Few hints for helpers going for interview.

Posted by vichy (181 days ago)

Hi, I am amazed about the bad manners of helpers going for interviews.

I have during the present week booked several girls for interview but only very few of them have managed to turn up. How can that be?

Is it lack of manners?

Please girls if you read this, here are a few hints. I expect to be treated humanly although I am an employer.....

1. Call if you are not in time or lost.
2. Call if you have found another employer or just dont want to do the interview.
3. Do not bring a friend, or if you do leave her so I do not see her. I am only expecting you.

I know this not apply to everyone but in 10 cases this has happened to me.

I have a wonderful helper who due to bad health has to resign leaving me looking for a new helper urgently as I have a 2 year old son and a baby coming mid May.

What can I do if nobody shows up for interview, anybody has suggestions.....??

Ps. I know I must sound bitter and horrible but I promise you I am not. Just a bit afraid that it is not possible to find a good girl in this short time frame.

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Posted by marcela (181 days ago)

lack of manners it is, what can you expect from them?, but some dh still got it and those are the one's who have proper education but sometimes although have manners they just simply ignore you because they feel awkward letting you know that they already have found a employer and for them it's not polite to turn down anybody. so next time if someone did'nt show up let them be coz one way or the other you will have your dh in due time. all you need is a resource, there's a lot of employment agency out there and if you have to drop by to agency to make an interview, much better.

Posted by labber (180 days ago)

drop by to the agencies and they will charge you around one month salary of your helper and the helper will pay to the agency of 10 to 15% of thier salary.thanks

Posted by Dollyfeet (179 days ago)

We have experienced the same treatment - people not showing up for interviews, arriving late with no excuses, no phone calls etc...

We have offered a contract to five different people after agreeing working conditions and pay - and we are still looking for a helper! As after agreeing terms and conditions, we have been left wondering why we can't get hold of them as they don't answer phone calls or they give their phones to friends. I am beginning to get a bit tired of people saying its because of different cultures and to understand its because they don't want to say no - it is just a lack of common courtesy.

Posted by mrsl (179 days ago)

A number of friends are going through the helper recruitment thing at the moment and having the same problems. I feel very guilty because I recommended using Asiaxpat due to fantastic service from Evelyn a couple of years ago. Apparently the majority of helpers that they've contacted through this site fail to show up and never call. The ones that arrive are the exception rather than the rule. The problem for helpers is that employers are now beginning to turn to agencies because their candidates materialise. It just means that they (the helpers) will find themselves having to pay huge amounts of money to agencies to find the same employers who would have happily used this site.

It is quite a pity really because what Evelyn and her staff are trying to do for helpers is fantastic. A lack of courtesy by some FDHs means that they may be about to lose out again and have to use unscrupulous agencies. Employers are not prepared to lose repeated Sundays, precious family time, to interviews that people cannot be bothered to cancel.

Posted by ursie (129 days ago)

I've had the complete opposite experience. I was looking for a new helper through asiaexpat and decided to interview 5 different girls and they all showed up on time or were a bit too early. A lot of dh do have good manners.

Posted by GreenValleys (128 days ago)

I agree abouit the 'good manners' and 'common courtesy' bit, BUT employers (prospective or existing) do need to understand that there are different norms at play here. It's like the lift doors experience - to some it's considered rude for people to enter while others are trying to exit, but to others it isn't at all. Same as the seats on trains etc. When people live with cultures other than their own a greater degree of acceptance or understanding is required. A lot of helpers I know would think only of the negative side of calling a prospective employer to advise that she will not be coming to the interview or even to sign the contract after terms have been agreed. Very rare for a helper looking for a job (or a lot of other people too, for that matter) to have only the one interview. Some helpers are also unable to manage the conflict that arises from such situations. It's hard on people trying to find a helper, but that's life. Good luck with the search. Despite the extra cost, in view of your special time limitations you'd probably be better off going to an agency.