Good luck. Gosh, I think I’d love 4 months in Yorkshire! But I’m in Canada and, Life Stuff…
I sometimes joke with HOs (maybe I shouldn’t) that I would NEVER have some random person off the internet come and live in my house But that’s just me… So I find it ironic and amusing that I am the “random person” coming into someone else’s home!
For your first sitter, just look for those with lots of good previous reviews, and see if anything in those reviews strikes you as particularly important to you – like something the sitter did that the reviewer commended, and you think “Yes, I’d like that.” I definitely recommend a video chat. I think of it like a job interview – you want to pick the right sitter for the job. You can get a feeling fairly quickly if the conversation is comfortable. Communication with further messages before the sit will also help you get acquainted, and hopefully when the sitter arrives you’ll feel like you already know them a little. On my last sit it felt like we’d known each other for ages, in no time at all, and it was their first time on TH too.
I beg to differ on this: if any pet parent infers that our chat is ‘a job interview’, we’ll quickly withdraw our application. For us, the video chat is to see if we feel comfortable with the pet parents style of communication, if questions are answered transparently and if the home seems to match up to the listing pics. Basically, it’s to see whether you are compatible partners in what is - or should be - this reciprocally beneficial system. If the chat feels one-sided, it’s probably not the best-fit for us.
As you will see in forum, you can also attract good sitters and a good match by putting a little work in your profile and in your welcome guide. It is good articles on THS and on forum what little tweaks one should think of. But it really is just putting yourself in the sitters place. The profile should tell sitters why they should choose you, what you can offer them (eeveryone would like to see the bed and know the size of it…. ) and precisely what tasks you would like yo have done and how long the pet can be left. An informative Welcome Guide will add to that and give the sitter a better chance to do a good job.
It isn’t so obvious to many - but hosts are also chosen by sitters. A good profile and a transparent, reaonable and hospitable host will attract more sitters, and more of the sitters that have experience and can afford to pass. You’ll get a lot of help here should you wish to.
Deal all - I am excited to tell you we’ve already received our first application and they’ve received many 5 star reviews!
But when should I respond to them? as I dont know if there may be more applications come in for us to do the video chat interviews to compare with others?
Also, what happens if after we confirm the sitters, how do we know they will turn up for sure?
Thanks again for all your help on this fantastic forum! xx
That’s great news @lindaWoo set up a video call straight away - you can loose a good sitter by keeping them waiting as they may have applied to other sits .
If they look like a good fit , no need to wait for more applications.
After your video call you can make a decision.
Once you confirm a sitter, they also have to accept - then the sit shows on your dashboard.
Exchange mobile numbers asap and keep in regular contact up until the sit .
Send them a Welcome guide as soon as you can after the sit is confirmed.
Very interesting thanks @Silversitters I have set up 2 video call tomorrow night, and potentially the 3rd one too. Fingers crossed I will find some one that suit for the pet parents and sitters Thank you xx
Congrats! Don’t feel like you need to talk to them all before deciding, you might lose a great sitter by making them wait to be ‘chosen.’ As Silversitters suggests, you only need one great applicant. I very rarely video chat with more than one and would only do so if I had reservations about the first one. Typically I select the one that sounds like the best fit and chat with them asap, and if that goes smoothly I send the official invite immediately afterward. Chatting with several great sitters can also make it harder (emotionally) to decline the ones you do not go with.
Most importantly though, do what helps you feel comfortable. As for guarantees the sitter will show up, that’s part of the Trusted concept. Read reviews they’ve left and that have been left for them. Glean what you can from those and from your chat. Ask questions, trust your gut and the process. We’ve never been let down, even by new sitters, but I suggest starting with someone who has a stellar record of previous 5* THS sits. Good luck!
Side note: make sure your invited sitter officially accepts/confirms your invitation on the platform.
Having someone in your home caring for it while you are there or away is not a new concept throughout history. Those who have had wealth or power have had more access to it than others, but many of us have used cleaning services, people who come into our home to care for children, etc. When I had a busy career, I had many nannies who lived with us when my children were younger, as well as cleaning people come several times a week.
With THS, instead of money being exchanged, hosts are exchanging their homes in return for a sitter caring for their homes and pets. In return, sitters are exchanging their time and paying their own costs to come.
To me, it seems normal. But to others, maybe they haven’t had similar experiences so it may take a bit more time to adjust to bartering rather than hiring. The key is for both parties to screen well. I would not choose someone who didn’t have references or reviews. The THS site allows hosts to screen who they choose to come. The sitter, if they have all of the information, know what to expect when they arrive. When it’s a successful match, it’s a win-win.
Thanks @Shafofo for your pointers. I’ve shortlisted 3 to video chat later today so fingers crossed we will find someone suitable.
For the other 2 that I dont think it’s right, what’s the most polite way to decline them without having to explain myself too much… Any pointers will be much appreciated please. Thanks x
Everybody knows that a host only need one sitter, @lindaWoo and for me, when I am not the one, what I appreciate is to be «let loose» so I know the decision is made. Sitters also often have several applications going, which means both that it is not that big of a deal - AND that it is smart for a host to act in a timely manner as we might have commited to another host before a «slower» host make up their mind.
For me it is enough that you just press «decline» so I get the automated message, though I see many like that one add a personal message, for instance
Thank you for your application! We have now selected another sitter. Have a nice day!
I do appreciate a message. Actually, I appreciate a message when the application has been read as acknowledgement of reception and possibly a hint of the next step. If that is the case, then I don’t mind so much getting the automated message.
Writing a short personal message is not only polite but will help keep sitters interested in future listings.
@lindaWoo ugh, that part stresses me out and I don’t have a pat answer. I do like to send personal messages before confirming someone else so each applicant gets a heads-up before the auto-decline. I’d love to hear what sitters have to say since they’re on the receiving end, maybe I’ll pick up some pointers that will make it easier for me!
I do something similar to @Garfield suggestion. I say “Thank you for applying. I have chosen a sitter. Good luck in your housesitting journey” or similar. I don’t give a reason for declining because that just invites a discussion of the reasons. If I liked the sitter, I might add “I had multiple great applicants, including you. I hope you consider applying for any dates that i post in future.”
@lindaWoo it will probably be that all 3 are good ( since you’ve got sitters with lots of previous of 5 star reviews ), but you can only choose one . Sitters understand this, but would like to be informed asap so that they can apply for other sits .
If you are thinking of travelling again in the future you could ask the other sitters if they would like to be invited to any future sits that you list . If they say yes you can send them a personal invitation next time .
This is a nicely worded way to gently let down sitters who aren’t suitable without getting into a discussion. I’d probably wait until I really had confirmed a new sitter just because it could be awkward if they noticed later the sit was still accepting applications.
Thanks all for your helpful suggestions. I am happy to share I’ve got a sitter!! and a very good one too.
I actually cant believe that only took 48 hours. Life saver, I can now go and plan for our travel.
Thanks and love to you all xx
But that’s just me… So I find it ironic and amusing that I am the “random person” coming into someone else’s home!
) and precisely what tasks you would like yo have done and how long the pet can be left. An informative Welcome Guide will add to that and give the sitter a better chance to do a good job.