Interview Tips for Domestic Helpers 外傭面試技巧

Essential guidance to conduct effective interviews and find the perfect helper 進行有效面試和找到完美幫手的必要指導

Importance of Domestic Helper Interviews and Key Considerations 請外傭面試的重要性及注意事項

Interviews are one of the most important procedures when hiring overseas domestic workers. Through interviews, employers can gain in-depth understanding of the domestic helper's work experience, professional skills, personality traits, assess whether language communication is smooth, judge their ability to adapt to new environments, and build initial trust through face-to-face communication, laying the foundation for future cooperation. 面試是聘請海外家庭傭工最重要的程序之一。面試可讓僱主深入了解外傭工作經歷、專業技能、性格特點，評估雙方語言溝通是否順暢，判斷其適應新環境的能力，並在面對面交流中建立初步信任，為日後合作奠定基礎。

Before the interview, you need to clarify family needs, carefully read the domestic helper's resume, health reports and other materials, and formulate targeted questions. During the interview, create a relaxed atmosphere, observe their verbal and body language, and carefully verify important information such as work experience. After the interview, promptly conduct a comprehensive evaluation, keep good records, and if suitable, advance the hiring process as soon as possible, and appropriately provide feedback to the interviewee. 面試前需明確家庭需求，細閱外傭履歷、健康報告等資料，擬定針對性問題。面試時營造輕鬆氛圍，觀察其言語與肢體語言，仔細核實工作經歷等重要信息。面試後及時綜合評估，做好記錄，若合適則儘快推進聘請流程，也可適當給予面試者反饋。

Employers can effectively understand whether the helper is suitable for their family through the following interview key points: 僱主可以從以下幾個面試重點有效了解到姐姐是否適合自己家庭：

Background 背景

Habits 習慣

Religion 宗教

Family Background 家庭背景

Work Experience 工作經驗

Work Ability 工作能力

Language Ability 語文能力

Personality 個性

INTERVIEW Essential Questions - English-Chinese Translation INTERVIEW 必問問題 - 中英對照

Understanding Personal and Family Background Understanding Personal and Family Background

Please tell me about yourself Please tell me about yourself
Please tell me about your family Please tell me about your family
What are your hobbies? What are your hobbies?

Work Background and Experience Work Background and Experience

Where have you worked before, and what roles did you have? Where have you worked before, and what roles did you have?
What was your previous work schedule and routine? What was your previous work schedule and routine?
How many years of experience do you have in caring for infants, children, elderly, or pets? How many years of experience do you have in caring for infants, children, elderly, or pets?
What challenges have you faced in caregiving, and how did you solve them? What challenges have you faced in caregiving, and how did you solve them?
Why did you leave your last job? Why did you leave your last job?
How many years have you worked in Hong Kong? How many years have you worked in Hong Kong?
How many employers have you worked with in Hong Kong? How many employers have you worked with in Hong Kong?
Did you work in other countries before? Where and when? Did you work in other countries before? Where and when?
Can you provide a reference letter or contact details from previous employers? Can you provide a reference letter or contact details from previous employers?

Previous Employer's Work Environment and Mode Previous Employer's Work Environment and Mode

What is your previous work schedule and routine? What is your previous work schedule and routine?
Do you have an experience in taking care newborn baby, child or elderly? Do you have an experience in taking care newborn baby, child or elderly?
What time do you wake up and go to bed? What time do you wake up and go to bed?
Can you go to the market by yourself? Can you go to the market by yourself?
Can you ride transportation on your own? Can you ride transportation on your own?
Do you know how to cook Chinese dishes? Do you know how to cook Chinese dishes?
How do you arrange long holidays (e.g., Christmas, New Year, children's summer vacation)? How do you arrange long holidays (e.g., Christmas, New Year, children's summer vacation)?
Can you return home by 8 pm on your day off? Can you return home by 8 pm on your day off?

