Over 180 Sample Interview Questions to Ask When Hiring A Domestic Helper

How Employers Can Prepare For An Interview With Potential Full time Domestic Helpers

Hiring a full time domestic helper, regardless if you are a local or an expat in Singapore, Hong Kong, Korea, Japan, Dubai or just about anywhere in the world, could be an absolute blessing when you need to juggle your career, children, elderly parents, up-keeping a household, and trying to maintain healthy work-life balance all at the same time.

As a maid agency, Recruitbee’s vision is to operate as a socially responsible company where we are honest and responsible to our customers and domestic helpers. We highly recommend you to read our guide to hire a FDW on the consideration factors you need to understand in this hiring journey – from the eligibility to hire, the different schemes and subsidies available and to the general profile of the foreign domestic workers (FDWs).

Now that you have decided to go ahead to engage a domestic helper, the next important step is to prepare the interview with potential domestic helpers that our maid agency has matched for you based on your needs and criteria. Prior to the interview, it is important that you know what your requirements are before picking the questions you like and make your own interview checklist. According to how the domestic helper approach your questions, you would be able to tell whether the domestic helper can communicate with you using basic English. Through the interview you will be able to find out more about the domestic helper’s skill sets & strengths. You can also find out some other information that will be crucial for you to make a decision, this is a time for you to also decide whether you and your family will be comfortable having her.

We understand that every home is unique in its needs and preferences, so we have compiled over 180 sample interview questions for you to ask during your first and/or second interview with your potential domestic helper.

*If you are a domestic helper preparing for a job interview with potential employers, please read our previous article on Interview Tips for Domestic Helpers.

Table of Content

• 35+ Basic Icebreaker & Personal questions
• 10+ Beginner Questions – For New Domestic Helper
• 25+ Prior Experiences Questions – For Transfer Domestic Helper, Ex-Singapore/Other Countries
• 30+ Housekeeping & Cooking Experience & Skills Questions
• 20+ Infant/Child Care Experience & Skills Questions
• 20+ Elderly Care Experience & Skills Questions
• 20+ Pet Care Experience & Skills Questions

35+ Basic Icebreaker & Personal Questions

These essential set of questions demonstrate if the candidate is mature, able to perform domestic work and handle the workload. Mature FDWs are more rational, logical, and responsible, as they are better able to take care of themselves and adapt to a foreign working environment. It is important to also learn about the candidate’s family background, personality, likes & dislikes, hobbies, dreams, beliefs, feelings, emotions, thoughts and so on to understand her in a broad sense and in a way help to solidify your foundations and trust for her.

 1.    Share a little bit about yourself e.g. Name, Age, Date of Birth, Nationality, Place of Birth, etc.
 2.    Are you married? If yes, how long have you been married? Where is your husband currently?
 3.    If married, how many children do you have and how old are they?
 4.    Did you raise your own children? Who will be taking care of your children when you work in Singapore?
 5.    If not married, do you have a boyfriend? If yes, when do you plan to get married?
 6.    How are your parents? How old are they and who are they currently living with?
 7.    How many siblings do you have? What is your birth position in your family?
 8.    Do you need to support your family and remit money back home monthly?
 9.    Do you have any existing problems, concerns, or worries about home matters?
10.   What is your highest education level?
11.   What are the subjects that you have taken during your highest level of education?
12.   How old were you when you first attend school? Which year was that?
13.   How old were you when you graduated from your highest level of education? Which year was that?
14.   Do you drink or smoke?
15.   Do you have any medical conditions? Are you taking any medications?
16.   Do your practice any religion? Do you need to go to church or pray at home?
17.   What do you like to eat and do not like and/or cannot eat?
18.   Do you have any allergies to certain food or items?
19.   What are your hobbies and interests?
20.   What are your strengths and weaknesses?
21.   What motivates you while working?
22.   Do you have any goals for the future? What are your future plans?
23.   Do you have a mobile phone?
24.   When do you think is an appropriate and inappropriate time for you to use your mobile phone?
25.   How often do you speak to your family/husband/children? Do you call, text and/or video chat?
26.   What do you like to do in your spare time when you finished your work or during break time?
27.   Do you talk on or play with the phone, sleep, read books, tidy your personal belongings?
28.   Do you need to take naps during the day?
29.   When do you plan to visit your home country again? Are there any special occasions that you need to be home for?
30.   What do you think a good domestic helper should possess?
31.   What do you think a good employer should be?
32.   What are you looking for and/or expect from your employer?
33.   What would you do if you are feeling unwell or home-sick? Will you share with us?
34.   What would you do if your faced with any unhappiness or difficulty? Will you share with us?
35.   What would you do if you are not happy with us? Will you share with us?
36.   What would you do if you feel you have too many things to handle? Will you share with us?
37.   What would you do if you have accidentally made a mistake? Will you share with us?

