How long to leave nanny job advert open before interviewing?

[Biscuitless]

Hello

Yesterday I posted an ad on childcare.co.uk and nannyjob.co.uk, for a position starting mid-January. I have received a few applications already (some strong, some less so). How long do I wait before starting to interview?

My inclination would be to leave the advert open for a couple of weeks to get a good spread of candidates, then review CVs all together and shortlist the best ones for interview. If none stand out, either then or at the interview stage, I would leave the advert open longer. But is it normal to wait and are all the good nannies likely to be snapped up in the meantime? Or do people interview good candidates as they go along? Obviously I would acknowledge receipt of applications straightaway, thanking the applicants for their interest and informing them of the timing, so people are not hanging on in limbo.

Just also wanted to say that I have been lurking on this board for a while and am very grateful for all the advice available on it especially from regulars like nannynick and blondeshavemorefun (those are the two names that stand out but I am sure there are others!)

Many thanks.

I'm doing the same at the moment so wanted to follow this to see what the responses are. I've had mine open for about three weeks now and am worrying I might have lost some by now!

I would interview as you go along. I think you are likely to lose good candidates if you make them wait.

Choosing a nanny is different to employing someone to work in an office, for example. It's about finding the one right person, not picking the best from the bunch. As soon as you find the right one, go for it.

What have applicants sent you so far? Some may have not sent you very much, so I would contact applicants, thank them for their interest and get them to confirm that they know the job starts on the date you have decided, that they meet your minimum requirements, that if not already done so they send in their CV, that they confirm they understand the salary that is on offer.

Give them a cut off date for when you have to have submissions, such as by end of Friday next week (31 October).

Set aside some time to go through the submissions.

You could go through them as they come in and reject those who don't meet your minimum requirements. Thus leaving you with less to compare once all submissions are in. On 1/2nd November go through those who are suitable and decide whom to interview.

Leave the advert in place. You may find you get some interest later on and it may be useful if you find that you don't find a suitable nanny with those initially interested.

Interview those who are suitable - initially perhaps via phone, meanwhile see if any new applications come in.

You may find your ideal candidate in this initial bunch of applicants. Or you may find that you do interviews, meet people but still don't find the perfect nanny and one comes along in Nov/Dec.

How many applications have you got?

Outraged, is waiting until next weekend too long before doing phone interview? I agree that it might be, so perhaps candidates who look perfect on paper are contacted for that initial phone chat sooner if Biscuitless is able to find the time to do so.

I replied to 2 ads on a Monday evening. Was contacted by 1 on the Tuesday, interviewed on the Wednesday, 2nd interview on Saturday, job offered on Sunday. 2nd ad contacted me the next day by which time it was too late.
Both jobs were for a start date 2 months ahead. I'm a nanny with 25+ years experience so, yes, I do tend to get snapped up. If the job offered is right for me, then I accept and stop looking and interviewing.

I think next weekend is too long, yes. Good nannies are snapped up. If they apply today and then wait a week for a phone interview, and then another few days for a proper interview and then a few days while the OP makes a decision etc. they'll find work elsewhere. That's without getting into second interviews etc.

I would reply to all applications the day they come in either with 'thanks for you interest, but we don't think you're right for us at this time' or 'thanks for your interest, your CV looks great, could we arrange a time for a phone interview/interview/Skype chat/ could you answer these further questions via email. I think you need to show interest in anyone who looks good immediately. It doesn't have to be meeting them straight away, but some sort of show of interest is essential to keep them as a possibility, imo at least.

Wow! Thanks for all those responses. Outraged, I recognise your name too

So I clearly need to rethink my approach... Silly me, why did I advertise just before the start of half-term - hard to find even half an hour to myself in the day when the kids are around!! TV already heavily in use when baby needs naps, and baby doesn't go to sleep in the evening till 9. DH works late/away often so not really around to help with kids. I guess I'd thought that having ticked off the advert (which took ages to do) I could then put it all in a box for a couple of weeks. But if other employers are reacting to applications from good nannies quickly then clearly I need to too!

