I’ve recently posted dates on THS and have been delighted to receive several applications. Most sound wonderful and from their messages and profile details appear to be perfect. To be honest without chatting to each one it would be hard to choose one rather than another.
So, should I arrange video calls with each one? In a way I think it could seem harsh to decline a sitter after having a video call.
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Hello there
If you have multiple sitters you like equally and want to talk with all of them, it is okay to schedule multiple video calls. This is not uncommon, but you may want to let sitters know that you are ‘in talks’ with more than one applicant.
Most people would probably not have an issue with that,–I personally don’t-- though some sitters do withdraw their applications if they aren’t the sole person the HO is interested in…don’t know how common that is, but I have seen people post here on the forum who take that route. So that is just a possibility for which to be prepared.
Whether a HO is only planning on talking to one applicant or multiple, it is best to make contact as soon as possible and try to set up the chats as soon as possible. Sitters often apply for sits with overlapping dates for two main reasons: They never know how long the HO will take to respond, and they want to maximize their chances of finding a sit since there is the possibility they won’t be the person chosen for any given application.
In your situation, if sitters know they aren’t the only people being considered, they may be more likely to apply for other sits they like equally to yours if they see them crop up, since they might not be the person you pick. The longer it takes to connect with all of them and make your decision, the greater the possibility this may happen. If you are in a really desirable location, you may have a bit more leeway with this since people may be willing to wait longer, but it is always better to get to the chats and confirm a sitter sooner than later.
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@CoombeT please don’t do that - it is such a waste of everyone’s time. Just read the applications, profiles, reviews and pick your favourite then schedule a call with them. If you don’t gel then go to the next. it’s pointless when you’re still deciding and takes too long.
The quicker the better as sitters will have multiple applications. The video call would normally be a pinning down details type of call.
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Definitely set up time to talk to all of them! You may get a different feel when talking properly than via message, particularly as a first-time user.
My only counsel is to keep the process short. I’ve never had problems with HOs talking to more than one person, because I want them to feel like I’m the best fit. However, I did recently withdraw an application because the HO wanted me to wait over a week(!) so she could talk to someone else. I had an alternate sit booked within two days. Her loss.
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No. Just pick one. You may want to have a video chat. Unless something comes up that that choice would not be as good a fit as it seemed at first, accept their application and decline the rest when your choice confirms.
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If you search this forum, you will see lots of other threads on the topic. In general, sitters don’t like if they are one of 4 or 5 being invited to video chat. Better to narrow it to one or two. Acknowledge all applications quickly. Sitters are probably applying for multiple sits athe same time and you could miss aood sitter if you delay.
Check out the sitter reviews - and their reviews of other homeowners - before inviting anyone to chat.
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As a sitter, I think my profile and reviews says it all. I am lucky to have had quite detailed reviews aknowledging my special qualifications with cats, so as others said the video call is just to clarify some points and make sure we are a match. Absolutely not for comparision pupose. I will withdraw my application if that is the case, because I am quite an introvert and I know I don’t sell myself really good. I used to be the one rejected in job interviews just for that reason, so I hate having to go through that ordeal again.
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As a sitter, I don’t mind if a host is transparent about talking with a couple of sitters and it happens quickly. More than that, I’m not waiting around. I’d withdraw and consider it a waste of time.
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@CoombeT It’s also a good idea to ask some questions that are important to you before the video chat. That may help you to decide, who might be the best fit for your sit.
I often ask, what are they planning to do here and how long are they planning to travel in this area (all the applicants have been international). There are no right or wrong answers to these questions, but I’ve found them helpful.
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It’s your home so how you go about selection is very much up to you. Just be careful of “analysis paralysis “ I have seen some HOs go way overboard with the selection process and for me that’s too many red flags and we voluntarily dropout of the race. As others have said it’s best to move forward relatively quickly so video calling each may be a tad too much. IMHO go with your gut.
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@Enjaybee I have had plenty of video calls that were actual interviews and weren’t actually lining up details. This is actually quite common. And people have done it pretty quickly where they’ve done five in one day and made a decision. So don’t advise them not to do that I’ve had plenty of video calls where I didn’t end up being the sitter and sometimes that was my choice
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@kdukat we are full time sitters and definitely this is not common. Also the video call shouldn’t really be an interview of you that’s very odd too and we would decline HO’s who presume such a position of power.
When we realise it’s still a ‘we aren’t sure and we are still deciding’ conversation it’s too surface level to gain anything valuable for - too much hypothetical ‘if we were to sit for you etc.’ pointless
What are you hoping to gain which isn’t already in our essay length personalised application message? 17 reviews ? Fully completed profile?
Judging by the reactions most people agree with me.
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@CoombeT I would suggest you schedule a video chat with the candidates of your choice sooner rather than later. Have the video chats on the same day (at different times of course) if possible this way the sitters are not waiting days / weeks. Keep in mind that (1) sitters apply for multiple sits at a time (2) good sitters are confirmed very quickly if you wait too long you’ll have to take what’s left of the applicants.
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Thank you all for taking the time to reply, it seems that opinions are very much divided. I will set up a video call with one and see how that goes. I’ve also messaged the other applicants, thanking them and saying I will get back to them asap.
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@Enjaybee Absolutely agree with you. One call at a time- don’t waster everyones time- this is NOT a job interview!!
When a sitter has created a detailed profile, taken time to write a winning application and has lots of great reviews this should all be enough info for you to order your potential sitters- 1,2,3 etc . Also I’d suggest cross referencing the way they review hosts too. Schedule a call with no. 1- (not an interview!) just a chat to confirm details, ask/answer any Qs, and to see if you gut confirms that ‘yes’ this is the right one!
If you have any doubt then decline them politely and move on to no.2. In our long experience the video call is usually just a ‘meet & greet’ before confirming the sit.
Any hint its an interview- and we’re still in competition with others- we withdraw our application. We have, only a couple of times, withdrawn after the video call as we did not click, or something just felt ‘off’. But that’s rare. By the time of a call you should already have a feel for your sitters and its more a friendly chat.
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No don’t have video chats with everyone. From the ones that match what you need, which one are you drawn to as a person? That’s the one you pick. It’s a vibe, a feeling, a connection. It’s not the number of reviews, when you have multiple that you feel are suitable.
However, if any of them live closer to you or have family in the area, then they would also be more tempting, as they ‘may’ be more likely to be able to sit for you again in the future.
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Exactly. There are lots of advice, but this is YOUR pet and YOUR home, so stick to your intuition. Do one or all-it is up to you. The members on the forum is miniscule in numbers compared to the total number of actual members.
Bear in mind that quite a few sitters, including me, don’t like video chats. I prefer just a phone call.
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We usually have a video call and so far I have been able to get a good feel if they are a good fit or not based on that.
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Exactly, this is more serious than any job in the world. It’s about our pets, our home, about everything that means something to us.
Anyone who sees the other way should please pay for a hotel instead.
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