An interview is more than asking whether a helper can cook, clean or look after children.
It is your chance to understand her experience, communication style, expectations and whether she is likely to fit into your household. At the same time, she should have the opportunity to understand your family and what the job involves.
A good interview is a two-way conversation — not an interrogation.
Before the Interview: Know What Your Household Needs
Before speaking to a helper, be clear about your own expectations.
Consider:
- Who lives in the household?
- Are there young children or elderly family members?
- What type of childcare or eldercare is involved?
- What household chores will she be responsible for?
- What kind of cooking do you expect?
- Does your family have pets?
- Are there specific working hours or routines she needs to understand?
- What qualities are most important to you in a helper?
Being clear about the job from the start makes it easier to assess whether the arrangement is suitable for both sides.
Questions to Ask During the Interview
1. Tell Me About Your Previous Experience
Start with open-ended questions rather than questions that can be answered with simply “yes” or “no.”
Ask about:
- Previous employers and household size
- Length of previous employment
- Children or elderly persons she has cared for
- Daily responsibilities
- Cooking experience
- Why she left her previous employment
Listen not only to what she says, but how clearly she can describe her experience.
2. Ask About the Care Responsibilities
If your household involves childcare or eldercare, go into specific situations.
For childcare, you could ask:
- What ages of children have you cared for?
- What would you do if a child refuses to eat?
- How would you handle a child who is crying or having a tantrum?
- Are you comfortable preparing children's meals?
- Have you handled a baby's feeding, bathing or routine?
For eldercare:
- Have you cared for an elderly person before?
- Are you comfortable assisting with mobility?
- What would you do if an elderly person refuses help?
- Are you comfortable with the daily routines involved in caring for an elderly person?
The aim isn't to look for a “perfect” answer. You are trying to understand her experience and how she approaches real situations.
3. Ask About Cooking and Household Work
Be specific about the type of help your household needs.
Instead of simply asking, “Can you cook?”, ask:
- What dishes can you prepare?
- What kind of food did you cook in your previous household?
- Can you follow recipes?
- Are you comfortable learning new dishes?
- Which household chores are you most familiar with?
- Are you comfortable managing laundry and keeping the home organised?
If cooking is particularly important to your family, explain what you normally eat and ask whether she is comfortable learning your family's preferred style of cooking.
4. Discuss Expectations Openly
Many misunderstandings happen because expectations were not clearly discussed before placement.
Talk about:
- Daily household responsibilities
- Rest days and leave arrangements
- Sleeping arrangements
- Food preferences
- Use of mobile phones
- Privacy and personal boundaries
- Communication within the household
- Any special routines or requirements
Be honest about the job. It is better for a helper to understand the household before accepting the position than to discover important expectations after she arrives.
5. Look Beyond Skills
Skills can be taught. Attitude, communication and willingness to learn also matter.
During the interview, consider:
- Communication — Can she understand your instructions and explain her previous experience clearly?
- Willingness to learn — Is she open to learning your family's routines, cooking preferences or care methods?
- Responsibility — Can she describe situations where she had to take responsibility or solve a problem?
- Temperament — How does she respond when discussing difficult situations from previous employment?
- Expectations — Are her expectations about the job broadly aligned with what your household needs?
There isn't one “perfect” personality for every family. The important question is whether her experience, expectations and working style are suitable for your household.
Questions You Should Invite Her to Ask
Remember that the interview works both ways.
Give her an opportunity to ask about:
- Your family
- Her daily responsibilities
- Working arrangements
- Rest days
- Household routines
- Children or elderly persons she will care for
- Food and accommodation
- Anything she may be concerned about
A helper who understands what she is agreeing to is more likely to start the employment relationship with realistic expectations.
Don't Try to Decide in Five Minutes
A good interview doesn't have to be rushed.
If you are unsure about a candidate, take some time to reflect after the interview:
- Does her experience match what we need?
- Are our expectations aligned?
- Does she seem willing to learn?
- Can we communicate comfortably?
- Are there any concerns we should clarify before making a decision?
And remember: a strong interview is only one part of the matching process. References, employment history, skills, training and the specific needs of your household should also be considered.