If you’re searching for a new role in a private household, your experience is important. However, it’s not the only thing that determines whether you receive a great job offer.
Whether it’s a family on-the-go, a busy executive, or ultra-high-net-worth estate, today’s household employers are looking for professionals who bring more than a solid résumé.
What Household Employers Look For
Discretion and Professionalism
Private in-home staff often have access to the innerworkings of a family’s life, whether it be scheduling details, personal matters, travel plans, or financial information.
Employers value and expect that domestic staffing candidates recognize the importance of privacy and confidentiality for the duration of their employment.
Maintaining the highest level of discretion is truly a necessity in the household staffing industry.
Problem-Solving Skills
Whether you’re managing multiple estates, working one-on-one with a child as a nanny, or planning meals as a private chef, there are times when challenges or problems arise.
Household employers are looking for staff who can deal proactively with challenges that come up. They want someone who can take initiative and find the answers or solutions quickly, rather than waiting to be told what to do.
Standout domestic staffing candidates demonstrate who they anticipate household needs and take ownership of their job duties or responsibilities.
Strong Emotional Intelligence
Developing emotional intelligence – especially in the professional setting – is a skill that takes some time. Household employers are increasingly looking for professionals who understand family dynamics, recognize unique personality traits, can read situations and respond accordingly, and know how to react with compassion, empathy, and efficiency.
This is especially important for individuals working in caretaking roles, such as nannies, companions, or family assistants.
Outstanding Communication
As with any professional role, good communication skills are critical. Household staff need to know how to communicate clearly and professionally, with respect.
Employers appreciate individuals who are willing to provide updates and feedback, ask thoughtful questions, and address concerns before they become bigger problems.
Great communication from day one helps establish a strong foundation of trust and mutual respect. It also helps prevent misunderstandings and cultivates a more positive working environment.
Flexibility
Because each day is different in a home, professional domestic staffing roles require adaptability.
Maybe travel plans shift or a child gets sick which requires an adjustment in schedule. Or an unexpected guest arrives or the principal needs an extra hand with a new project.
No matter what type of situation arises, employers want to see candidates who are flexible and stay calm under pressure.
They are looking for individuals who can stay focused on the priorities at hand without becoming easily overwhelmed.
Trustworthy
Working in a home is very personal. That’s why employers are looking for someone they truly trust and depend on.
They want someone who is consistent and honest, and who follows through on commitments.
Positivity
Joy and positivity in any job is meaningful and can truly transform any environment.
Employers want to hire people that they find pleasant to work with or be around, even when things get stressful or busy at home.
Why Household Staffing
While experience is very important in the hiring process, all the above characteristics play a crucial role in building a team of household staff.
Compatibility is also something that shouldn’t be overlooked, as employers often evaluate whether a candidate’s personality, communication style, work habits, and values align with the culture of the home.
With more than three decades in the domestic staffing industry, our team at Household Staffing is passionate about matching candidates and clients.
Each recruiter takes the time to get to know both candidates and clients to ensure the match they make is a great fit from day one.
With a 98.7% placement success rate, you can count on finding a role that aligns with your passions and skills and meets your expectations.
Create your candidate account today to join our talent pool and find your next long term position!
