Housekeeping Jobs: How to Interview

Interviewing for a Housekeeping Position requires more than one interview to cover all the necessary topics and make the impression you need to make to get that job.

First Interview

*The initial impression is the most important when you meet anyone. An employer will look at the clock to see if the candidate arrived on time. There should be little to no excuse for arriving late. We have enough resources to find addresses between the internet, GPS/navigation in our cars and phones to prevent us from getting lost. We even know the time that it will take from destination to destination, so there shouldn't be any lateness due to not knowing how long it would take to get there. Traffic is another great excuse, but if you are traveling during the peak hours of traffic, then the candidate should allow for extra time. This all makes logical sense. Bottom line, it is better to be early and wait outside for your designated hour to step to the door, then to be late with excuses.

*Dressing appropriately for an interview means that you wear clothes that fit the role you are seeking. A nanny/housekeeper should be professional looking with black pants or skirt and a white blouse or shirt, closed toe shoes, little to no jewelry, perfume, aftershave or make-up, nails short, well-manicured and clean and hair pulled up or back away from the face. Anything short of this will not leave the proper impression on an interview.

*Bring the proper identification and portfolio that represents your qualifications, references and certifications. Arrive with a 3-hole binder that has everything in it to show your background and why you are qualified for the position. On a first interview, you may make copies of these items to leave with the employer (less your ID) or you may wait until the employer shows interest with a follow-up interview or call.

*Be pleasant, engaging and focused. The candidate must put on her/his best attitude and personality to warm up the chemistry with the employer. Even if you are nervous, you must snap out of it, breathe deeply and put your best foot forward. Listen carefully to the questions and have your own list of questions about the job, the children, the house and the responsibilities. The first interview is not about the benefits and salary; you should first focus on the job and what is required of you. Ask sufficient amount of questions to understand the schedule, expectations and needs.

*Meet the family members, especially the children if the job requires childcare. Engage with the animals and see if you and everyone will get along. Obviously, a good relationship takes some cultivation, but you want to at least meet everyone and get a feel for each member of the family.

*Express your interest, or not, in the job so the prospective employer knows where you stand. Ask when the employer plans to make a decision. If you really like the job, offer to leave your information.

Second Interview

This is when you might be one of several candidates that the employer has narrowed down. Now you really need to step up to the plate and do your best to keep the employer's attention. All of the first interview requirements are the same, but now is when you should be discussing the nitty-gritty issues.

*Cover the responsibilities carefully: Be fully aware of what is required in terms of childcare, housekeeping, cooking, driving, errands, etc. Take notes and show a true interest in noting everything. Ask if the employer will provide you a household manual in order to know what is required day to day.

*Discuss the schedule, need for flexibility and overtime: What is the earliest and latest hour you are needed and will you be required to work nights or weekends.

*Discuss the salary: How you will be paid. Preferably it will be through payroll. Discuss the gross versus net salary so that everyone is clear of what you are being paid per hour, per week and per year. Also discuss whether you will be paid weekly or bi-weekly or monthly.

*Discuss the benefits: Find out if they are providing vacation time, sick days, holidays, personal days and/or medical and dental insurance. In most states, there are no mandatory laws for providing these holidays. Recently in New York, the law for domestic workers has changed providing greater benefits. Check your state to see what is standard. Check with other workers in the area to see what the industry seems to be providing in your part of town.

*Discuss what will happen when the family travels: Will you be paid for the time off or not. Find out if they travel frequently and need you to go with them. Are the trips international requiring a passport or domestic only.

*Discuss issues with the family members that are important: Find out their philosophies for raising the children, methods of discipline for the children, how to handle an emergency, what is the best way to contact everyone. Find out if there is anything that you need to know before starting a job.

*Discuss cooking needs: What does the family like, how extensive do you need to know how to cook. Perhaps, they are expecting a better cook than you are comfortable providing. You may need to learn more and improve those skills. Get some recipes down so that you can begin practicing those dishes.

*Discuss when the family actually plans on hiring someone: Will they make a final decision soon so that you know exactly when to expect an answer.

