Home sitting and pet sitting are two of the very best methods to journey the world on a finances and see locations you’ve all the time imagined visiting, cuddle with some lovable animals, and immerse your self in several cultures.
Nonetheless, in an effort to make this dream a actuality, it’s a must to undergo the home sitting course of. To summarize, you’ll have to join a home sitting web site, seek for the proper home sitting job, after which ship an attention grabbing software message to the homeowners. The following step is to safe the job by nailing the home sitting interview.
The aim of a home sitting interview is to permit each the householders and the home sitters to realize an understanding of one another’s wants and expectations. Nonetheless, householders are likely to interview a number of candidates, so it’s additionally their likelihood to evaluate whether or not you’re the suitable match for them or not.
I’ve been home sitting for years now and this fashion of touring has allowed me to spend weeks with a cat in a Brussels house and luxuriate in over a month with a Frenchie in a home in Tokyo, however these are only a few examples; I’ve pet sat across the globe.
For sure, I’ve had my justifiable share of home sitting interviews. Whereas I’ve didn’t safe a job right here and there, I sometimes get the gig by extensively making ready for the interview.
Inside this publish, I’m going to share my 10 final steps on the best way to put together for a home sitting and pet sitting interview. I’ll additionally share what to anticipate throughout the home sitting interview and the 5 greatest home sitting web sites that you must take a look at.
With out additional ado, let’s start.
☞ SEE ALSO: How To Turn out to be a Pet Sitter
What to Anticipate Throughout the Home Sitting Interview
Earlier than I’m going into the steps on the best way to put together for your own home sitting interview, let’s go over what a home sitting interview seems to be like. For many worldwide home sits, the interview will happen just about by way of Skype or Zoom. Whereas I’ve sometimes met householders in individual, it’s solely been for native home sits or if I used to be already visiting the house owner’s metropolis.
From private expertise, the home sitting interview is about up within the following manner: first, in my software message, I let the householders know that I might love to fulfill them just about by way of Skype or Zoom to debate the job.
In the event that they’ve determined to proceed with my software and need to interview me, I allow them to determine which video conferencing device they’d desire to make use of. From exchanging a couple of messages forwards and backwards, we sometimes determine on the very best day, time, and app to make use of for our interview. Bear in mind to all the time make clear the time zones.
As one of many major functions of the interview is for the homeowners to substantiate you might be who you say you might be, don’t overlook that the video will likely be on, and be sure you look presentable!
Easy methods to Put together for a Home Sitting and Pet Sitting Interview
Now that we’ve gone over what to anticipate in a pet sitting interview, let’s get into the ten steps on the best way to nail the home sitting interview and impress the householders.
Whereas this listing isn’t inclusive, it’ll offer you the highest methods that I take advantage of to excellent the interview and safe my very own home sitting jobs. So, let’s dive proper in.
1. Overview the Home Sitting Job
First issues first, earlier than any home sitting and pet sitting interview, it’s important to evaluation the home sitting job.
From my private expertise, after I apply to accommodate sitting jobs, I apply to a complete bunch of them directly. This ends in the small print of the home sits mixing collectively, together with the placement, the title of the pets, and their wants, and many others. Earlier than any home sitting interview, I all the time evaluation the job itemizing.
I additionally wish to take notes on the important thing particulars of the job itemizing, together with the names of the householders, the names, ages, and breeds of the pets, the placement, any particular duties or duties that the householders are requesting, and any behavioral or medical points that the pets might have.
By realizing all the key particulars concerning the job and the pets, you’ll seem extra ready, skilled, and accountable to the householders.
2. Think about Your Wants as a Home Sitter
Subsequent, when worrying about doing nicely in a pet sitting interview, it’s straightforward to overlook that home sitting is a two-way road. Sure, it’s good to impress the householders, however you additionally want to contemplate your wants too.
As an illustration, are the householders letting you borrow their automobile? Is their home situated near a practice or bus station? How lengthy can you permit the home and the pets alone, and does this align nicely together with your journey plans? Do you are feeling snug caring for his or her pets (if they’ve sure medical issues that you just’re not skilled with)?
A few of these solutions can sometimes be present in the home sitting job itemizing. If not, you possibly can add them to your listing of questions, which brings us to our subsequent level:
3. Put together a Record of Questions
One of the essential steps in making ready for a home sitting interview is assembling your listing of inquiries to ask householders.
