MB here. I posted a very specific compensation package for the position I hired for this year, inclusive of weekly rate and hourly breakdown, guaranteed hours, benefits, etc...

I got responses from tons of qualified applicants, a couple of whom I quite liked only to find out very far into the process were either asking a significantly higher rate, or had zero experience caring for kids the age of mine (also info I was very clear about in the posting.)

So if you want to apply for a job that might be a great fit, but for which you are unwilling (or unable) to accept the advertised rate I would suggest you address that in your first email. "I saw your posting and think it might be a terrific fit. I have (insert your relevant experience here)... and I would love to find a family to work with that offers (insert the part of their ad that is so attractive to you.) However, my typical starting rate is X and I wasn't sure if that was something you were willing to consider? If so, I would love the opportunity to interview with you."

If I got something like that I wouldn't dismiss it out of hand. I would look at your experience and skills and see how that compared to other applicants within my price range. I might or might not follow up with you, depending on the applicant pool, but if I did you would know that you were upfront about your rates.

I do think that if you persuade an employer to go above their desired price range you are setting yourself up for a less than ideal fit though, no matter what else is great about the position. If your employers feel stretched financially, unable to offer the same raises or bonuses they might otherwise, or (worst case) expect you to be superhuman because in their eyes they are paying high rates, then it could quickly become a less than ideal job.

But it never hurts to ask. Just be upfront and don't waste anyone's time.

Good luck!

We regret posting the range because everyone automatically got stuck on the high end. Even when we did references and knew their former rates they still tried to go way over market and talked themselves out of a longterm job with annual raises and 6 weeks vacation.

MB here. I got an application like this. Did not call the nanny in because I was not prepared to pay an extra $3/hour. But it didn't bother me that she applied because she was upfront about what she wanted to charge.

Dealbreaker for me. I post what I can afford, and that's all I can afford. I simply can't pay more.

Nanny employer here. I would be supremely irritated if you interviewed for the job, we decided to hire you, and you then announced your rate. Be extremely up front about it please. I would not likely consider you if my rate was market and yours is just high.

(As an aside, it's my personal pet peeve when every nanny candidate tells me her pay rate justs so happens to be exactly the high end of the range I posted.)

NP here. If I were to post a flat rate, then that would mean I'm not up for negotiation and could think negatively of a job seeker who showed up for an interview expecting to negotiate a higher rate. I would wonder if she read the ad.

Generally, I prefer to set a range because it gives me more flexibility based on the candidates who respond to the ad. I don't ask any candidates what they would prefer to charge, although they are welcome to share that and try to negotiate within the range I set. For me, it is the market and the job that set the rate.

If my rate is already competitive, you would have to offer something really special. I would also want to know when you apply so that you don't waste either of our time.

Keep in mind that if a family really stretches to pay your rate, that may mean they won't be able to afford raises, bonuses, and other perks.

NP here, MB. We pay a salary, but we expect to negotiate and no, I wouldn't be turned off if a great candidate wanted 10-15% more.

Well if the family posted an actual hourly rate, not a between x-y dollar amount, etc., then I would just assume the rate posted was all that they were willing to pay regardless.

I wouldn't apply for that position unless you are willing to work for less than what you usually work for.

I highly doubt someone will meet an amazing nanny, then up the pay rate because she was so incredible. Even if Mary Poppins herself flew in w/her umbrella I don't see this happening.

I don't think it is a good job for you already due to the lower pay rate. If I was you, I would keep searching.

Good luck!

Anonymous wrote:I am strongly considering applying for a job on care.com that sounds on paper like a fantastic fit and a position I would love.

The salary isn't a pay range, it is stated as a flat hourly rate ($x/hour). The rate I typically charge is $y/hour, the difference being 12.5%.

If you were an MB with a posting offering a flat rate, but you found a candidate that you loved and wanted to make a job offer, would it necessarily be a deal breaker if you found out they intended to charge 12.5% higher than what your posting stated?

They aren't going to love you enough to up their rate that much, sorry. But it's great that you are so confident!

Most employers expect to negotiate with you. I had one guy who made a sport of it, he loved it so much. But they ultimately lost me.

OP here. Interesting feedback, thanks for the replies so far.

I should state that I live in the Midwest which is why I didn't disclose the actual numbers because most people here are in the DC area and expect to see higher numbers and their responses might be influenced by that.

However I will say that the $x/hour she is offering is pretty competitive, however I am a long-term experienced nanny who so far has had no trouble getting work even when charging my $y/hour.

It's just that this one is a little different because the MB doesn't state a range of pay, which might imply that there is no room for negotiation.

I agree that the answer is probably not. I think it might also matter what the pay is offered at and how that compares with the market rate in that neighborhood. For example, if this is NW DC and she's offering $15/hr for one child and your rate is $17/hr, perhaps she would consider it since the quality of applicants she'll likely get will be low (and she may realize her compensation is on the low end). But, if this is in NW and one child and she's offering $20/hr and you want $22/hr then she will probably already be getting qualified applicants and also know that she is offering good pay and you might come off as being greedy in that case.

Depends on my finances. Probably not.

I am strongly considering applying for a job on care.com that sounds on paper like a fantastic fit and a position I would love.

The salary isn't a pay range, it is stated as a flat hourly rate ($x/hour). The rate I typically charge is $y/hour, the difference being 12.5%.

If you were an MB with a posting offering a flat rate, but you found a candidate that you loved and wanted to make a job offer, would it necessarily be a deal breaker if you found out they intended to charge 12.5% higher than what your posting stated?