Household Staff of the Future
This is not, as you may think from the title, a new Marvel movie, but the first piece in an occasional series providing guidance for those candidates who think they might like to work in private households. We thought it might be helpful to take a brief look at the pros and cons of each role and what you might expect to experience. This week we’ll be discussing housekeepers, Personal Assistants and Nannies. More roles to follow in the future…
Housekeeper
If you enjoy being hands on, cleaning and organising in the home.
Pros
- You will actively improve the life of the principals you work for, giving excellent job satisfaction. You provide a service that will de-stress your employer through having a clean, tidy and well-organised environment.
- Most housekeeping roles provide a good work-life balance, as many households require the services of a housekeeper within normal working hours. For more flexible candidates (or those who might not necessarily want conventional hours), sometimes more variation is required, depending on the principal’s schedule.
- Some roles offer accommodation, or a contribution to housing and utilities etc., over and above your salary.
- Many households have pets, so animal-loving candidates could play a role in the lives of the four-legged members of the family.
Cons
- Can be very fast paced and hands on, which doesn’t suit every candidate.
- Hours can be demanding, depending on the needs of the client.
Personal Assistant (PA)
If you enjoy organising, planning and a fast-paced lifestyle.
Pros
- You’re often able to manage your own workload and make decisions, according to the needs of your employer, without being micro-managed.
- A strong and lasting working relationship is often cultivated with the principals, through working one-on-one.
- There may be the opportunity for international travel.
- Variety in what you do from day to day.
- Often a good deal of remote working, rather than being stuck in an office every day.
Cons
- Often asked for assistance or contacted out of conventional working hours.
- In some roles there can be very little team support, with the expectation that you’ll manage your and your employer’s workloads efficiently. Therefore requires excellent resilience of mind.
Nanny
If you love children, love helping people and prefer a flexible lifestyle.
Pros
- For those who love children this can be an extremely rewarding, fun role, with a lot of variety day-to-day.
- Often accommodation is provided alongside your salary.
- Travel with the family is often involved.
- For those who don’t want a Monday-Friday 9-5, the flexible and unconventional hours can be attractive.
- A strong bond is very often built up with the children, and with the family.
Cons
- Can be very demanding, and you might be expected to spend extended hours with the children.
- Travel with the family could well be over peak holiday periods, school holidays, Christmas or other religious festivals.
- An incredibly high level of responsibility (although, of course, the right candidates often see this as a positive)
Pembury Partners excels in matching the best housekeepers, PAs and Nannies with the finest households, worldwide.
