Hi all! I joined THS in June, have applied for 6 sits, but not been accepted to any. 
I even recently took others’ advice and applied to a local sit to start, but was just rejected for that one as well.
THS offers a refund if you can’t get a sit after 5 applications, so I’ve been considering that option. Problem is, they also had a glitch for a few weeks that didn’t allow my references to show, so I’m thinking I should be given extra time. Has anyone else dealt with this? I’d hate to stop trying, it sounds like a great experience, but it IS a lot of money to shell out for a consistent “no’” response.
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@Calebsmum, given seeming technical issue with your references then suggest reach out to THS Member Services at support@trustedhousesitters.com and ask for an extension. Seems no downside in asking. THS MS do not monitor this Forum.
Otherwise, encourage that you patiently peruse the THS Forum for top tips on writing your profile and applying for housesits. Encourage perseverance - once reach even a few reviews then it often gets much easier.
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I don’t know what the terms are regarding this. Must you stop applying after five and claim a refund or can you continue to try and claim further down the line? It would be important to find out.
I’m surprised they offer it after only five applications because this is not really all that many. If you are attempting to get sits in very popular locations it could take many attempts. Even as an experienced sitter with many excellent reviews I could apply for multiple sits and not get any.
If it is possible to continue then keep applying for as many as you are able. Do not apply for only one at a time, if you do get accepted for one you can withdraw your application for the others.
Watch out for last minute sits, and very short local sits and you might pick one of those up to get you started.
You can add the link to your sitter profile to your profile here if you want and people may be able to advise on ways to improve it.
Hope this helps.
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@Calebsmum - I understand your disappointment but consider this mathematically
Only one applicant can be accepted for each sit .
The listing is paused when 5 applications have been received .
Only one out of the 5 will get picked (or maybe none at all if the host doesn’t think that the applicants are suitable )
So even for very experienced sitters there is only a 1 in 5 chance we will be chosen .
So not being chosen after 6 applications when you start out is not unexpected.
That being said , it’s not about pure mathematics- once you have your first review and hosts can see that you are reliable, took good care of the pets and left the home clean and tidy your chances of being chosen for future sits improve considerably.
A tried and tested formula for new sitters to get started is to apply for a last minute sit, a short sit ( maybe a local one ) or a sit with low applications .
We referred friends of ours to THS. To get started they did 2 x one night sits that were quite local . They did this over one weekend. Both sits had guest suites , lovely gardens and hot tubs and a pet to take care of . A one night sit is not what most sitters are looking for so they were accepted straight away.
They viewed it like a spa weekend away with the company of a pet included .
They got 2x five star reviews in one weekend and since then have had no problems with securing many longer sits in the places that they want to be .
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Five isn’t many rejections, there’s a very experienced sitter on here that will tell you it took them 23 applications before they landed their first sit! Up to you but it’s early days to give up if you’re keen on sitting. Have you shared your profile with the forum to ask for tips? #heretohelp
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As @Cuttlefish suggests, share your profile here so we can offer any suggestions to improve it if necessary.
A shame THS took so long with your references but please don’t give up.
Are you ensuring you personalise each application & refer to the pets by name? There is a lot of good information to help you on the website & the forum if you search. Your question has often been asked so you’ll find lots of tips.
Good luck! 
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They’ve gave me 2 free months before due a problem on their end not long after I started, I can’t remember why, it’s too long ago. But I would have thought asking for free months as well as asking them if you can still then review whether you want to stay or go is unlikely, they have a business to run. So decide what you want to do first.
You’ve only applied for 1 local sit, you should have done more to get the ball rolling with reviews.
Also, consider the type of sits are you applying for, for example, are you applying to ones that are likely to pick others over you? There are loads of sits with low application numbers, more rural ones, you will stand a good chance with those along with last minute sits, and local ones at first.
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Sorry you feel this way. It is understandable. At the same time it is important to learn the hidden curriculum petsitting.
A host would normally not pick a sitter without THS reviews if they have several good applications with 5* THS reviews. So beat the odds.
Have a strong listing. Show a little bit about who you are so they feel they know you a little bit, that you are dependable and able to do the sit.
Have a strong application. You can write a template to have on file, so it is easier. This can put you ahead, as some don’t put much work in it. Make it personal for that specific sit each time. Show that you have read what they need.
Apply for sits with less competition.
«Low applications» is one thing to look for. Also unknown locations, rural, short sits.
For local sits, you might be able to offer to meet up - at a cofé or at their home - either pre-confirmation or pre-sit to get a walk-through. This can give you an upper hand over other applications, even if they don’t take you up on your offer.
At the same time - have criterias of your own. Don’t do sits where something feels «off». You don’t need «sits». You need good sits - with good reviews.
