A popular song from the 90s has a lyric that goes “it’s like ten thousand spoons when all you need is a knife” and that’s exactly the feeling when you just need the Right Person for the job!
On the domestic front – whether a nanny for the children or a compassionate and competent caring for elderly parents – finding the right person can be a daunting task. Not only do they need to be suitable for the job but they need to be a good fit for the family. And every family has its quirks!
“Unlike, for example, a corporate setting where placements are generally based on skills, experience, competency and cultural fit, finding the right person to care for a loved one or to manage the domestic duties in our homes is more nuanced, and in many ways more challenging. Whether a nanny or a housekeeper, these are people we engage in our most personal spaces and with our most treasured possessions and loved ones,” says Lourandi Kriel, CEO of Sweepsouth, the home services platform that recently expanded their services to include Domestic Placements.
A successful domestic placement is not unlike any other professional placement – it needs to be a match for both parties, yes, but it pays for the recruiting party to be clear on the needs, expectations and deliverables.
Kriel’s advice to those looking to make use of professional services for a domestic placement is to take time at the outset to define needs and expectations to ensure the best match, the first time.
Understand and define your own needs
Beyond the job description – though that is important too – make sure you’re very clear on both what you need and what you want. “There is nothing wrong with having preferences when it comes to a domestic service partner. If you want a younger person as a nanny for your child, that’s absolutely fine, for example,” says Kriel.
Start by compiling a detailed list of your needs and preferences, including essential skills, qualifications (if relevant) and experience, and be clear on which are non-negotiable for your family. Also work on a list of responsibilities and what the role entails on a day-to-day basis. A nanny who looks after a three-year-old’s responsibilities will differ from one that’s caring for 10-year-old twins, for example. Similarly, a housekeeper who works in a particular home only once a week will have different duties to one that’s employed to work full-time in a home.
It is equally important to consider the “culture” of the home or the family in need of the service. “A domestic service, by its very nature, is so personal, so intimate, which is why the person needs to obviously be suitable for the job but also the right fit in terms of personality and temperament, and the job also needs to align to their needs and goals,” Kriel explains.
The better you’re able to define your needs – both in terms of the expectations and deliverables for the role, as well as in terms of the culture fit, the better the placement service can match you with the best person for your job.
Work with the right partner
Yes, a personal recommendation is always powerful. Or somebody that comes with strong references. But that relies on knowing somebody that knows somebody that happens to be in need of a job right the very minute you need somebody to care for your parents, or your child, or to walk the dog.
Sweepsouth Placements, for example, sources reliable, long-term help for your home, managed by you or through the Sweepsouth App. Their expert agents know just how to find the perfect match, and then carefully vet each candidate to ensure it meets your specific needs. The service includes the option to trial one or a few different workers before making a final decision.
Review and evaluate
A domestic service is a partnership. It needs to feel (mostly) seamless and work for both parties.
It is good practice to regularly review and evaluate what’s working and what’s not working. “Open communication is key to any successful relationship and your relationship with your nanny, carer or housekeeper is no different. They need feedback from you, and they need to feel confident to give your feedback too on what works, what doesn’t work, what can be improved and the like,” Kriel says.
Consider scheduling regular check-ins, say monthly, to talk about how things are working for both parties. Where relevant, it is a good idea to empower your nanny or elder carer with further tools and skills for the job. It could be enrolling your nanny in a short course that focuses on a specific aspect of childcare, for example.
“Feeling valued and appreciated at work is important for self-esteem and it’s no different for those in the domestic services space, Kriel reminds.
At the end of the day – when the children are in bed, the dog is walked, the house is clean and tidy – there is little denying that your domestic helpers are fairies or magicians of some kind, quietly going about making our lives easier. And when it comes to finding the right person in the first place, there’s a life-saving magic to using a placement service that gets it. It’s an investment that pays dividends by mitigating risk, saving invaluable time, and ultimately ensuring you secure the right person for the job – a vetted, professional, and efficient fit that empowers your home.