I have had 5 applications, of which 1 is of greatest interest so far (but vague in detail), 1 is clearly no good, and the other 3 are maybes (but probably nots). Main thing is to find someone who can form a strong relationship with my 4 year old who can be very standoffish. However, I want to interview candidates thoroughly myself first before introducing any to him. I would prefer to do the first interview face to face as I am someone who forms strong instincts about people but find the telephone can be misleading. My fear is that if I do a phone interview I will half-ask all the important questions making it hard to then do a proper interview afterwards. I think I will try to interview the strongest candidate this weekend if she is available.

I am grateful to you all for spending precious time to help.

I hate phone interviews personally (because I'm rubbish on the phone), so I think that's a good approach .

I asked for CVs ASAP, then reviewed applications each weekend and set up interviews asap after that: first just with me (about 5 of those), then me and OH for the 3 I liked best. Luckily our DD is a baby so we didn't have to worry about having interviews without her present. I also don't like phone interviews, though did Skype interviews with one candidate living abroad which I felt worked well. We didn't lose anybody along the way, so contacting at the first weekend seemed soon enough! Though I think we were also looking quite early (about 3 months before my start date) which maybe helped.

def dont leave a few weeks before contacting the nanny, she will think you are not interested, and possibly be snapped up

i always answer any emails i get, even if they clearly havnt read my ad (looking for 3 or 4 whole days) and ask if i want before/after school or work 5 days lol, and reply saying thanks but hours arent enough etc and wish them good luck with their search

def email back and say thanks for cv and could you arrange a time for an interview, agree with leeds about phone ones, im crap on the phone, tho can talk/type for england

mid jan isnt giving you much time, as many nannies i know and myself have 6/8 weeks notice or booked up for work, im booked up till end of march 2015 for night work at the moment

so if you need someone with 8 weeks notice to start midd jan, you have 2/3ish week to interview/check refs/interview/meet your child, offer job/sort out contracts etc in a fortnight

It's becoming far more common to have 6-8 weeks notice in a nanny contract as the standard 4 weeks notice is not enough time for employers to advertise, interview and recruit a new nanny.

I always have 6 weeks in contract. I hate phone interviews too so I tend to 'chat' over email for a week or so and then do a face-to-face interview. I'm normally interviewing for jobs that are long drives away so I have only ever done one interview with each family I've worked for. If you don't have time to start interviews straight away, just keep in regular contact over email. If there's a job I REALLY like the sound of, I will happily wait a little longer for an interview :)

I went for a job earlier on in the year when the parents took at least 2 weeks between each stage of the application, even up to 2nd interview. Needless to say I was offered something else first which was a shame as I was extremely interested in the position.

I have just recruited a nanny and I put 8 weeks notice. The payroll company who did the contract contacted me and asked if I was certain of that, they pointed out that if it didn't work out shortly after the probationary period I would have to pay the full 8 weeks and said that it is hard to hold an unwilling nanny to a notice period.

I decided to compromise and changed from 4w probation and 8w notice to 6w probation and 6w notice. This time my previous nanny was on 6w notice and it was plenty (in fact I let her off two weeks of it), plus I can book leave 6w ahead and cancel if needed.

I just agreed a 2 month probation period with 4 weeks notice, and then 8 weeks notice after that. Nanny and I both preferred a longer period to get sorted: but it's kind of an arms race isn't it? I wonder if in 5 years time we'll all be doing 12 weeks!?!?!?

Thanks once more for all the responses. I have taken due heed and my first interview is lined up for next week. I am very grateful.

I have to agree with those that suggested quick responses. Last week I saw a job advertised that I liked. Told agency on Tuesday, had interview on Thursday, met the children on Saturday. Accepted the post on Monday. Nanny posts are usually very quick. Well they have been for me. Start in 4 weeks.