Tough Times: Nanny, Caregiver Demand Down

The conventional new-economy thinking was to get a career which required hands-on contact - e.g. caregiving, serving food, waste removal.  That prevented your way of making a living from being outsourced to India.  But now times are so tough that even those jobs are taking a hit.  In NEW YORK Magazine, S. Jhoanna Robledo reports that demand for nannies and other kinds of caregivers is way down.

Tales from the mean streets of once-affluent Manhattan tell about 300 folks going for two nanny jobs.   At least that's the story for full-time jobs.  The picture is better for part-time caregiver gigs.  And that's not only in hands-on careers.

In recessions, the demand for non-traditional workers - read that, not-full time, not expecting benefits, not expecting to become part of the organization - surges.  That's exactly why my little communications businesses are doing well and will continue to do well as this downturn deepens.  I'm not looking to get married to a client.  All the client wants is the service, on its terms, and for me to get in and out, fast. I get the check and maybe even referrals to the client's network of those wanting similar just-in-time strategy and writing.

So, how do we sell ourselves for the kind of work that is available?  Here's what I know:

• Present ourselves as confident, in-demand, and flexible.  Sure, we will come in to help you, on your terms, and then leave you alone.  That's what we do and that's what we're good at.  We want nothing more.

• Be low-profile.  Freaked-out organizations have no emotional reserves to deal with anyone who needs attention, love, or assurances of future employment.

• Pitch the tasks we've performed recently on assignments and how efficiently all that got done.

• Evaluate the assignment.  It scares prospective employers and clients if we seem too eager.