Home sitting and pet sitting are two of the most effective methods to journey the world on a price range and see locations you’ve all the time imagined visiting, cuddle with some lovable animals, and immerse your self in numerous cultures.
Nevertheless, so as to make this dream a actuality, it’s a must to undergo the home sitting course of. To summarize, you’ll have to enroll in a home sitting web site, seek for the right 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 owners and the home sitters to realize an understanding of one another’s wants and expectations. Nevertheless, owners are inclined to interview a number of candidates, so it’s additionally their probability to evaluate whether or not you’re the best 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 residence and revel in over a month with a Frenchie in a home in Tokyo, however these are just some examples; I’ve pet sat across the globe.
Evidently, I’ve had my justifiable share of home sitting interviews. Whereas I’ve didn’t safe a job right here and there, I usually get the gig by extensively making ready for the interview.
Inside this put up, I’m going to share my 10 final steps on easy methods 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 finest home sitting web sites that you need to 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 am going into the steps on easy methods 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 nearly through Skype or Zoom. Whereas I’ve often met owners in particular person, it’s solely been for native home sits or if I used to be already visiting the home-owner’s metropolis.
From private expertise, the home sitting interview is about up within the following approach: first, in my software message, I let the owners know that I might love to satisfy them nearly through 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 software they’d favor to make use of. From exchanging just a few messages forwards and backwards, we usually determine on the most effective 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 primary functions of the interview is for the homeowners to substantiate you’re who you say you’re, don’t overlook that the video might be on, and be sure to look presentable!
The way 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 easy methods to nail the home sitting interview and impress the owners.
Whereas this checklist isn’t inclusive, it’ll give you the highest methods that I exploit to good 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 an entire bunch of them directly. This ends in the main points of the home sits mixing collectively, together with the placement, the identify 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 prefer to take notes on the important thing particulars of the job itemizing, together with the names of the owners, the names, ages, and breeds of the pets, the placement, any particular duties or duties that the owners are requesting, and any behavioral or medical points that the pets could have.
By realizing the entire key particulars concerning the job and the pets, you’ll seem extra ready, skilled, and accountable to the owners.
2. Take into account Your Wants as a Home Sitter
Subsequent, when worrying about doing properly in a pet sitting interview, it’s simple to overlook that home sitting is a two-way road. Sure, you want to impress the owners, however you additionally want to think about your wants too.
For example, are the owners letting you borrow their automotive? Is their home situated near a prepare or bus station? How lengthy can you permit the home and the pets alone, and does this align properly along with your journey plans? Do you are feeling comfy 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 usually be present in the home sitting job itemizing. If not, you’ll be able to add them to your checklist of questions, which brings us to our subsequent level:
3. Put together a Listing of Questions
One of the crucial essential steps in making ready for a home sitting interview is assembling your checklist of inquiries to ask owners.
Not solely will this show to the owners that you just’re fascinated about the home sit, but it surely’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 prefer to ask embody:
- How usually would you want me to replace you in your pets’ well-being?
- What are your pets’ every 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 will not be 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 prefer to ask the owners, it’s time to foretell the questions that the owners will ask you.
It will differ relying on every home-owner, however some frequent questions that I’ve acquired are:
- Why are you curious about pet sitting for us?
- What are you planning on doing throughout the home sit?
- Do you’ve any expertise with my pet breed? (Or any comparable breeds?)
- Do you’ve any expertise administering drugs to pets?
I additionally suggest reviewing the home sitting job itemizing another time, and determining what the home-owner’s chief considerations could also be. For example, 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 owners could ask, it’s time to arrange your solutions.
I like to do that out loud, because it helps me follow the wording and demeanor of my solutions. Nevertheless, you can even write down your solutions or sort them in your cellphone or laptop computer; no matter works for you.
Doing this can assist you to seem extra assured, ready, and accountable to the owners, thus growing your odds of passing a home sitting interview.
6. Recall your Related Expertise
The following step to arrange for a home sitting interview is to recollect your earlier related expertise and be sure to’re able to reply questions in your examples.
Whereas this usually contains recalling your earlier home and pet sitting expertise, it may possibly additionally contain any relevant work or volunteer expertise. For example, in the event you’ve ever labored or volunteered at a veterinary clinic, wildlife rehabilitation heart, or doggy daycare, this could enhance your credibility as a pet sitter.
It’s additionally helpful to boast about your private home care data and expertise, reminiscent of any abilities in dwelling upkeep, plumbing, or cleansing. Householders love these qualities of their home sitters, because it offers them with the consolation and safety of realizing that their properties might be in secure and succesful arms.
7. Costume Professionally
Subsequent, first impressions are important, so just remember to’re dressed properly. Whereas it’s not needed to decorate in a swimsuit and tie, be sure to seem presentable and keep away from sporting any tattered or inappropriate clothes.
