Home sitting and pet sitting are two of the very best methods to journey the world on a finances and see locations you’ve at all times imagined visiting, cuddle with some lovely animals, and immerse your self in numerous cultures.
Nonetheless, to be able to make this dream a actuality, you need 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 eye catching software message to the homeowners. The subsequent 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. Nonetheless, owners are inclined to interview a number of candidates, so it’s additionally their probability to evaluate whether or not you’re the proper 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 condominium and luxuriate 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 did not safe a job right here and there, I usually get the gig by extensively getting ready for the interview.
Inside this submit, I’m going to share my 10 final steps on the right 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 must try.
With out additional ado, let’s start.
☞ SEE ALSO: How To Grow to be a Pet Sitter
What to Count on In the course of the Home Sitting Interview
Earlier than I am going into the steps on the right way to put together for your home sitting interview, let’s go over what a home sitting interview appears like. For many worldwide home sits, the interview will happen just about 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 ready up within the following means: first, in my software message, I let the owners know that I’d 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 software and need to interview me, I allow them to resolve which video conferencing device they’d want to make use of. From exchanging a number of messages forwards and backwards, we usually resolve on the very 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 important 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 ensure you look presentable!
The right 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 the right way to nail the home sitting interview and impress the owners.
Whereas this listing 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. Evaluation 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, once I apply to accommodate sitting jobs, I apply to an entire bunch of them directly. This ends in the small print 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 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 figuring out 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 effectively in a pet sitting interview, it’s simple to overlook that home sitting is a two-way road. Sure, you’ll 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 positioned near a prepare or bus station? How lengthy can you permit the home and the pets alone, and does this align effectively together 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’ll be able to add them to your listing of questions, which brings us to our subsequent level:
3. Put together a Record of Questions
One of the crucial essential steps in getting ready for a home sitting interview is assembling your listing of inquiries to ask owners.
Not solely will this show to the owners that you just’re occupied with the home sit, nevertheless it’ll verify that you just’re a accountable, reliable, and dependable candidate that considers all of the components required of a home or pet sitter.
Some questions that I prefer to ask embrace:
- 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 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 depart the pets on their very own?
4. Predict the House owner’s Questions
After compiling a listing 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 can differ relying on every home-owner, however some frequent questions that I’ve acquired are:
- Why are you interested by pet sitting for us?
- What are you planning on doing throughout the home sit?
- Do you’ve gotten any expertise with my pet breed? (Or any comparable breeds?)
- Do you’ve gotten any expertise administering medicines to pets?
I additionally advocate reviewing the home sitting job itemizing yet another time, and determining what the home-owner’s chief considerations could also be. For example, if their canine 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 a listing of potential questions that the owners could ask, it’s time to organize your solutions.
I like to do that out loud, because it helps me apply the wording and demeanor of my solutions. Nonetheless, it’s also possible to 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 subsequent step to organize 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 usually contains recalling your earlier home and pet sitting expertise, it may well additionally contain any relevant work or volunteer expertise. For example, 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 own home care information and expertise, resembling any expertise in residence upkeep, plumbing, or cleansing. Owners love these qualities of their home sitters, because it gives them with the consolation and safety of figuring out that their houses will likely be in secure and succesful fingers.
7. Gown Professionally
Subsequent, first impressions are important, so just remember to’re dressed effectively. Whereas it’s not obligatory to decorate in a swimsuit and tie, ensure you seem presentable and keep away from carrying 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 executed just about, it doesn’t actually matter what sort of pants you put on; something from sweats to denims works.
8. Double-Verify the Time Zones
When establishing 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 house owner in Spain asks me to just about meet up with them at 6 pm, I verify by saying “I’d like to video chat at 6 pm (9 am PST).”
That is 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 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 hitch your home sitting interview. However, should you’re nonetheless questioning what to organize for a home sitting interview, there’s yet another factor that you need 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 vital 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 digital camera or microphone doesn’t work through the agreed-upon date and time of your digital home sitting interview, the owners could not be capable of reschedule your interview.
10. Resolve if the Home Sit is Proper for You
Generally, it’s simple to overlook that the interview isn’t one-sided; you additionally should resolve if the home sit resonates with you. After the pet sitting interview is over and executed 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 should 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?
In the event you 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 of go forward together with your software. By letting them know upfront, you can also make their decision-making course of loads simpler.
The right way to Discover Home Sitting and Pet Sitting Jobs
Now that we’ve lined the right way to cross a home sitting interview, you could be questioning the right way to get to this stage within the first place. Properly 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 most important home sitting web site out there, Trusted Housesitters is crammed with an abundance of improbable long-term and short-term worldwide home sitting jobs. Whereas the most affordable membership price prices $129 USD per yr, you will get 20% off utilizing our promo code GOATS20. To be taught extra, click on right here.
2. Nomador: In the event you’re on the lookout for an superior, world home sitting web site with an up to date and easy-to-use interface, then you need to try 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 be taught 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 price of simply $29 USD per yr, MindMyHouse is crammed with superb home sitting alternatives good for each newbie and skilled home sitters. Click on right here to be taught extra.
4: Home Sitters America: In the event you’re primarily occupied with home sitting in the US, then Home Sitters America is the best way to go. With an easy-to-use web site stuffed 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 be taught 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 advocate attempting Aussie Home Sitters. With superb home and pet sitting alternatives scattered throughout Australia, there’s no higher approach to journey the nation. It additionally solely prices $84 AUD per yr. To be taught extra, click on right here.
The right way 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 have to deliver any skilled references or resumes to a home sitting interview, it’s at all times nice to have a listing of questions ready to ask on the finish of the decision. Aside 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, you need to decline the job. You may embrace your 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). Keep in mind to stay constructive and pleasant.
Some issues that you need to know earlier than beginning a home sitting job are the right way 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, the right way to take care of the pets, vegetation, and home.
To cross your home sitting interview, you must evaluation the home sitting job itemizing, anticipate the home-owner’s questions and put together corresponding solutions, write down a listing of inquiries to ask the owners, be pleasant, constructive, and open, and gown professionally.
Most often, owners don’t pay their home sitters and pet sitters. Nonetheless, some web sites like Rover, Home Sitters America, and Aussie Home Sitters permit pet and home sitters to cost charges for his or her providers. However, the charges must be mentioned and confirmed upfront of any ultimate settlement.
In Conclusion
I hope this text on the right 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 differ from home-owner to home-owner, however by following this information, you’ll be ready and able to wow the purchasers and nail the home sitting interview. Very quickly, you’ll be spending high quality time with lovely animals world wide, saving cash on lodging and utilities.
Better of luck, and completely happy home sitting.
