This assumes that everyone has had a bunch of pet experience. My point was to use what you have to show that you’re a responsible potential caretaker of pets and homes.
Personally, I wasn’t allowed to have pets as a kid and my first career (in news) had long, unpredictable hours, so it would’ve been irresponsible to have pets. Given that, I highlighted my work history, despite limited pet ownership. Again, the point was to use your strengths, whatever they might be.
I’d suggest not jumping to conclusions and assuming that everyone has the same experiences. It was an assumption for you to mention “bragging,” etc., because that was not at all the point. I was highlighting that I’d carried large responsibilities unwaveringly for many years despite not having loads of pet ownership experience. And it clearly worked, because I started getting sits right away, including unsolicited ones. As soon as that happened and I got rave reviews, I removed the career history and related photos. If I were intent on “bragging,” I wouldn’t have done that. I actually was effectively problem-solving on how to get sits with limited pet experience.
I did not assume that everyone has a lot of pet experience. I said that I look for pet experience in sitter photos. If a sitter can’t demonstrate that experience, I wouldn’t consider them. Obviously you met HOs that took a different view.
I just looked - its been a while since I revised my profile - 10 pics total, 7 of me with pets I’'ve sat, including one with a macaw who is perched over my shoulder and waving (one of my favorite TH pics). 2 of me with raptors on my arm that I took when at a raptor sanctuary in Prague (a buzzard - 2 arms and a hawk), and 1 of a tortoise I sat but without me in the picture. Maybe time to change some of them.
That made me laugh, & would definitely tell me you have a sense of humor which would add points in your favor…well done! You’re inspiring me to be more creative.
I noticed that on the website interface you can post photos of pets you’ve sat with, in addition to the personal photo slots we’re allocated. I’ve started using those to feature photos of myself with the pets I’ve cared for. I just don’t know if they’re visible in the app as well as on the web…
Glad that many savvy hosts have been willing to give me and other sitters opportunities regardless of not being pet experts to start with. Many hosts realize that it’s not rocket science to take care of most dogs and cats.
I’ve had five-star reviews across the board, with many repeat invites. Now, I’m about to do my last THS sit and can continue to sit even without it, because previous hosts have asked me back even without THS and have recommended me to friends and family. I’ve even been repeatedly offered roundtrip airfare and now cash to repeat sit a trio of cats in San Francisco. Those hosts and others have called me a “cat whisperer.” And before I sat cats with THS, I had next to no such experience beyond playing with friends’ cats. Now, I adore cats, as well as dogs.
Thanks everyone!! I finished up my sitter profile yesterday morning, applied for a sit I REALLY wanted and have an interview Wednesday for my first sit!!! Wish me luck!! I’m so excited to start traveling AND have a pet or 2 to love on while away from my own.
You’ve done a great job on your profile @MTBer with a mix of you both with pets and by yourselves. Only thing I would add in your listing is that you are experienced THS hosts too with excellent reviews. Hope your video chat goes well.
You are correct! I didn’t know this, how dumb!! Definitely needs to go both ways, HO and Sitter can SEE each other’s pictures while browsing sits/sitters. Just doesn’t make sense.
Yahoo! My hubby and I have confirmed our very first Housesit as Sitters!!! We’re heading to New Mexico for 10 days. Thanks for all the tips and advice here.
Potentially useful for other newbie sitters who come across this thread — the strategy I mentioned above continues to work:
I serendipitously connected with a potential host in NYC and we video chatted today. As soon as we started, they mentioned that they had had a semi-retirement job that involved helping people at a nonprofit. And they said that they were interested in me as a sitter, because of a startup that I’d helped build (mentioned in my LinkedIn profile), because it involved helping people and was very trustworthy. Lovely to hear that even years later.
They also mentioned early in our video chat that they liked all the photos I posted in my profile. (Once I started gaining traction as a sitter, I removed all but my lead photo — of my dog and me — and switched all of my pictures to ones of my sit pets. The host saw cats that resembled their breeds and that helped them choose me as a sitter.)
They’ve asked me to watch their cats in a high-rise condo with a view and doorman in NYC, which is normally a very competitive sit to land if you’re applying via THS.
