Important traits to look for when hiring a housekeeper

When hiring a housekeeper, it’s vital to look for several key traits to ensure that you find a trustworthy and competent individual for the job.

This person is going to be helping run your home, and over time become an integral part of your family. Therefore, ensuring you find someone who has the right skill set with the right personality is essential.

Taking your time at the beginning of the process can lead to a long-term working relationship, and the longer a good housekeeper is with you, the more they get to know you and your family, and the way you like certain things being done, meaning they will keep the home flowing just the way you like it.

With 26 years as a housekeeper agency covering the south-east of England and beyond, we have put together our most important traits to look for when hiring someone to take care of your beautiful home.

Hiring a housekeeper: traits to look out for

1. Reliability is key

You want someone who will show up on time and complete the tasks you have assigned them to do in a timely manner. All housekeepers work to a different pace, and this is absolutely fine, it will depend on the style of housekeeping you require and how much attention to detail you need.

However, arriving on time, prioritising the tasks set, and an agreed time frame in which to finish them, is important. We often say that it is good for the housekeeper to be given a ‘wish list’ of duties to work through, and list them in order of priority.

2. Attention to detail

Secondly, attention to detail is crucial. A good housekeeper should be able to notice the small things that need to be done, such as cleaning door handles and light switches, or organising and tidying the cutlery drawer, and be able to do so without being asked.

Micromanaging can be stressful for everyone - your housekeeper may feel they is being constantly judged and that their work is never good enough, and it will be time consuming for you.

The last thing you want to be doing is following your housekeeper around and checking their work. Trust is key! Through good referencing and a housekeeper agency that goes above and beyond, you can find out the type of detail applied in previous roles, and if they will go that extra mile and think ahead. Which brings us to our next point...

3. Honesty

Honesty is essential when hiring someone who will be working in your home. Your housekeeper will have access to your home and belongings, so it is important to find someone who is trustworthy, professional, discreet, and who would treat your home and everything inside like their own.

4. A positive attitude

Lastly, a positive attitude and good communication skills are important. You want someone who is easy to work with, able to take direction, and can communicate any questions that may arise. We find that our happiest clients are those with housekeepers who have a positive, ‘can-do’ attitude.

Having someone with genuine enthusiasm and a sunny disposition can have a positive impact on the dynamic of your home. By ensuring that you find someone with these traits, you will have a housekeeper who will make your home cleaner and your life easier.

Find a housekeeper with Hummingbird Home Staff

Still searching for your new housekeeper? Hummingbird Home Staff can help.

We are a housekeeper agency with a difference: we work closely with each family who comes to us, curating highly personalised lists of candidates that fit their individual needs. We only source from the highest quality talent, so you can rest assured that no matter what you’re looking for in a housekeeper, we’ll have someone for you.

Ready to take the next steps? Get in touch with us today!