Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:10-10 is NOT an option. It's ridiculous to act surprised that they are offering $10/hr when that was within the range they advertised

+1. This is a problem with the software the company uses. You can't put in $10-$10. You have to put in a range. If the MB puts in $5-$10, she'll get no applicants. I don't think it's fair to put $10-$15 either, but the computer won't let you put otherwise.

OP here.

I wonder if this regional or something? Like I said, I reside in Houston and there ARE postings with the $10 range only. I am absolutely 100% positive about that.

I have no problem receiving responses. I receive responses from parents on a regular basis, but it's like they don't bother to pay attention to my pay rate, availability, request to pay on the books, etc. I guess I have to agree with the parent pp who said it was the nature of the site since as she stated, I'm sure there are plenty of applicants who reply to parents with a pay rate higher than the parents listed.

To pp asking how overweight - I'm 220 and 5'3 and ideally I would like to be between 110-130. Just healthy, you know? I go to the gym several times a week and am active. In fact, I try to be more because I know obese people get the stereotype of being lazy, messy, etc. so I dress appropriately, try to be well groomed, etc to not perpetuate the stereotype.

I really appreciate the advice. I think I will go ahead and apply to an agency. Nothing to lose, right?

Agree with 15:49. Re: weight...this seems the most likely reason you are having issues if you are indeed obese. Some moms will just reject that entirely but many would like a candidate who is a native English speaker and has some higher education under her belt. Exactly what you have.
So tackle the most likely concerns about your weight head on by ensuring your reference can accurately say you model good eating habits because you are working hard to develop healthy eating and that you are very active with the kids. Then echo those things directly in your interviews. If they are not true then you may need to focus mostly on looking for a job that is school pick up and homework help since that would be the closest match to your strengths. If you are not energetic despite your weight then most MBs of little ones will rightfully not want to hire you.

Anonymous wrote:10-10 is NOT an option. It's ridiculous to act surprised that they are offering $10/hr when that was within the range they advertised

+1. This is a problem with the software the company uses. You can't put in $10-$10. You have to put in a range. If the MB puts in $5-$10, she'll get no applicants. I don't think it's fair to put $10-$15 either, but the computer won't let you put otherwise.

Anonymous wrote:OP most people who hire nannies aren't looking to have the nanny teach their child another language so that is most likely NOT the reason you're not getting results. The ones who are will most likely put that in their profile when they seek a sitter.

How much experience do you have? do you have good refrences that they can call? Weight might be an issue with some families but not all so just be patient and wait for the right one.

I agree. A terrific well-paying family is looking for someone just like you, OP.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why are we so hung up on her lacking a foreign language? Seriously that seems like such an odd thing to count as a huge negative.

OP, how many years of experience do you have and what kind? Do you have any evidence of education about childhood development or related fields?

How about some focus on English, so you don't have to do speech therapy at age three or four?

This douche again.

OP most people who hire nannies aren't looking to have the nanny teach their child another language so that is most likely NOT the reason you're not getting results. The ones who are will most likely put that in their profile when they seek a sitter.

How much experience do you have? do you have good refrences that they can call? Weight might be an issue with some families but not all so just be patient and wait for the right one.

omg.

OP you do not need to know a foreign language to get a great position.

OP you do not need to lose weight to get a great position.

OP you do not need a BA to get a great position.

Yes, all of those things would be +1s if you had them, but they aren't make-or-break issues. Do you speak and write English well? Do you come across as warm, thoughtful, and bright? Do you have strong references and a natural rapport with kids? Are you able to ask and answer tough questions? Those things matter much, much more than the details you've listed.

Find a good agency in your city and let them send you on some interviews.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A couple of things:

The best agencies do not recruit on other sites, but the mediocre and bad ones do. It is a bit absurd, yes.

You do not need to speak a foreign language to register with an agency. I only speak English and got my full-benefits (including health insurance), high paying, wonderful job through an agency.

Why are you so quick to assume that just because your weight will lead some parents to pass you over, you shouldn't even bother trying to get your resume in front of the ones who won't care? I'm beginning to think your feelings about your size are more of a hindrance than the weight itself (or than parents will think it is). You can register with as many agencies as you want so DO IT! Job hunting is a numbers game and the more connections you have, the better.