15 Beginner Questions – For New Domestic Helper

New domestic helper may lack in experience and knowledge however many are good workers, willing to learn and determined to make a living for themselves. We could all use a little more patience, especially in the fast-paced world we live in, along with proper and good training, these new domestic helpers can certainly acclimatize and perform their work right in no time. These set of questions can help you determine if the candidate is mentally prepared to come to Singapore to carry out her job as a domestic helper.

 1.    Is this your first job?
 2.    Why do you want to work as a domestic helper?
 3.    What do you know about carrying out domestic work?
 4.    Do you think you can perform domestic work and handle the workload?
 5.    Is this your first time working in Singapore?
 6.    Why do you want to work in Singapore?
 7.    Are you prepared mentally to come to Singapore to work while away from your family?
 8.    Do you have any family members or friends in Singapore?
 9.    Are you flexible with your rest day?
10.   How many rest days do you want in a month?
11.   Which day of the week do you prefer for your rest day?
12.   Are you prepared to work on your weekly rest days for compensation?
13.   Do you think you will work better with a fixed daily/weekly schedule?
14.   Do you know how to manage your own tasks and time?
15.   Are you planning to finish 2 years contract and/or work long term in Singapore?

30 Prior Experiences Questions – For Transfer Domestic Helper, Ex-Singapore/Other Countries

These set of questions are useful for gaining clarification and encouraging the experienced candidate to share with you more information about her past experiences, as well as to highlight relevant skills and learnings she has gained from her different past employer(s). This is a key opportunity for the candidate to describe how they make a great fit for this job and leave you with a great impression.

 1.    How long have you been in Singapore? What do you like about Singapore?
 2.    How many past employer(s) do you have? What is the duration of working for them?
 3.    Why do you want to leave your previous employer and choose to transfer?
 4.    Share your past working experiences at your previous employer’s house e.g. Duties, Daily Work Schedule
 5.    What is the house type of your previous employer’s house e.g. HDB, Condo, 2-Floor Bungalow?
 6.    How many rooms and bathrooms does it have?
 7.    Do you have your own room and bathroom in your previous employer’s house?
 8.    How many people are there in your previous employer’s house and who are they?
 9.    How were your relationships with Ma’am, Sir, the children and/or elderly your previous employer’s house?
10.   What do you like and did not like about your last employment?
11.   Out of all the thing you do, what are you best at doing?
12.   Which is your favourite work e.g. Cooking, Taking Care of Children or Elderly or Pets?
13.   What problem did you faced at your last employment and what did you do to resolve them?
14.   What have you learnt from your past employer(s) e.g. Chinese Culture, Living Habits, Elderly Behaviour?
15.   Do you understand or speak any other languages e.g. Chinese, Malay, Hokkien?
16.   What is your current and expected salary?
17.   Can I contact your previous employer to do a reference call?
18.   Are you flexible with your rest day?
19.   How many rest days do you want in a month? Which day of the week do you prefer for your rest day?
20.   Are you prepared to work on your weekly rest days for compensation?
21.   What do you do on your rest days?
22.   Are you familiar with working with a fixed daily/weekly schedule?
23.   Do you know how to manage your own tasks and time?
24.   Do you go to the church or mosque? Which church or mosque do you frequently go to?
25.   Are you active or involve in any religious groups or local charities?
26.   Are you taking any enrichment classes? If no, are you open to take enrichment classes?
27.   Do you miss your families back home?
28.   Have you taken any annual leave to go back home to visit your family?
29.   Are you planning to finish 2 years contract and/or work long term in Singapore?
30.   Do you already have a savings account in Singapore?

30+ Housekeeping & Cooking Skills Questions

At the end of a workday, you would wish to return to a clean, tidy home with home-cooked food. The next section of questions is dedicated to evaluating the candidate’s house cleaning skills and assessing her cooking potential. Be sure to select or adjust the questions you feel are most relevant to your own house! You want to make sure that every task you are looking to get done will get done! The broader the range of skills your domestic helper has, the easier your life will be. Any unique house tips that the candidate has would certainly be additional bonuses you are hoping for in a cleaning professional or chef.

