Job Application Consternation

After living here for 4 months, I decided the time was right to start getting a little more serious about getting a job.  I've kept tabs on craigslist and the local school district pretty much since we moved looking for tutoring or teacher's aide positions, but nothing has really come up.  I've been so busy getting our house together a job wasn't really a top priority.  I've been pretty picky because we don't NEED the money, but it would be nice to have a second, part-time income.  A job at a daycare only 10 minutes from where we live did pop up, and since most jobs being posted are 30-45 minutes away, it seemed like a good one to apply for.  Kids that young scare me a bit, but I figured it would help with the baby hunger a bit, which was added bonus.

It has been long enough since filling out a job application that I had somewhat forgotten how heinous those things are.  The only thing worse is interviewing.  Blech.  There were 2 questions on this application that gave me particular consternation:

1.  Desired Wage.  Not an unusual question, but one I hate each and every single time.  I know I'm worth a certain amount of money based on education and experience.  I also know that I am not likely to earn it at a daycare.  I can accept that.  But I don't want to put too low of a number because my time and efforts are worth more than minimum wage.  I want to be paid as much as the daycare can afford to pay me, especially with my qualifications.  On the flip side, I don't want to put a number too high because I won't get called in for an interview.  Seriously, just tell me how much you are paying and I'll tell you if that's acceptable or not.  This guessing game is a little ridiculous.

After turning in my application, I did see a new ad on craigslist for another daycare center that listed their pay.  After all my mental anguish, I think I might have overshot it by $5/hour.  Oh well.

2.  How many days in a 12 month period should be given for sick days, vacation time, and personal days?  This one threw me for a loop.  What does it matter what I think?  Your policy is your policy.  Again, if it is not acceptable, I just won't take the job.  I have never been asked this question before.  Vacation time was especially problematic for me.  It's a daycare, and I would think they are closed on major holidays so there is already built-in vacation time.  But not knowing for sure if they close or how many days they close for I can't come up with what I think is a fair number.  As a teacher, my vacation time was generous and built-in.  I'm not really sure what the "real world" gets so I'm not sure what's reasonable.  Ugh!

I did manage to get through the whole thing, grumbling all the way.  I would think they are doing reference checks now as I only turned it in two days ago.  That is, if I answered the questions satisfactorily enough to warrant a reference check!  I'm in the enviable position of not really needing a job, just wanting a little extra income, so either way it's all good.  And I'll keep looking.  I wouldn't be surprised if tutoring jobs start opening up for the summer, and I'd be much more qualified for those.  And they tend to pay really well.