If you are new to housesitting and haven’t yet landed your first gig, then read on. This is a short guide to help you get started in housesitting. If on the other hand you have already done a sit or two, but want to become more adventurous then we’ll help you go further afield to find a housesitting job. Read of for our housesitters guide with easy to follow steps.
1. Get some local experience of house and pet sitting
A really great way to see if housesitting agrees with you, is to find a local housesitting job.
Look around in the neighbourhood to see if anyone is looking for help with feeding their cat while they are away, or dogsitting. An excellent way to look for such opportunities is through networks like Nextdoor. The advantage of using a local network like that is that people near you, your neighbours will know you and can vouch for you. it is a great way to get started.
2. Register on a housesitting platform
If you already have pet care experience, perhaps because of your professional work or simply because you have always had pets in the home, then it is time to register on a housesitting platform. If you want to take pet care to a professional standard then we recommend you take up pet sitter insurance and take a pet CPR or first aid course. Most local vet surgeries will be able to guide you to the nearest one.
If you don’t want to earn money by house or petsitting but are keen to exchange your services for free accommodation to help you travel then try amateur housesitting. Join a housesitting platform like Housesitmatch.com which facilitates housesitting matches between housesitters and homeowners.
The platform will have security checks, so be prepared to do an ID check online. And a security conscious site like Housesitmatch will also ask for an up to date police and background check. Fortunately if you don’t have an up to date certificate you can complete the form and request a check via the website, no matter where you are in the world. Registering with a safety first site should give you confidence to travel within your own country and perhaps further afield, knowing everyone on the site has been checked.
3. Build a great housesitter profile
When joining a housesitting website as a housesitter, there is a certain core of information you need to share with the platform and with the other members of the site. Remember to give sufficient and appropriate information in order that to those reading your profile, who will only see what you have written because they don’t actually know you yet, what you write matters. Here are my top tips in what to put in your profile:
Profile Description — Be sure to describe a little of your background, where you come from and what you believes qualifies you to be a good house and pet sitter. If you have an option to choose a large housesitter profile format take it; it may cost more but it’ll give you more space to describe who you are and convince readers you are the best choice for them.
Motivation — In your profile description be sure to describe what has brought you to try housesitting. Or if you are a regular sitter why you love doing it and how you manage financially while you housesit for free.
Profile photos — The same goes for the photos you share online. Remember, as that old adage goes a picture really does paint a thousand words. If you love pets, show people photos of you holding pets you have cared for.
Pet care expertise — If you have taken a pet CPR or first aid course, or even a dog handling course be sure to share that important information in your profile. It may help you stand out from the crowd of other newly registered housesitters.
Profile Video — If your profile format allows for a video to be uploaded, take that opportunity, even if it costs a little more. Be sure to take a little time to plan what you are going to say, about your experience in home and pet care, about your motivation for housesitting. Homeowners love to learn about you and why you are doing housesitting. Be open and clear in your presentation.
4. Make each housesitting application count
When you apply for a housesitting assignment, think of each application as a new one to a new homeowner. Never assume they know anything about you or that they have read your profile before. And be sure to tailor your application, highlighting strong experiences in your repertoire as appropriate to their housesitting assignment. For example, if you have lots of experiences with dogs and they have multiple dogs for you to care for describe your experience as well as you can. Give clear examples of instances where your experiences mattered and helped a situation.
5. Be communicative and responsive
Remember to monitor your applications carefully and watch the website on a regular basis. As soon as you have response read their message and try to response in turn as soon as you can giving full and detailed responses to any questions they may have. If you have references outside of the housesitting platform be sure to offer those. Any such details may help you secure the housesit.
6. Help the homeowner — aim for an A+ review
Once you have secured the housesit, remember that you are providing a service. Listen carefully to all that they have asked you to do to care for their pets and property. Make sure if it is at all possible that you fulfil your end of the bargain. The housesit is a collaboration, and exchange of services.
Another top tip while they are away on their trip, if they have asked you to keep in touch, send them regular updates on all that is going on at home. Tell them what the pets are getting up to, send photos and videos so they can see the pets are in good health and happy.
7. Be generous -treat your host, as you would like to be treated
All this helps to give the homeowner peace of mind. And as you prepare for their return, just think of all the gestures that would help you feel happy about returning home. We always suggest replacing any foodstuffs you used from their larder or fridge. In fact, I love to cook my homeowners a meal on their return to make sure that is not a worry on their first night home. And that they have fresh milk and bread ready for breakfast the next day.
Remember, if you meet or exceed their expectations they are likely to recommend you with an A+ review, or better still ask you back for a resit! With a growing number of excellent reviews you will find it much easier to find a housesitting job no matter where you want to travel.
By Lamia Walker