Dressing professionally helps mission a picture of competence, accountability, and tidiness to owners, which will increase their confidence in your abilities and {qualifications} as a home sitter. It additionally conveys that you just respect the owners and their home sit sufficient to decorate for the half.
I usually prefer to put on a button-down shirt or sweater for my home sitting interviews. However, as these interviews are usually completed nearly, 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 home-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 owners to keep away from any misunderstanding. For example, if a home-owner in Spain asks me to nearly 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 very important round daylight financial savings time, as not each nation follows it. In the event you ever really feel unsure concerning the scheduled time of your own home sitting interview, it doesn’t harm to double-check with the owners.
9. Be sure that your Digicam and Microphone are Working
It’s virtually time to affix your own home sitting interview. However, in the event you’re nonetheless questioning what to arrange for a home sitting interview, there’s another factor that it’s a must to do earlier than you be a part of the Zoom or Skype name, and that’s to double-check that your digicam and microphone are working.
That is a necessary step; whether or not you’re utilizing your cellphone, pill, or laptop computer. Whereas the owners gained’t deny your software solely primarily based on technical points, it doesn’t look skilled in your finish.
Moreover, in case your digicam or microphone doesn’t work in the course of the agreed-upon date and time of your digital home sitting interview, the owners could not have the ability to reschedule your interview.
10. Determine if the Home Sit is Proper for You
Generally, it’s simple to overlook that the interview isn’t one-sided; you additionally should determine if the home sit resonates with you. After the pet sitting interview is over and completed 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 in the event you felt comfy with the proprietor and the home. Do you are feeling ready for all of the duties they outlined? Do you are feeling comfy caring for his or her pets?
In the event you determine that the home sit isn’t best for you, I like to recommend reaching out to the owners earlier than they make a decision. Thank them for his or her time and curiosity, however allow them to know that you just, sadly, gained’t have the ability to go forward along with your software. By letting them know prematurely, you can also make their decision-making course of lots simpler.
The way to Discover Home Sitting and Pet Sitting Jobs
Now that we’ve coated easy methods to move a home sitting interview, chances are you’ll be questioning easy methods to get to this stage within the first place. Properly first, you’ll want to enroll in one of many wonderful home sitting web sites on the market.
These are my 5 favourite home and pet sitting web sites:
1. Trusted Housesitters: As the most important home sitting web site obtainable, Trusted Housesitters is crammed with an abundance of unbelievable long-term and short-term worldwide home sitting jobs. Whereas the most cost effective membership charge prices $129 USD per 12 months, you may get 20% off utilizing our promo code GOATS20. To study extra, click on right here.
2. Nomador: In the event you’re on the lookout for 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 cost effective membership charge prices $99 USD per 12 months, you can even go for the quarterly membership for $39 USD per three months. To study extra, click on right here.
3. MindMyHouse: In the event you’re hoping to discover a extra budget-friendly worldwide home and pet sitting web site, I like to recommend MindMyHouse. With a membership charge of simply $29 USD per 12 months, MindMyHouse is crammed with wonderful home sitting alternatives good for each newbie and skilled home sitters. Click on right here to study extra.
4: Home Sitters America: In the event you’re primarily fascinated about home sitting in the US, then Home Sitters America is the way in which to go. With an easy-to-use web site stuffed to the brim with American home sitting alternatives, Home Sitters America is unquestionably price trying out, particularly because it solely prices $49 USD per 12 months. Click on right here to study extra.
5. Aussie Home Sitters: In the event you’ve been dying to go to Australia however are involved concerning the prices of lodging, then I wholeheartedly suggest attempting Aussie Home Sitters. With wonderful home and pet sitting alternatives scattered throughout Australia, there’s no higher solution to journey the nation. It additionally solely prices $84 AUD per 12 months. To study extra, click on right here.
The way 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 deliver 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 home-owner for his or her provide, their curiosity, and their time, however allow them to know that sadly, it’s a must to decline the job. You’ll be able to embody your explanation why in the event 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 easy methods to lock and unlock the doorways, the alarm code, the WiFi password, the emergency cellphone numbers (together with the closest vet clinic’s info), and importantly, easy methods to take care of the pets, vegetation, and home.
To move your own home sitting interview, you need to evaluation the home sitting job itemizing, anticipate the home-owner’s questions and put together corresponding solutions, write down an inventory of inquiries to ask the owners, be pleasant, optimistic, and open, and gown professionally.
Most often, owners don’t pay their home sitters and pet sitters. Nevertheless, some web sites like Rover, Home Sitters America, and Aussie Home Sitters permit pet and home sitters to cost charges for his or her companies. Nonetheless, the charges needs to be mentioned and confirmed prematurely of any closing settlement.
In Conclusion
I hope this text on easy methods to put together for a pet sitting interview has helped you are feeling extra comfy and prepared for the quite a few home and pet sitting interviews forward.
Keep in mind that interviews will differ from home-owner to home-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 around the globe, saving cash on lodging and utilities.
Better of luck, and completely satisfied home sitting.