Anyone applying for a job needs to allot time and preparation for the work they wish to have. This also applies to aspiring Filipino domestic workers in Singapore. Aside from gathering the documents and funds to make your application and travel possible, you also need to prepare physically, emotionally, and mentally.
Also Read: Foreign Domestic Workers Rake in SGD 11.1 Billion to Singapore’s Economy
And part of the preparation is getting ready to undergo screening and interview with your agency or employer. What are the questions that you should expect and prepare for to be able to work as a domestic helper in Singapore?
Disclaimer: The information published is based on the experience shared by the vlogger/YouTuber. The information provided may change without prior notice and may differ in actual scenarios. Let this article serve as a guide only.
Here is the video guide shared by a Filipina working in Singapore as a domestic helper a.k.a. Yaya Jhin. If you find her tips helpful, you may check out her YouTube channel to catch more interesting content about her work and life as an OFW in Singapore.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aznGd_cLz4Y
Basic Job Interview Questions Every Aspiring Domestic Worker in Singapore Should Know
In this post, we will share some basic questions and tips on how to respond during an interview so that you will have better chances of landing a job as a domestic helper here in Singapore.
Before we jump right into the questions and tips, here’s a simple reminder for everyone: While it is not required that you have to be good in speaking in English, you need to at least know basic English because you will be working with foreign clients and communication is an important aspect in any kind of work.
Here are some of Yaya Jhin’s tips on how to ace an interview for work as a domestic helper in Singapore:
1. Tell me about yourself.
When you are asked this question, you should only provide information such as your:
-
- name,
- age,
- height,
- weight,
- educational background,
- civil status, and
- if you have kids
Your answers should reflect the ones you have indicated in your biodata or application form. Do not describe your situation in the Philippines to gain the interviewer’s sympathy when answering this question unless asked in the interview.
2. Do you have any work experience as a domestic helper?
Because you are applying for work as a domestic helper, you have to answer “YES” to this question. And even if you don’t have any work experience as a domestic helper, remember that your agency or employer will provide some kind of training or orientation when you are considered for work overseas.
But if you have some experience, you have to provide the number of people in the household you worked for (e.g. I have 2 years of experience in a household of 4 – 2 adults and 2 kids ages 12 and 7). This would give your employer an idea with your ability to take care of the needs of an entire family or a household of 4.
3. Why do you want to work in Singapore?
For this question, you can say reasons like higher income or to be able to support your family back home or to send your kids to school. This will give your employer an idea about your goals and reason(s) for working abroad.
4. Do you know how to cook?
If you haven’t had any kitchen training on any kind of Asian cuisine aside from Filipino food then it’s ok to say “Yes, I know how to cook Filipino food.”
And when asked if you can cook Chinese food, then you can say “No, but I’m willing to learn.”
5. What will you do if the baby won’t stop crying?
This is a situational question testing your judgment and critical thinking. You can say “I will check if the baby is hungry or if the diaper is wet. I will also check his/her temperature. If the baby has a fever, I will immediately inform my employer.”
6. How long are you planning to work in Singapore?
As a general answer, you can say: “For as long as I can or as long as my employers would allow me to.” Again, saying this communicates that you are dedicated and are a hard worker, ready to commit for the long-term.
7. How many days-off do you prefer in a month?
While the question is asking for your personal preference, it’s very practical and important to say “once or twice a month”. Jhin points out that the reason you came to Singapore is to work, so spending fewer days off in a month will be better for you. Besides, going out every week is going to be expensive for a domestic worker in Singapore.
8. How are you going to maintain a good relationship between you and your employer?
There are many ways you can answer this question, but among the best responses according to Jhin is to be honest, to follow your employer’s instructions, be focused on your work, and to exercise patience. Listening to your employer and showing respect is also important.
9. How are you going to fight homesickness?
This is one of the common problems of OFWs abroad. Again, the answer to this varies from one person to another, but the main idea is to do something to fight homesickness. So, you can mention some of your hobbies such as listening to music, calling your loved ones, or simply focusing on your work.
10. Do you have any experience taking care of the elderly?
As explained earlier, you can mention any relevant experiences by detailing the number of years you did for this kind of work or if you took care of an elderly family member back home. If not, you can say: “No, but I am willing to learn.”
11. Do you have any experience with pets?
Back in the Philippines, it’s common for us to have pets such as dogs or cats, so chances are, you might have some experience taking care of them. If not, you can say: “No, but I am willing to learn.”
Preparing for an interview is just as important as gathering the required documents when applying for a job as a domestic helper. As you will be providing your services, you have to reveal a certain degree of your personality and character on top of your experiences when it comes to work.
Do you have any experience during an interview? How did it go? Are there any other questions and tips on how to answer them that you would like to add or share? Let us know by leaving a comment below so we can help other aspiring domestic workers who wish to work in Singapore or abroad.
ALSO READ: How Domestic Workers Can Get a UK Working Visa