Interviewing and Hiring a Helper

We are new to HK and have never had a helper before. Here's our dilema....helpers with more experience seem to cost more....helpers with little experience are less expensive, but very green.....I'm looking for advice on whether more experience is better or not....how many helpers should we interview before hiring?...obviously we need to keep interviewing until we find one we like, but if we like the first or second one should we hire them or is it better to talk to several others before offering a job to the first or second one?


What are the thoughts on using an agency....is that the route we should go?....can anyone recommend an agency and what is the average fee charged?


Also, any general advice on employing a helper is appreciateed.


Thanks in advance for your advice.

I am one of helper who maybe can say had experience for 7 years as DH in hongkong, I am originally from Indonesia and been in hongkong for 7 years, and now I would like looking for a new employer in hongkong, I am currently live in Beijing with the family that I work with now. but for the cost like what you say "more". I believe that most of DH want maximum salary, because that's what goverment of HK made it about HK$ 3,270. hopefully you would like interview me more..thank you

If you have children, I recommend the book "The Anxious Parent's Guide to Quality Childcare" by Michelle Ehrich. While not written specifically for HK, lots of good ideas on interviewing a childcare helper, maintaining a good relationship, and making things go smoothly in general.

Thank you for your responses. I do have children, but they are a little older - ages 8 and 11. My kids are fairly self sufficient although I'm not yet comfortable leaving them here alone for long periods of time. I've had experience interviewing childcare helpers. The difference is that I've never had a helper in my house before.


I'm a little worried about being taken advantage of because I'm just off the boat. I've already had someone in my building whose moving try to sell me a lamp for twice the amount it'd cost me to buy it brand new from Ikea. I'm glad I didn't buy it since I didn't find out until later that Ikea sold it for half the cost.

newbie, are you underpaid at the moment? Every employer has to pay at least the MINIMUM wage and that is not the maximum amount as you suggested in your reply.

hi there, i am living here in hk as a resident. And my sis wanted to work here as a helper. She was here last may and have alrdy applied in an agency, now she's back in phil and waiting for an employer. Maybe ur interested, pls. feel free to mssg. me back.

Hi TJP,


even if you think you like the first person you interview why not interview a few more, just to be on the safe side. The more helers you meet, the clearer picture you will get of what exactly you are looking for. Make sure they meet your children so you can get an idea of how they relate to kids, find out if they have first aid experience or are willing to do a course. Ask specific questions like "what western dishes can you prepare?" as opposed to "can you cook?" This way you will get clearer, more honest answers. Lets face it some people might think cheese on toast is cooking, some might not.I recently interviewed 12 helpers and only 2 of them were currently being paid more than minimum wage (all came with references from their previous employers). I think there are pros and cons to a new (green) helper and a more experienced one, and its not just about the money. A less experienced helper may need more instruction but the positive is you get things done the way you like them, not the way the helper or their previous employer liked them done. You just need to be organised and willing to explain things to them. There are a few threads on this site about how to show your new helper what to do, like writing out a schedule of when, and how often you want things done, a permanent shopping list, with all the groceries you regularly buy, planning weekly meals,giving specific instructions on your preferences for washing clothes or what ever. Also, you don't have to tell anyone (in the interview anyway) you are straight off the boat, unless you want to, after all it is your business. Lastly, I would think about paying more than minimum, perhaps in a bonus scheme, if your helper is working hard for you, to keep her happy to continue to do a good job. Good luck with the search!

Nes,


Thank you for your advice. I will definitely try to be very specific in the questions I ask. I have been doing some reading on this site and thought the bonus scheme is a great idea. I plan to use bonuses as rewards for hard work and to keep the helper motivated and happy.


Being organized, writing a schedule, showing how I like things done are all great ideas. I know I want a helper, but I'm still trying to figure out in my mind exactly what the responsibilities and ground rules will be. High level is easy, it's the details that I still need to work out. I have found good information on this site (as well as some not so good information)....I'm still struggling with what will remain my responsibilities and what the helper will do and what we'll share. Up until this point in my life I have worked full time outside of the home so there's a lot of new things going on in my life. I'm still trying to reinvent myself. I know I'm going to enjoy the time I will have to spend with the kids, but I also will need to find something to keep my mind challenged and feel like I'm accomplishing/contributing something. Now before anyone says that raising 2 happy/healthy kids is an accomplishment and my responsibility, I totally agree. But they are both starting back to school soon and I'll have a good portion of the day without them around. I do plan on volunteering at their school and I know I will find plenty to do, but right now I don't know what that is.


Thanks again for your words of advice.

no Mighty, I am one of lucky's DH in hongkong who never get underpaid

[quote='TJP']

We are new to HK and have never had a helper before. Here's our dilema....helpers with more experience seem to cost more....helpers with little experience are less expensive, but very green.....I'm looking for advice on whether more experience is better or not....how many helpers should we interview before hiring?...obviously we need to keep interviewing until we find one we like, but if we like the first or second one should we hire them or is it better to talk to several others before offering a job to the first or second one?


What are the thoughts on using an agency....is that the route we should go?....can anyone recommend an agency and what is the average fee charged?


Also, any general advice on employing a helper is appreciateed.


Thanks in advance for your advice.

100’s of Domestic Helpers with References & Photos here!

[/quote]


hi my helper is going down this aug 20.if ur interested to interview her you can call this number 25188003.she is good with children.she is good in the house like cooking,cleaning etc.if you want to know why we release her you can also ask me at this number.thanks.