Whether you’re an employee with decades of work experience in the domestic staffing industry, or you are just starting out and finding the ideal role, it’s important to nail your job interviews.
The dynamics of these interviews can be different than interviews in the corporate world and can sometimes be competitive.
It’s important to stand out and showcase what makes you the right fit for the household employer you’re interviewing with. Keep reading for tips on finding interview success in your household employee interview.
Tips for Interview Success
Dress to impress.
As with any job interview, your outward appearance matters. Choose clothing that is comfortable but professional. As a domestic staffing professional, you’ll likely be on your feet and active for much of the day, so you’ll need clothing that allows you to move easily. Consider what type of role you’re interviewing for and what type of attire aligns with that.
For example, if you’re applying for a family office accountant or HR specialist, you’ll need to dress differently than a nanny or housekeeper every day. Take care in selecting interview clothing that is clean and professional with minimal accessories or fragrance, as this can be overpowering.
Allow for extra time.
Map out where your interview will be ahead of time and allow for extra time to get there. Take into account weather conditions, traffic or construction, public transportation delays, or anything else that could put you behind. Plan to arrive about 5-10 minutes ahead of your interview time.
Be confident and willing to answer questions.
The interview process is full of question-and-answer time. After all, this is the time that a potential employer has to get to know you and learn about your expertise in the household staffing industry. Be prepared to give examples that demonstrate your experience or how you might deal with different situations that arise in the home or family office.
If this is your first interview in the domestic staffing industry, discuss the history of your other roles elsewhere and link any relevant situations to what could be applied in a home or family office position. Be confident and authentic in your replies. Your transparency will be evident and welcomed, as it gives the interviewer a glimpse into who you are as well as your personality and passions. When they see this, they will know if you’re a good fit for their home.
Show that you’re interested in the job.
Once you greet the family or individual, make a point to provide eye contact throughout the interview. Come prepared, knowing about the role and what’s required so you can ask questions. Interviews are a two-way conversation and having some questions prepared ahead of time shows that you’re interested in the job and prioritize getting to know the family and the role.
If there are things you want clarified or you want to discuss expectations in detail, it’s okay to do this. When it comes to benefits or compensation, you don’t need to discuss this unless the family/interviewer brings it up. Generally, those types of conversations are reserved for final candidates or those who are brought back for additional interviews.
Complete the interview with confidence and professionalism.
Just like a first impression, a final impression also has the ability to leave a lasting impact. So, as the interview starts winding down, be sure to express your gratitude for the opportunity to discuss the position. If you are still interested in the role after you’ve learned more about it, reiterate that you are excited about the opportunity.
Make it clear that you could be an ideal fit for the home or family office. Some people send a quick and thoughtful ‘thank you’ e-mail or note after the interview is complete – either to the agency or to the interviewer. This is a nice personal touch and can be a good way to keep you at the top of their mind when they are selecting final candidates.
We’re Committed to Your Success
At Household Staffing, we understand how important it is to find a staff role that aligns with your talents, training, and personality. We recognize that each household and family office has unique dynamics and no two roles are exactly the same. That’s why we take the time to get to know our clients and our candidates so we can match them well the first time.
You can trust our nearly three decades in the staffing industry, where we have placed thousands of highly trained and specialized individuals in homes and offices around the country.
While it can be a competitive industry to break into, interviewing well gives you an edge to stand out and increase your chances of securing your dream role. Success starts at the very beginning, so take time to prepare the best you can. It will pay off in the end!
Ready to start the process of finding a new job? Contact us today to get started. We look forward to working with you!
