Home sitting and pet sitting are two of the perfect methods to journey the world on a funds and see locations you’ve all the time imagined visiting, cuddle with some cute animals, and immerse your self in numerous cultures.
Nonetheless, as a way to make this dream a actuality, you must undergo the home sitting course of. To summarize, you’ll have to join 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 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 achieve 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 correct match for them or not.
I’ve been home sitting for years now and this manner 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 did not 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 find out how 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 Develop into a Pet Sitter
What to Anticipate In the course of the Home Sitting Interview
Earlier than I am going into the steps on find out how 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 sometimes 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 utility 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 utility and need to interview me, I allow them to resolve which video conferencing device they’d want to make use of. From exchanging a couple of messages forwards and backwards, we sometimes resolve on the perfect day, time, and app to make use of for our interview. Keep in mind to all the time make clear the time zones.
As one of many foremost functions of the interview is for the house owners to verify 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!
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 find out how to nail the home sitting interview and impress the owners.
Whereas this record isn’t inclusive, it’ll offer 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. Assessment the Home Sitting Job
First issues first, earlier than any home sitting and pet sitting interview, it’s important to overview the home sitting job.
From my private expertise, once I apply to deal with sitting jobs, I apply to an entire bunch of them without delay. 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 so forth. Earlier than any home sitting interview, I all the time overview 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 nicely in a pet sitting interview, it’s straightforward to overlook that home sitting is a two-way avenue. Sure, it’s essential to 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 positioned near a prepare 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 comfy caring for his or her pets (if they’ve sure medical issues that you simply’re not skilled with)?
A few of these solutions can sometimes 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 making 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 simply’re all in favour of the home sit, nevertheless it’ll affirm that you simply’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 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 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 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 simply’d prefer to ask the owners, it’s time to foretell the questions that the owners will ask you.
This can fluctuate 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 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 another time, and determining what the home-owner’s chief issues could also be. As an example, if their canines 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 simply’ve compiled an inventory 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 observe the wording and demeanor of my solutions. Nonetheless, you may as well write down your solutions or sort 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 owners, thus rising 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 be sure you’re able to reply questions in your examples.
Whereas this typically contains recalling your earlier home and pet sitting expertise, it may possibly additionally contain any relevant work or volunteer expertise. As an example, for those who’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 property care information and expertise, equivalent to any abilities in house upkeep, plumbing, or cleansing. Householders love these qualities of their home sitters, because it offers them with the consolation and safety of understanding that their houses will likely be in secure and succesful palms.
7. Gown Professionally
Subsequent, first impressions are important, so just remember to’re dressed nicely. Whereas it’s not mandatory to decorate in a swimsuit and tie, be sure you seem presentable and keep away from carrying any tattered or inappropriate clothes.
Dressing professionally helps venture a picture of competence, duty, and tidiness to owners, which will increase their confidence in your abilities and {qualifications} as a home sitter. It additionally conveys that you simply respect the owners and their home sit sufficient to decorate for the half.
I sometimes prefer to put on a button-down shirt or sweater for my home sitting interviews. However, as these interviews are sometimes finished 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 establishing and preparing for a home sitting interview, it’s necessary to examine 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. 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’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. If you happen to ever really feel unsure in regards to the scheduled time of your home sitting interview, it doesn’t harm to double-check with the owners.
9. Be certain that your Digital camera and Microphone are Working
It’s nearly time to hitch your home sitting interview. However, for those who’re nonetheless questioning what to organize for a home sitting interview, there’s another factor that you must do earlier than you be part of the Zoom or Skype name, and that’s to double-check that your digicam 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 primarily based on technical points, it doesn’t look skilled in your finish.
Moreover, in case your digicam or microphone doesn’t work throughout 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 straightforward to overlook that the interview isn’t one-sided; you additionally need to resolve if the home sit resonates with you. After the pet sitting interview is over and finished 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 for those who 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?
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 simply, sadly, gained’t have the ability to go forward together with your utility. By letting them know upfront, you can also make their decision-making course of rather a lot simpler.
Discover Home Sitting and Pet Sitting Jobs
Now that we’ve lined find out how to move a home sitting interview, chances are you’ll be questioning find out how to get to this stage within the first place. Effectively 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 accessible, Trusted Housesitters is crammed with an abundance of unbelievable long-term and short-term worldwide home sitting jobs. Whereas the most affordable membership payment prices $129 USD per yr, you may get 20% off utilizing our promo code GOATS20. To be taught extra, click on right here.
2. Nomador: If you happen to’re in search of an superior, world home sitting web site with an up to date and easy-to-use interface, then you must take a look at Nomador. Whereas the most affordable membership payment prices $99 USD per yr, you may as well go for the quarterly membership for $39 USD per three months. To be taught 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 payment 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: If you happen to’re primarily all in favour of 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 unquestionably value testing, particularly because it solely prices $49 USD per yr. Click on right here to be taught 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 solution to journey the nation. It additionally solely prices $84 AUD per yr. To be taught extra, click on right here.
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 all the time 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 home-owner for his or her provide, their curiosity, and their time, however allow them to know that sadly, you must decline the job. You possibly can embrace your the explanation why for those who want to (for instance; you booked one other home sitting job, you’ve determined that you simply 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 you must know earlier than beginning a home sitting job are find out how to lock and unlock the doorways, the alarm code, the WiFi password, the emergency telephone numbers (together with the closest vet clinic’s data), and importantly, find out how to look after the pets, vegetation, and home.
To move your home sitting interview, you must overview 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 costume professionally.
Generally, owners 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 remaining settlement.
In Conclusion
I hope this text on find out how 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 fluctuate 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 cute animals around the globe, saving cash on lodging and utilities.
Better of luck, and joyful home sitting.