Brittany writes: "How can I convince prospective employers that I'm worth my asking price?"
A: Childcare is one of the few industries where an employee's salary doesn't necessarily correlate with years of experience or expertise. Employers expect nannies to have an impressive set of skills and resume (Bilingual? Check. Ten years of experience? Check. Masters degree in early childhood education? Check.) yet don't necessarily expect (or want) to pay them a realistic wage for those accomplishments. Each city tends to have a "going rate" and anything suggested above that often receives a chilly "good luck with your search". Not the magic words you were hoping to hear after announcing your well deserved salary expectation.
The good news is there are families out there who are willing to pay a little extra for your 5 star nanny service. First of all, make sure you genuinely deserve what you're asking for. Are your references nothing short of stellar? Do you have significant experience that makes you stand out from all the other candidates? Know the going rate in your city and be straight with the family as early on as possible. If you know they're excited about you, consider giving them a heads up about your salary expectations before they even make you an offer. I know this is a little counter intuitive and most salary negotiators would tell you to do the opposite! However, families will appreciate your candor and it will put them in an immediate position to impress you with what they can offer, which will make them feel good. If a family is excited enough to offer you the position, only to get denied because they didn't offer you enough, they might feel misled or even that you're greedy. The bottom line is some families won't go over a certain price point, and that's their prerogative, but it might mean they aren't the family for you and it's best to keep looking before you commit to a situation you know will leave you wanting more.