 1.    (For transfer helper) What are your housekeeping duties and responsibilities at your previous employer’s house?
 2.    (For transfer helper) Can you describe your daily schedule, and the time that you wake up and go to sleep?
 3.    Do you do housework back home?
 4.    How much housekeeping knowledge and/or experience do you have?
 5.    What home appliances are your familiar with e.g. Washing Machine, Vacuum Cleaner, Clothes Steamer?
 6.    Do you know how to hand wash delicate garments?
 7.    Do you know how to clean the bathrooms, do laundry and ironing, and change the bedsheets?
 8.    Do you know how to do sewing?
 9.    Do you know how to wash the cars?
10.   Do you know how to do gardening?
11.   Are you afraid of insects and/or household pests? Do you know how to prevent and clear them if any?
12.   Do you enjoy cooking? Do you consider yourself good at cooking?
13.   What types of food do you know how to cook e.g. Chinese, Western, Malay, Indian?
14.   Can you name some of the dishes that you know how to cook and share how do you prepare Dish X?
15.   What is the first thing you should do before you start cooking any meal?
16.   Do you know how to prepare and store food hygienically, separate cook and raw food properly?
17.   Do you know how to cook a dish by following recipe book?
18.   Do you know how to cook any special healthy and nutritious dish for a child or an elderly?
19.   What kitchen appliances are your familiar with e.g. Rice Cooker, Microwave, Blender?
20.   Do you know how to bake?
21.   Are you comfortable to follow and carry out instructions given to you according to how we train you?
22.   We have CCTVs in the house (except bedrooms & toilets) to protect ourselves and you, are you comfortable with this?
23.   Do you know how to make a grocery/marketing list for the week’s cooking?
24.   Are you comfortable going marketing for groceries on your own after teaching you?
25.   (For transfer helper) Are you familiar with taking the bus or train and how to travel around in Singapore?
26.   Do you have a separate EZ-Link Card from your employer?
27.   (For transfer helper) Are you familiar with the local wet markets or supermarkets / grocery stores in Singapore?
28.   (For transfer helper) Are you familiar with picking up dry cleaning, shoe repair, post office?
29.   (For transfer helper) Have you ever done meal planning or cooked for a large group of people?
30.   What would you do if you accidentally drop a plate? Do you know the right way to clean up? Will you inform us?
31.   What would you do if you accidentally injured yourself which doing housework at home?
       Do you know how to clean your wound and put on a plaster? Will you inform us?
32.   What would you do if there is a person at the door ringing the doorbell when your employer is home?
       How about when your employer is not at home?
33.   What would you do if we have guests visiting our house?
34.   What would you do if there is an emergency? Do you know what is the number to call for help?

Assigning Specific Job Scope/Tasks

Our Recruitbee team’s expertise stems not just from it experience in this industry but also from each consultant’s personal experience as employers of foreign domestic helper hence we can truly understand customer’s placement needs and anxiety in wanting to seek a potential domestic helper that you can trust at home with your baby and/or children, elderly or pets.

The following sets of questions for each respective job scope will help ensure you and your potential domestic helper start on the right foot. It is crucial that you and your potential domestic helper have aligned expectations.

Also, one of the most valuable ways you can assess a candidate is to understand what she would do in a specific situation. Ask these What-If questions to see how she would respond under pressure. If she is fairly new to this industry, she may need some time to think, and her answer may not be as polished as an experienced domestic helper. Someone with experience should have worked through a similar situation at least once.

20+ Infant/Child Care Experience & Skills Questions

 1.    Do you like baby and/or children?
 2.    Do you have any past experiences in caring for them?
 3.    (After explaining her duties and responsibilities that you need her to do in caring for your infant/child)
       Are you willing to learn what we teach you in how to take care of our baby and/or children?
 4.    Do you think you are able to carry out these duties and responsibilities?
 5.    (After introducing your baby and/or children to her and observing how they interact)
        How do you feel? How comfortable are you with our baby and/or children?
       (Remember to check back with your children too.)
 6.    Can you share how you bottle feed and burping a baby?
 7.    Are you familiar with handling pumped breast milk? Washing a breast pump?
 8.    Can you share how to change a nappy or diaper?
 9.    Can you share how do you bath a baby?
10.   Can you share some of the methods you use to get baby to fall asleep at night?
11.   Do you know any nursery rhymes or lullabies? Can share a few?
12.   Are you alright to wake up once at night to feed our baby?
13.   (For transfer helper) Do you have past experiences taking the children to school and picking them up?
14.   Can you swim, cycle, or play any sports e.g. badminton, ping pong?
15.   Do you like reading storybooks to children?
16.   Do you like playing with children? What is your favourite game to play with them?
17.   Do you have any experience caring for children with disabilities?
18.   What would you do if our child cries non-stop and I am not around?
       Do you know how to handle the situation? Will you inform us?
19.   What would you do if our children are fighting over a toy and we are not around?
       Do you know how to handle the situation? Will you inform us?
20.   What would you do if our child uses abusive words with you?
       Do you know how to handle the situation? Will you inform us?
21.   What would you do if you think our child is too mischievous or made a mistake?
22.   What would you do if you think our child need to be scolded and/or punished for something wrong?
23.   What would you do if you noticed our child is feeling unwell or have injured themselves?
24.   What would you do if there is an emergency? Have you attended any First Aid training?

