Ultra-high-net-worth (UHNW) families often approach hiring in-home staff differently from standard domestic hiring.
Beyond technical expertise, many domestic employers look for individuals who can are adept in operating in a highly private, complex household environment.
If you’re considering transitioning into work with a UHNW family, here are some qualities that stand out.
Stand Out Qualities
A Keen Focus on Confidentiality
Many UHNW domestic employers are very private, and discretion is key for any employee working in the home.
Employees should maintain strict confidentiality when it comes to travel, finances, personal relationships, family activities, and property itself.
Many of them require employees to sign non-disclosure agreements and want their staff to provide examples on how they’ve handled sensitive information in roles and responsibilities with past employers.
An Eye for Detail & Going Above and Beyond
The best UHNW staff recognize small details. They are willing to go the extra mile by anticipating needs before being asked.
Taking initiative in this way is huge bonus for homes looking for motivated, hard-working staff.
Flexibility and Adaptability
Every UHNW home is different, and no two days are ever quite the same. So, the ability to adapt to situations that arise while remaining calm under pressure is key.
Some UHNW staff are also expected to travel with the principal, adjust to shifting plans, and be available to work on holidays, weekends, or other one-time events.
Personality Fit
UHNW families recognize that their staff play a key operation in the daily function of their home – and personalities are an important thing to assess before onboarding a new team member.
Families will look at how you communicate, what your service philosophy is, how well you work with a team, and how you present yourself in your appearance and speech.
Each home has a distinct culture and UHNW employers want to make sure the cultural fit is there.
Experience
UHNW families will likely hire individuals who have robust work experience in private estates, family offices, luxury hospitality spaces or hotels, private yachts, or other luxury or high-end executive offices or homes.
The hands-on expertise in dealing with the nuances and specific standards or service expectations of UHNW estates is an excellent way to stand out in the interview process.
Outstanding References
As with any household staffing job, great references are crucial to have. UHNW homes often require extensive vetting that includes multiple references from previous principals, criminal background checks and screenings, and credit checks for those dealing with managerial or financial roles.
When it comes to securing a role in an UHNW household, keep in mind that technical experience and training is just the beginning.
Your commitment to service, ability to demonstrate strong emotional intelligence and discretion, and dedication to helping support the family in their unique lifestyle will help you secure a long-term job that you love.
Why Household Staffing?
With more than three decades in the domestic staffing industry, our team at Household Staffing is passionate about matching candidates and clients of all kinds across the country.
Each of our experienced and attentive recruiters takes the time to get to know both candidates and clients to ensure the match they make is the right fit.
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 get listed in our database and find your next long-term position!
