How to interview a domestic helper: questions that really help

A biodata tells you what a candidate has done. An interview helps you understand how she did it, and whether she will be comfortable in your home. Most interviews take place by video call and last 15–30 minutes.

Before the interview

• Read the biodata again and note anything you want to clarify.
• Write down your top three needs, for example: newborn care, cooking Chinese-style meals, caring for a grandparent.
• Prepare to describe your home honestly: number of people, size of the home, pets, routines and rest arrangements.
• Ask your agency about translation if you and the candidate do not share a strong common language.

Start by putting her at ease

Many candidates are nervous. Introduce yourself and your family, smile, and start with easy questions: where she is from, her family, what she enjoys. You will get more honest answers from someone who feels relaxed.

Ask about real experience

Open questions work better than yes/no questions. Instead of “Can you cook?”, ask “What dishes did you cook for your last employer?”

General

• “Describe a normal day in your last job, from morning to night.”
• “How many people lived in the home, and how big was it?”
• “Why did you leave your last job?”

Childcare

• “How old were the children you cared for?”
• “What did you do when the baby cried at night?”
• “How did you keep a toddler safe at home?”

Elderly care

• “Tell me about the elderly person you cared for. What help did they need?”
• “What would you do if they fell or felt unwell?”

Cooking and housework

• “What are three dishes you can cook well?”
• “How do you clean a bathroom? How often?”
• “Have you used a washing machine, an oven or a vacuum cleaner?”

Describe the job clearly

Be honest about the work. Explain your household’s routine, the main duties, house rules, and how rest times and the rest day will work as set out in the contract. A candidate who understands the job is more likely to settle in well.

Let her ask questions

Ask: “Do you have any questions for us?” Her questions show what matters to her and how seriously she is considering the job.

Points to note

• Answers that are very vague about previous jobs
• Big differences between the interview and the biodata
• Discomfort with an important part of the job, such as caring for pets or an elderly person

These are not automatically reasons to say no, but they are worth discussing with your agency.

After the interview

Make notes straight away while it is fresh. If you are interviewing several candidates, compare them on your top three needs, not on first impressions alone. Then tell your agency your decision, or ask for more candidates.

Ready to shortlist? Browse maid biodata and request an interview.