Not solely will this show to the householders that you just’re excited about the home sit, nevertheless it’ll affirm that you just’re a accountable, reliable, and dependable candidate that considers all of the elements required of a home or pet sitter.
Some questions that I wish to ask embrace:
- How typically would you want me to replace you in your pets’ well-being?
- What are your pets’ each day routines like?
- How far is the closest emergency vet clinic from your own home?
- Are there any areas of the property that the pets are usually not allowed to enter?
- Are the pets pleasant with different animals?
- How lengthy can I depart the pets on their very own?
4. Predict the House owner’s Questions
After compiling an inventory of home sitting questions that you just’d wish to ask the householders, it’s time to foretell the questions that the householders will ask you.
It will fluctuate relying on every house owner, however some frequent questions that I’ve obtained are:
- Why are you curious about pet sitting for us?
- What are you planning on doing throughout the home sit?
- Do you have got any expertise with my pet breed? (Or any comparable breeds?)
- Do you have got any expertise administering drugs to pets?
I additionally suggest reviewing the home sitting job itemizing yet another time, and determining what the house owner’s chief issues could also be. As an illustration, if their canine are reactive, they may ask you about your expertise with delicate pets. Or, if their cat has a slew of medical points, they may ask you about your consolation ranges and expertise with pets with medical issues.
5. Put together your Solutions to the House owner’s Questions
Now that you just’ve compiled an inventory of potential questions that the householders might ask, it’s time to organize your solutions.
I like to do that out loud, because it helps me observe the wording and demeanor of my solutions. Nonetheless, it’s also possible to write down your solutions or kind them in your telephone or laptop computer; no matter works for you.
Doing it will provide help to seem extra assured, ready, and accountable to the householders, thus rising your odds of passing a home sitting interview.
6. Recall your Related Expertise
The following step to organize for a home sitting interview is to recollect your earlier related expertise and be sure you’re able to reply questions in your examples.
Whereas this typically consists of recalling your earlier home and pet sitting expertise, it could possibly additionally contain any relevant work or volunteer expertise. As an illustration, should you’ve ever labored or volunteered at a veterinary clinic, wildlife rehabilitation middle, or doggy daycare, this could increase your credibility as a pet sitter.
It’s additionally helpful to boast about your house care data and expertise, akin to any abilities in house upkeep, plumbing, or cleansing. Householders love these qualities of their home sitters, because it supplies them with the consolation and safety of realizing that their houses will likely be in protected and succesful palms.
7. Costume Professionally
Subsequent, first impressions are important, so just remember to’re dressed nicely. Whereas it’s not needed to decorate in a go well with and tie, be sure you seem presentable and keep away from sporting any tattered or inappropriate clothes.
Dressing professionally helps mission a picture of competence, duty, and tidiness to householders, which will increase their confidence in your abilities and {qualifications} as a home sitter. It additionally conveys that you just respect the householders and their home sit sufficient to decorate for the half.
I sometimes wish to put on a button-down shirt or sweater for my home sitting interviews. However, as these interviews are sometimes executed just about, it doesn’t actually matter what sort of pants you put on; something from sweats to denims works.
8. Double-Examine the Time Zones
When organising and preparing for a home sitting interview, it’s necessary to test the house owner’s time zones to make sure that you present up on the agreed time.
I like to incorporate the time variations in my messages to the householders to keep away from any misunderstanding. As an illustration, if a home-owner in Spain asks me to just about meet up with them at 6 pm, I affirm by saying “I might like to video chat at 6 pm (9 am PST).”
That is important round daylight financial savings time, as not each nation follows it. For those who ever really feel unsure concerning the scheduled time of your own home sitting interview, it doesn’t harm to double-check with the householders.
9. Be certain that your Digicam and Microphone are Working
It’s virtually time to affix your own home sitting interview. However, should you’re nonetheless questioning what to organize for a home sitting interview, there’s yet another factor that it’s a must to do earlier than you be part of the Zoom or Skype name, and that’s to double-check that your digital camera and microphone are working.
That is a necessary step; whether or not you’re utilizing your cellphone, pill, or laptop computer. Whereas the householders gained’t deny your software solely based mostly on technical points, it doesn’t look skilled in your finish.
Moreover, in case your digital camera or microphone doesn’t work through the agreed-upon date and time of your digital home sitting interview, the householders might not be capable of reschedule your interview.
10. Resolve if the Home Sit is Proper for You
Generally, it’s straightforward to overlook that the interview isn’t one-sided; you additionally need to determine if the home sit resonates with you. After the pet sitting interview is over and executed with, it’s time so that you can determine if you wish to settle for the home sitting job (if they provide it to you).