It only takes 3-4-5 reviews to get a game changer! Then you will be so much more attractive as a sitter, and you will have learnt also what works and what you need to look for in a sit.
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I would suggest to share your profile. I think if you keep getting rejections that would be beneficial to get some suggestions. Not only is your profile important but what you wrote on your application email when you applied.
I believe I read a Thread here where homeowners talked about what type of application emails turned them off and they rejected applicants and what they liked to read. I personally would write all the PP who rejected you and say something like the following. I am new to THS and would appreciate any feedback on why you rejected my application. I am trying to learn and improve. I promise I will not respond back so no worries about giving me constructive criticism. I want to thank you in advance. Maybe only one will write back but that one person’s advice can change you not getting accepted to getting accepted to other sits. Be sure not to write them back. That’s what others would be afraid of, you now getting defensive.
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Your membership fee lasts a whole year. That’s a long time to apply for sits. It is still great value for money even if you only do a couple of sits a year. No one can see the number of sits you’ve been rejected from. I’d say keep trying - keep tweaking/improving your profile, your applications. You might just be unlucky applying for hugely popular sits. Good luck.
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I haven’t yet, but will do. Thanks!
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Thanks Smiley, yes I change each application with the names and situation of each host. I even personalize it a bit with what I consider relatable info, like if I’m from there, etc.
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I applied for sits for where I was intending on traveling soon and resorted to a local sit only after those failed. I am applying to low application sits, as well as ones I would think they would choose me for, like commonalities.
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great advice, thank you!
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Thanks everyone for all of the advice, this is a great support system. Update, THS has said they will extend my refund period, and I’ve decided to keep attempting applications. I’m going to try to figure out how to attach my profile page link here for more advice, as suggested.
(Listing link added to Forum profile by the Forum Team).
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Hi, and welcome to forum where there are wise regulars who’ll certainly be able to tighten up your profile, no doubt. The first thing that jumped out at me were the restrictions…these may be lessening your chances somewhat. Maybe don’t mention fragrance free or lack of pet care experience. ( sounds like your son is the cat expert) or needing to have him practice music which could be disruptive to the pets….maybe focus on your love of pets vs traveling…the way you’ve described your reasons for becoming a member are more travel oriented than pet care. But maybe you are really thinking of house sitting more than the pet care? If so, it’s a great profile, no worries about the changes I suggested! The problem is, this site only has a few housesitting opportunities, most are geared toward pet sitting. You sound wonderful, and your strengths as a housesitter are formidable! Good luck!
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I toughed it out with a couple of undesrable sits to get good reviews. Now i have 30 sits, 5 stars, and i get fabulous sits now.
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I had a quick read through your profile and it’s very descriptive and interesting but my feeling is that you are focussing too much on your desire to travel, add excitement to your life, and have lots of new experiences.
A sitter needs to come across as reliable, self-sufficient, and desirous of spending time with animals.
I would definitely remove the details about your son’s musical instruments, that’s not at all relevant to house/pet sitting. I get that you want to sound like an interesting, life loving pair but that’s not really what home owners are looking for.
Also, are you looking only for non-smoking, non-vaping and fragrance free homes or are you saying that you are all three. It’s going to be extremely difficult to find homes that are fragrance free. My own home is fragrance free and I do find it difficult to be in homes with a lot of fragrances/chemicals and especially plug in air fresheners but needs must!
Have you looked at other sitter’s profiles? I read many when I was constructing my own and I found it helpful.
I could be wrong but I think what you have tried to do is make yourself stand out as being very different from the norm and you sound like a fascinating person but maybe homeowners are looking for people who are more traditional?
Also, you need some photos of yourselves with animals.
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Could you get some pics of you and your son with animals? And emphasise the love of pets above the love of anything else?
You come across in your profile as lively and fun-loving. IMHO, homeowners are looking for someone reliable and devoted to the pets in their care so that’s what you need to stress.
There’s no need to say that you are allergic to dogs - just don’t apply to any sits where there is a dog in the house. I’d also drop the reference to taking a cat for a walk - most owners won’t want to think that’s a possibility.
Good luck!
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Hope this helps, I’ve just checked out your profile, there’s a crystal clear factor why you’re struggling to secure sits, because your first impression definitely does NOT say ‘animal lover’ or ‘responsible person’. Without those 2 things being right, HO’s won’t click to read more.
The first 2 things an HO see’s is your images and your profile headline/title, neither of which is anything about pets.
Your images are all about you having a good time and enjoying life… make them a little more pet orientated - even if it means stroking a neighbours pet, or going to a cat/dog cafe. Even just making 2 or 3 of your images of you and pets is enough to get going.
Your first impression also currently says:
Living, Loving, Adventuring
That reads as though you’re loving life by having adventures. Not anything linked to animals.
Hope that helps
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