Free guide
Questions worth asking
A good interview goes both ways. Below are the questions a family should ask a house manager, and — just as importantly — the questions a house manager should ask a family before saying yes.
If you are hiring
Questions for a house manager
Their experience
- How long have you been doing this work?
- Tell me about the last family you worked for.
- What were your duties there, on a normal day?
- Why did you leave?
- Which parts of the work do you enjoy most?
- Is there anything you would rather not do?
Children and elderly care
- What ages of children have you looked after?
- What would you do if a child refused to eat?
- What would you do if a child was hurt and I was not at home?
- Have you done any first aid training?
- Have you cared for someone elderly or unwell before?
Running a home
- What can you cook? Could you cook for six people?
- How do you handle laundry for a whole family?
- Have you used a washing machine, a microwave, a gas cooker?
- How would you plan a normal working day here?
Practical matters
- Where do you live now, and how would you get here?
- Are you looking for live-in or live-out?
- What salary are you hoping for?
- When could you start?
- Do you have any commitments — school fees days, family, church — I should know about?
Judgement
- Someone comes to the gate saying they are my relative. What do you do?
- You break something expensive. What do you do?
- You disagree with how I want something done. What do you do?
- You need a day off urgently. How would you tell me?
Listen for the how, not the what. The judgement questions matter more than the experience questions.
Anyone can say they have five years' experience — how someone answers “you break something expensive” tells you who you are hiring.
If you are looking for work
Questions for a family
You are interviewing them too. A family that answers these clearly and without irritation is usually a family worth working for.
The work itself
- What exactly will I be doing each day?
- How many people live in the house?
- Are there children? What ages?
- Are there pets?
- Is there anyone in the house who is unwell or needs special care?
Hours and rest
- What time does my working day start and end?
- How many days off do I get, and which days?
- Do I get public holidays?
- If I work extra hours, how is that handled?
Money
- What is the monthly salary, and which date is it paid?
- Is it paid by M-Pesa or cash?
- Will you deduct anything from it?
- Will you contribute to NSSF and SHIF?
- Is there a review after the trial period?
Living arrangements (live-in)
- Where will I sleep? May I see the room?
- Is food included, and do I eat the same food as the family?
- May I have visitors, or go out on my day off?
- Is there a lock on my door?
Respect
- Who do I report to if there is a problem?
- Will we write down what we have agreed?
- May I speak to the person who worked here before me?
- What is the notice period if either of us wants to end it?
If a family will not answer the money questions plainly, or will not put the salary in writing, that is your answer. See staying safe.