Well after a slow start where I was getting a bit worried, I asked advice and followed all the suggestions.
And now we have 2 applicants!! I hate having to decide!!
So how do we decide? I’m having FaceTime style chats, how do we pick? What to ask? Letting someone down seems horrible!
Gut instinct 
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It’s much simpler than you think! If you feel happy with both profiles, it only comes down to 1 thing, who do you feel most connected to? Who do you feel like you know-know more… that’s the one you ask to video chat, but video with them quickly (ie today) so you can do it without the other applicant even knowing, just so you still have them as a back up (and I am a sitter saying that!).
All you really want out of the video chat is to see if the ‘feel-good feeling’ you had about them from their profile matches up with them during the video chat. The easiest thing is to say you love the sound of their profile and you’re intrigued as to how they got into sitting in the first place, say it in an excited way, and the sitter will naturally talk about themselves, and the onus is then off you to think of questions. It’s much easier that way and it’s more like a friendly chit chat. In all of the video chats we have done, we’ve only been asked 2 questions at the most, the rest just naturally flowed.
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Have a face time chat with the one. If you are hapoy with them accept them. If not decline and face time the second.
Ask questions that matter to you, its personal your home, your pet, your priorities. What kind of person are you looking for, do they feel like a person who will be comfortably in the environment you are looking to invite them into.
Its a 2 way chat, they need to decide if you are a good fit for them as much as they are for you.
Good luck
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I’m new to the platform and have just posted my first request for a sitter. I have already received three applications. I am wondering how soon I should respond, or if it’s ok to leave it a few days to see what other applications may come in? Or should I respond straight away to say I’ve received their application and will get back to them? Thanks!
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Have a read of the How To Pick thread started earlier.
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@Loobyloo As you said in your last sentence, please definitely respond straight away to let the sitter/s know you have received their application and will get back to them, that is a courtesy that all sitters seek.
I wouldn’t leave your choosing someone for too long as we usually apply for more than one sit at any given time. You could find that the person/s you finally choose may have accepted another sit but at the end of the day you need to be comfortable with your choice. But acknowledging an application is paramount or you could end up with nobody.
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@Loobyloo I am a sitter and I always appreciate a quick response. If you want to wait for more applications that’s fine- you could just say something like ‘Thank you for applying - we are going through applications and will get back to you shortly.’ If you already have a ‘stand out’ application- who you feel already ticks all your boxes- don’t wait! Get in touch straight away and schedule a call to see if they really are a fit. And if its a yes confirm them asap. If you don’t act fast you might lose them. Many sitters will have several applications out at once and sometimes its a case of first come first served. If you delay acknowledging applicants (who spent time and energy reaching out to you) they will lose interest and move on.
If I see my application has been read but I get no response within 12-24 I will assume I am not top of the list and I’ll likely move on. If I’m keen on the sit I might send a follow up. If that is ignored I will withdraw.
There are so many sits out there and many are fairly interchangeable in terms of dates/location/suitability.
So, my advice- Act quickly and politely with all applicants & don’t keep people waiting! If you snooze you lose!
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Ok brilliant, thanks!
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Leaving them a few days = good chance they’ll be gone by the time you get to them. Good sitters go quickly.
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I usually withdraw my application if a host doesn’t reply within 48 hours to schedule a video chat. If they don’t, I figure we’re not a strong potential match or they can’t act decisively or promptly. Of course, they can go at their own pace, but sitters don’t need to wait on them.
Doing the above, I have no problem getting sits. There are a lot of them and few are unique or rare for my needs.
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Hi @Loobyloo
That is exciting that you have received three applications. Since sitters can tell if you have read their applications on the app, I suggest you respond back right away. If you don’t respond back right away and let days / weeks go by, sitters may see this as a sign of disregard and / or disrespect and withdraw their applications.
You can say something like, “Thank you for your application and your interest in my / our sit.” Let them know that you are reviewing applications and will be in touch with them soon. I always appreciate when HOs give a specific day or even an estimated day that they will be in touch.
Go through each applicant’s profile carefully. Read their reviews. Was there anything in their profiles, reviews, or applications that stood out?
You can schedule a video chat or phone conversation with each applicant to see if there is a fit and then decide:
Applicant #1 Strongest
Applicant # 2 Stronger
Applicant #3 Strong
Choose the sitter(s) you deem best to care for your precious pet(s) / home.
Good luck!
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Review promptly. Remember that it is one sitter you need.
You should only choose a sitter you are comfortable with. This is a gut feeling and you will know. If you find a sitter you want, don’t wait to secure the sit. Remember that a sitter not only apply for many sits - we are also in position to withdraw our application or decline if we are not comfortable after a talk. It is a mutual agreement. I withdraw usually after approx 48 hours without communication, and have also withdrawn after videocall as no longer interested with added info.
The sits I’ve done there has usually been communication within 48 hours, and sometimes the videocall + final confirmation within those 48 hours.
Waiting for more applications; if you are not happy with applicants, just cut them loose and decline and move on. Better for all not keeping them hanging. If you have applications from someone you would like, have a talk while they are still interested. They might find something else if you wait and you’ll end up with nothing.
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Thanks! That’s really helpful. I have only just realised that they can see if you have read their application 
So I will definitely extend the courtesy of responding ASAP.
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Hi @Loobyloo 
Personally I would acknowledge each applicant after reading their message to you, just a quick message to say you will get back to them very soon.
We can see when our application has been read you see, so not getting a message back from you isn’t really good.
Some sitters will keep applying for sits.
You don’t have to wait for five applicants either and then choose by the way.
Read their profile fully, read the reviews on them, read the reviews that they give on pet owners. You will get the measure of a sitter that way.
All the very best with your first time using THS.
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If any one applicant particularly appeals to you, respond ASAP and arrange a video chat, pronto. Most experienced sitters are savvy enough to recognise delay tactics, and if you cannot find time to read profiles of those sitters who most appeal to you and move things along at a reasonable pace, people who find it easy to get sits will withdraw IMHO. We always withdraw within 48 hours when we can see our application has been read but prompt and positive response has not been forthcoming.
If you feel you need to wait for more applications to come in, you probably haven’t yet felt the connection with any one sitter.
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The thing is, it takes the same amount of time and effort to write : ‘I’d love to arrange a video chat’ as it takes to write ‘I will get back to you very soon’. The latter can imply that an application hasn’t really hit the mark this time, so the pet parent is delaying until something better comes along. No matter how appealing the sit, if another invitation comes in more spontaneously, we would accept that one.
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I agree with this. I will get back to you soon = there are others I like more but I don’t want to turn you down yet because they may not say yes so I’m going to string you along until I see if I can get my first choice.
If you like them, arrange a call. If you don’t get a good vibe, decline.
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Agree with @CreatureCuddler and @Happypets
I see now you just have one