Profile Autopsy

Sitter Questions, Advice & Chat
1

New to the site and I’ve been rejected for all but one of the listings I’ve applied to (about 40). Only had 2 or 3 interviews as well.

I’m a US resident applying for sits in a major city for Halloween. I get that I’m new, so I’m pretty flexible on location and timing; just as long as it’s within reasonable distance. I have lots of experience caring for both cats & dogs, and make sure that that’s mentioned. I have references for sits that I’ve done before THS, and I try to tailor my application to the listing.

I’m at the point where I’m seriously considering just deleting my account. But first I’m posting it here (identifying info redacted) to see if there’s just something wrong with it.

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2

The profile not the problem as I see it. Except you maybe take away 420. Ok the nonsmoking as lots of nonsmokers but no need to mention that other drugs not taken if so then say no heroin either lol!

You have no references or reviews that is big problem I had that too at first.

Do local sits. Offer to go to the house and meet before they accept you. Do sits nobody else wants even if tough. Get reviews. Then you will see results good luck!

3

@Flowers Your application message is the first thing that a host sees , if it doesn’t strike the right note they are unlikely to even look at your profile .

What is the style of your application?

Good applications are not generic , they are personal to the listing . It’s helpful to provide the host with the reason why you are wanting to sit for them , ( not just “I want to be in your city for Halloween” ) State your experience with caring for their type of pet and include some reassuring information regarding how you will be travelling to the sit and reassurance that you will be focusing on spending time with the pets not leaving them alone for long periods while you enjoying events in the city .

Does your profile include photos of you interacting with various pets ? That visual is reassuring to hosts . This is especially important as you do not have any reviews yet .

How many references do you have ?( I can’t see any but maybe they are not included in the screenshot ) The more you have the better , these can be from people whose pets you have cared for in the past . Which should be no problem as you state your profession is Dog Walker.

As a sitter without any reviews you can improve your chances of being chosen if you start by applying for local sits ( where you can meet beforehand) ; sits in less popular locations and last minute sits.

All the best ! As @Ondrej has stated once you get even one THS review it gets so much easier to confirm a sit .

4

It’s the wording of your profile, without a shadow of a doubt! Please don’t take offence at any of this, I am trying to help.

The owners need to feel connected to you, and nothing in your wording does that.

Your about part is weak. it’s factual, it’s not friendly, approachable, or pet loving… pet sitter and dog walker are factual/statements/roles, they are not words the say pet loving, it doesn’t ooze someone who loves pets. You need to get across how it feels to do those roles. That’s what your whole wording is missing, it’s emotion/feeling/personality/kindness/heartfelt passion.

I’ve never heard of the term transplant until now (but I’m in the uk)… but is that the best way you can kick off that section “a transplant that splits her time bla bla bla”, it doesn’t give any sign of warm vibes.

It’s the same with your experience part, take what you have written and think about why you boarded dogs, why you are a pet sitter.

Also, remove the word party from your profile, stick to what you are, not what you aren’t, you are putting negative words in it for no reason, if an owner simply scans without reading properly they will see the word party and click away.

Hope it helps, you’ll love it once you get properly started.

Copy and paste it into chatgpt, and ask it tell you how you improve it so pet owners know you love pets, because it’s the natural pet-lover vibe you are missing. Then, don’t go with what chatgpt told you to, tweak it until you are happy with it.

Imagine if you had pets, do you want a pet sitter or would you prefer a pet sitter that knew adored pets and loved spending time with them… that’s the bit you’re missing.

5

You say you have been rejected for all but one. Does that mean you were offered the one sit? If so, take it, get a good review and that will make it easier to get other offers. 40 is a high number of rejections even for a newbie. Maybe post your first letters to hosts. That may be the problem more than your profile although I feel your profile needs to be warmed up.

6

I’m in a state where marijuana is legal and VERY common. You do need to specify you don’t use it, or else it’s generally just assumed that you do. It’s probably more common than drinking.

7

I live in a U.S. state where marijuana is legal and a nearly $1 billion industry annually, but I simply note that I’m a nonsmoker and have never had trouble getting sits, even when I was starting out.

You’ve been given useful feedback on this thread. I’d try changing your profile as suggested.

8

As mentioned in the post, I try to tailor my response to each Iisting. I try to touch on

  • Who I am and why I’m applying
  • A bit about my experience and how it’s relevant to the pet(s)
  • How I spend my time/ What I’ll be doing while they’re away

and close with an invitation to set up a video call.

I recently applied to a last minute listing near my house to sit a pit bull. I put in the above info, plus mentioned that I had literally just finished a sit watching an anxious pit bull. She let the listing expire rather than reach out to anyone. That’s been pretty typical of my experiences so far.

9

I agree with @HappyDeb. I don’t get any sense of who you are from your listing, it comes across to me as quite bland, cold even. I would get rid of the bullet points too and put that information into a paragraph.

10

I’ve changed my profile several times over the course of this misadventure, including since posting it in this forum. I’ve since been wordlessly rejected for 2 more sits.

