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The all important interview
First impressions do count, both for you and the family, so the interview is very important. Try to remember that the interview process goes both ways, it is not just the family making a decision on who to employ but you making a decision on who to work with.
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We advise all of our candidates to go to as many interviews as possible, to best guage the variety of jobs available. No two jobs are identical and their pros and cons need to be carefully weighed up.
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Questions you may be asked
Before attending an interview it is important to make sure you have as much information as possible with you; most families like to be left with copies of all of your references, certificates, etc. We also recommend you take along your driving licence and National Insurance details.
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Be prepared to answer questions on a wide variety of questions, including " Why have you chosen to make this your career", "What are your strengths and weaknesses?", "What transferable skills have you learnt in previous jobs?", etc.
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Questions you may like to ask
It may also help you to go to the interview with a list of topics you wish to discuss. We advise all of our candidates to know what they are prepared to do, and not do, prior to the interview. In particular we feel it is important to lay the boundaries with regard to house hold chores, security, pet care, plant care, etc.
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A check list
Listed below are a number of points to consider when preparing for attending an interview.
- Availability. Your availability/role during the day and evening?
- The family. Parent(s) occupations, pets, children, previous engagement of a housesitter.
- The home in general. Hours on-site, pet duties, in-door and out-door plants care, tradesmen, callers, handling post, telephone calls, refuse collection,
boiler settings, location of meters, stop cocks, burglar alarm controls, fire alarms.
- Experience, references, and any relevant qualifications.
- Job specification. wages, start and end date, payment date.
- Requirement to drive. Is a car provided?
- Security. What are your responsibilities in this regard. Operation of any security alarms, door locks?
- Living arrangements. Live in/out. If you are planning to live in we advise you inspect the living arrangements during the interview. You should also discuss arrangements for preparing meals, storage of food, use of the kitchen and other communal areas. The telephone and all related charges need to be discussed.
- Household rules. This is especially important if live-in. You need to discuss when you can have visitors (eg. girl/boy friends), can they stay the night, what time are you expected to return home (no curfew is preferable).
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In conclusion
Working in some one else's home goes beyond the normal employer/employee relationship. By the end of the interview, the family will need to feel that they can fully trust their housesitter to carry out the duties required. The housesitter will need to feel comfortable that he/she fully understands
what is required of him/her, who to contact in an emergency, neighbours contact details, etc
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