experience when interviewing helpers/looking for a new helper

it seems it is getting more difficult to find easy and quickly a domestic helper. when we hired the first helper 7 years ago, we just interviewed 3 ladies and with the second interview everything was discussed, clairfied and agreed. At that time NO questions from helper whether we have high cleaning standard, our age, whether this is the first time we have a helper, picky with ironing, etc. This time we are looking for a helper and we made the following experience:

1) no show even the helper double reconfirmed the appointment either by call or sms

2) many questions from helpers where I feel that I am having an interview!

3) even they need to leave the country asap, they will not confirm the contract, because they are still waiting and hoping for a better chance( money issue)

4) cleaning standard-what means HIGH cleaning standard, for me it is very simple: clean means CLEAN!

5) no experience with western food but excellent with CHINESE food. If somebody can cook excellent chinese dishes, that means the helper know how to cook. Why they are scared to touch the western food?

6) Follow receipe-does it mean they have no idea of this dish and never saw the dish in reality but just can follow the receipe?

7) they prefer to work with western people, but why? they have to clean at western families, they have to iron at western peoples home, they have to do a full time job at a western family as well? what is the advantage of being hired by a western family?

8) to understand more and get a better picture of interviewing and hiring a domestic helper in 2010, pls let me know your experience and comments.


There are plenty of domestic helpers here around this forum, i would be happy to receive a feedback from domestic helpers as well!


Cheers

Your comments indicate that, perhaps, many helpers are becoming more picky about where they want to work. Certainly there is nothing wrong with a candidate asking questions. However I would say there is a certain point when a job seeker needs to make a leap of faith (just like the employer). If the candidate, as in your case, wants all sort of assurances, that candidate is being a bit unrealistic.



"7) they prefer to work with western people, but why? they have to clean at western families, they have to iron at western peoples home, they have to do a full time job at a western family as well? what is the advantage of being hired by a western family?"


Western families are perceived as less likely to be abusive, demanding fewer hours and less hard work, paying more and giving more free days, giving more perks. Whether this is true or not is another matter.

yes, they become more pciky- I agree- but unfortunately also more tricky as they are signing two or even three contracts at the same time. Bring one full set of documents to the immigration and getting a two weeks extension while they are still thinking/looking /deciding for the right employer.

It seems they are not making any committment anymore, just gambling for the better opportunity. Whatever it is!

It is amazing to see how often they are changing their telephone numbers just to avoid further phone calls from interested employers. Why they are not able to inform interested employers that they are not interested?

In my opinion that sort of behavior comes back and bites you in the a**e. They try to be too clever.

Helpers prefer to work for 'western' families because experience and and advise from their friends as made them aware that many (most?) Chinese employers do not treat there helpers in a reasonable way. This is rather difficult for good Chinese employers but is unfortunately true. I have been in HK 35 years and in my experience the vast majority of helpers ask for nothing more than fair treatment, a proper place to sleep, reasonable working hours and respect from their employers. Unfortunately many employers abuse there helpers rights and most of these abusers are local Chinese who have never understood that these women do a great job for a very minimum wage

Concise and to the point. Well spoken, veryoldchinahand.

'a' saliva flooding reservoir

I agree with oldchinahand. Most dh are already contented with a minimum salary (although above is much preferrable) as long as they are treated fairly and reasonably.

MANY, not all local Chinese employers are abusive. Even when it is the day-off of their dh they expect them to tidy and clean up their mess in the kitchen or even around the house on arriving after a long day out with friends, when in fact 6 days working for 16 hours each day is already exhausting evenif there is a little break in between.

This is one reason why dh prefer western because of hearing many true stories that western employers are more reasonable than local Chinese.