How to Be Home Sitter - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Feb 9, 2023 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

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FAQ

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The increase in the number of people who work from home has had a significant effect on the demand for home sitters. As more people are away from their home for longer periods of time, the need for someone to look after their property has become increasingly important. Home sitters provide a valuable service to those who work remotely, as they keep an eye on the property while the homeowner is away.

They can also provide pet-sitting services, pick up mail and packages, and even water plants and take out the garbage. By providing these services, home sitters help to ensure that homeowners' homes remain secure and well maintained while they are away.

Steps How to Become

Decide if becoming a home sitter is the right job for you. Consider the pros and cons of this type of job.
Research the homesitting industry and what services are available to you. Consider what type of home sitting services you would like to offer.
Make sure you have all of the necessary qualifications and certifications needed to become a home sitter. These may include a background check, first aid and CPR training, and any other certifications that may be required by your local area.
Put together a portfolio of your work experience and any relevant skills you have that may be applicable to homesitting. Include references that can speak to your character and reliability.
Contact local businesses and organizations that provide home sitting services and inquire about potential openings. You can also reach out to friends, family, and acquaintances who may need a home sitter.
Put together a resume, cover letter, and any other documents that may be required for the application process. Make sure you highlight all of your relevant experience and qualifications.
Create an online presence for yourself as a home sitter. Consider creating a website, blog, or social media page that showcases your services and allows potential clients to contact you directly.
Develop a set of policies and procedures that youll follow as a home sitter. This will help ensure your clients know exactly what to expect from you and what your expectations are of them.
Market your services to potential clients by distributing flyers, posting ads online, or attending local events where you can meet potential customers in person.
Once youve secured a client, make sure to establish clear communication with them regarding their expectations and any other information they may need to know about the services youll provide.

Staying ahead and competent in the home sitting industry requires a combination of research, professional development, and dedication to the job. Researching the latest trends and best practices for home sitting will help you to stay informed about the industry. investing in professional development courses and workshops can help you hone your skills and stay up-to-date on the latest home sitting techniques.

Finally, dedicating yourself to the job and going above and beyond for your clients will ensure you remain competitive in the market. By investing in research, professional development, and dedication to the job, you can stay ahead and competent in the home sitting industry.

You may want to check Day Sitter, Vacation Care Sitter, and Emergency Sitter for alternative.

Job Description

Provide companionship and comfort to elderly or disabled individuals in their own homes.
Perform light housekeeping tasks such as laundry, vacuuming, dusting, and meal preparation.
Monitor the safety and wellbeing of clients by checking vital signs, providing assistance with mobility, and administering medications.
Transport clients to medical appointments or other activities when necessary.
Develop daily routines to motivate clients and assist them in activities of daily living.
Assist with personal grooming such as dressing, bathing, and toileting.
Respond to emergency situations and provide first aid when needed.
Keep records of activities, changes in client health, and services provided.
Provide emotional support and encouragement to clients and their families.
Make sure that the clients environment is comfortable and secure.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Professionalism
Good communication skills
Ability to follow instructions
Attention to detail
Time management
Patience
Problem solving skills
Flexibility
Organizational skills
Reliability
Trustworthiness
Knowledge of basic home maintenance and repair
Ability to work independently and with minimal supervision
First aid and CPR certification (if applicable)
Ability to handle emergencies calmly

Having the right skills is essential for being a successful home sitter. The ability to be organized, reliable and trustworthy are all key components to providing a safe and secure environment for the people entrusting their homes and possessions to you. Being organized means having a plan for how to take care of the home and its contents, and being reliable means following through on those plans.

Being trustworthy means that the people entrusting their home to you can have peace of mind knowing that their home and possessions will be taken care of. having communication skills is also important, as it allows the home sitter to effectively communicate with the homeowner and any other people involved in the house sitting arrangement. Finally, having knowledge of basic home maintenance and repair can be incredibly beneficial for ensuring that any issues that arise can be addressed quickly and effectively.

All of these skills, when combined, will help make a home sitter successful at their job.

Drop-In Sitter, Vacation Sitter, and Mobile Sitter are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have caring for a home?
What kind of security measures do you take to protect a home?
How do you handle unexpected issues that may arise while house sitting?
What would you do if you noticed something strange or suspicious?
How do you ensure that all safety protocols are followed in a home?
What procedures do you follow for collecting and returning keys?
What would you do in the event of an emergency?
How do you handle difficult or confrontational situations?
How do you make sure all house rules are followed?
What is the most challenging experience you have had as a home sitter?

Common Tools in Industry

Scheduling Software. This tool allows home sitters to easily organize their schedule and plan out when they will be available for work. (Eg: HomeAway)
Communication Software. This tool allows home sitters to easily communicate with clients, receive notifications, and stay updated on job details. (Eg: Slack)
Payment Processing Software. This tool allows home sitters to quickly and securely process payments from clients. (Eg: Stripe)
Home Security Software. This tool allows home sitters to monitor the security of the home they are watching and report any issues to the homeowner. (Eg: Nest)
Home Automation Software. This tool allows home sitters to manage and control various home automation devices, such as lights, thermostats, and more. (Eg: Google Home)

Professional Organizations to Know

The International Association of Professional Home Sitters (IAPHS)
National Association of Professional House Sitters (NAPHS)
Professional House Sitters of America (PHSA)
International House Sitting Association (IHSA)
Global House Sitters Network (GHSN)
Home Sitting Network (HSN)
Professional Home and Pet Sitters Association (PHPSA)
The National House Sitting Association (NHSA)
The Professional House and Pet Sitting Association (PHPSA)
The International House Sitting Network (IHSN)

We also have Full Time Sitter, Senior Sitter, and House Sitting Manager jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

House Sitting. A service in which a person temporarily resides in a client's home in order to maintain the property and provide security while the owners are away.
House Sitter Responsibilities. Tasks typically performed by a house sitter include taking care of animals, watering plants, collecting mail, keeping the house tidy, and performing minor maintenance and repair tasks.
Pet Sitting. A service in which an individual provides care for an animal in its own home, such as walking and feeding.
Babysitting. A service in which an individual provides childcare for children in the absence of their parents or guardians.
Elder Care. A service in which an individual provides assistance to elderly individuals with activities of daily living, such as meal preparation, bathing, and transportation.
Home Cleaning. Services that include dusting, vacuuming, mopping, and other cleaning tasks to maintain the cleanliness of a resident's home.
Landscaping. Services that involve maintaining the grounds of a resident's property, such as mowing, trimming, and planting.