Questions to Ask During a Domestic Helper Interview

An interview is the only time you hear directly from the person who will work in your home before they start. Twenty focused minutes is usually enough if you prepare. Below are questions grouped by topic, with notes on what to listen for.

Before the interview

• Have your written list of tasks and working hours ready. If you do not have one, use our guide to responsibilities to discuss before deployment.
• Decide who in the family will join. The person who will manage the helper day to day should be present.
• For audio or video interviews, test the call link and choose a quiet time. Maidvy coordinates these interviews, often on Google Meet, with shortlisted candidates.

Experience and background

• "Tell me about the last home you worked in. What did a normal day look like?"
• "How long did you work there, and why did you leave?"
• "Which tasks did you do most often?"

Useful answers include specific routines, household size and tasks. Vague answers are common when people are nervous, so ask a gentle follow-up: "What time did you usually start?"

The work in your home

• "Here is what a day in our home involves. Which parts are you comfortable with?"
• "Is there anything on this list you have not done before?"
• "How do you usually organise cleaning when there is a lot to do?"

An honest "I have not done that before, but I can learn" is more useful than agreeing to everything.

Hours, weekly off and leave

• "These are the working hours. Do they suit you?" Daytime arrangements are usually 6, 8, 9 or 10 hours.
• "Which day would you prefer as a weekly off?"
• "Do you have any regular commitments, such as festivals or visits home, we should plan for?"

For live-in roles, also discuss sleep time, rest breaks and the private space you will provide. See how to prepare accommodation for a live-in maid.

Questions by role

Cook

• "Which cuisines and dishes do you cook regularly?"
• "How do you handle a family member who is vegetarian, Jain or on a diet?"
• "How do you plan groceries for the week?"

More in our cook hiring checklist.

Nanny or baby caretaker

• "What ages of children have you looked after?"
• "How do you calm a crying baby or a child who refuses to eat?"
• "What would you do if the child has a fever while we are out?"

The right answer to the last question is to call the parents immediately and follow their instructions, not to give medicine on their own. Compare roles in baby caretaker vs nanny.

Japa maid

• "How many mothers and newborns have you supported?"
• "How do you bathe and massage a newborn?"
• "How will you support the mother's rest during night feeds?"

See what to check before hiring a Japa maid.

Elder care attendant

• "Have you helped an elderly person with walking, bathing or meals?"
• "How would you respond if they fall?"

Elder care attendants provide non-medical support. Clinical tasks need a qualified nurse; see elder care attendant vs home nurse.

Questions the helper should ask you

A good interview runs both ways. Invite questions: "What would you like to know about our home?" Helpers often ask about salary, food, hours, children, pets and leave. Answer clearly. The salary is agreed between you and the helper based on experience, duties, hours and city; it is separate from any agency fee.

What to avoid

• Questions about caste, religion or community. Maidvy's policies do not allow discrimination on these grounds.
• Promising duties, pay or leave you have not decided on.
• Judging only on speed or confidence. Calm, specific answers are often a better sign.

After the interview

Write down your impressions while they are fresh. If you are choosing between candidates, compare them against your task list rather than memory. When you are ready, confirm the joining date and share the written duty sheet. If you hire through Maidvy, your advisor coordinates the next steps described on how it works.

How to run a good audio or video interview

1. Introduce everyone on the call and explain the role in two or three sentences.
2. Walk through a normal day in your home, then ask the helper which parts they have done before.
3. Ask the role-specific questions above.
4. Discuss hours, weekly off and, in broad terms, salary.
5. Invite the helper's questions and answer them honestly.
6. Close by explaining when you will decide.

Speak slowly and, where possible, in a language the helper is comfortable with. Many good helpers are less confident on video than in person.

Comparing candidates fairly

Score each candidate against the same list: relevant experience, comfort with your specific tasks, fit with your hours, communication, and how well they understood the role. Writing short notes immediately after each call makes the comparison much fairer than relying on memory a day later.

For reference, Maidvy's service fee is ₹15,000 + 18% GST = ₹17,700 on the Daytime Plan and ₹25,000 + 18% GST = ₹29,500 on the 24×7 Live-In Plan. The helper's monthly salary is always separate and agreed between the family and the helper.

Frequently asked questions

How long should a domestic helper interview take?

Around 15 to 30 minutes is usually enough if you have your task list and hours ready.

Can I interview a helper by video?

Yes. Maidvy coordinates audio or video interviews, often on Google Meet, with shortlisted candidates.

Should I discuss salary in the interview?

Yes, at least in broad terms. The salary is agreed directly between the family and the helper and is separate from Maidvy's service fee.

What questions should I avoid?

Avoid questions about caste, religion or community, and do not make promises about pay or leave you have not decided.

Who should attend the interview from our family?

The person who will manage the helper day to day should attend. If the role involves children or an elder, the parent or main caregiver should join too.