side.
Maybe you should mind your own business.

I find that some of this might stem from: a) nanny not having great English and employers helping her with the ad ; b) nanny is not really computer savvy/having access to the internet ; c) nanny is not being articulate enough. Seriously, most of the parents have graduate degrees and probably can write an eloquent "my great nanny is needs another job" ad in a matter of minutes, while a nanny can ponder on her ad for days. I'm not talking about nannies on this forum. Just your average nanny. I don't think of it nanny being lazy. I think of it, it is harder for a nanny to "sell" herself. It is obviously a plus for a nanny if a family agrees to do it for them.

I have experienced if the nanny posts, pretty much it goes unanswered. But a parent posting helps considerably, this parent can tell them of their personal relationships between their child and the nanny. They can also tell their own relationship with the nanny as well as what attributes this nanny brings to the table.

Do to a job change with my employer, I am looking for a new position. I've always done agencies and this is the first time I've joined any sites. On these sites, I've noticed many parents positing that their nanny is looking for a job. It's great that they have caring employers but does it make the nanny seems lazy or irresponsible? My bosses are wonderful and have offered to help in that fashion, too. To me it makes the nannies seem lazy and I question why they aren't the one posting. I would like MB's to give their opinions on the matter?

F.Y.I - I'm not talking about a referrals to a friend or putting a nanny in touch with a friend looking for a nanny. Mainly referring to actual posts of parents referring their nanny about her needing a new job.