Parents don’t expect a Mary Poppins in a nanny (although that is the dream!). But ultimately, our kids are our most priceless possession and a nanny need to at least give the impression that they actually like children and are not just in it for the cash.
We’re certainly not asking a nanny to look after our kids for free. But I would like to think that a person who becomes a nanny does so because they do enjoy spending time with children and not solely for the goal of becoming rich.
I Just Couldn’t Believe The Audacity Of This Ad!
Recently, a nanny placed a job seeker ad in a local Nannies and Au Pairs Facebook group. I don’t usually spend too much time in this group as my kids are now school aged. But I stopped, absolutely gob-smacked, when I saw this ad. Was this a joke? Was there really a nanny out there who was so entitled and lacking in EQ that they would actually post an advert like this.
Most nanny job seeker ads I see are always brimming with positivity. There is the inevitable pic of a smiley person hugging a kid and lots of encouraging words, focusing on their love for kids and their experience. Money is never even mentioned. And yes, I get the warm and fuzzies looking at these ads and bookmark them should the ned arise to hire a nanny.
Don’t Mention Money!
I was taught at a young age that you should never mention money in the first interview. Perhaps this is old fashioned now, but I still think that it’s important to sell your skills and experience to your prospective employer first and later when they’re hooked, you can chat details.
Brimming With Entitlement
Well, clearly this particular nanny did not get the same memo. Her job ad was packed with what she should be entitled to – superannuation, paid leave, lots of hours, high pay, respect and not much about what she would bring into the job. Seriously, if this was what nannies are like these days, I will never be going on another date again.
Read The Ad Below
“Professional Australian Nanny! Please read my ad carefully!” is how the post began.
Already, a red flag was being hoisted. She’s giving demands right from the start. Not a good sign.
The ad continued:
“I am NOT interested in Demi Pair, Au Pair or Mother’s help positions. Please do your research on different types of child care so you know which one is suitable for your family.
“I am ONLY interested in permanent full time (a minimum of 40 hours per week) live in Nanny positions where I will have sole charge of the children.
“I am a career Nanny and I want to be appreciated, respected and valued as an employee in Australia – annual leave, superannuation, and tax are NOT negotiable. It is a LEGAL REQUIREMENT! I need to look after myself because it is my future!”
How To Screw Up An Interview In A Few Sentences
WOW and WOW and WOW again. Just imagine, I walk into an interview and say those things straight away. I reckon I would have been booted out the door without a second thought.
She then continues to provide more details about herself, including her interests and experience.
She then signs off the ad with:
“Please contact me if you are genuinely interested in me becoming your children’s Nanny!”
Lots Of Critics
As expected, I wasn’t only the one with ruffled feathers. While the nanny did receive a few posts of support from other nannies, most of the comments vehemently slammed her ad.
“There’s a difference between setting professional boundaries and being rude. You’re expecting your potential family to pay you THEIR money. You wouldn’t add all that to a resume so personally I wouldn’t add it to a Facebook add,” said one.
“No offence…but I wouldn’t hire you with that ad. It’s a bit scary and confronting! Doesn’t exactly scream “tender, loving and nurturing,” which would be my #1 priority for a nanny. Just a heads up from a parent,” said another.
“You will not get anyone interested by selling yourself in the tone of your advert , the first thing us mothers see is you lecturing people on educating themselves on what different types of nanny’s are. No softness to your advert at all you are not doing yourself any favours,” said another mum.
“Geez. If my CV was this harsh I’d be unemployed. You can say the exact same in a softer tone… I would honestly be scared of you or to leave my kids with you after reading the ad,” rebuked another.
Back Off!
While a handful of nannies expressed their support, most told her to back off.
“Good on you. We deserve super and fair pay, like anyone else in the workforce,” said one nanny.
“I get where you are coming from, really I do – from one child carer to another.
But to be honest that ad screams self entitlement and I wouldn’t want someone with that attitude caring for my son.
I would want the person to focus on care, not money,” another said.
But She Kept On Going….
The worst thing about this whole situation is that the nanny didn’t take any of the comments as constructive criticism. Instead she got more and more defensive.
The nanny explained the reasoning behind her ‘harsh’ ad:
“I will not adjust my ad because it may appear harsh. I posted the exact same ad without the opening message last night and I was being messaged by people who were not reading my ad properly and wanted me to work less than full time. It was not suitable and just wasted my time and theirs. I obviously need to be more upfront with what I am searching for hence my opening… They can choose to scroll on if they are wanting an Au Pair.”
She then followed it up with:
“This is bullying! What a way to teach your children how to treat people… Please go and work for someone who does not offer annual leave or superannuation. You will also have a problem with it. Disgusting…’
I Deserve More!
And then…
“I seem to have rustled some feathers. I am not sorry! Someone needs to have Nannies best interests at heart. We deserve annual leave, paid sick days, superannuation because it is legal! If you are not interested and have nothing positive to contribute then please leave and move on.”
She then promptly deleted her advert, but not before she got many of our knickers in a mighty big knot.
I don’t usually get that worked up about posts on Facebook – I generally do scroll by when I don’t like something. But this post really irked me – it just wreaked of entitlement and unprofessionalism. I would recommend this nanny look at alternative employment as you need to be caring to be a carer.
Would you hire a nanny who posted such an ad? What did you think when you read it? Tell us in the comments below.
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