I think weight will be a huge factor. She is not just a little over weight but is obese which is unhealthy and there have been studies that prove that obese people are unhealthy and may not be as flexible or active as parents like. Work on your weight and your attitude and keep lookinh

You're so idiotic I'm not even going to argue with you.

Anonymous wrote:Why are we so hung up on her lacking a foreign language? Seriously that seems like such an odd thing to count as a huge negative.

OP, how many years of experience do you have and what kind? Do you have any evidence of education about childhood development or related fields?

How about some focus on English, so you don't have to do speech therapy at age three or four?

Anonymous wrote:Big nanny here- I've been employed by the same family for 8 years and I weigh 250 pounds. I'm paid well above market rates. My nanny resume does the talking, not my weight. I went through an agency and recommend you do do as well.

+1

Big nanny here- I've been employed by the same family for 8 years and I weigh 250 pounds. I'm paid well above market rates. My nanny resume does the talking, not my weight. I went through an agency and recommend you do do as well.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:10-10 is NOT an option. It's ridiculous to act surprised that they are offering $10/hr when that was within the range they advertised

10-10 is an option.i just went on the site and saw a few listings with that amount.

So what? $10 is still within the $10-15 range. What if they were offering $11/hr and selected the $10-15 option, OP would be upset they weren't offering $15.

To be honest, I'm thinking they left the range open and offered what they felt the individual candidate deserved. OP was likely offered the lowest option because of how she interviewed. It has already been determined that she's not very motivated, she has a lot of hang ups about her weight, level of education and now lack of foreign language skills. I'm guessing she's not presenting herself well

Agreed. Presentation is important. She needs to lose weight, look nice, have a bright attitude. She claims she can't work on her foreign language issue and that is crap. She can take a class and learn. I have a feeling she is presenting herself as desperate and asking for more value then she is worth.

OP here. I'm not going to learn a foreign language just to get a job in a field I don't see myself working in for the duration of my working life. It's not worth it to me. Losing weight and finishing my education is. I don't think I'm asking for more than I'm worth, but if I were, why am I being contacted then? I have my pay range in the area where sitters can put it down as well as in my Bio. If you have a Care account, you can see who has viewed your profile in the Stats section, and 100% of the families I interviewed with either in person or over the phone viewed my profile.

OP, I understand the frustration with care.com and sittercity.com and the salary dance. It's true the opposite way too - most of the nannies I emailed asked for much more than was on their profile. I think it's the nature of the site. Don't get discouraged. Have you considered going with an agency at all?

Sitter websites and Craig's List brings out the trash. That's just the honest truth, and on both ends: care seeker and care giver.

Why are we so hung up on her lacking a foreign language? Seriously that seems like such an odd thing to count as a huge negative.

OP, how many years of experience do you have and what kind? Do you have any evidence of education about childhood development or related fields?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:10-10 is NOT an option. It's ridiculous to act surprised that they are offering $10/hr when that was within the range they advertised

10-10 is an option.i just went on the site and saw a few listings with that amount.

So what? $10 is still within the $10-15 range. What if they were offering $11/hr and selected the $10-15 option, OP would be upset they weren't offering $15.

To be honest, I'm thinking they left the range open and offered what they felt the individual candidate deserved. OP was likely offered the lowest option because of how she interviewed. It has already been determined that she's not very motivated, she has a lot of hang ups about her weight, level of education and now lack of foreign language skills. I'm guessing she's not presenting herself well

Agreed. Presentation is important. She needs to lose weight, look nice, have a bright attitude. She claims she can't work on her foreign language issue and that is crap. She can take a class and learn. I have a feeling she is presenting herself as desperate and asking for more value then she is worth.

OP here. I'm not going to learn a foreign language just to get a job in a field I don't see myself working in for the duration of my working life. It's not worth it to me. Losing weight and finishing my education is. I don't think I'm asking for more than I'm worth, but if I were, why am I being contacted then? I have my pay range in the area where sitters can put it down as well as in my Bio. If you have a Care account, you can see who has viewed your profile in the Stats section, and 100% of the families I interviewed with either in person or over the phone viewed my profile.