When you’re in the thick of a job search, there is plenty to navigate without adding restrictive rules to the mix. One question we hear all the time is:
"Do I have to work exclusively with Adventure Nannies, or can I work with other agencies, too?"
We love this question because it gets to the heart of how we view our relationship with you. The short answer? OF COURSE NOT! But if you want to hear the long answer, stick around, and we'll tell you!
Why We Don't Demand Exclusivity:
Your Career Belongs to You
We don’t believe in hoarding talent. Our goal isn't to "own" your search; it's to facilitate the best possible match for your career. If we have the right role for you, fantastic—we’ll do everything we can to make it happen. But if that perfect fit comes through another agency or your own networking? We want you to take it. At the end of the day, we’re here to support you however we can; but we don’t pretend to know or assume what’s ultimately going to be best for you, and the decision about your next opportunity should be in your hands - we’re here to guide, not dictate.
We Believe in Opportunity, Not Limits
Attempting to control a candidate’s job search limits your income potential and your opportunities - it quite literally has the agency’s success prioritized over yours. As an ethical agency, that simply doesn't sit right with us. You should have the agency (pun intended) to explore every door that opens.
Our Values in Action
We are proud to be a Certified B Corp™, joining businesses leading a global movement for an inclusive, equitable, and regenerative economy. A huge part of that commitment is treating candidates with dignity and respect. That means acknowledging that you are the CEO of your own career. We are just here to support you in designing the life you want—whether that happens with us or someone else.
How to Juggle Multiple Agencies (Without Dropping the Ball)
While we fully support you "playing the field," working with multiple agencies does require a bit of organization. The biggest risk is the "Double Submission."
This happens when Agency A introduces you to a family, and then Agency B tries to introduce you to the same family.
This puts the family in a tough spot regarding which agency to interview you through, who to pay, and honestly, it can make you look a little disorganized. But don't worry, it’s an easy fix:
Keep a Spreadsheet:
It sounds basic, but log every family you are presented to. Note the parents' names (if you have them), the location, and the agency that sent you. You can do this digitally or by hand! Whatever works better for you.
Ask Before You Leap (Discreetly):
If you come across a job description that gives you major déjà vu, pause before you move forward. You definitely don't want to double-submit, but you also likely signed an NDA with the other agency—which means you can't just email us asking, "Is this the Smith family?" Instead, keep it cryptic. Shoot us a quick email with a specific, non-confidential detail to check.
Try asking:
- "Does this family's last name start with a 'D'?"
- "Does the household have a Goldendoodle named Barnaby?"
This allows us to confirm if it’s the same role without putting you in a position where you might accidentally breach a contract. We always appreciate honesty and discretion!
Transparency is Key:
If you are proceeding through the process with another family through a different agency, just let us know! We aren’t going to be mad; we’re going to be happy you are in demand. If you’re interviewing with other families through our agency, it can also help us support you more by encouraging families not to wait on setting up an interview or trial quickly so that you have every available option in front of you as you make the important decision of who you’ll be supporting next!
A Note On Exclusivity (And Knowing Your Worth)
If you are currently working with an agency that requires exclusivity, you might feel like it’s a sign of commitment—like going steady. But we want to encourage you to pause and look at the bigger picture. When you sign an exclusivity agreement, you are essentially shrinking your own job market. You are betting your entire job search on the connections of a single company, which places a lot of new factors outside of your control.
We believe the best way to find your "unicorn" family is to have as many doors open as possible. If an agency is confident in the families they represent and their ability to support them, they shouldn't need to lock you in to keep you interested.
Curiosity Is Your Best Friend
If you are presented with an exclusivity clause, don't feel pressured to say "yes" immediately (and if you’re asked to, it’s a humongous red flag!) Instead, get curious. Asking a few thoughtful questions can help you understand why, from their perspective, the agreement is actually in your favor.
Try asking these to gauge their intent:
"Help me understand the strategy here. How does limiting my search to one agency increase my chances of finding the perfect role?"
You deserve a clear explanation of how this restriction benefits you, not just their retention numbers.
“How many active searches do you currently have that match my compensation goals, skill set and location preferences?"
If they want you all to themselves, they need to have the inventory to support you. If the answer is "one", “none right now”, or "we're working on getting more," locking yourself down with them might mean sitting on the bench for months. (Don’t be afraid to ask for job descriptions or more details here - unfortunately, we’ve heard of some agencies that post jobs before families have even signed on, creating a false sense of how much support they’ll be able to provide. This is also a big “yikes” from an ethical agency perspective!)
"What is the cancellation policy if I feel like we aren't making progress?"
If you’re going to agree to any type of exclusivity, you need an eject button. Life happens, and searches stall. If they hesitate to give you a clear, penalty-free way to dissolve the agreement if things aren't working out, that tells you everything you need to know.
"What is the protocol if I find a position through my own networking?"
This is crucial. You need to ensure you retain the freedom to accept a job you found on your own without any contractual messy bits.
"Is there a timeline attached to this?"
If you decide to move forward with exclusivity, ensure there is a clear exit strategy so you aren't stuck indefinitely if the agency doesn't have the right leads for you. While some agencies invest a considerable amount of time in vetting your experience before introducing you to families, there’s a big difference between being asked to focus your job search with a specific agency for 1-2 weeks versus putting all of your eggs in their basket indefinitely. And let’s not forget that your references, who you’ve developed such a strong rapport with over the years, are not unlimited resources either - no matter how much they appreciated your contributions to your family, no one wants to give a reference to fifteen different agencies.
Why We Consider It A Red Flag
At Adventure Nannies, we view exclusivity requirements as a major red flag because they fundamentally restrict your autonomy. As a Certified B Corp™, we are committed to building an inclusive and equitable economy. That means we believe you are the CEO of your own career. Attempting to "own" a candidate’s search limits their income potential and opportunities, and that just doesn't align with our values. We want you to find the job that changes your life—whether that is with us, another agency, or a family you met at the park.
The Bottom Line
We want to be your partner, not your gatekeeper.
We are confident in the exceptional families we work with, and we are confident in you. Whether you find your next adventure with us or someone else, we are just happy to see you thriving in this industry.
If an agency truly has your best interests at heart—and enough amazing jobs to keep you busy—they won’t need to legally bind you to them to keep you around. Scarcity tactics have no place in a healthy career search.
Stuck in a sticky situation?
If you are reading this and realizing you might be in a restrictive agreement that feels a little... icky, or if you are currently feeling pressured by another agency to sign an exclusivity clause and aren't sure how to advocate for yourself, reach out to us.
We have seen it all, and we are more than happy to be a sounding board. We can help you navigate those tricky conversations and figure out your next move—even if you aren't in an active search with us. You deserve to be in the driver’s seat of your own career, and we’re here to help you grab the wheel.
If you'd like to share your story, or could use an outside perspective, send an email to marketing@adventurenannies.com with the subject line "Exclusivity help." We're always happy to offer advice or hop on a call to lend a listening ear.
