Category Archives: Screening and Background Checks

How to do backup care at GoNannies.com

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School will be back in before you know it, and now’s the time to secure back-up coverage so you’re never stuck without quality care. And with more caregivers than ever looking for work, your search has never been easier.

To find backup care at GoNannies.com, follow the same necessary steps as finding standard care, except we recommend accumulating a small pool of people you can call on when needed.  Here are the steps:

  1. Post your job (optional) and search for and interview potential candidates who have indicated they’re available for “occasional/as-needed” and/or “back-up/short-notice” assignments (show advanced search options for this search).  
  2. Screen: Checks references, run a thorough background check, and do trial session(s) on final caregiver(s).
  3. When backup care is needed, call your desired caregiver(s) to request backup care.

Run a quick search today to find nannies, housekeepers, sitters, senior caregivers and more!

Attracting Quality Caregivers

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Are there secrets to attracting the best caregivers? Not really. In a nutshell, quality positions attract quality caregivers. To attract, hire, and RETAIN top-notch caregivers, offer a quality position and more importantly COMMUNICATE those offerings! Here are some guidelines for presenting your position:

  • Fringe Benefits.  Identify any large or small perks of your position.  Whether it’s access to use a club membership, extra vacation time, travelling with the family, or even free access to sweet goodies baked by a gourmet family member, make sure your prime candidates know the full scope of the benefits you’re offering.
  • Full picture. It’s fair game (and encouraged) to let a candidate know about your super well-behaved children (or whatever their special characteristics may be), your fair and easy-going family, and whatever other family or home characteristics will help give her a good idea of the overall working environment.
     
  • Compensation.  Don’t miss the opportunity to present your FULL compensation package. Base wages are a given, but also consider that annual bonuses (if more than a token amount), any mileage reimbursement (if applicable and offered) and even a signing bonus (with contingencies) can help sweeten a pot for someone you think may be in high demand. Also be sure to communicate your schedule for merit reviews and possible wage increases.
  • Accommodations.  If your position is live-in, share as many features of your accommodations as you can think of. These accommodations will be the home of your caregiver, so comfort and conveniences are key. Consider making small investments that can have a large impact (e.g., a flat screen TV, an elegant bed linen set, or luxurious bathroom toiletries and dispensers).
  • Avoid overstating the benefits.  The purpose of finding your ideal caregiver is not to hire her, but to keep her! Overstating the benefits and attractiveness of a position will almost certainly lead to dissatisfaction down the road.  Be as clear about the job responsibilities and expectations as you are about the benefits to the candidate.  Setting the precedent for clearly stating what’s needed is absolutely essential at this stage and will set you on the right track going forward.
  • Riding the fine line.  It’s important that your caregiver be confident that she will be comfortable in a position, but ultimately, it’s the actual care she’ll provide that she must be MOST comfortable with. So balance stating the responsibilities of the position along with the benefits and watch for signs that the responsibilities are equally as attractive to a candidate as the benefits!

Do you have any effective techniques for landing quality caregivers? Feel free to share!

New Hire Checklist – Don’t Miss a Step!

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You’ve found your ideal caregiver.  Now what???  Here’s an easy-to-follow hiring checklist so you can be sure not to miss a beat. 

 

  • Screening Done?    Be sure you’ve performed ALL our recommended screening steps.  These screening steps are the most important factors in making a successful hire!

  • Payroll & Taxes?    Inquire about payroll and taxes and find ways to save both time and money.  Services include tax filing, direct deposit, and more.

  • Required forms?    Be sure you and your new caregiver complete the required hiring forms, including the Employment Eligibility Verification (I-9) and the Form W-4.

  • Employment Agreement   GoNannies recommends having your new caregiver sign an Employment Agreement to minimize the potential for any misunderstandings now or in the future.

  • Training    Invest some time training.  While there’s much that an experienced caregiver will already know, there are always new aspects to any new position and the caregiver deserves some direction that will help them get started on the right foot.

  • Post-hire Screening    Don’t forget that screening should still take place AFTER the hire. Drop in unannounced, consider a mutually beneficial nanny-cam, communicate and evaluate regularly!  Call us to learn more.

Happy Hiring!