Hiring a maid or domestic helper is an important decision for families and employers. Whether you need assistance with household chores, childcare, or elder care, finding the right candidate is crucial. One of the key steps in the hiring process is conducting a job interview for a potential domestic helper.
In this article, we will guide you through the best maid interview questions to help you make an informed choice. By following our checklist and asking the right questions, you can ensure that you find a reliable and trustworthy domestic helper who meets your requirements.
Preparing for the Domestic Helper Interview
Before proceeding to the task of interviewing a maid or domestic helper, it’s important to first assess if you need one and if you’re ready for the cost incurred in employing one. You may check out the cost of hiring a maid here, especially since a good domestic helper or maid may have a certain expected salary or additional benefits like health insurance.
Once you’re mentally prepared to employ a maid or domestic helper, it’s time to prepare yourself for the interview. This includes setting up an appropriate interview location, creating a timetable, and developing a checklist. Setting up a good job description by checking other employers’ job listings may also help, as well-constructed job descriptions may immediately help you attract the best domestic helpers or maids who are the most suitable for your needs.
Interview Location
When choosing an interview location for maids, it’s important to consider the type of interview that will take place, i.e., whether it’s done face-to-face or via phone or video call, with the latter most suitable for a foreign domestic worker. Regardless, it’s important to personally interview the shortlisted candidates yourself so you’ll immediately build rapport with the candidate and can more easily determine their suitability.
If it’s a face-to-face interview, it’s best to choose a quiet location free of distractions, such as a clean and professional-looking room in the home. Choose a quiet and comfortable location for the interview. This can be your living room, office, or any other space where both you and the candidate can sit comfortably and have a conversation without distractions. Make sure the area is well-lit and free from any disturbances.
On the other hand, if the interview is taking place via phone call or video call, it’s recommended to test the technology beforehand, dress professionally, limit distractions, and choose a quiet location where you won’t be interrupted by family members, pets, or noisy neighbours. This will help ensure that the interview goes smoothly and that you can present yourself in a professional and poised manner.
Interview Timetable
Create a timetable to ensure that you allocate sufficient time for the interview. When preparing the interview timetable for a job interview for maids, it’s important to consider the following steps:
- Determine the duration: Decide how long each interview will last. This will depend on the number of candidates you plan to interview and the complexity of the position.
- Allocate time slots: Divide your available interview time into slots, ensuring that there’s sufficient time between each interview for note-taking and preparation for the next candidate.
- Prioritise candidates: If you have a large pool of candidates, prioritise them based on their qualifications and suitability for the position. Schedule interviews with the most promising candidates first.
- Communicate the schedule: Once you have finalized the interview timetable, communicate it to the candidates. Provide them with the date, time, and location of the interview, along with any additional instructions or requirements.
- Be flexible: Be prepared for unexpected changes or requests for rescheduling. Keep some flexibility in your timetable to accommodate such situations.
- Prepare interview questions: Develop a set of interview questions that will help you assess the candidates’ skills, experience, and suitability for the maid position. Tailor the questions to the specific requirements of the job.
- Take breaks: Schedule short breaks between interviews to ensure that you have time to recharge and refocus. This will help you maintain your attention and make fair evaluations.
- Review candidate information: Before each interview, review the candidate’s resume, application, and any other relevant documents. Familiarise yourself with their qualifications and experiences to guide your questioning. You may refer to this blog to guide you in reviewing the employment history of maids that you’ll be interviewing.
- Take notes: During the interview, take detailed notes on each candidate’s responses, qualifications, and overall impression. This will help you compare candidates later and make an informed decision.
Creating a Checklist
Developing a checklist is crucial to ensure that you cover all the important aspects during the interview and to make your selection process more efficient.
Your checklist should include questions related to all the details regarding the candidate’s background, previous employers, skills in housekeeping and cooking, baby care and child care skills, and elder care skills. Organising your questions in a checklist format will help you stay focused and ensure that you gather all the necessary information.
Similarly, you may also include how you’ll be assessing a candidate’s body language when interviewing them. This is because the candidate’s body language can reveal important information about their confidence, sincerity, and enthusiasm. It also has the potential to influence the interviewer’s perception of the candidate’s suitability for the job and cultural fit.
Types of Questions to Ask When Interviewing a Domestic Helper
As you conduct the interview, it’s important to ask the right questions to assess the candidate’s suitability for the role. Here are some types of questions you should include in your interview:
Questions About Their Background
Start the interview by asking questions about the candidate’s background. Inquire about their personal information, such as their name, age, and nationality. Ask them about their family background and whether they have any dependents. This will give you insights into their circumstances and help you understand their level of responsibility.
Some good examples of questions of this type are as follows:
What is your motivation that made you want to work in Singapore?
This question aims to assess the candidate’s level of commitment, enthusiasm, and suitability for the job. By asking about their motivation, the interviewer can gauge whether the candidate has a genuine interest in working in Singapore, whether they are aware of the challenges and demands of the job, and whether they have a clear understanding of their own goals and aspirations. It also helps the employer determine if the candidate’s motivations align with the requirements and expectations of the job.
Could you tell me more about your family members?
This question helps the employer understand the candidate’s family situation, which can be important in assessing their commitment and stability. It also provides an opportunity for the candidate to share any responsibilities or commitments they may have outside of work. Employers may also ask this question to assess the candidate’s values, cultural background, and how they prioritize their family’s well-being.
Questions About Their Previous Employment and Past Experience
To evaluate the candidate’s work experience, ask questions about their previous employment. Inquire about the duration of their previous job, the setup of their previous employer’s house, and their specific responsibilities. Ask them about any challenges they faced in their previous roles and how they dealt with them. This will give you a better understanding of their experience and problem-solving skills.
