You\u2019ve had a successful interview (or several) and now you have arranged a\u00a0trial<\/span>\u00a0in a client\u2019s home. That\u2019s great news but the job is not yet secured – \u00a0a\u00a0trial<\/span>\u00a0is your opportunity to show off your skills, learn more about the job, and find out if its a good fit for both employer and employee. This week, we\u2019ve compiled our top tips for a successful\u00a0trial<\/span>. Remember, our recruiters are always here to help if you have questions or need advice before a\u00a0trial<\/span>.<\/p>\n A\u00a0trial<\/span>\u00a0is a short (usually 1-3 days) time period where a candidate works in the family\u2019s home and, ideally, mimics regular work days. This is the chance for the candidate, the client, the other staff, and any children to see how they work together and if it is a good fit.<\/p>\n A\u00a0trial<\/span>\u00a0is different than an interview in that you will be on your feet doing work most of the day. Dress professionally and dress appropriately for the work at hand. The goal is to be polished and practical. Until you better know the family\u2019s preferences, it is best to avoid perfumes and scented products, and to keep makeup, hair, and nails simple.<\/p>\n It is critical that you are not late to a\u00a0trial<\/span>. While we all understand life happens, a\u00a0trial<\/span>\u00a0is your chance to give a client a glimpse into what working with you will be like. If you are late at this stage, many clients will assume you are unreliable and consistently late, even if that is not the case. Most clients are very busy and many won\u2019t even meet with a candidate who arrives late. First impressions are extremely important. We recommend planning your route ahead of time, allowing extra time for unexpected delays, and even doing a test-run of the trip if the address seems tricky to locate. Depending on the hours of the\u00a0trial<\/span>, it is best to come ready with a simple lunch, snacks, and water for yourself. The client may provide food but if it isn\u2019t explicitly discussed ahead of time, it is better to be prepared than sorry.<\/p>\n Ask the recruiter ahead of time if there are any specific requests or information you should know. Get a good night\u2019s sleep the night before. Brainstorm questions you might have for the principal. Think about things you learned in the previous client interviews that may help you succeed at this stage in the process.<\/p>\n A\u00a0trial<\/span>\u00a0is a careful balance of following a client\u2019s lead and being proactive and showing your experience and how you can excel in the role. Err on the side of proactivity and try to anticipate needs without overstepping. Make sure to be respectful of other staff and remember that your behavior with every person in the home matters. Silence and stay off your phone (except in the case of emergencies) and be present in all your interactions.<\/p>\n A\u00a0trial<\/span>\u00a0is for the benefit of both the client and the candidate so make sure you ask questions about the role and expectations. The goal is to find out if it is the right fit on both sides. Asking appropriate questions also indicates to the client that you are engaged and serious about the role.<\/p>\n The best advice is to be your best authentic and professional self. A job will not be sustainable if you\u2019ve behaved differently in the\u00a0trial<\/span>\u00a0than you would in real day-to-day life. You are likely to be happier in a position long-term and find a better fit if you present your real self during the\u00a0trial<\/span>.<\/p>\n Consider drafting up a simple Thank You card beforehand thanking the family for their time and consideration of you for this role. Put in an envelope and leave with the principal or your main contact in the home upon leaving. You could also follow up with a simple text or email t hanking them for their time; you can also send this to the recruiter in charge and ask them to forward it to the client. If you aren\u2019t sure what kind of communication is appropriate, feel free to ask the recruiter who is working with you on the role for advice.<\/p>\n If after the\u00a0trial<\/span>, you don\u2019t feel the role is for you, it is best to communicate this directly with the recruiter who sent you and let them speak to the client about it. It\u2019s best to be honest and direct with recruiters so they can best assist you in your job search.<\/p>\n Blog Posts<\/strong><\/p>\n Common Interview Questions<\/a><\/p>\n Top Tips for Preparing For An Interview<\/a><\/p>\n What Should Be Included in my Contract?\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n Commons Reasons Candidates Are Not Selected\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n Top Tips To Optimize Your Online Presence for Future Employers<\/a><\/p>\n Resume Guidelines<\/strong><\/p>\n General Resume Guidelines <\/a><\/p>\n Resume Samples\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n (when customizing the resume templates, you can edit the files in\u00a0<\/span>Word or in Canva)<\/span>:<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n General Resume Template:\u00a0Word doc<\/a>\u00a0or\u00a0Canva link\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n Sample Nanny Resume:\u00a0Word doc<\/a>\u00a0or\u00a0Canva link<\/a><\/p>\n Sample NCS Resume:\u00a0Word doc<\/a>\u00a0or\u00a0Canva link\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n Sample Housekeeper Resume:\u00a0Word doc\u00a0<\/a>or\u00a0Canva link\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n Sample Chef Resume:\u00a0Word doc<\/a>\u00a0or\u00a0Canva link<\/a><\/p>\n Sample Caregiver Resume:\u00a0Word doc<\/a>\u00a0or\u00a0Canva link<\/a><\/p>\n Sample Executive Resume:\u00a0Word doc<\/a>\u00a0or\u00a0Canva link\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n For those interested in applying, you can sort through our\u00a0job board<\/a>\u00a0by keyword, category, position type and\/or location. Select the job you\u2019re interested in and apply through that page. Note: Your resume will still be considered for other positions that we have.\u00a0Contact us<\/a>\u00a0if you have any questions.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Tips for Success During the Trial Phase You\u2019ve had a successful interview (or several) and now you have arranged a\u00a0trial\u00a0in a client\u2019s home. That\u2019s great news but the job is not yet secured – \u00a0a\u00a0trial\u00a0is your opportunity to show off your skills, learn more about the job, and find out if its a good fit […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":4608,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"content-type":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[42],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4606","post","type-post","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-candidate-tips"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nWhat is a Trial<\/span>?<\/h2>\n
Our Top Trial Tips\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n
Dress for Success.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Be Prepared and On Time.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Put Your Best Foot Forward.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Ask Questions.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Be Yourself.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Follow Up.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
More Resources\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n