Please quote the word GIBBERISH if you wish to reply to my post.
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Interesting. My immediate assumption would be that they previously had sitters apply who clearly hadn’t read the full profile and wasted their time (or worse - did the sit and it was a bad experience).
This was a popular trend in couchsurfing for a while. It makes it easy to immediately weed out folks who are not a good match (if reading the whole profile is a strong value to the HO). With the 5-application limit, I think it would give HOs in popular destinations a less time-consuming way to open up opportunities for other sitters as well.
I don’t do this on my profile, but I am surprised that sitters assume an HO who does is a high-maintenance or problematic host. If there are other ways in which it’s obvious an applicant has not actually read my profile I reject them right away - isn’t think just a shortcut?
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I don’t necessarily think the host will be problematic, but it is a red flag and it does tell me that we are not a good match. The host isn’t approaching this mutual exchange in the same way that I do. Using the secret word doesn’t stop people who haven’t read the entire listing from applying since they obviously don’t read that far, so I don’t really see the benefit. The host is essentially saying ‘I won’t even read your application if you don’t play my little secret word game.’ To me that doesn’t seem like they are approaching the host-sitter relationship as one of mutual respect.
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To me it’s a turnoff. I have a combined membership and I will admit it is tedious as a host when sitters haven’t read the entire listing or any part of the listing other than pet names. I also get it that with my NYC listing they might want to apply and then read later. When the listing is live for upcoming trip I always add a new opening paragraph before the “about us” that describes sit logistics, and mentions what a good match would be for us. It’s usually clear from the applications – without a secret word whether or not a sitter is right for the sit. I’m not trying to trick anyone. I probably wouldn’t apply as a sitter to the secret word sits.
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I don’t think the host is difficult or high maintenance. I think that if it is «important» to read the listing in full before applying, then it is probably because there’s information there that is out of the ordinary, and that it is important that a sitter is aware of before a sit.
Personally I would think it odd to stress a point like that for a standard-catsit with litterbox and 2 feedings a day. I would feel that somewhat condescending that a petsitter (sic!) should be reading carefully before a sit that a cat needs food and to relieve itself, and that a sitter need to prove that knowledge (?).
If there are issues that it is important that a sitter can handle and perhaps is more than a regular petsit, then I can understand why a host would feel a need to ensure the listing is read in full, so there are no surprises and a possible withdrawal later.
I always read listings and reviews. I would probably pass on many of those sits also. Not necessarily for a secret word only. But if it is lack of trust (either way) then it isn’t a good match.
I see it the same way.
When asked why we were chosen, the host replied that the social skills were crucial for him.
I think hosts have a sense of who is the best fit.
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But it saves a lot of time on the side of the HO for those in popular locations - no code word? Clearly the applicant didn’t take the effort to properly read the listing: delete.
Keep in mind that it’s time consuming for the HO with only 5 applicants max having to weed through each application, then decline to attract more applicants that ARE serious about the sit, etc. So I can imagine than an HO decides to use a code word if they have noticed that they get swamped with poor applications that fill up the 5 appl quota. Doesn’t say anything about the HO themselves, other than the HO being dedicated to getting get a good quality sitter!
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@Bluehorse Does it really take that long to read an application? A minute or two? Probably not as long as it took the sitter to write it. I would think from the application one could tell if the sitter has read the full listing. I’m not speaking for all sitters, just myself. I would not apply because I don’t think the hosts who use this approach view this as a mutual exchange.
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Edit --Just wanted to add I do understand the reasons why someone might want to do this. I just think it’s a very poor solution. It does not stop people from applying who haven’t read the entire listing. And it can be off-putting to the sitters who do read the listing carefully.
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I have seen it a couple of times and would never apply. If they want to play games I’ll take a pack of cards with me.
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I thought the same thing @Oztravels as often you can tell an owner has not read our full profiles!
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Absolutely! A huge red flag!
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Never in my lifetime I would apply to such a listing.
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Hi from the HO side. I put two questions at the end of my Responsibilities section that I always found myself asking applicants: one that’s potentially a logistical dealbreaker and one that sort of confirms they’ve actually read about my dog’s special needs. I guess this kind of counts as a secret code word, albeit less test/trap-like. At the very least, it’s some indicator of how closely they might read my sitter guide and follow care instructions.
Most applicants don’t answer them. I try to be upfront with my sitter needs and prefer to transition quickly into video chats, so it’s frustrating to have to volley a few more messages back and forth to get answers to things applicants should have already considered. I would call it a red flag, buuut since so few address the questions I’m open to calling it a “me issue” (I am long-winded) and instead I consider it a very very green flag when applicants do answer up front.
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Personally, I feel like asking sitters to answer questions in their applications regarding their ability to fulfil certain requirements is far more legitimate than a ‘secret word’ to trip potential applicants up. You are asking for information that is necessary and will inform you of how suitable a sitter is, and I would be happy to answer these without any concerns.
Being asked to put a code word in my application, on the other hand, suggests some kind of high society club that you need a code to enter as opposed to a mutually respectful dynamic and suggests mistrust from the outset. It’s a no from me.
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I have a relevant question too, though at the beginning of the listing, at the end of the first section.
Actually it’s not technically a question, but I ask sitters to share any previous experience they have from the area we’re in any similar places.
Most sitters address the issue, but not all.
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You could try moving it to the top of the page when you have an active listing. That way sitters will see it immediately and are more likely to opt out if the sit isn’t for them.
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In our listing we write something like “whether you love them or hate them, please use the word ‘squirrel’ early in your communications with us so that we know that you read at least this part of our description.”
It isn’t an absolute screening tool for us. We often get at least three excellent applicants (out of 5) for our listings. Whether or not they used the code word is simply one measure of how seriously they take us, and how detail-oriented they may be.
We have confirmed sitters that didn’t use the code, but they demonstrated in other ways that they would do an excellent job for us.
Wow - that is passive/aggressive behaviour…and a sign to move on (at least for me) !
How about reading my response (sans the test) and deciding from there whether on not to speak with me further ?
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Some sitters will never read the details fully, in the same way that some HO will never read a potential sitters details.
For example, in our profile, we have a statement stating we are unavailable due to health reasons-but still we get HO asking.
People are different, some are diligent, courteous, respectful etc whilst some are the exact opposite.
Its nothing more than human nature.
Maybe I should also think about putting such a silly thing in our sitter profile, because very often when I apply, HO do not read my profile and say instead: Oh, I loved your reviews, that is enough/all I need to know…
Hmmm, actually, no. I think that’s disrespectful, too. There are written necessities that are important to us, it’s not all about the HO and sitting job. It’s vice versa.
PS: Of course I won’t but something ‘hidden’ in my profile and I’m very sure it’s more off-putting the good ones. I wouldn’t want to sit for people who use that style. I’m not up for tests 
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