Some good examples of questions of this type are as follows:
Could you tell me more about your previous employer and your responsibilities with them?
This question is asked during a maid or domestic helper interview to gain insights into the candidate’s daily routine and their level of autonomy in managing their tasks.
By asking about the candidate’s daily schedule and whether they were responsible for planning it or if it was set by their previous employer, the interviewer can assess the candidate’s level of organization, time management skills, and ability to prioritize tasks.
It also helps evaluate the candidate’s adaptability to different work environments and their willingness to take initiative in their role as a maid.
Could you tell me more about your daily schedule? Were you the one who planned them or were they set by your previous employer?
This question is good to be added to your list of maid interview questions because it helps assess the candidate’s organization, time management skills, ability to prioritize tasks, adaptability, and willingness to take initiative.
As a maid, the candidate will be responsible for completing a variety of tasks within a set timeframe, and the employer needs to know if the candidate is capable of managing their time efficiently and effectively. Additionally, if the candidate was responsible for planning their schedule in their previous job, it may indicate a higher level of responsibility and independence.
Questions About Their Skills in Housekeeping and Cooking
As a potential employer, it’s essential to assess the candidate’s skills in housekeeping and cooking. As such, asking cooking and housekeeping questions can help you to initially gauge their knowledge and experience in these areas.
Inquire about their cleaning techniques, ability to handle different types of household chores, and their cooking skills. You may also ask them situational questions to gauge their critical thinking skills and ask them to provide examples of specific tasks they have completed in the past.
Some good examples of questions of this type are as follows:
If you drop raw food on the floor, how will you clean the food and the surroundings?
This question should be included in your list of maid interview questions as this helps assess the candidate’s knowledge and understanding of proper hygiene and cleanliness practices. Employers want to ensure that the maid is aware of the importance of maintaining a clean and sanitary environment, especially when handling raw food.
This question also helps determine if the candidate knows the appropriate steps to take in such a situation, including using safe cleaning products, preventing cross-contamination, and maintaining hygiene standards while cleaning.
Are you willing to learn new dishes to adjust to our palate? How will you go about it?
This question is asked to assess the candidate’s adaptability and willingness to learn. Maids need to be open to learning new recipes and adjusting to the employer’s preferences. This question helps the employer gauge the candidate’s flexibility and ability to adapt to different culinary preferences.
The candidate’s response can demonstrate their willingness to take initiative in learning new dishes, such as researching recipes, seeking guidance from the employer or other sources, and practising until they can meet the employer’s expectations.
Questions About Baby Care and Childcare Skills
If you require assistance with childcare, it is crucial to assess the candidate’s baby care and childcare skills. Ask questions about their experience in taking care of children, including their age groups and any specific challenges they have encountered. Inquire about their knowledge of child development, safety measures, and any relevant training certificates that they possess.
Some good examples of questions of this type are as follows:
How will you console a baby that won’t stop crying and can’t be put to sleep?
This question may be asked to assess the candidate’s ability to handle childcare responsibilities. By asking this question, employers can determine if the candidate has experience or knowledge in comforting and soothing a crying baby. It helps evaluate the candidate’s patience, empathy, and understanding of a child’s needs.
Additionally, this question helps employers gauge the candidate’s problem-solving skills and their ability to handle stressful situations calmly and effectively. Employers want to ensure that the maid is capable of providing proper care and support to the child in their absence.
How do you change a baby’s diaper? How often should you do it?
This question helps the interviewer determine the candidate’s familiarity with basic childcare tasks, such as diaper changing, and their understanding of the importance of maintaining hygiene for the child. It also provides insights into the candidate’s ability to follow instructions, attention to detail, and their willingness to learn and adapt to the specific needs of the household they may be working for.
Questions About Elder Care Skills
For those seeking a domestic helper for elder care for their elderly parents, it’s important to ask questions about their skills in this area. Inquire about their experience in caring for elderly individuals, including any specific medical conditions they have dealt with.
Ask about their ability to handle tasks such as medication management, mobility assistance, and emotional support. Assess their patience, empathy, and ability to handle challenging situations.
Some good examples of questions of this type are as follows:
Do you have experience in helping the elderly take their prescribed medicines on schedule?
A maid needs to be capable of managing medication routines efficiently and ensuring that the elderly individual takes their medication as prescribed. As such, this question is asked during a maid interview to assess the candidate’s understanding of the importance of medication schedules, attention to detail, and ability to be responsible for someone else’s well-being.
What will you do if the elderly that you’re taking care of is mad at you?
The question aims to evaluate the candidate’s approach to diffusing conflicts, managing emotions, and maintaining a positive and respectful relationship with the elderly individual under their care. It helps the employer gauge the candidate’s skills in providing care to elderly individuals and their ability to handle potential emotional outbursts or disagreements professionally and compassionately.
Final Words
Conducting a thorough interview is essential when hiring a maid or domestic helper. By using the checklist we provided and asking the right questions, you can gather valuable information about the candidate’s background, skills, and experience. This will help you make an informed decision and find the best candidate who meets your specific needs.
Alternatively, you may also opt to choose a live-in caregiver or part-time caregiver over a maid or domestic helper, especially when you need assistance in taking care of your elderly loved ones, as these professionals are more suited to handling more specific tasks especially those related to healthcare.
Caregivers are trained to provide specialised care and can also offer companionship and emotional support. You may contact Retire Genie for a detailed description of our comprehensive services and how they will better suit your needs.
