Any advice on hiring the 'right' helper?

Hello everyone

We've been in HK for 4 years now and in that time we have had two helpers - the first left to return home to study after a year (though we were on the brink of letting her go as she was not good with our son) and the second we terminated her contract after increasingly poor work and souring relationships.

We have had 5 months without a helper but my partner will be working part time from August onwards and so we need a helper again. I'm wondering, are we fussy? Do we have too high standards? Are we searching for the impossible?

We've started looking but would love some input on how to find the perfect helper?

1) How many people do we interview?

2) Do you just 'know' if it's right?

3) How do you tell from an interview if the person you hire will be ok.. or is it just third time lucky?


I know hiring a helper should be no different from the interview/reference/hire procedure I do all the time in my professional life... I guess I'm just not comfortable with it in my personal life, with the potential for awful atmospheres and constant niggling at home.

Any advice on hiring/managing a helper greatly appreciated :-)

An excellent book on hiring and managing helper by Andreas Rosboch.

You may like to read it.

http://managinghelper.wordpress.com/

When we came to HK we had an awesome 10 hours per week helper who was Indonesian and 30 years old. She left us to have a baby. We went helperless for a long time and then hired an older and experienced philipina (49 years old) who was so set in her ways, unwilling to learn, grumpy and just plain incompetent that we had to let her go after 2½ months. We've had our new helper who is a 27 year old Indonesian lady for a week now and she shows so many of the same qualities of our 1st one that we believe it can't be a fluke! Everyone takes a little time to settle into a new job and gets a few things wrong in the beginning but I have to say that this one gets most things right!


I know you can't generalize on any nationality but I've found Indonesians to be very relaxed yet efficient and service minded people in general. This is from my experience as a tourist in Indonesia, having Indonesian friends and having Indonesian helpers.


If you can find a finished contract Indonesian DH who has worked for chinese people, you will be sure to get an employee who is used to working hard and not complaining and if you treat her well you will have a very happy and motivated employee. When we told ours we wanted to start her on $3800 for the 1st contract, she said to me 'no maam, it's too much!' When she had to go to the consulate on tuesday, she just went ahead and assumed that she would have to work sunday in lieu so when I said to her on saturday night that I hoped she would have good weather for her day off tomorrow, she was shocked that she would have the day off and looked like she was going to cry! She's a great cook, a natural with the kids and so efficient it's baffling how she does so much in one day!


Have I praised the Indonesians too much?!


that's my 2c anyway!

The book mentioned above is an excellent resource. http://www.havenbooksonline.com/books/catalogue/hiring-and-managing-domestic-help .



1) How many people do we interview?

As many as you need. However I do recommend at least 3-5 so you get some idea.


2) Do you just 'know' if it's right?

Prepare well for interviewing, but don't be afraid to follow your instincts.


3) How do you tell from an interview if the person you hire will be ok.. or is it just third time lucky?

Ask probing "scenario" type questions that make her think about her answer. See if you are comfortable in her presence. Look for initiative and cheerfulness. If possible talk to earlier employers but note that these may well have very different views on employing a helper compared to you, so use a pinch of salt.


"I guess I'm just not comfortable with it in my personal life, with the potential for awful atmospheres and constant niggling at home."


Remember that you are the boss. You don't have to accept that sort of thing. Work with your helper to create a good atmosphere. If that doesn't work, don't be afraid to warn and ultimately let go.



adele78. There's nothing wrong with praising Indonesians. However I could find as many Filipinas and Sri Lankans to praise. ;)

http://hongkong.asiaxpat.com/forums/hong-kong-domestic-help/threads/123453/helper-interview-questions/

Thank you so much for your replies. I will try to get hold of the book - it looks great. I'll narrow down the search and start with interviewing 3 (hopefully this weekend) and see how we go. Adele78 your new helper sounds fantastic - fingers crossed we'll find someone great too. Thanks again.

Hi,


I've interviewed about 15 helpers before to decide. I think it's helpful to interview many as you'll know more precisely what you want/ don't want.


Also, I think that the first impression really matters and also if you feel confortable in presence of this person.


As for the age, I was looking for someone quite young and I ended with someone in her 40's just because I felt good with her.


You can also consider how many years she's been in HK. As for me, I think DH who haven't been in HK for too long are less fussy as they don't know all the little tricks. The ones who are in HK for many years are usually very "bored" about their job. And I can understand that after being a DH for 8-10 years it must be very difficult to remain motivated.


You have to make your top 5 expectations and then try to find the person who will be the closest to these points.


We went through an agency (we are both working and didn't want to bother about immigration papers, they are the one who process them. Also we had a previous experience with a DH who disappeared with a signed contract and never showed up again...so we prefered to play it safer with an agency). It was extremely easy to meet DHs at their place.


Good luck !

Hi everyone, here's an update and a few more questions. We've been busy interviewing and have found a fabulous new helper who is here looking for her first job. What I didn't realise, however, is that the process is different when the helper is not in HK already.


Does anybody know what I need to do? I can't find information on the govt website.

Does all the processing have to be done in the PHillipines or can I do it here?

Does it take longer for to hire someone on their first job?

Do I have to use an agency and if so does anyone have any recommendations?

I've searched here and from what I've read, Asiaxpat can't process a helper for the first time :-(

As before, any help and advice gratefully received

"Does anybody know what I need to do? I can't find information on the govt website."


If she is Filipina, you'll need an agency to process her anyway. They can do all the paperwork for you.


"Does all the processing have to be done in the PHillipines or can I do it here? "


She can only fly over when her visa is ready.


"Does it take longer for to hire someone on their first job?"


Not entirely sure but I'm guessing the average may be slightly longer.


"Do I have to use an agency and if so does anyone have any recommendations? "


Since Asiaxpat is off the table, try ACJ agency. Good service. 2377 2890.

adele78. I am going to compare you also to other "chinese". As you compare nationalities, these are just what ive seen and heard and eperienced as an xpat

pls its just me, just like you.


they dont pay the right amount of MAW to their helpers (indonesians)

they teach their indo maids to lie (whoever ask you how much is your salary, tell them what is written even though you are just recieving 1500)

they dont usually get their day off (thats why you said she was shocked as if she is going to cry)

they work hard and not complaining (because they are not treated as individuals who can get tired but as MAIDS that have NO RIGHT to feel tired)

As you can see adele78, this is my experience as a tourist in indonesia, having indonesian friends mostly maids. :d and more if you want to hear

know the rules... dont do to others what you dont want to do unto you