The best way to find an employee suited to your needs is to ensure that you properly advertise your position. When you are creating your profile, be sure to outline all of the required skills a potential employee should possess to qualify for the job. You should also provide a general description of what they would do once hired. This will help ensure that employees are given a full picture of the job and will also help you get more qualified matches.

Start by outlining the type of care you are seeking. Is it full-time, part-time, or occasional? What kinds of duties will they be responsible for? Be specific. Also, if you require an employee to have particular certifications, you should list this upfront as well. 

Next, be honest about the wage you are offering for these services. If you can only pay up to a certain amount, add this to your profile so that only employees who are willing to accept the wage you are offering will reach out. Remember that you are required to pay at least minimum wage. Advertising the rate of pay will save you both time and effort, so you are not spending hours messaging someone who is not willing to accept the amount you can offer.

Lastly, be yourself. Don’t try to make your profile sound like everyone else. Show your personality and make your profile stand out by highlighting who you are and what makes the job unique. Showing employees your personality upfront will help ensure you find a good fit and will not clash with them once hired.

How should I begin a conversation with a potential employee?

If you have found an employee you are interested in connecting with, the best thing to do is reach out and send them a message. The best messages will show your excitement in them for the role, provide a brief overview of what you are looking for, as well as show that you have read and understood the information outlined in their listing.

Be sure to start the message with a greeting and introduce yourself just like you would if you met them in person for the first time. Continue by stating why you are looking for an employee and outline any requirements that you feel are necessary. Closeout the message by asking if they would be available for a quick call to discuss the position further; this shows initiative and can help get the ball rolling a lot faster.

Lastly, don’t be afraid to follow up. If this is a person you are interested in and you haven’t heard back from them yet, a quick note can help to show your continued interest.

How should I respond to a message from an employee?

When you receive a message from a potential employee, you should review their profile to ensure they are a good fit for your needs. Read the whole thing, so you do not miss any critical details.

If you do not feel they are a good fit for you, respond to them saying as much. Be sure to be polite when responding. A message like the one below is an example of what you could say:

“Thank you for your interest in this position. Though I appreciate you reaching out, unfortunately, I do not think we would be a good match. Good luck with your job search!” 

If you do feel the employee is a good fit, respond to them, citing your interest in them for the role and provide them with information on the next steps. It is a good idea to get the ball rolling by offering to set up a call or in-person interview so you can discuss the role further. A message like the one below is an example of what you could say:

“Thank you for your interest in this position. I would be very excited to speak more with you about the role. I’d love to hear more about your qualifications and discuss my needs in more detail. Are you available for a call sometime in the next few days?”

It is very important to respond whether you are interested or not, as it shows good etiquette. It also offers the sender closure so they can move on in their search and will not continue to reach out to you or wait for a response.

How much should I pay my caregiver?

How much you pay your caregiver is entirely up to you! The only prerequisite is that it be at least minimum wage. Beyond that, you can work out any payment details directly with your employee when you are in the final stages of their application.

We do not participate in the hiring process, nor do we process payments through our site. You will need to work out the details of how and how much you will pay the employee. 

We suggest writing up a contract to outline the details of your payment. It's also a good idea to include information on the duties your employee will be responsible for. You should always have a written record of your agreement. Creating a contract will help to ensure that each party holds up their end of the bargain.