They want me to go to the Hamptons with them for a trial run next weekend. Its paid and includes everything like food at travel, but I've literally never done anything like this before. I have never traveled or even spend the night at the home of previous families.
The interview was only like 45 minutes and now I'm going to spend the weekend their shore house? Not that I am complaining I love the Hamptons and beach, it just seems like a big first step in getting hired.
I have zero experience living with families and as much as I love children, I am always happy to go back to my own place..
I am totally doing it, I can just be shy and nervous at first, and this seems fast.
Does anyone have tips for the first time staying at a job's house? I want to be a good guest while also not actively engaging with their kid.
Thats sound a little scary for me. You don't know them very well yet. Too many horror stories. If you plan to go- make sure you always have someone you can reach. Keep cell phone with you. Extra $ of your own in case you need to leave. And be careful. Just sounds fishy to me.
ReplyDeleteHonestly, it sounds a lot like a scam I once had run on me. I was to be paid up front and the first thing I'd do as their nanny is go on a month long vacation with them. My spider sense got to tingling and I decided it was too fishy for me.
ReplyDeleteIf you've met them in person this is less likely to be a scam, but I'm sorry that is my first thought. I hope I'm wrong! But perhaps do a background check on them or ask for a reference for your own peace of mind? I'd be very suspicious.
Yeah, it sounds fishy to me too. Almost as if they want someone to come on vacation with them and then you'll never hear from them again. I wouldn't do it. It sounds like a waste of time to me...
ReplyDeleteYou need to be paid. It's not a vacation. You're there to work. They have to pay you. I travel all the time and charge MORE per hour to travel. It's stressful and exhausting.
ReplyDeleteOP they seem pretty legit to me, but I am being cautious. I have the plans for the weekend in writing, and worst comes to worst I have family in the area who can pick me up.
ReplyDeleteThey are paying for a background back on me, and have forwarded me money to pay for my tickets, so it does seem like a lot to invest in scamming me. If I do get hired it will be an hourly thing, and I do charge a lot, so thats something to be considered.
I am giving it a try because I am unemployed and don't have too much to lose at this point. If it goes bad, back to school is starting up and it will be easy to find another family.
I'll keep you updated.
Use caution if they are sending you a check, there are a lot of cashing a check scams out there... Not knowing it's a scam til it's too late. Have them purchase your ticket and have it sent to your email directly from the airline . Please do a back ground check on them and get the name of the previous nanny and talk to her. Good luck! Keep us posted! Sorry can't give you any advice on your question, I've never had the chance to travel! Ps how did you find this nanny position?
ReplyDeleteMy first two weeks on my current job were spent at a vacation house and I didn't know them or the rest of the (extended) family at all. I accepted even though the agency I was hired through advised against it. I felt very comfortable as an experienced nanny in clearly articulating what I expected as well as having them detail what they expected. I would advise you to set clear boundaries right away (before you go), such as setting a schedule of hours to prevent 24/7 job creep. Vacations are notorious for this; I often work 12-16 hour days now on their vacations, although I established that first trip that I would do 9AM-5PM and then late night monitoring while they went out to eat (I didn't yet know the child at all so I felt her parents could better put her to bed and soothe her). I'd also find out exactly what your accommodations will be; at the very least, you should expect your own bedroom and, if possible, bathroom. Good luck and let us know how it goes! If you enjoy the position, I'd also recommend trying to get per diem in your contract for travel days.
ReplyDeleteI'm confused by your statement " I want to be a good guest while also not actively engaging with their kid."
ReplyDeleteYou are NOT a guest. And you should be actively engaged with their children as that is why they are hiring a sitter/nanny.
When I read that, it sounded more like when she has off hours. A lot of the time those hours can become blurred and next thing you know she just worked a whole 24 hours without realizing.
DeleteI personally would never do a live-in position as I've read enough personal stories of them getting way too taken advantage of.