5 Things to Consider When Choosing the Right Helper

Finding the right domestic helper is about more than finding someone with the right experience. The best match is someone whose skills, availability and working preferences fit naturally with the needs of your household.

Whether you're hiring domestic help for the first time or looking for a new helper, taking a little time to think about what you really need can make the process much easier.

Here are five things worth considering when looking through profiles and speaking to potential candidates.

Start with your household's needs

Before you start contacting helpers, make a list of the things you actually need help with.

For some families, the priority might be keeping the house clean and organised. Others may need help with cooking, laundry, childcare, shopping or looking after pets.

It's useful to separate your requirements into two groups:

Essential duties — the things you need your helper to be comfortable doing.

Additional duties — tasks that would be helpful but aren't necessarily required.

This gives you a clearer idea of what to look for when reviewing profiles and helps potential candidates understand what the role involves.

Being clear from the beginning can also prevent misunderstandings later.

Look beyond job titles

A person's previous job title doesn't always tell you everything about what they can do.

Two helpers may both describe themselves as domestic workers, but their experience could be quite different. One might have extensive childcare experience, while another might have spent years working in larger households where cooking, laundry and household

organisation were their main responsibilities.

Take some time to read the details of their previous roles.

Look for experience that matches the actual duties you need help with rather than relying only on a job title.

It's also worth considering the type of household they've worked in before. Experience in a busy family home, for example, can be particularly valuable if your household has children or several people living at home.

Think about working arrangements

Finding someone with the right skills is important, but the practical arrangements need to work for both sides too.

Consider things such as:

• When do you need someone to start?

• Are you looking for live-in or live-out help?

• If the role is live-in, what type of accommodation can you provide?

• Will the helper have their own room?

• Are there other helpers working in the household?

• How many hours of work are expected?

• Are there particular days when help is most important?

Being upfront about these details makes it much easier for both families and helpers to decide whether a role is suitable.

Consider personality and communication

Skills and experience are important, but so is finding someone who fits comfortably into your household.

Domestic helpers often work closely with the people they support, sometimes spending a significant amount of time in the family home. Good communication and mutual respect are therefore essential.

When speaking with a potential helper, consider whether you feel comfortable communicating with them.

Ask about their previous experience, the type of household they prefer to work in and what they expect from their next position.

It's also worth discussing how you prefer things to be organised. Simple conversations about routines, responsibilities and expectations can tell you a lot about whether you're likely to work well together.

Don't rush the decision

Finding the right match can take time.

It can be tempting to choose the first person who appears to meet your requirements, particularly when you need help quickly. However, taking a little extra time to compare profiles and have conversations with suitable candidates can make a significant difference.

Create a shortlist of people who meet your essential requirements, then take the time to learn more about each person.

Think about their experience, availability, preferences and the overall fit with your household.

And remember that the process works both ways. A good helper should also have the opportunity to understand the role and decide whether your household is right for them.

The right match is about more than experience

The best working relationships are built on clear expectations, good communication and mutual respect.

By understanding what your household needs and taking the time to look beyond a CV or job title, you can make the search much more focused.

Duly Yours is designed to make that process easier by bringing household employers and domestic professionals together in one place, so both sides can find opportunities that match their needs and preferences.

Take your time, ask the right questions and look for the right fit — not simply the longest list of experience.