Helper - how to find a good one?!

Z

Zoska

Registered User
Hubby and I are considering to hire a helper as we are expecting our first child in Jan. How to go around finding someone good? Could anyone recomend any agencies?
Thanks in advance!
 
I've been reading many posts here on the helper thread. Many problems seem to be that people have unrealistically high expectations -- that a helper will know everything and transform your life. And that employers don't ask questions BEFORE their helpers get to Hong Kong.
The guy at the Arrow Agency gave me a few tips -- like making sure that the helper can answer questions in thoughtful, detailed sentences, instead of just "yes ma'am" or "no ma'am".
Two questions we asked.
* "If there was an emergency -- like baby was really ill and both parents were at work, what would you do?" Some of the younger candidates had awful answers, like "check his diaper." The mature ones knew to pick up the phone, call the parents, ask in advance for a phone list, call the building management, call the doctor, etc.
* "What are your strong and weak points?" The helper we ended up hiring was very honest -- she said her strong point was childcare and education. Her weak point was cooking -- which is not a skill we need so much. But at least we weren't surprised when she got here.
* We also asked detailed questions about exactly what work she did or did not do for her past employer.

And, of course, check references. And be very clear exactly what you want from the beginning -- a young energetic helper? An older more stable helper? A married mother? Someone with good English, or cooking skill, or baby experience? No helper is going to excel equally in all areas.
Good luck!
 
WorldChamp and Criteria

Hello! I have had great success with Worldchamp (my contact there is Alice). They have also provided helpers for several friends with newborns as well, and all of us have been happy with the results.

One of the things I did was stipulate what I wanted up front. Worldchamp only sent me profiles of helpers who met these, or if flagged if they had exceptional experience but didn't meet the other criteria such as age.

My criteria were
- at least 5 years experience in HK
- at least 4 years newborn experience
- aged 36 or older
- good references

Separately, I looked at whether the candidates had had their contracts renewed, and followed up on references.

I also sent my helper to the paediatric first aid course and child care course at the Matilda.
 
We have had two helpers and both times we have posted an ad on Geoxpat stating what we were looking for.
Both times we interviewed three women and chose one. Both have been fantastic. I would struggle to go through an agency because I think it's really important to meet them first. One that we interviewed was extremely impressive on paper but when we met her I didn't have a good connection. Also, if they are already here they can come around and meet your baby/children and you can get a sense of how they will be. We didn't really have any criteria except being able to handle two kids on their own.
 
How do you do checks on the helper you get from add, apart from references from previous employee? Can you do a police check or stg like that?
 
Zoska not sure but I think a police check might be part of immigration procedure when they process their visa and work papers. One of my friends hired a helper who had been accused of theft by her previous employer. Immigration called my friend to alert her to this fact. My friend already knew about it but also knew the helper sufficiently well and decided to go ahead with the hire (she never had problems with the helper).
 
Thank you for all the info. I think i will try both roots, will contact Agency and will start interviewing myself as well. If you hire DH that is already in HK does employer applay for her Visa?
 
Zoska, if the contract of the helper was terminated before it ran out (by either party), then definitely yes and they also have to exit Hong Kong and come back on the new visa. If the contract ran out and the helper decided to move on, not sure. I think even in the latter case, a new visa will have to be applied for as it is a visa based on employment.
 
interviewing

bridiemexico said:
We have had two helpers and both times we have posted an ad on Geoxpat stating what we were looking for.
Both times we interviewed three women and chose one. Both have been fantastic. I would struggle to go through an agency because I think it's really important to meet them first. One that we interviewed was extremely impressive on paper but when we met her I didn't have a good connection. Also, if they are already here they can come around and meet your baby/children and you can get a sense of how they will be. We didn't really have any criteria except being able to handle two kids on their own.
Click to expand...


Hi there - don't all the agencies arrange interviews? I've only used Worldchamp but they set up 6 back to back 20 minute interviews from my shortlist for me when I last hired. I agree, I think it's very important to meet candidates face to face before making any decisions. Particularly if they are to be live-in.
 
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