Daily Housework Daily Housework

Describe your daily housekeeping routine and how you prioritize tasks. Describe your daily housekeeping routine and how you prioritize tasks.
When multiple housework tasks (e.g., laundry, grocery shopping, pet care) conflict, what criteria do you use to determine priorities? When multiple housework tasks (e.g., laundry, grocery shopping, pet care) conflict, what criteria do you use to determine priorities?
If the employer has special dietary requirements (e.g., low-salt, vegetarian), how would you prepare meals? If the employer has special dietary requirements (e.g., low-salt, vegetarian), how would you prepare meals?
What cleaning and maintenance methods do you use for furniture and clothing made of different materials? What cleaning and maintenance methods do you use for furniture and clothing made of different materials?
Can you provide recipes for three local-style home-cooked dishes? Can you provide recipes for three local-style home-cooked dishes?

Scenario Cases (Assessing Adaptability and Problem-Solving Methods) Scenario Cases (Assessing Adaptability and Problem-Solving Methods)

When taking care of infants, what would you do if a baby cries continuously without an obvious reason? When taking care of infants, what would you do if a baby cries continuously without an obvious reason?
What would you do if the baby keeps crying at night? What would you do if the baby keeps crying at night?
How would you handle it if the baby has a fever? How would you handle it if the baby has a fever?
What would you do if the baby accidentally falls and gets injured? What would you do if the baby accidentally falls and gets injured?
What would you do if the elderly person suddenly feels unwell and there are no other adults at home? What would you do if the elderly person suddenly feels unwell and there are no other adults at home?
How would you persuade a child or elderly person to take their medicine if they refuse? How would you persuade a child or elderly person to take their medicine if they refuse?
How would you handle unexpected water or power outages that disrupt daily housework and life? How would you handle unexpected water or power outages that disrupt daily housework and life?
What steps would you take if you detect a gas leak at home? What steps would you take if you detect a gas leak at home?
If a child goes missing while playing outdoors, what immediate actions would you take? If a child goes missing while playing outdoors, what immediate actions would you take?

Communication and Conflict Resolution Communication and Conflict Resolution

In previous jobs, how did you communicate and resolve disagreements with employers? In previous jobs, how did you communicate and resolve disagreements with employers?
If you notice conflicts among family members, how would you appropriately handle or respond? If you notice conflicts among family members, how would you appropriately handle or respond?
How would you respond to requests beyond your job responsibilities? How would you respond to requests beyond your job responsibilities?
How do you view criticism from employers about work shortcomings? Give examples of how you improved. How do you view criticism from employers about work shortcomings? Give examples of how you improved.
Describe an experience in Chinese where you explained a work mistake to an employer. Describe an experience in Chinese where you explained a work mistake to an employer.
If there are misunderstandings in communication, what methods would you use to clarify information? If there are misunderstandings in communication, what methods would you use to clarify information?
How do you view communication and resolving disagreements with family members? How do you view communication and resolving disagreements with family members?
If you saw a child arguing with others at the park, how would you handle it? If you saw a child arguing with others at the park, how would you handle it?

Personal Planning and Expectations Personal Planning and Expectations

How long do you intend to work for a family? What are your career plans? How long do you intend to work for a family? What are your career plans?
When do you plan to retire and return to your home country? When do you plan to retire and return to your home country?
How long do you expect to work in Hong Kong? How long do you expect to work in Hong Kong?
What are your work expectations or special requests? What are your work expectations or special requests?
What are your expectations regarding living conditions? What are your expectations regarding living conditions?
Do you have specific requests for days off? Is it okay if Sundays are not off? Do you have specific requests for days off? Is it okay if Sundays are not off?

Personal Habits and Health Personal Habits and Health

How long do you usually use your phone daily? Would you reduce usage if needed? How long do you usually use your phone daily? Would you reduce usage if needed?
Do you smoke or have other bad habits? Do you smoke or have other bad habits?
Do you have any health issues or allergies? Do you have any health issues or allergies?
How many times have you had fevers, colds, or flu in the past two years? How many times have you had fevers, colds, or flu in the past two years?
Have you had any surgeries in the past ten years? Have you had any surgeries in the past ten years?
Have you had any serious illnesses before or now? What kind? Have you had any serious illnesses before or now? What kind?