My husband and I have nearly 30 reviews and a wealth of experience caring for pets.
We have noticed an increasing request for video calls. English is not our first language, and we are naturally quite introverted and extremely shy.
We find that video calls can feel like high pressure job interviews.
Because of this, we prefer to avoid video interviews during the initial selection process.
When we didn’t do videocall the pet owners was extremely happy and always write us 5 stars reviews.
But people doesnt understand that someone can be amazing with animals but not good at all in camera…
I dont mind a lot about a old fashioned call even my english is not the best, but not with videocall..
I also have to add when Im already choosen i dont mind to video call even if i dont like because is too see the apartment and meet the pets but not the the tipical job interview.
So almost with the 30 reviews everytine i reject the video call i got rejected of the sitting…is been frustrating.
Once a sitting is confirmed is totally different… But i cant understand with so many reviews why almost all the pet owners want a videocall…
Any advice? I dont know what to do, but i cant videocall for sure
I think THS encourage video calls and many members won’t commit to a sit without one.
Personally I don’t like video calls, maybe it is an age thing.
We have been sitting for 13 years and have completed over 100 sits and I can count on one hand the number of video calls we have had with hosts.
English is my first language but I feel uncomfortable during the call and get stressed in the run up to it. I am happy to have a telephone conversation.
So that is just me and my take on it. It hasn’t stopped me getting the sits I apply for (as far as I know). I would never refuse one but I would rather not if I had a choice.
My video skills may be poor but I am still an excellent pet sitter (if I do say so myself).
You can use the spy glass at the top of the page and search video call to see previous threads on the subject.
I can understand your anxiety around this. English is my first language and I don’t particularly like video calls either, not because I feel like it’s an interview, more because it just feels unnatural. The only suggestion I can make is that in your application state that you find them very difficult and explain why and also urge hosts to look at all the reviews that you’ve had from sits that you got without a video call. If you’re happy with a telephone call and a video call after being offered the sit, tell them that as well. Good luck!
Didn’t the pandemic and working from home accelerate the use of video calls to the point where they are now routine in daily life? That might explain why owners expect them. I agree that the suggestion from @nofurbabies is excellent. Just explain up front that you find video calls difficult and direct the hosts to your reviews.
@Traveler27, from prior THS Forum threads then attitudes towards video calls vary significantly - by both pet parents and housesitters.
There does not appear a correct answer. Rather personal choices. But to secure a housesit, both parties presumably both have to have the same view. If a pet parent wants to have a video call then housesitter choices are to agree or withdraw. Likewise if a housesitter wants to have a video call then the pet parent choices are to agree or decline.
We’ve completed 100+ video calls. Personally - we would not consider agreeing to a sit without a video call. For us, the calls help to explore fit but they often provide important information about pets, property or housesit that was not mentioned in the listing.
Perhaps tactics that you may consider
State in your profile, as appropriate, that English is not your first language; and any comments about introvert/shy
State in your application that you are willing to answer, in written format on THS Message platform or WhatsApp, to pet parent questions
Prepare and offer a brief written document that summarizes information that you deem important to your profile, reviews and/or pet care. This document may be one-page and standard to all applications
Prepare, in application or separately, written language that explains your interest in a specific listing application
Yes it probably did for some.
I was retired by then so am not familiar with them.
Many of my generation have family living away and are used to Skype etc for keeping in touch so may feel a bit more familiar with video calls.
During Covid I just picked up the phone to speak to family and friends. I didn’t even feel comfortable having a video call with friends I have known for years.
What is second nature to one person is uncomfortable for the next.
I’m an introvert but I’m fine talking one-to-one with someone, just rubbish at small-talk. I mention in our profile that we’re happy to video chat, just to put owners mind at ease, but if an owner doesn’t directly ask, then I never bring it up at all.
I would say about 1 in 7 pet owners mention a video chat when they first respond to our application, and way less actually end up videoing in the end, they simply accept us.
We have 56 x 5 star reviews, but a lot of our reviews are for return sits. So in reality we don’t have a huge amount more than yourselves.
Have you tried adding up how many actually ask to video chat with you, versus how many you apply for, just to put it into context?
If it’s more than 1 in 7 like us, then perhaps it’s the location you are applying to, or maybe the one thing about our own profile is that we do not leave any question in the pet owners mind.
They know our lifestyle, they know why we pet sit, and they know how we fund our pet sitting lives. Along with the usual pet experience we have.
Although I (not native english speaker) make a lot of video calls for work, I don’t really like them as part of the application process either. And if it feels like a job interview rather than just a casual chat to get to know each other, then I’m out.
We’re lucky that around 50 % of HO don’t want a video call neither and book us straight away, after a few friendly written messages.
I don’t love video calls but I can appreciate their worth, for both parties. Body language, facial expressions and the way people speak can tell you a lot, so provide a good indicator of sitter /HO compatibility. We’ve done over 50 sits (via THS and another platform) and I think we’ve only agreed to a single sit without a video call (the exception being repeats, which don’t necessitate them).
I think because of my age and reviews, my next three sits coming up just accepted me when I applied. They were not new and had numerous reviews. I have had some that want a phone call first, newbies usually want a video chat, probably nervous about a stranger in the house. I have no idea why some hosts want video chats and others don’t. I have been sitting in my own state and I let them know the name of my retirement community so maybe being seniors themselves they just feel comfortable booking without a chat. If I was traveling out of the country, I am sure a video chat would be requested.
