How long to leave the job ad?

[NoMoreWasabi]

Following suggestions on here I've placed an ad for a nanny in London on childcare.co.uk and nannjob. I Put it up first thing yesterday and whilst it is very early days do far nearly all those who responded don't meet the basic criteria we set out and most of those are I imagine mailing everyone who posts anything. So how long should I give it for decent applicants to come in before considering using agencies as we don't have oodles of time.

Looks like you are wanting a recent photo of applicant and details of their current pay rather tha you specifying a salary.

Leave it a couple of days, then modify the ad to state salary on offer and remove photo requirement to see if you get different response.

I saw ad asking current salary rather than saying what salary range the role was offering ... A nanny wants to know what salary range is being offered.

On Childcare.co.uk keep in mind that the site is designed for parents to find a childcarer, rather than a childcarer to find parents (though it is possible to list local parents seeking childcare). So you need to log in daily and look at profiles of local nannies and contact them, rather than waiting for them to contact you.

Think I found your entry on Childcare.co.uk... see if you can edit your account details with regard to your location - postcode is right but system seems to be saying London, Londonderry. Not sure why that is, could be a database error. Check in the My Details section that you have selected County: London (in the England section). Put your local area in the town/city field. Note: Childcare.co.uk's automatic system may have sent you an e-mail saying that I (nannynick) have viewed your ad. You can also look in Who's Looked At Me to see who has viewed your ad (only shows users who are logged in at the time of viewing).

It's good that you have had some response to the ad. What sort of things were the applicants missing off from the info they sent you?

Have you started considering which agency/agencies you would use to recruit for the job? Ask around local agencies to see who actually has nannies on their books right now who meet your criteria. You don't really want the agency to just put an ad on nannyjob like you have done, you want them to send you the best matched candidates they have already met.

Given you haven't got that long... about 7 weeks, may be wise to contact an agency after the bank holiday weekend.

Thanks. To be honest at first I felt rather and a little horrified anyone sought out the ad but appreciate the feedback. We have now narrowed the scope do thank you nick in particular for the suggestions.

I think my question really is two fold

1- if you are a nanny looking for work, how often do you check job ads?
2- if you see a job you like would you respond immediately or think about it for a while?

I'm going to give it a but longer but currently the majority of respondents didn't meet what we were looking for. In particular v fluent English which showed in their use of English in their responses.

I usually reply straigth away, but sometimes dont have time so leave it for later.
I usually check the ad daily, unless i am busy.
But - i am not a british nanny so might have different habits ;)

you will get many more British nannies apply if you offer £400 net for 60 hours live in.

Your add says that you are offering 350 for 7-7.....

Last time I worked 7-7 m-f I was paid £400 net live in, and myself and many british nanny friends, wont work for less.

By offering £50 less, you are likely to get more non-English speakers apply, those here travelling / on visas etc

I've spoken to several agencies who have all told me £350 is the going rate for this sort of job at the moment. But I appreciate some people would want more.

I'm a British Nanny currently looking for work and £400 is my current salary range aim, but job perks/amount of children etc can affect this.
In answer to your two-foldyness:

1. I check everyday. And get job alerts to my mobile which I read religiously. Sad, but true.
2. I would respond almost immediately. I have my own criteria (£350-400npw, no more than 3 children, live in, non-satan worshippers etc) and if it meets that then I'll apply.

I find it confusing and unfuriating on the parents behalf if people apply to jobs that they don't meet the criteria for!

Interesting thanks

Notachocolateraisin - what areas are you looking for work in? I can PM you our job ad if you might be interested.

nomorewasabi I'm looking anywhere in the UK really. I have a preferance for London but am happy for anywhere for the right family. Would love to hear more about the position