Once you have been selected for the position, come back for the final meeting to get all of these particulars in an Employment Agreement so that there are no misunderstandings.

http://www.martaperrone.com

Domestic Estate Managers Association DEMA

Calling all Private Service Professionals!

Please join the Domestic Estate Managers Association (DEMA) in Los Angeles on Wednesday January 26th for a free chapter meeting! This meeting is an industry first featuring a round table discussion with Domestic Placement Agencies to discuss the state of the industry and answer questions regarding placements. Space is limited so I highly encourage you to register for this event as soon as possible.

Please visit the website below for more information and to register.

Should you have any additional questions please email Matthew Haack at info@domesticmanagers.com.

Los Angeles Wednesday January 26th


http://events.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=qkpel7cab&oeidk=a07e384ow2h9221fa30

How to Maintain your Housekeeping Job

For the last several years, economic times have been a bit strange and job opportunities working as a housekeeper are simply not what they used to be in better days. This brings to mind how important it is for those doing housekeeping to find ways to maintain a good relationship with our employers so that we do not lose our jobs. This year alone, I saw 2 individuals who were well-paid lose their jobs for simply crossing boundaries and not maintaining a professional relationship. This was heart-breaking for me and disturbing for their employers. Here are some thoughts on how to avoid such problems.

Crossing Boundaries refers to many things within an employment relationship. Here are a few examples and some suggestions on how to have a better working relationship.

a) Forming unnecessary opinions about personal, religious, and political views. These are subjects that should be kept private. It is also advisable to not be over-bearing on your personal choices in for example child-rearing. If a mother chooses to "not breastfeed", this is a personal decision and completely up to the mother. Showing disdain to the mother will only make her feel bad and uncomfortable with her decision.


b) Gossiping about the family's lifestyle to others such as household workers. What your boss does in the house is private and should remain there. Telling others of your perception or observation, whether it is true of false is harmful and disrespectful. It truly isn't your place as an employee to discuss the family's activities unless the cause for concern is serious, in which case, you might consider leaving the job and notifying the authorities.


c) Taking advantage as it relates to time and responsibilities. If you are entrusted with a list of duties that you agree to perform for the salary provided, it is your job to fulfill every duty to the best of your ability and to arrive on time and work the hours agreed to. Employers are also capable of taking advantage and should realize that this could cause an employee to quit.


d) Forgetfulness and Lack of Attention to Details - It is not easy to remember everything that you must do, but that is why man invented "paper and pen" so that you could utilize both to record anything and everything necessary. I recommend that all employees form a "household working manual" describing everything that is required by the employer. This can be something that is updated on a regular basis. You can review this daily, weekly and even monthly as needed to stay on top of your job. A great way to be sure that no one is forgetting important details regarding employment, it is suggested that an employment agreement be in place.

e)Review Sessions - It is mandatory that problems and issues do not fester between the employer and employee. Decide on how often is best for you to sit down together and discuss anything that might be of concern. This is a great time to get a performance evaluation to ensure that everyone is happy.

Every attempt while on the job to keep an open line of communication and stay on top of your responsibilities will help you maintain the job you worked so hard to get.

http://www.martaperrone.com

Professional Housekeeping Training - Improve Your Skills Now

Our housekeeping classes are filling with eager students who want to improve their skills in every aspect of the home. Our Professional Housekeeper Training Seminar teaches:

*Cleaning a home from top to bottom
*How to use proper cleaning products and tools for each surface
*How to do laundry like a professional "Laundress"
*How to Organize every room, cabinet, drawer and closet
*How to set a table and serve properly
*Basic Cooking Skills
*Basic Childcare and Child Safety
*Emergency Procedures and Home Safety

This one day seminar is perfect for anyone seeking a career in become a Professional Housekeeper. With the passing of an exam, you can receive a Training Completion Certificate to add to your resume.

