Hiring a maid for the first time can feel overwhelming. Many families look forward to getting extra help at home but end up falling into avoidable pitfalls. To make the process smoother and stress-free, let’s explore three common mistakes first-time employers make — and the smarter way to approach them.
Many employers believe that hiring someone with the longest work history guarantees success. While experience can be valuable, it is not the only factor that matters.
✅ Why Experience Alone Isn’t Enough
💡 Practical Example
Imagine a helper who worked for many years with a family that had no children. She may excel at general housework but feel overwhelmed in a new household where she needs to care for young kids. On the other hand, a helper with less experience but a caring and patient personality may adapt faster and meet the family’s needs better.
👉 Tip: When hiring, consider your family’s specific priorities.
A resume may tell you about skills and past employment, but it doesn’t reveal the person’s true attitude, communication style, or willingness to learn.
✅ Why Interviews Are Essential
💡 Practical Example
A resume may say the helper can “cook Chinese dishes,” but during a video interview, you might notice she’s hesitant when describing how she prepares meals. This could indicate that she only observed cooking but did not practice it often. Without an interview, this gap would go unnoticed.
👉 Tip: Always arrange at least one phone or video interview.
Some first-time employers believe hiring directly through personal contacts or online ads is faster and cheaper. But this often creates more problems in the long run.
✅ The Risks of Hiring Without an Agency
💡 Practical Example
One employer hired a helper through a personal referral, without arranging insurance. When the helper had a medical emergency, the employer had to pay all the costs out of pocket—something that could have been avoided with proper paperwork and agency guidance.
👉 Tip: Using a reliable maid agency ensures:
Hiring a maid for the first time doesn’t have to be stressful. The key is to avoid these three mistakes:
A good match comes from balancing skills, personality fit, and proper support. With the right approach, you’ll find a helper who truly fits your family’s needs, making life at home more comfortable and harmonious.
T: +65 6665 8199 | E: jurongeast@nation.sg
Address: 135 Jurong Gateway Rd, #05-317, Singapore 600135
Mon-Fri: 10:00am – 08:00pm
Sat-Sun: 10:00am – 06:00pm
PH: CLOSED
T: +65 6787 8199 | E: tampines@nation.sg
Address: 201E Tampines St 23, #02-100, Singapore 527201
Mon-Fri: 10:00am – 08:00pm
Sat-Sun: 10:00am – 06:00pm
PH: CLOSED
T: +65 6353 8199 | E: toapayoh@nation.sg
Address: Blk 190, Lor 6 Toa Payoh #03-510 Singapore 310190
Mon-Fri: 10:00am – 08:00pm
Sat-Sun: 10:00am – 06:00pm
PH: CLOSED
T: +65 6555 8199 | E: yishun@nation.sg
Address: 925 Yishun Central 1, #01-247, Singapore 760925
Mon-Fri: 09:00am – 07:00pm
Sat-Sun: 10:00am – 06:00pm
PH: CLOSED
T: +65 6489 8199 | E: hougang@nation.sg
Address: 1187 Upper Serangoon Rd, #01-57 The Midtown, Singapore 533971
Mon-Fri: 10:00am – 08:00pm
Sat-Sun: 10:00am – 06:00pm
PH: CLOSED
Hiring a maid for the first time can feel overwhelming. Many families look forward to getting extra help at home but end up falling into avoidable pitfalls. To make the process smoother and stress-free, let’s explore three common mistakes first-time employers make — and the smarter way to approach them.
Many employers believe that hiring someone with the longest work history guarantees success. While experience can be valuable, it is not the only factor that matters.
✅ Why Experience Alone Isn’t Enough
💡 Practical Example
Imagine a helper who worked for many years with a family that had no children. She may excel at general housework but feel overwhelmed in a new household where she needs to care for young kids. On the other hand, a helper with less experience but a caring and patient personality may adapt faster and meet the family’s needs better.
👉 Tip: When hiring, consider your family’s specific priorities.
A resume may tell you about skills and past employment, but it doesn’t reveal the person’s true attitude, communication style, or willingness to learn.
✅ Why Interviews Are Essential
💡 Practical Example
A resume may say the helper can “cook Chinese dishes,” but during a video interview, you might notice she’s hesitant when describing how she prepares meals. This could indicate that she only observed cooking but did not practice it often. Without an interview, this gap would go unnoticed.
👉 Tip: Always arrange at least one phone or video interview.
Some first-time employers believe hiring directly through personal contacts or online ads is faster and cheaper. But this often creates more problems in the long run.
✅ The Risks of Hiring Without an Agency
💡 Practical Example
One employer hired a helper through a personal referral, without arranging insurance. When the helper had a medical emergency, the employer had to pay all the costs out of pocket—something that could have been avoided with proper paperwork and agency guidance.
👉 Tip: Using a reliable maid agency ensures:
Hiring a maid for the first time doesn’t have to be stressful. The key is to avoid these three mistakes:
A good match comes from balancing skills, personality fit, and proper support. With the right approach, you’ll find a helper who truly fits your family’s needs, making life at home more comfortable and harmonious.
T: +65 6665 8199 | E: jurongeast@nation.sg
Address: 135 Jurong Gateway Rd, #05-317, Singapore 600135
Mon-Fri: 10:00am – 08:00pm
Sat-Sun: 10:00am – 06:00pm
PH: CLOSED
T: +65 6787 8199 | E: tampines@nation.sg
Address: 201E Tampines St 23, #02-100, Singapore 527201
Mon-Fri: 10:00am – 08:00pm
Sat-Sun: 10:00am – 06:00pm
PH: CLOSED
T: +65 6353 8199 | E: toapayoh@nation.sg
Address: Blk 190, Lor 6 Toa Payoh #03-510 Singapore 310190
Mon-Fri: 10:00am – 08:00pm
Sat-Sun: 10:00am – 06:00pm
PH: CLOSED
T: +65 6555 8199 | E: yishun@nation.sg
Address: 925 Yishun Central 1, #01-247, Singapore 760925
Mon-Fri: 09:00am – 07:00pm
Sat-Sun: 10:00am – 06:00pm
PH: CLOSED
T: +65 6489 8199 | E: hougang@nation.sg
Address: 1187 Upper Serangoon Rd, #01-57 The Midtown, Singapore 533971
Mon-Fri: 10:00am – 08:00pm
Sat-Sun: 10:00am – 06:00pm
PH: CLOSED
Send us enquiry now
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Hiring a maid for the first time can be overwhelming. Here are three common mistakes to avoid — and smarter ways to handle them.
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