Interview Questions for a Potential Live-In Housekeeper
A live-in housekeeper is important for a lot of households especially among families who have a busy lifestyle, demanding work schedule and time-consuming jobs and careers. Having somebody to do the work at home such as the cleaning, food preparation and laundry becomes a necessity in such situations. Still, it is important to take the time to interview an applicant for the safety of your home.
Here are some helpful hints to consider during an interview with an applicant.
One of the first things that you have to know is the applicant’s personal background. Get as much information as you can such as the full name, age, civil status, hobbies and interests, religion, ethnicity, culture and practices. Take the time to determine if the applicant has specific religious and ethnic practices which she observes that may cause conflict in your home. Remember that you are hiring a live-in housekeeper. This means that you are opening your house to a stranger. It is best to know relevant information pertaining to the personality of the applicant prior to making a decision to hire.
Secondly, ask the applicant if she can handle the job and how she intends to do her responsibilities. Determine her ability to do the major household chores and if she has other skills. Check your personal preferences if they are aligned with this applicant. Get to know her health status and if she is physically and mentally capable to handle the job. Try to ask her about her limitations, previous illnesses, conditions and when she had her last medical check-up. Ask if she is currently taking any medications.
Third, ask about her previous employments and employers. Ask about the responsibilities she had before, how she handled conflicts and her relationship with her previous employers and work mates. Take the time to let her explain how she meets the demands of her job and what she does to improve her performance. Always maintain eye contact from time to time and see if she answers the questions truthfully and confidently.
Fourth and probably the most important is to ask about any previous criminal records. Ask if she has ever been subjected to any disciplinary measure or if she had ever been convicted by the law. Determine if any police record is on file against her. These questions should not be taken for granted even if ample information had already been provided by the agency.
Remember to double check all the information handed down to you by the agency. Check for the consistency of the records and be assertive in getting to know the applicant better.
An interview with a potential live-in housekeeper can help you find somebody who you can be comfortable with and best meets your requirements.
Filed under: Careers-Employment