questions to ask

We are expecting a baby in 2007 and want to start looking for a DH. Any idea of specific questions we need to cover during an interview? We have certainly read some horrible stories on the site.

Thanks

I would suggest:

1) Any previous experience handling a newborn?

2) First Aid?

3) Some common sense questions like: In the event of a fever, we're both not home, what would you do? (trust me, I have heard some real funny answers)

4) AND, in my opinion, a DH who has children herself, might be a better choice. Although some might disagree, I have heard there are MANY DH who are single, no children, are also good with babies. I personally hired two helpers who have a lot children among themselves, just so I know, they at least know the BASICS, I really don't have that much time to train from the beginning, that's all.

We just hired a new helper. Before that I searched this forum for 'interview' and 'questions' and from the results, and my own priorities, compiled the below list. I do suggest doing the searches yourself as there were a lot of great suggestions. I didn't ask all of them to everyone I interviewed.


Where in the Philippines are you from?


How often do you go back?


Are you married? What is your husband doing while you are here?

Do you have children? How many? How old?

Do you have any family in Hong Kong?

How many family in the Philippines do you support?


What languages do you speak? Read? Write?

What type of education do you have?


What kinds of jobs did you hold in your home country before you came to Hong Kong?


How long have you lived in Hong Kong?

How long do you plan to remain in Hong Kong?

What do you do on your day off?


What are your goals of working in HK, why are you here?

How much money do you save every month? What do you save it for?

How much money do you owe to other people/ loan companies/agencies?

How many friends have you gone guarantor for?


Are you familiar with the part of HK we live in?

Do you speak Cantonese?

Can you swim?


What special skills do you have?


Have you brought any references with you?

May I call your current or previous employers?


Have you worked with another helper before?

How did you divide the work?


What is a typical day at work like?

Tell me about your past two jobs, what were your main responsibilities?

What hours did you work?

What do you enjoy the most about your job?

What do you enjoy least about your job?


Tell me about the children?

How old were they when you started?

Were they breast fed or formula fed?

Did they use jarred or home made baby food? What food do they eat? How do you make it?

Did they sleep on a schedule?

What did you do to play with a 5 month old? 10 month old? 2 year old?

How do you travel with a 6 month old in a taxi?

How do you travel with a 2 year old in a taxi?


Have you ever done any classes in HK? First Aid, Cooking, CPR, etc… When and can you tell me about them? Do you have any certificates?


What are some of the dishes you would make for your current or previous employers?


Can you follow a recipe?


Have you ever been in charge of a child when there was a medical emergency or an accident? Please tell me about it and what you did?


What would you do if the baby stopped breathing?


What would you do if the baby was supposed to be sleeping, but he was crying instead?


If we decide to employ you we will send you to a doctor for a physical exam before you start but could you tell us now whether you have you ever been seriously ill or have any health problems that we should know about?

Do you smoke?

Do you drink?


This is what we expect:

List your expectations


Would you be willing to do a ‘trial’ half day? We will of course pay you.

Take care of baby, clean the bathroom, cook a meal.

Thank you this is very detailed and very useful