At this point it’s pretty safe to say that it’s probably not the profile. I’m starting to wonder if most HO’s are even getting that far.

11

Can you send us an example please of what kind of application letter you’re writing alongside your THS profile, and maybe experienced members can help work on making this more successful for you. It’s ultimately just a matching service so there’s just a mismatch in there somewhere that needs a tweak. #sharetheinfo

12

I agree with the other comments. Before I even read the other comments, I didn’t get any warm or inviting vibe at all from your profile. Don’t care for the word “served” in how you cared for cats and not keen on the term “transplant”.

13

As many will tell you, and have mentioned on this forum on many threads, most new sitters have to start out by taking less popular sits. Starting out with a major city is going to be an exercise in frustration. You have to build your REVIEWS on your profile.

Find local sits that have few applicants. The vast majority of us start there.

14

Drop the 420 reference. I don’t think it helps and it puts an idea in the reader’s head that wouldn’t be there otherwise.
Similarly remove the mention of “party”, especially if you’re applying for sits over a holiday period.
Having THS reviews behind you is by far the biggest boost you will get. If you’re flexible with travel over the holidays then last minute sits would be a good thing to go for as holiday sits in big cities are in demand and fill up with experienced applicants. Also try some short sits. More reviews in less time and not everyone wants to do sits that are only a few days so less competition.

About:

I’m a dog walker and pet sitter, so I spend most of my working day with other people’s dogs, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I moved here from the East Coast a few years ago and love exploring the parks and museums nearby, often with a dog in tow. I also work freelance as a writer, which means I can work from your home and the pets get company for most of the day, not just at feeding times.

I’m a non-smoker, first aid and CPR certified, and a quiet, tidy houseguest. Evenings for me are a film on the sofa, ideally with a cat on my lap.

Experience:

I spent X years working at a kennel, caring for dogs and cats every day. Walks, playtime, feeding, and giving medication to dogs who weren’t keen on taking it. I now walk dogs professionally and sit for local clients, including an anxious pit bull I just finished caring for.

At home I’ve had kittens, senior cats and rabbits, so I’m comfortable with everything from a bouncing puppy to an elderly cat who needs a slower pace and a watchful eye.

Sample application:

Hi (host name)

(Dog’s name) looks like a sweetheart, and I’d love to look after (him/her) while you’re away from (date to date).

I’m a professional dog walker and pet sitter based in (city/area), about (distance/time) from you, so I can easily come by beforehand to meet you both. I’ve also worked at a kennel, where I cared for dogs every day, including walks, feeding, playtime and giving medication. I’ve just finished a sit with an anxious pitbull, so I’m used to taking things slowly and keeping a nervous dog’s routine steady. (put in something from your experience that matches their pet)

While you’re away, (dog’s name)’s routine comes first. I’m a quiet, tidy houseguest and a non-smoker, and I’m first aid and CPR certified. My days would be built around (his/her) walks and meals, with trips to your local park, and I’ll send photos and updates as often as you’d like.

(Optional line that shows you read the listing, e.g. “I loved the photo of him on the sofa with his ball” or a question about the pet’s quirks.)

I’d be happy to set up a video call or meet in person, whichever suits you. I have references from previous clients on my profile, as I’m just starting out on TrustedHousesitters, and I’m keen to earn my first review here with you.

Thanks for considering me
(Name)

15

@Ray2 Perfection.

16

“I’m a professional dog walker” is all wrong for this site

these are not paid sits, and it implies this sitter wants to be paid for it

17

Agree. She said she also worked or volunteered at a shelter and walked dogs so that one is good to mention, but definitely not the professional dog walker or sitter.

18

It’s a big part of the relevant experience though, so it should be in, at least in some form.

Experience:

I spent X years working at a kennel, caring for dogs and cats every day. Walks, playtime, feeding, and giving medication to dogs who weren’t keen on taking it. I now walk dogs professionally and sit for local clients, including an anxious pit bull I just finished caring for.

At home I’ve had kittens, senior cats and rabbits, so I’m comfortable with everything from a bouncing puppy to an elderly cat who needs a slower pace and a watchful eye.

Application:

I’m a professional dog walker and pet sitter based in (city/area), about (distance/time) from you, so I can easily come by beforehand to meet you both.

Dogs are my day job and my favourite part of my free time too, so TrustedHousesitters is a natural fit. I love the exchange at the heart of it. Your pets stay happy at home, and I get to enjoy a new neighbourhood with them. I’m only about (distance/time) away and would be glad to meet you both beforehand.

19

If I was a dog owner on this site and read the word professional in an application to sit for me, I would reject it immediately

Red flag

If I wanted a professional sitter I would not be on this site.

20

It is 100% your profile and/or what you are writing in your personal message. Your profile lacks emotion/feeling, and so it’s safe to presume you are making the exact same mistake in your personal message.

Copy and paste what you are writing in your personal message on here too, because people on here are fantastic at giving tips to help others secure sits, same with helping owners with their profiles too.

Also, consider what your photo’s portray too.