What if there was a way to get an honest but impressive answer in an interview? At My Household Managed, we’ve put together a list of 5 unique questions to ask domestic staff so that you can get to the heart of what matters to them in their job search, without the fluff or practiced answers.
As professionals with a lot of experience, we know how important it is to hire the right private service professional the first time to avoid making mistakes that cost a lot of money. These five questions can help you find the best candidates for the job, whether you are a family or high-net-worth individual looking to hire a housekeeper, or if you work for a family office and need to hire more staff. If you are a private household worker looking for a new job and want to know what kinds of questions you might be asked, read our list of suggested questions. They include examples of what to say and what not to say during an interview for your dream domestic staff job.
Landing a job as a house manager requires impressing potential employers with your skills, experience and professionalism during the interview process. This comprehensive guide will walk you through how to prepare for and ace a house manager interview
What Does a House Manager Do?
A house manager is responsible for overseeing the smooth operation of a private household. Their duties typically include:
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Managing household staff Scheduling supervising training employees like housekeepers, cooks, gardeners etc.
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Handling maintenance and repairs: Liaising with vendors, monitoring systems, arranging repairs.
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Managing budgets and expenses: Tracking household spending, controlling costs.
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Organizing events and travel: Coordinating parties, dinners, family trips and more.
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Ensuring security and privacy: Managing alarm systems, controlling access, protecting confidential information.
The role requires excellent organizational, communication and leadership skills. House managers need to be able to handle a lot of different tasks, solve problems quickly, and give homeowners great service.
Why Do House Manager Interviews Matter?
The interview allows you to showcase your capabilities to potential employers. It’s your chance to prove you have what it takes to excel in the role.
Thorough preparation is key, as house manager interviews often include both behavioral and situational questions aimed at assessing critical skills needed on the job.
Doing well in the interview can help you stand out from other applicants and land the position.
How to Prepare for a House Manager Interview
Follow these tips for optimal preparation:
Research the Role and Company
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Review the job description closely, making note of key responsibilities and required qualifications.
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Learn about the company/family you’re interviewing with. Understand their needs and expectations for the role.
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This context will help you tailor responses to show your fit.
Polish Your Resume
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Update your resume to highlight relevant experience, skills and achievements. Quantify accomplishments where possible.
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Align it with the skills and background the employer is seeking.
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Have a friend or career coach review it to catch any errors.
Practice Responding to Common Questions
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Research typical house manager interview questions.
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Practice answering them aloud until responses flow naturally.
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Focus on highlighting your strengths with specific examples.
Prepare Stories and Examples
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Employers often ask behavioral interview questions about how you’ve handled situations in the past.
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Have a bank of stories ready that demonstrate skills like problem-solving, communication, leadership.
Plan your Interview Attire
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Dress professionally in a neat, conservative suit in neutral colors.
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Well-polished shoes and minimal accessories complete the look.
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Your attire should align with the formality of the role.
Proper preparation gets you ready to put your best foot forward during the actual interview.
15 Common House Manager Interview Questions and Answers
Here are some of the most frequently asked house manager interview questions along with sample responses:
1. Why are you interested in becoming a house manager?
This open-ended question allows you to explain your motivation for the role. Focus your answer on how the job aligns with your experience, interests and career goals.
Example: As someone passionate about hospitality and client service, I’m excited by the opportunity to apply my skills in a private household setting. I’m drawn to the variety the role offers, from staff management to event coordination. My goal is to grow in a management position and I believe my background makes me a strong candidate for excelling as a house manager.
2. What experience do you have managing a household and staff?
Use this opportunity to detail your direct experience overseeing household operations and employees. Quantify size of team, budget and scope of responsibility if possible.
Example: As the estate manager of a 15,000 square foot property for the last 3 years, I oversaw a team of 10 employees including groundskeepers, housekeepers and security staff. My responsibilities ranged from scheduling and performance management to maintaining the property’s facilities. Under my management, we came in under annual budget by 5% through improved vendor negotiations.
3. How would you handle managing a conflict between two staff members?
This behavioral question tests your conflict resolution skills. A strong answer shows empathy, discretion and focuses on a solution.
Example: First, I would speak to both individuals privately to understand their perspectives. I would then bring them together to facilitate an open discussion where they can express their viewpoints and find common ground. My goal would be a collaborative solution focusing on team harmony. However, if issues persist, appropriate disciplinary procedures would be implemented.
