How to Prepare for a Private Household Interview: A Guide for Household Professionals
Interviewing for a position in a private home is unlike interviewing for almost any other job. There is no corporate office, no standard job description, and often no formal HR process. Instead, you are being evaluated by a family, and what they are really asking is whether they can trust you in the most personal […]
Live-In vs. Live-Out Household Staff: Which Arrangement Is Right for Your Home?
Few decisions shape the day-to-day experience of household staffing as much as this one: should your nanny, housekeeper, house manager, or caregiver live in your home, or come and go each day? There is no universally correct answer. The right arrangement depends on your space, your privacy preferences, the nature of the role, and how […]
How to Hire a Private Driver or Chauffeur: What to Verify Before You Hand Over the Keys
A private driver or chauffeur is one of the most trust-intensive hires a family can make. This person may be alone with your children, privy to your conversations, aware of your schedule and your address, and responsible for a vehicle that is both valuable and, more importantly, carrying the people you love most. For that […]
Nanny, Governess, or Newborn Care Specialist: Which Childcare Professional Does Your Family Need?
When a family begins searching for childcare professionals, the first surprise is usually the vocabulary. Nanny, governess, newborn care specialist, baby nurse, mother’s helper: each title points to a different kind of support, and choosing the wrong one can mean a mismatch that neither the family nor the professional enjoys. The good news is that […]
Background Checks, References, and Vetting: What a Reputable Household Staffing Agency Actually Checks
“Thorough vetting” is a phrase every staffing agency uses. For families inviting someone into their home, often around their children, their valuables, and their daily privacy, it’s a phrase that deserves more than a bullet point. What does vetting actually involve, and how do you know if an agency is doing the real work behind […]
How to Hire Private Household Staff Without Running Afoul of “Nanny Tax” Rules
When a family decides to bring a nanny, housekeeper, chef, or estate manager into their home, the conversation usually centers on trust, fit, and finding the right person. What often gets overlooked, until it becomes a problem, is that the moment you hire someone to work in your home, the IRS considers you an employer, […]
Estate Manager vs. House Manager vs. Butler: What’s the Difference, and Which Does Your Home Need?
Families beginning their search for household support are often surprised by how many titles exist for what seems, on the surface, like similar work. Estate manager, house manager, butler, majordomo: these roles overlap in places, but they are not interchangeable, and hiring the wrong fit for your household’s scale and needs can lead to frustration […]
What to Expect When Working With a Private Household Staffing Agency: A Candidate’s Guide
If you’re an experienced estate manager, private chef, nanny, house manager, or household professional considering your next opportunity, working with a private staffing agency is a very different experience than applying to a typical job posting. Here’s what that process actually looks like, and how to make the most of it. It Starts With a […]