After 30 sits, I’m surprised that you are not now comfortable with video chats. You can tell them when you first start the chat, “ my husband and myself are very comfortable with pets but both get a little shy with video chats.” Say it with a smile. They will probably say something to help put you at ease like, “ we know what you mean.” Don’t think of it as a job interview but just having a conversation with a person you just met and the thing you have in common is the love of animals. Just have a natural conversation and get “job interview” out of your head.
Because most people who leave their homes and pets to the care of strangers want to feel at ease as much as possible with doing that and seeing them helps them do that and the technology is widely available and easy for most people. And as long as that’s the case and many sitters are open to video chatting, then hosts who want video chats don’t have to compromise on that.
Seems logical for hosts to weight based on what makes them comfortable. Note: You are focusing on what makes you (un)comfortable.
Personally, I’ve been accepted for sits without video chatting in a few cases, but that was early on. Since then, I expect video chats, for my own peace of mind, as well as the hosts’.
I would expect that hosts wanting video calls will only increase, because comfort with them continues to grow overall. Plus, with more new hosts signing up, there probably is more comfort for them to video chat vs. not.
You can’t control what others expect. You can control only your end of things, so it seems logical to get more comfortable with video calls.
As hosts we find the video call to be essential to our peace of mind. We are not doing job interviews and the calls are very relaxed. As we are French Canadians our English is not perfect either and it’s ok. We just want to get a good feel for the personality of the sitter to make sure they are a good fit with our cats. We are looking for people who are calm like we are so that our cats are comfortable with them and that the transition is seamless.
I find most hosts request video calls --if they want to connect prior to confirming --and I have no problem doing them.
I would be fine with a regular call if that is their preference. I just booked a sit yesterday with such a host.
Ultimately you are free to state this preference and some hosts may not mind or actually prefer that as well.
But you may also find that some hosts would not consider you as this is important to them and makes them feel more confident in their selection of a sitter-- they are dealing with complete strangers who will possibly end up in their home
When these people know really nothing about you, this one dimensional message or profile mentioning things like language barriers or social awkwardness may not give a great first impression. I am not saying these things are inherently bad or would affect how good of a sitter they are, but just that it could affect that initial assessment of whether this person would be a good fit.
It could possibly affect your chances but if you feel that strongly about it, then it could be something to consider. You can set whatever parameters you want and some will be a match to that and some will not.
It sounds like you have been doing pretty well to have done 30 sits. Did you get all those sits without a video call? Or have you done some? I’m sorry video calls feel like a job interview to you. For me, they are more like a meet and greet where I can find out if I really want the sit. A lot of times the whole story is not included in the listing and I have withdrawn my application after the video call.
Im introverted and shy too. But I find a video call more relaxing because I have my partner with me and I can see the hosts - and often times the pets.
I think many homeowners might see it as a red flag if people don’t want to do video calls. Part of this whole pet sitting thing is putting the homeowners mind at ease. They want to feel like you are someone they can communicate with.
There might be ways to get excepted more without video calls, but I think it might work better as far as getting sits to change the way you approach a video call. Perhaps practice what you want to say/ask and practice answers to typical questions. I find focusing on the pet(s) makes everyone more relaxed. Because hopefully everyone involved loves pets! A video call should feel like a chat so you can both feel each other out and decide if the sit is a good fit.
I’m just never going to accept someone without a videocall. I am also highly introverted - but I want to get a sense of who is staying in my place. For me, refusing a videocall means the person isn’t a good fit. I can’t imagine how stellar one’s profile, application AND reviews would have to be for me to be ok with that.
Being great with pets is important but communication with the HO is equally important.
Frankly I would decline a sitter who refused a video call first. While I understand as an introvert they may be uncomfortable for you, I would be concerned about your ability to communicate during a sit, especially if issues arose, if you were unable to tolerate a 20-30 minute video call.
It’s perfectly fine to explain that English is not your native language and pause to type things into Google Translate along the way (simply ask the host to write their question in the chat and copy/paste it into Google Translate).
I don’t mind video calls, in fact I prefer having one before accepting a sit, but I completely understand why some members feel anxious about them. Interestingly, it seems the number one reason people dislike video calls is “self-viewing.” Constantly seeing yourself on screen makes many feel very self-conscious and even anxious. If this is what worries you, perhaps a workaround is to use Zoom instead of WhatsApp. Zoom allows you to right-click your video and select “Hide Self View.” The other person can still see you, but you won’t have to look at yourself, which instantly lowers the pressure. The free basic Zoom account allows calls up to 40 minutes, which is usually plenty of time to chat through sit details.
Great suggestion from @Nofurbabies. I’ve done video and phone chats, I think I prefer a video chat as it’s good to see what the host looks like and I feel it allows both sides to have a more real (honest) communication. But this has just reminded me of the last video chat. I’m not sure if I wasn’t expecting video but I’d been gardening, hair was a mess because it was overdue for a cut and I was wearing scruffy gardening clothes. I was a little embarrassed but must have come across OK because I got the sit!