Call us now to save your space and register for our upcoming Seminar on January 15th.

http://www.martaperrone.com

Housekeeping: A Job that Comes Natural to You

If you are experienced in fields that have nothing to do with Housekeeping, it may be difficult to get someone to take you seriously. Experienced housekeepers are having a hard enough time finding work when people are tightening their budget. To add to the pool of candidates are those who can't find work in their own fields. In reviewing a resume, you may ask, "What makes you qualified to do this kind of work?" The response might be, "Doing housekeeping is something that comes natural to me." Great, that could mean many things. You like to clean and know how to do it reasonably well. You know how to make a bed and keep things tidy. You know how to put in a load of laundry. But does this make you a "professional housekeeper"?

It takes so much more to know how to clean properly and call yourself a professional in the field. You need to understand cleaning products and tools and how to use each one for various surfaces. You need to know how to clean from top to bottom, getting into crevices and cleaning areas that most people ignore. You need to understand how to be a perfect laundress: sorting, washing, folding, drying every item perfectly. You need to know how to organize drawers, closets, cabinets. You need to know how to set a table and serve properly. You need to know how to cook basic healthy meals for children and/or the entire family. You need to know how to do CPR and First Aid in case of an emergency. You need to know how manage your time and work efficiently. You need to know how to manage other household personnel and supervise staff members.

Bottom line, is that being a housekeeper requires many skills that may or may not come natural to you. A trained housekeeper with good experience and references is most likely to be employed firsthand. This is not just a job, it is a profession. Get trained and see how improving your skills will help you get employed.


http://www.martaperrone.com

Housekeeping: Comfy Comforters on the Out

The comforter as most things worth having started its history in Europe. In the 1700s the French came up with this year-round bed cover that didn't gain popularity in the US until the 20th century. This is when a bed began getting complicated as it took a good 10 minutes to make a bed with all its 14 pillows, quilt, blanket, sheets, bed skirt and comforter. A bed began with all of these components to give it a look that was inviting and "comfy". Now, decades later, down critics see this look as being "lumpy and untidy". Nathan Turner who is in interior designer and shop owner proposes to keep things simple and super-tailored with just 2 pillows. This look still requires a good housekeeper and laundress to make the sheets look crisp and perhaps a few lessons from The Professional Housekeeper to learn how to tuck things perfectly and smoothly.

Truthfully, the new look while clean and simple, is not for me. I like taking the time to put those 14 pillows on the bed along with a quilt and comforter to create a look that is yearning and makes me want to flop into it every time. I want to have fluffy down around me to keep me warm on those cool nights and love the fact you can change your down with a light weight one for Summer months so that you can enjoy the coziness and texture without being overheated. It may mean hiring a housekeeper to help me lay those 14 pillows and put the comforter into the duvet cover. Either way, rest assure, down comforters are not going anywhere but on my bed.

http://www.martaperrone.com

What If Automated Cleaners Replace Housekeepers

What would you think if all housework could be completed simply by an automated system made to work magic completely on its own? Let's enter that world for one minute to see what it would bring us.

*First of all, we would not worry about whether the housekeeper arrived on time, because time only relates to the moment we program our automated cleaner to work. Just like a coffee maker, you could simply set it up the night before.

*No need to argue with your housekeeper as to why she/he is not accurately doing the job...well, you could argue, but no one will be answering. Eventually, your family member will be wondering about these screaming matches you are having with the automated cleaner.

*You won't need to negotiate prices and salary increase,nor vacation time, nor over time, because the automated housekeeper simply doesn't care about those things.

*It won't be necessary to replace the housekeeper when she/he has personal issues or is ill, because the automated cleaner is always available and never says "I can't be there for you".

Well, sounds good to me so far. There are just a few problems with this robot that is here ready, willing and able to replace the human housekeeper.

Does it pick up the newspaper and make you coffee in the morning?
Does it greet you with warmth and ask you if you would like breakfast?
Does it help you get the kids ready and off to school?
Does it strip the beds, organize the rooms and start the laundry?
Does it clean every room from top to bottom?
Does it put fresh flowers in vases around the house?
Does it grocery shop, make dinner and set the table?
Does it organize your closets, drawers and cabinets?
Does it get into the crevices and corners of every room and clean thoroughly?
Does it fluff up pillows, straighten rugs and pictures and attend to every detail?
Does it leave a home sparkling clean?

Well, until it does, I suppose the good ole fashion "human housekeeper" will have to do.