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Giving 2 weeks notice yay or nay?
Ok, as some of you know, I loath my job. I get called stupid and get blamed for things that are out of my control. I also think they are setting me up to get fired.
Here's the deal, I discussed this with my Husband, and I want to get into the dog care business and eventually into child care. According to care.com I would be getting paid close to what I get paid now, plus I would deal with what I love, animals and babies lol! I'm currently writing up by bio and my experience, but before I submit anything I need advice.
If I submit my bio and get people who want me to to take care of their animals and what not, I would have to say that I could start in 2 weeks, but these people may need someone right now. Do I give my 2 weeks at my current job now, or do I wait until I get someone who needs my services? Like I said, if I told a potential client that I can't start until 2 weeks, then I may lose the client. What would you do?
If it helps, I live in NYC, so there's always a market for care givers.
Re: Giving 2 weeks notice yay or nay?
I'm always leery of not giving two weeks, but that's because in my profession, I will almost always run into these people again. I won't tell you not to give two weeks, but I will say that if you plan on making a complete career change, I wouldn't as concerned about my bridge burning. Just be aware that you may end up working for/with these people again. If that sits okay with you, then I'd begin right away.
I wouldn't count your chickens before they've hatched. In this economy, I don't think it's wise to quit your job, if you need income, before lining up something else.
Also, generally speaking, as a parent and pet owner - I am not leaving any kind of arranged care to the last minute. So 2 weeks wouldn't be a deal breaker, most likely.
I would not quit your job. I know several highly qualified nannies who are looking. I would guess that most nannies go about 4-6 months between gigs (which last about 2 years). It is slow market due to the slow economy. Yes there are jobs out there, but there are many nannies looking for work. When I posted my job 2 years ago I received well over 100 applicants over 3 days.
I think is fine to assume that most nanny positions will be interviewing with more than 2 weeks notice. Sure there are some families that will need someone ASAP but that isn't normal. However be aware that many families pay a premium for experience so you'll probably make on the low end of scale. I think you'll be making about $12-$13 and hour unless you'd be open to taking on 2 kids.
Just something to think about.
~Benjamin Franklin
DS dx with celiac disease 5/28/10
I suppose rates may be very different in NYC because it is a HCOL area, but nannies in my area (Northern New Jersey) make about minimum wage, sometimes less.
I am surprised it is so low. In the Twin Cities (MCOL) nannies make 15$ an hr, easy. That is not necessarily with any experience either.
That's how much I get paid now. As long as 2 weeks not being a deal breaker, than I should be fine.
According to a family friend that is in Upstate NY, she says they pay a lot for babysitting. She said I should go that route. But she also said that telling people to wait for 2 weeks is no big deal. I'm feeling better, I just want to get things in order.
Well, it's always possible that me and and some others are being swindled ;-)
I probably shouldn't have spoken for the whole of Northern NJ; the specific neighborhood I am working in is relatively low-income.
I have seen rates closer to $12-$15, but that is usually for nannies with a lot of experience.
That's definitely a good point!
Here's my thing. According to multiple different websites in an average COL area I should be making between $10,000 and $20,000 more than I do now and I live in a HCOL area. So theoretically you MIGHT make the same or more than what you are now that is in no way guaranteed or long term. Someone might get fired from their job and no longer need your services, might find a more convenient pet/child care provider, might not pay you, etc.
You would also lose whatever benefits you might have now, and have to handle the taxes on your personal business that you are now running.
If you hate your job, thats fine. Find another suitable job that has some kind of stability in it, even if it is a part time job.
Now if your salary is purely extra money and nothing is dependent on you working, then do whatever makes you the happiest.
Agreed.
And even if it's a completely different career change, you may be putting your current employer on your resume. And if a new employer contacts them, your current employer would just say you up-and-left. Not cool.
I'm currently a nanny and found my job on Care.com. The mom was still on maternity leave and if I was working a current job (which I wasn't at the time, I had just finished a seasonal position), I would have time to give a 2-week notice.
Plus, like PPs said, you may not get a job asap. I would not give 2-weeks until you officially have a start date.
And... fwiw, I would not refer to them as your "client". Maybe that's just me, though.
Ah, I missed that. Yes, they are your employer, not your client.