Snarky Brides

Work advice needed *long*

Cliffs: I am looking for a new job and need help telling my bosses. I work in their home and we are pretty close so I feel I need to be upfront and tell them I'm job searching.

I am unhappy at my job and ready to change careers. My degree is in Family Studies and Human Services and I am currently applying for social service jobs (caseworker, volunteer coordinator, etc). My dilemma is how and when to tell my bosses I am job searching.

I am a nanny for a 2 year old girl and I have been with the family for 1 year 8 months. I feel obligated to give them a heads up that I am job searching because it will probably take them some time to find a new, qualified nanny. (They are super picky). I don't want to leave them high and dry. I also would like to use one of the parents as a reference and want to be honest if I need to take time off to interview.

I'm comfortable with my reasons for looking for a new job. I want to change careers before Scott and I try to start a family, I want a career path that is long term, and I want a lighter work schedule before having children. I currently work 50 hrs/week and drive 1.5 hrs round trip every day.

I don't think they'll be totally shocked since I'm married now and they know we want kids in a few years. They are not planning on having more children so they would only need me for a couple more years anyway. I'm a weenie and this conversation is going to be really hard to start. I need an opening line. Help please?
I would like to quit at the end of this year even if I don't have a new job yet. I can sub and babysit to bring in a little money and we can afford for me to not work full time for a month or two.

Edited for clarity
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Re: Work advice needed *long*

  • I would have the new job offer in hand first before I mentioned anything.
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  • Just come right out and say it (I know it's hard). I'm sure they'll appreciate as much notice as possible.  Honestly though, if I were you I wouldn't quit until you've found something. What if you don't get hired within two months?
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  • In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_work-advice-needed-long?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:e888c1b3-7c71-44a7-975f-9e9cdd44ad88Post:f03ceec0-6d67-49a7-91a2-8b9ccd37450f">Re: Work advice needed *long*</a>:
    [QUOTE]I would have the new job offer in hand first before I mentioned anything.
    Posted by zippityb[/QUOTE]


    Normally, I would say the same thing, but I think for a nanny extra notice would be better.
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  • I definitely think you should tell them ASAP. If you want to leave at the end of the year, they need that 8 weeks to find someone new. It's not a bad situation you are leaving, and your reasons are strong and good. I'd just be honest and let them know what's going on, just as you've described it to us. Good luck!
  • I know, but I would be afraid that they would jump the gun and replace her before she had a firm offer somewhere else. Maybe since it's a family, they would be more flexible, but you never know. I hate uncertainty.
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  • I agree, don't quit until you have something. I would be honest and say you are looking for another job in your field. If they ask, give the reasons you gave here. Like you said, they'll probably appreciate the heads up.


    Just say you'd like to talk to them about something, ask when's a good time to meet, and tell them. And make sure you assure them that your job search won't affect how you currently do your job.



  • Totally did the same!  I'm actually trying to get into teaching now.  I used to be a nanny and I thought teaching would be a good long-term career where I can still work with kids. 

    They should understand.  All the crazy rich families I've worked for have been a pain, but hopefully they understand that you're looking to better your life long-term.  I'm still friends with the family I nannied for, so if you do need any advice, feel free to PM me.
  • COkristiCOkristi member
    1000 Comments
    edited November 2010

    Ugh, TK ate my post and keeps kicking me off.

    Thank you for all your responses. I definitely need to give my bosses extra notice. They will need the time to find someone new and if I"m still there I can help interview and train. We have a good relationship and I really don't think they would get rid of me right away, but of course you never know. I'm trying be considerate of their side and hopefully things won't be awkward.

    Normally I would not quit before having a new job set in stone, but I know I can work at least part time to bring some money in if I haven't found a new job by January. I don't want to get into details here, but this job is very stressful and I need to get out before it sends me to the loony bin.

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  • Obviously I don't know the family, but I would suspect that it would be harder for them to find a new nanny during the holidays what with hectic schedules and family stuff, making it less likely they would find someone else to replace you before you leave, so I vote for more notice than not.

    Also, what is the timing of your interviews/when you have to submit references? I mean, it would be a little akward to say "By the way, I need off for tomorrow for an interview for which I need you as a reference."

    As far as exact timing goes, do you have any idea how long it took for them to find you?
  • I'd definitely give them the extra notice.  I'm sure they'll be sad to see you go, but it sounds like they'll hopefully be fairly supportive.  I think you just need to sit them down and tell them exactly what you told us.  If it were me, I'd probably offer to do whatever you can/have time for to help them find someone too, but I'm usually extra nice like that. 

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    Everything the light touches is my kingdom.
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