4. What experience do you have creating and managing budgets?
Your response highlights your financial management skills. Provide examples of budgets you’ve handled and strategies used to control costs and maximize value.
Example: As the property manager for several vacation rental homes, it’s been my responsibility to create and manage annual budgets up to $250,000. I use previous spending to forecast costs, build in buffers for variability and track everything in Excel. This allows me to analyze patterns, identify cost savings and maintain tight financial control.
5. How would you handle a last-minute request from an employer?
This situation-based question tests your adaptability and problem-solving abilities. A strong answer conveys willingness to meet urgent needs without compromising quality.
Example: When managing urgent, last-minute requests, communication is key. I would promptly consult with the employer to confirm exact requirements and priorities. If feasible, I would work rapidly to deliver the request, delegating if needed. However, if quality might be compromised, I would make recommendations that set realistic expectations. My goal is meeting immediate needs while maintaining high service standards.
6. What experience do you have coordinating special events?
Your response highlights your ability to manage complex events – an essential house manager skillset. Provide examples of specific events you organized end-to-end.
Example: I have extensive experience coordinating high-end events including charity galas, birthday parties and corporate functions. These events required meticulous planning in terms of guest management, venue booking, catering, decor and entertainment. I excel at orchestrating all moving parts into polished, seamless events that align with client expectations.
7. How would you handle an emergency like a water leak or medical issue?
Employers want to know you can respond effectively in crises. Emphasize calm under pressure, quick thinking and coordination.
Example: In an emergency, I understand the need for urgent, decisive action. I would immediately address any threats to health and safety. Concurrently, I would contact appropriate professionals for assistance. My focus would be minimizing disruption and damage through rapid response. I would keep stakeholders informed while ensuring needs are met until the situation is resolved.
8. What experience do you have managing vendors and outsourced staff?
This question gauges your ability to coordinate with external service providers – an integral house manager responsibility. Share examples highlighting your oversight of such relationships.
Example: In my most recent role, it was my responsibility to manage relationships with 12 external vendors providing services from landscaping and pool maintenance to AV equipment installation. I scheduled regular meetings to align on needs, provided detailed briefs and performance feedback to maximize efficiency. This experience enabled smooth operations and cost savings of 10% on vendor contracts.
9. How would you handle a family member complaining about the performance of a staff member?
This tricky situation requires diplomacy and discretion. A strong answer addresses the complaint promptly while considering the staff member’s perspective as well.
Example: First, I would thank the family member for bringing the issue to my attention and assure them I will address it. I would then discuss the matter privately with the staff member to get their input on how their performance could improve. If warranted, appropriate training or disciplinary steps would be taken. However, I would not divulge details of the discussion to maintain trust and diplomacy.
10. What experience do you have with property maintenance and repair?
Being able to maintain the property is a core house manager function. Offer examples of systems/appliances you’ve handled repairs and maintenance for.
Example: In my last role, I managed scheduled maintenance and breakdown repairs for a high-end property including pool, elevator, HVAC and electrical systems. I contracted reputable technicians, oversaw work quality and ensured repairs were completed to standard. This allowed me to contain costs and minimize system downtime through preventive maintenance and rapid response to issues.
11. How would you ensure the security and privacy of family members?
Security is paramount. Your response should cover access control, technology, staff protocols and training on maintaining confidentiality.
Example: Security would be a top priority. First, I would implement robust systems like alarm systems and surveillance cameras monitoring entry/exit points and restricted areas. Strict access protocols for staff and visitors would be enforced. For privacy, confidential documents and information would be securely stored and accessed. With training and clear policies, staff would understand their critical role in safeguarding the family’s security and privacy.
12. What experience do you have managing household inventory and restocking supplies?
Logistics are a big part of the role. Share how you track inventory levels and ensure continuous availability of supplies.
*Example: In past roles, I maintaine
How to Really Find Out the Strengths and Weaknesses of a Candidate
This is why we don’t like to ask this simple question at My Household Managed: “Tell me about yourself. What are your strengths and weaknesses?”
If you’re the hiring manager, you can expect the candidate to give you dull answers about the job, since they won’t know much about it. If you’re a candidate, you know how to avoid answering the question directly so that you look your best. This way, you don’t have to change your answer for each application.
Instead, this guide will show you how to get to the heart of the matter and find out about the private service worker’s real personality and experience. We know that your time is valuable, so