20+ Elderly Care Experience & Skills Questions

 1.    Do you like being around the elderly?
 2.    Do you have any past experiences in caring for them?
 3.    (After explaining her duties and responsibilities that you need her to do in caring for your elderly parents and/or
       grandparents)
       Are you willing to learn what we teach you in how to take care of our elderly parents and/or grandparents?
 4.    Do you think you are able to carry out these duties and responsibilities?
 5.    (After introducing your elderly parents and/or grandparents to her and observing how they interact)
      How do you feel? How comfortable are you with our elderly parents and/or grandparents?
       (Remember to check back with your elderly parents and/or grandparents too.)
 6.    Do you have any past experiences administering medicine accordingly to schedule for an elderly?
 7.    Have you cared for an elderly with dementia or bedridden?
 8.    Do you know how to hand feed an elderly?
 9.    Do you know how to hold an elderly while walking or push a wheelchair?
10.   Do you know how to change a bed pan or adult diaper?
11.   Do you know how to bath an elderly?
12.   Are you comfortable to bring our elderly parents and/or grandparents for a short walk for fresh air every day?
13.   Are you comfortable to wake up once at night to check on our elderly parents and/or grandparents?
14.   Do you like accompanying and chatting with elderly?
15.   Do you know of any simple games that you can play with an elderly to keep their minds active?
16.  (For transfer helper)Do you have past experiences taking elderly for regular medical check-up?
17.   Do you have any experience caring for elderly with disabilities?
18.   Are you willing to attend an Eldercare or Caregiver courses?
19.   What do you like best about caring for the elderly? What is your least favourite task?
20.   What would you do if our elderly parents and/or grandparents uses abusive words at you?
       Do you know how to handle the situation? Will you inform us?
21.   What would you do if you think our elderly parents and/or grandparents is being stubborn and/or careless?
       Will you inform us?
22.   What would you do if you noticed our elderly parents and/or grandparents is feeling unwell or have injured themselves?
23.   What would you do if there is an emergency? Do you know how to carry out basic First Aid?

20+ Pet Care Experience & Skills Questions

 1.    Do your like animals? Which animal is your favourite?
 2.    Are you afraid of any animals?
 3.    Have you had any pet(s) of your own or worked in a family with pet(s)?
 4.    Do you have any past experiences in caring for pet(s)?
 5.    If yes, what type of pet(s)? What breed or type were the pet(s)? How old and how big is the pet(s)?
 6.    How are the behaviours of the pet(s)?
 7.    (After explaining her duties and responsibilities that you need her to do in caring for your pets)
       Are you willing to learn what I teach you in how to take care of our pet?
 8.    Do you think you are able to carry out these duties and responsibilities?
 9.    (After introducing your pet to her and observing how they interact)
       How do you feel? How comfortable are you with our pet?
       (Remember to ask yourself on how assure and comfortable you are in leaving your pet under her care too.)
10.   What do you understand about this pet?
11.   How often do you change the litter box?
12.   Do you know how to feed a pet? Describe how do you do this
13.   Do you know how to hold a leash and walk the dog? Describe how do you do this?
14.   Do you know how to bath a dog? Describe how do you do this?
15.   If you have worked with pet(s) in the past, would you be keen to continue caring for pet(s)?
16.   What are your best memories working with pet(s) in the past?
17.   What would you do if you think our dog is too mischievous?
18.   What would you do if our dog is whining non-stop and we are not around? Do you know how to handle the situation?
19.   What would you do if our dog fight with another dog while on walk and we are not around?
       Do you know how to handle the situation?
20.   What would you do if you noticed our pet(s) is feeling unwell or have injured themselves?
21.   What would you do if there is an emergency? Do you know how to carry out basic First Aid?

Ending Note

Regardless whether it is an interview face-to-face or via a video call, we hope this has been a helpful list of questions for you to ask during an interview. There are many more questions you may want to ask, but these should help you to start off. Again, you should devise your own sets of questions based on your needs and preferences. On the other hand, remember that domestic helpers are also deciding whether they want to take up the job hence you should make sure the candidate is allowed to ask you any questions they may have about their job, your family, the living arrangements, and so on.

All relationships whether working or personal, have a starting point and with the right match, can grow into something much more. It is certainly so with your new domestic helper. Since you will be spending a lot of time with your domestic helper, you will need to entrust the person with your property or possessions, including your children, parents and pets. For these reasons, it is important to consider your domestic helper’s personality, behaviour, and determine if she is right for you and your family.

We are here for you throughout the entirety of this journey.

At Recruitbee, we understand the anxiety and frustration that may arise in the initial adjustment period for both the employer and your domestic helper, thus we are here prepared to help and counsel both parties.

Please feel free to speak to our professional and compassion sales consultants, we want to see happy customers relieved of the stresses from household needs and at the same time we wish to help our domestic helpers obtain gainful employment.

For any assistances or advices that you may need,
call us at (65) 6721 9031 / (65) 6721 9032 / (65) 8189 5339.