Ask your self should you felt snug with the proprietor and the home. Do you are feeling ready for all of the duties they outlined? Do you are feeling snug caring for his or her pets?
For those who determine that the home sit isn’t best for you, I like to recommend reaching out to the householders earlier than they decide. Thank them for his or her time and curiosity, however allow them to know that you just, sadly, gained’t be capable of go forward together with your software. By letting them know upfront, you may make their decision-making course of rather a lot simpler.
Easy methods to Discover Home Sitting and Pet Sitting Jobs
Now that we’ve lined the best way to move a home sitting interview, it’s possible you’ll be questioning the best way to get to this stage within the first place. Nicely first, you’ll want to join one of many superb home sitting web sites on the market.
These are my 5 favourite home and pet sitting web sites:
1. Trusted Housesitters: As the biggest home sitting web site obtainable, Trusted Housesitters is full of an abundance of incredible long-term and short-term worldwide home sitting jobs. Whereas the most affordable membership price prices $129 USD per yr, you may get 20% off utilizing our promo code GOATS20. To study extra, click on right here.
2. Nomador: For those who’re in search of an superior, international home sitting web site with an up to date and easy-to-use interface, then it’s a must to take a look at Nomador. Whereas the most affordable membership price prices $99 USD per yr, it’s also possible to go for the quarterly membership for $39 USD per three months. To study extra, click on right here.
3. MindMyHouse: For those who’re hoping to discover a extra budget-friendly worldwide home and pet sitting web site, I like to recommend MindMyHouse. With a membership price of simply $29 USD per yr, MindMyHouse is full of superb home sitting alternatives excellent for each newbie and skilled home sitters. Click on right here to study extra.
4: Home Sitters America: For those who’re primarily excited about home sitting in the US, then Home Sitters America is the best way to go. With an easy-to-use web site crammed to the brim with American home sitting alternatives, Home Sitters America is certainly value testing, particularly because it solely prices $49 USD per yr. Click on right here to study extra.
5. Aussie Home Sitters: For those who’ve been dying to go to Australia however are involved concerning the prices of lodging, then I wholeheartedly suggest making an attempt Aussie Home Sitters. With superb home and pet sitting alternatives scattered throughout Australia, there’s no higher strategy to journey the nation. It additionally solely prices $84 AUD per yr. To study extra, click on right here.
Easy methods to Nail a Home Sitting and Pet Sitting Interview: FAQs
Listed here are some solutions to generally requested questions on home sitting and pet sitting interviews:
Whilst you don’t have to carry any skilled references or resumes to a home sitting interview, it’s all the time nice to have an inventory of questions ready to ask on the finish of the decision. Apart from that, come ready to reply any questions on your background and talent set, and ensure to decorate professionally.
Thank the house owner for his or her supply, their curiosity, and their time, however allow them to know that sadly, it’s a must to decline the job. You possibly can embrace your the explanation why should you want to (for instance; you booked one other home sitting job, you’ve determined that you just don’t need to journey to their location, otherwise you’ve decided that the sit isn’t best for you). Bear in mind to stay optimistic and pleasant.
Some issues that it’s a must to know earlier than beginning a home sitting job are the best way to lock and unlock the doorways, the alarm code, the WiFi password, the emergency telephone numbers (together with the closest vet clinic’s info), and importantly, the best way to look after the pets, crops, and home.
To move your own home sitting interview, you must evaluation the home sitting job itemizing, anticipate the house owner’s questions and put together corresponding solutions, write down an inventory of inquiries to ask the householders, be pleasant, optimistic, and open, and gown professionally.
Normally, householders don’t pay their home sitters and pet sitters. Nonetheless, some web sites like Rover, Home Sitters America, and Aussie Home Sitters enable pet and home sitters to cost charges for his or her providers. However, the charges ought to be mentioned and confirmed upfront of any closing settlement.
In Conclusion
I hope this text on the best way to put together for a pet sitting interview has helped you are feeling extra snug and prepared for the quite a few home and pet sitting interviews forward.
Keep in mind that interviews will fluctuate from house owner to house owner, however by following this information, you’ll be ready and able to wow the shoppers and nail the home sitting interview. Very quickly, you’ll be spending high quality time with lovable animals world wide, saving cash on lodging and utilities.
Better of luck, and blissful home sitting.
