Posted by
yummy
18 yrs ago
Is there any tips of finding any good DH? I had interview quite a number of DH, and can't really find any good ( or think is good). Most of them either turn up very late or call to cancel at the interview time. I'm quite tired right now, in seaching for a good DH. I'm still doing some interview now. Pls assist. Thx.
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Ed
18 yrs ago
Evelyn can help - she speaks to most of the 600+ helpers that take ads on our site so knows which ones are the best:
http://hongkong.asiaxpat.com/domestichelp/agency.asp
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TC
18 yrs ago
yummy,
Not sure if this helps or not, but one of the main reasons helpers cancel interviews or even jyust don't turn up (which is a bit naughty of them) is that they have to arrange multiple interviews due to their time constraints, and often they find a job (or think they've found one only to have the prospective employer back down at the last minute which in turn has taken away many other interview opportunities) before the interview that is cancelled. I am in regular contact with a large group of helpers and coach them on various matters, and one of them is on getting back to prospective employers to confirm the interview or to advise cancellation. It's not just a helper thing as it happens widely in the business world in HK where companies do not respond to unsuccessful job applicants. Finding a good helper can often be pot luck because all the good ones are already employed, and most of the others haven't had the opportunity yet to prove their worth. But you need to check on references carefully - including speaking to the referee. No reference or no verbal follow-up = no good. And be aware of the fact that some employers give glowing references to terminated helpers 'just to be nice'. (See other current thread on this one.) That's where a verbal discussion (with you taking the lead with the questions you want to ask) can prove helpful. But basically, unless the employer has left HK (and therefore it might be a bit hard to talk to them) I'd think very seriously before hiring a terminated helper. It's not easy - pot luck is what I think I said. Good luck.
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Or you may try your local employment agencies. Go to one that is recommended by your friends or relatives. Some agencies will do the background checks for you. But like what my agent friend told me, usually DHs that are hired here won't lasts long as compared to those that are hired abroad. You may look for someone that has 4 years of working experience in a single family. And I agree with TC that references are not really that useful. Some employers would give good references so as not to have any issues with their terminated maids. Even maids that are recommended by friend's helpers, beware. They usually are recommended because the helpers got something in exchange for referring helpers to prospective employers. Anyway, Good Luck.
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yummy
18 yrs ago
Thanks TC.
Mochie99-My current DH is leaving and going back to Philippine to take care of her mum and daughter. Before that she uses my food to cook for her friends without telling me. I found out, at first she said is for her lunch and snack time. It's not possible for her to eat all by herself( cause it's a lot). Later she said is for her other friend too. Secondly she told my husband that she wasn't happy with me, behind my back. I have told her many many time to talk to me if she is not happy with anything. (anyway my husband is a super nice person). I then confronted her, i said that i'm not happy with you telling my husband and not me. She replyed back saying i also not happy with you and the same time rolling her eye. Saying that she wants to go back tomorrow. The next day, she appologed for her behavior. Later she told me that her cousin in Phippine wants to work in HK. She said that her cousin is a good person. She then flew down to HK and stay with me at the same time and i interviewed her. I also tested her work. She is just ok, not to good nor bad. She wanted this job badly. So my point is that, she might know all the pro and cons working with me, even before i hire her. They is another one who wants to work here. She had 16 years of experienced. I don't know what to do. Any ideas or help is appreciated.
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zalca
18 yrs ago
personally i wouldn not take your helper's friend. i'd start fresh and get someone who is not biased. There are a lot of helpers out there. just keep interviewing until you find someone right for you !
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yummy, I think you would be mad to take your helper's friend:
- your existing helper seems to have very little respect for you, what has she told her friend and how will she behave?
- she wanted the job badly (i.e. was doing her very best) and was just ok????
Personally I would not employ a terminated helper, only a transfer (preferably who has completed more than one contract with employer) and check references very carefully & thoroughly. Verbally and with a grain of salt. Don't trust any excuses as to why a reference can not be obtained.
I found getting a helper from this site very time efficient in that I could call the helper and do a mini interview over the phone before deciding whether it was worth taking the time to pursue in a proper interview. I am not sure you can do this when going through an agency.
Good luck
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Sandpiper, I tried to arrange interviews with a few helpers on Asiaxpat and they were all very keen but once they heard where I live, none showed up. I live in the New Territories. The good ones are always up for grabs. Now I don't know how effective it really is.
I was then recommended to an Indonesian agency by a friend of mine and having issues with training her.
It seems like getting a good helper complete with references isn't so easy.
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crj
18 yrs ago
I second some of the points from above.
1. Evelyn from AsiaXPat is very helpful, and really did a good job of screening candidates for us once I clearly explained what our requirements were. This saved me a lot of time.
2. A telephone verbal reference from current or recent employer is absolutely critical. Our new helper I basically hired based on a wonderful telephone conversation with her current employer (they are leaving HK) who gave her a glowing review. She is actually very quiet and reserved so it was hard to judge based on the interview - but the reference did it for me.
3. Also, since excellent English was important to me, I saved time by doing the first part of the interview over the phone - and if that didn't go well did not have them waste their (or my) time coming for a face to face interview.
4. In addition, if it is possible you should try to have a 'trial day' where you pay the helper to come for 4 hours and have them do certain tasks:
play with baby, iron, make the bed, clean the bathroom, cook a meal, etc.... whatever is important for you.
Yes, technically this is illegal, but it is a good way to see how they are.
But I still would not hire without the excellent verbal reference from current/recent employer. One friend had a helper who did an amazing trial day, but wound up to be horrid and she fired her after a few months.
Good luck!
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Ed
18 yrs ago
I agree - nothing better than a chat with the helpers previous employer...
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