In Malaysia, hiring a domestic helper involves a meticulous process, and interviews play a pivotal role in making informed decisions when selecting your desired helper. Beyond the standard queries, asking specific questions can allow you to understand a maid’s suitability for your household. Let’s dive into five questions that can transform your maid interviews and why they matter.
1. “What Experience Do You Have in Housekeeping?” “Do You Have Working Experience outside of Malaysia”?
Why This Matters: Understanding the maid candidate’s background in housekeeping helps gauge their expertise and reliability. Experience can indicate familiarity with various cleaning techniques, time management skills, and the ability to handle different cleaning scenarios.
Follow-Up Questions:
- How long have you been working as a maid?
- Can you describe a typical day at your previous job?
- Have you received any formal training or certifications in housekeeping?
2. “Are You Comfortable with Specific Household Tasks Beyond Cleaning?“
Why This Matters: Some households require additional assistance beyond standard cleaning, such as cooking, laundry, or childcare. It’s essential to know if the candidate is willing and capable of handling these tasks. This also allows the maid to expect your job scope required for her employment, providing a clearer direction for both of you.
Follow-Up Questions:
- Have you performed any household tasks other than cleaning in your previous jobs?
- Are there any tasks you are not comfortable doing?
- How do you manage your time when juggling multiple responsibilities?
3. “What Makes You Want To Work As A Domestic Helper?”
Understanding the motivation behind a candidate’s choice to work as a domestic helper may assists you in deciding whether the maid’s compatibility with you. It provides a glimpse into their commitment and passion for the role. This question helps assess their sincerity and sets the tone for a more engaged and dedicated working relationship between you and the maid
4. “How Do You Approach Time Management and Task Prioritization?“
Why This Matters: Effective time management is a trait most employers look for in a maid. Understanding the maid candidate’s approach to prioritizing tasks can give you confidence in their ability to manage their workload.
5. “Give A Scenario For Discussion“
Any living situation will inevitably lead to conflict, thus a maid’s capacity for handling and resolving it is essential. You can learn more about a candidate’s problem-solving, communication, and harmony-maintaining strategies by addressing this topic during the interview. Examine possible situations to gauge the applicant’s aptitude for solving problems. You can learn more about her abilities by, for example, ask what will the maid do if your children in the household refuses to eat what she has cooked.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid During Live-Interviews
- Don’t Rush the Interview. Many employers tend to forget discussing and asking questions that could actually help them making a hiring decision as they would make the interview length too short.
- Don’t make assumptions: Assumptions may lead to future disagreements and conflict which is why it is essential to voice out any concerns during the live-interview, before any confirmation of hiring.
- Respect the Maid: Employers are encouraged to speak with a polite tone to the maid during the live-interview, and treat the maid with respect. This could certainly foster positive future relationship between you and the maid!
Hiring a maid involves more than just assessing their cleaning skills. It’s about finding someone trustworthy, reliable, and compatible with your household needs. By asking these questions, you can gain valuable insights into the candidate’s experience, work ethic, and suitability for your home. Remember, the right candidate will keep your home clean and contribute positively to your household’s overall well-being!
