How not to blow the interview

Even though an interview is a two-way street, let's begin by looking at it from Madam's point of view. By knowing what she hopes to achieve, DH is in a better position to "market" herself. She is like a fish vendor who is trying to persuade a prospective customer that her lapu lapu is the best in the whole market and is worth the price she is asking for! Yes, a job applicant should think of the interview as a means of promoting her product (i.e. the housekeeping and caregiving skills she has to offer).

So what is Madam looking for in a domestic worker? Is she looking for someone to take care of her newborn baby, do the laundry, cook the family meals and keep the apartment clean while she goes about her own business? If DH feels that she is qualified for the job, then she will have first to convince Madam that she is the best among the dozen or so candidates Madam has on her list, just as a fish vendor tries to persuade a prospective customer that her lapu lapu is the best in the market. If DH is successful in convincing Madam, she will then have the privilege of deciding if she wants the job.

To do well in the interview, DH should be alert and attentive. Remember Madam has many candidates to interview and she is tired of hearing nonsensical answers some applicants give. If DH answers a question by asking another question, Madam will likely be impatient and will probably not be keen to continue with the interview. Maybe she will say, "Thank you very much, that will be all. Good luck."

For example, if Madam asks, "Have you worked in any other country?" and DH answers with "You mean in the Philippines?" then it is clear DH is not paying attention. It is like she is saying "Hmmmm . . ., errrrr . . ., let's see, have I worked in another country!", playing for time as she thinks of an answer.

A simple yes or no is the obvious answer. If "yes", following it up with some details would be best, e.g., "Yes, I worked in Brunei for an expatriate family of 5 for 3 years from Janauary 1999 to January 2002. One of my main duties was care of a baby from the age of 3 months". Clearly, if DH thinks about her interview and "previews" the whole process in her head beforehand, she will do a better job of promoting herself as the most suitable one on Madam's list.

DH should have an idea what is required of her as a nanny/housekeeper. If she knows what is expected of her, then she will be prepared to "enlighten" Madam, to let Madam know that what she is looking for she can find in her. So as soon as Madam asks "Have you any experience caring for a newborn baby" DH is ready with the answer.

The answer would likely contain several sections, like:

• Yes, I have taken care of two babies, one from birth when I was working in Brunei from Jan 1999 to Jan 2003 and one in Singapore aged 5 months from March 2004 until the present. This simple answer gives so much information, the type of information a prospective employer needs in order to make a decision to hire."
• In Brunei I was lucky that Madam was a homemaker and I assisted her first by doing the simpler chores like making the baby formula and washing and sterilising the bottles at first. Later, one by one, I took over the rest of the tasks.
• In Singapore the baby was older so Madam left it all to me since she had to go to work and I also had prior experience.

Sometimes DH has additional information which Madam does not expect and so will not ask DH for it. DH should wait for a chance to tell her about some subject or course she has taken (such as midwifery, nursing, education nutrition and HRM). Try to show that connection between the subject and duty DH will have to perform. For example, a midwifery graduate or undergraduate who has been posted to a nursery or delivery room can show off her training. She should let Madam know that what she (the DH) is expected to do for the Madam's pride and joy she has already done while she was training to be a midwife.

Of course if Madam is impressed, she will be more willing to give DH the terms she seeks, e.g.: a good starting salary, sufficient days off, and reasonable working hours. Some employers do not let their domestic helpers have enough time off and the off day is not totally a rest day. The domestic helper must make breakfast before she goes out and be home by 5 p.m. to prepare dinner for the family. If Madam is impressed by DH, she is less likely to let DH have a short and incomplete rest day, etc. She realises that if she does not make a reasonable offer to DH, some other employer will.