Running a household is like running a small business. It takes a lot of time, organization, and hard work for things to run smoothly. When you are a busy professional, you may need help with domestic duties to have a healthy work-life balance.
Hiring domestic staff is the same structure, process, and operational complexities involved when hiring for a business that could be costly. But, just as a business needs a CEO, your household needs a manager. A domestic staffing agency will take the pressure off you to find qualified staff to fit your domestic needs.
When you work with a domestic staffing agency to find staff to help with your household needs, you save time and result in a high-quality placement to give you peace of mind. A reputable staffing agency will do all the headhunting and initial interviews to weed out unqualified individuals and only present you with the top candidates that are skilled, professional, and the right fit for your position.
Not all staffing agencies are created equal, though you must choose one with the experience and knowledge to effectively walk you through the hiring process and find you the exceptional staff you need.
The Process of Domestic Staffing
Working with a staffing agency to find domestic staff for your home is a great idea since it saves you time, stress, and you potentially have access to higher qualified candidates. However, it’s important you know what to expect when working with a domestic staffing agency.
Professional staffing agencies connect their clients with first-class domestic staff and can usually do it pretty quickly. In addition, a reputable agency has the experience and network to know what to look for to find a good match for long-lasting domestic staff.
To start the hiring process, the recruiter at the staffing agency will have a consultation with you to fully understand your needs and the type of person that would be a good fit for your position. An individual may have all the skills that you need, but their personality may not be a good fit.
An experienced recruiter knows what to look for in an individual that makes them a good match for their client. First, the recruiter will have a thorough interview with the applicants, talking with them in length to get a good feel for who they are, including their personality.
Professional domestic staffing agencies also complete background checks on all job seekers to ensure they are placing top candidates with their clients. The agency will also check the references of candidates. These employees will be working in your home, with your personal belongings, and possibly your children and pets, so it’s critical these thorough checks are completed to ensure you hire a trustworthy and honest individual.
Once the recruiter interviews and chooses skilled and qualified candidates for your position that have passed all the background and reference checks, they will notify you to schedule a meeting with you and the candidates. The meeting is your opportunity to interview the candidates to decide if you want to hire them for your position.
Depending on the hiring terms, the staffing agency may handle all of the HR paperwork for you to save you from that dreadful task.
Advantages of Working With the Best Domestic Staffing Agency
Communication
The best domestic staff agencies work closely with their clients to deeply understand their needs. Your staffing agency will be on your team to help you find the best staff to fit your position. They take the time to listen and pay close attention to detail to ensure the candidates they place with you are a great fit and long-lasting.
You should be able to easily contact your agency and feel comfortable communicating with your recruiter.
Large Network
Reputable domestic staffing agencies have a database of job-seeking candidates, so when you need staff for your home, they already have access to candidates looking for work so you could get your position filled quickly.
In addition, their database of job seekers should have already been vetted to ensure that the candidates are of the highest quality.
Save Time
The time it takes to find qualified staff on your own can be exhausting. Creating job descriptions, posting ads, reviewing applications, interviewing unqualified applicants, completing background checks, checking references, and handling the HR paperwork can be extremely time-consuming and stressful for busy professionals.
A domestic staffing agency will take the stress and headache out of the hiring process for you.
Tips to Help Your Residence Run Smoothly With Hired Staff
1. Avoid micromanaging as it’s the number one reason domestic staff quit their jobs. Of course, you need to be satisfied with the work, but sometimes there’s a fine line between checking on them and micromanaging.
2. Remember to be reasonable and fair while encouraging a high level of performance.
3. When onboarding new employees, spend the time, and communicate your specific needs, preferences, and routines and be clear about your strongest likes or dislikes. Being clear about your wants and needs will help your staff understand how you like things done so they could complete them to your satisfaction.
In areas not as critical, allow your employee to use their best judgment and individual talents to complete their tasks to help keep them engaged and dedicated to their work long-term.
4. Ensure the proper equipment is in place and in working order for your staff to efficiently do the work you require. Having top-of-the-line equipment, such as a vacuum cleaner, can make a huge difference in both results and time effectiveness when completing the necessary duties to care for your home.
5. Maintain a positive and productive working relationship with your domestic staff through regularly scheduled meetings. Communicating is more than providing them with regular instructions and feedback; your staff also needs time to share their concerns, ideas, and suggestions with you.
Spending a little of your time to listen to your staff in this way can result in increased efficiency, employee loyalty, and long-term job satisfaction.
6. Occasionally, ask yourself if the workload and the amount of time allowed to complete the duties continue to be realistic or have changes in your residence, lifestyle, or family pushed the limits of your current staffing level?
If so, it may be time to consider hiring additional staff to meet the demands. It’s important to have a realistic understanding of the time it takes to accomplish the tasks required and to be open to hiring extra help for special occasions if needed.
7. Domestic service is a career that many take very seriously and should be compensated as such. Experienced staff expects a fair salary and benefits just as they would if they worked in the corporate world.
When you take care of your staff, they will go the extra mile to ensure the high level of qualities you seek are met and committed to the long-term position. End of the year bonuses paid time off, and holiday pay can really encourage a long-lasting business relationship.
The Best Domestic Staffing Agency
A domestic staffing agency will handle many of the HR functions and processes needed to hire staff. Your recruiter will support you through the entire hiring process, including advice on salaries, benefits, holiday schedules, and tax requirements.
Pocketbook Agency specializes in domestic staffing whether you’re looking for a personal assistant, chef, house manager, family assistant, estate manager, or another role. We are the helping hands you need to form your most high-functioning and long-lasting team. We have the experience, knowledge, and network of sharp and seasoned job seekers and know what to look for when matching a job seeker with a client.
We know hiring the right domestic staff to come work at your private residence is an extremely important decision. However, we take pride in finding our clients the exceptional staff they need for the smooth running of their residents.
Summary
Working with a domestic staffing agency is an excellent choice to find qualified first-class staff to fit your needs quickly. You will save the time, and stress of posting help wanted ads, reviewing applications, and interviewing many applicants.
A reputable agency will complete all of the background screenings and reference checks for your peace of mind. In addition, you will avoid all of the dreadful but necessary HR paperwork when hiring staff. An experienced staffing agency knows what to look for when placing job seekers with clients to make the process smooth and will fill your positions with long-lasting staff that meets your expectations.
Are you ready to hire domestic staff or wanting to find a position as one? Contact the Pocketbook Agency today, and we will find you your perfect match!
Sources:
37-2012 Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | BLS.gov
Average Cost-per-Hire for Companies Is $4,129 | SHRM.org
Why a Strong Employee/Employer Relationship Is Important | Forbes.com