Home sitting and pet sitting are two of one of the best methods to journey the world on a funds and see locations you’ve at all times imagined visiting, cuddle with some lovely animals, and immerse your self in several cultures.
Nevertheless, to be able 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 utility message to the house owners. 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 achieve an understanding of one another’s wants and expectations. Nevertheless, owners are inclined to interview a number of candidates, so it’s additionally their likelihood to evaluate whether or not you’re the fitting 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 only a few examples; I’ve pet sat across the globe.
Evidently, I’ve had my fair proportion of home sitting interviews. Whereas I’ve did not safe a job right here and there, I usually get the gig by extensively getting 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 finest home sitting web sites that you need to try.
With out additional ado, let’s start.
☞ SEE ALSO: How To Change into a Pet Sitter
What to Count on 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 through Skype or Zoom. Whereas I’ve sometimes met owners 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 ready up within the following method: first, in my utility message, I let the owners know that I might love to fulfill them just about through Skype or Zoom to debate the job.
In the event that they’ve determined to proceed with my utility and need to interview me, I allow them to resolve which video conferencing instrument they’d want to make use of. From exchanging just a few messages forwards and backwards, we usually resolve on one of the best day, time, and app to make use of for our interview. Keep in mind to at all times make clear the time zones.
As one of many principal functions of the interview is for the house owners to verify you’re who you say you’re, don’t overlook that the video will likely be on, and ensure you look presentable!
Tips on how 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 owners.
Whereas this record isn’t inclusive, it’ll give 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 evaluate the home sitting job.
From my private expertise, after I apply to accommodate sitting jobs, I apply to an entire bunch of them without delay. 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 so forth. Earlier than any home sitting interview, I at all times evaluate 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 understanding the entire key particulars in regards to the job and the pets, you’ll seem extra ready, skilled, and accountable to the owners.
2. Contemplate Your Wants as a Home Sitter
Subsequent, when worrying about doing effectively in a pet sitting interview, it’s straightforward to overlook that home sitting is a two-way road. Sure, it is advisable impress the owners, however you additionally want to think about your wants too.
As an example, are the owners letting you borrow their automobile? 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 effectively along with your journey plans? Do you’re 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 may add them to your record of questions, which brings us to our subsequent level:
3. Put together a Record of Questions
One of the essential steps in getting ready for a home sitting interview is assembling your record of inquiries to ask owners.
Not solely will this reveal to the owners that you just’re involved in 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 typically 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 should not allowed to enter?
- Are the pets pleasant with different animals?
- How lengthy can I go away 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.
This may range 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 might have any expertise with my pet breed? (Or any related breeds?)
- Do you might have any expertise administering medicines to pets?
I additionally advocate reviewing the home sitting job itemizing yet one more time, and determining what the house owner’s chief issues could also be. As an example, if their canines are reactive, they could ask you about your expertise with delicate pets. Or, if their cat has a slew of medical points, they could 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 observe 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 enable you to seem extra assured, ready, and accountable to the owners, thus rising 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 ensure you’re able to reply questions in your examples.
Whereas this typically consists of recalling your earlier home and pet sitting expertise, it will probably additionally contain any relevant work or volunteer expertise. As an example, when you’ve ever labored or volunteered at a veterinary clinic, wildlife rehabilitation heart, or doggy daycare, this will increase your credibility as a pet sitter.
It’s additionally helpful to boast about your private home care data and expertise, corresponding to any expertise in dwelling upkeep, plumbing, or cleansing. Owners love these qualities of their home sitters, because it gives them with the consolation and safety of understanding that their properties will likely be in protected and succesful fingers.
7. Gown Professionally
Subsequent, first impressions are important, so just be sure you’re dressed effectively. Whereas it’s not crucial to decorate in a go well with and tie, ensure you seem presentable and keep away from sporting any tattered or inappropriate clothes.
Dressing professionally helps undertaking a picture of competence, accountability, and tidiness to owners, which will increase their confidence in your expertise 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 carried out just about, it doesn’t actually matter what sort of pants you put on; something from sweats to denims works.
8. Double-Test the Time Zones
When establishing and preparing for a home sitting interview, it’s vital to verify 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 owners to keep away from any misunderstanding. As an example, 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 very important round daylight financial savings time, as not each nation follows it. If you happen to ever really feel unsure in regards to the scheduled time of your own home sitting interview, it doesn’t damage to double-check with the owners.
9. Make sure that your Digicam and Microphone are Working
It’s nearly time to affix your own home sitting interview. However, when you’re nonetheless questioning what to arrange for a home sitting interview, there’s yet one more 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 digital camera and microphone are working.
That is a vital step; whether or not you’re utilizing your cellphone, pill, or laptop computer. Whereas the owners gained’t deny your utility 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 in the course of the agreed-upon date and time of your digital home sitting interview, the owners could not be capable to reschedule your interview.
10. Resolve if the Home Sit is Proper for You
Typically, it’s straightforward to overlook that the interview isn’t one-sided; you additionally must resolve if the home sit resonates with you. After the pet sitting interview is over and carried out with, it’s time so that you can resolve if you wish to settle for the home sitting job (if they provide it to you).
Ask your self when you felt comfy with the proprietor and the home. Do you’re feeling ready for all of the duties they outlined? Do you’re feeling comfy caring for his or her pets?
If you happen to resolve 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 be capable to go forward along with your utility. By letting them know upfront, you may make their decision-making course of quite a bit simpler.
Tips on how to Discover Home Sitting and Pet Sitting Jobs
Now that we’ve lined the best way to cross a home sitting interview, you could be questioning the best way to get to this stage within the first place. Effectively first, you’ll want to enroll in 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 most important home sitting web site out there, Trusted Housesitters is full of an abundance of incredible long-term and short-term worldwide home sitting jobs. Whereas the most cost effective membership price prices $129 USD per 12 months, you will get 20% off utilizing our promo code GOATS20. To study extra, click on right here.
2. Nomador: If you happen to’re searching for an superior, world home sitting web site with an up to date and easy-to-use interface, then it’s a must to try Nomador. Whereas the most cost effective membership price 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: If you happen to’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 12 months, 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: If you happen to’re primarily involved in 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 value trying out, particularly because it solely prices $49 USD per 12 months. Click on right here to study extra.
5. Aussie Home Sitters: If you happen to’ve been dying to go to Australia however are involved in regards to the prices of lodging, then I wholeheartedly advocate making an attempt Aussie Home Sitters. With superb home and pet sitting alternatives scattered throughout Australia, there’s no higher technique to journey the nation. It additionally solely prices $84 AUD per 12 months. To study extra, click on right here.
Tips on how to Nail a Home Sitting and Pet Sitting Interview: FAQs
Listed below are some solutions to generally requested questions on home sitting and pet sitting interviews:
Whilst you don’t must carry any skilled references or resumes to a home sitting interview, it’s at all times nice to have an inventory of questions ready to ask on the finish of the decision. Aside from that, come ready to reply any questions on your background and ability 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’ll be able to embody your the reason why when 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). Keep 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 cellphone numbers (together with the closest vet clinic’s data), and importantly, the best way to take care of the pets, vegetation, and home.
To cross your own home sitting interview, you need to evaluate 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 owners, be pleasant, optimistic, and open, and costume professionally.
Generally, 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 ought to be mentioned and confirmed upfront of any ultimate settlement.
In Conclusion
I hope this text on the best way to put together for a pet sitting interview has helped you’re feeling extra comfy and prepared for the quite a few home and pet sitting interviews forward.
Do not forget that interviews will range 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 lovely animals around the globe, saving cash on lodging and utilities.
Better of luck, and comfortable home sitting.
