House-sitting is done by interested individuals during their free time to earn extra bucks or professionally as a career path.
The house sitters enjoy living in the house rent-free, while others may only work during the day to ensure the house is in order and follow the owner’s instructions before their return.
Although outsourcing can be tricky when the applicants are not certain, specific organizations regulate the entire process of filing and training house sitters.
This guide will walk you through how to become a house sitter.
Qualities a House Sitter Should Possess
Certain qualities can boost your chances of becoming a housesitter. If you don’t have them all, there’s room for learning.
They Are Great Communicators
Effective communication shows that you’re confident and can be trusted. You listen more than you speak.
Great communicators frequently ask questions to clarify things and ensure an established understanding.
Besides speaking literally, nonverbal communication often speaks louder than verbal communication.
It’s the ability to pay attention to people’s posture, hand movements, and eye contact. This quality is valuable to house sitters in addition to their resumé.
They Are Respectful
No one wants another king on their throne. Showing respect is a way of coming back.
Generally, respect the house owners, their properties, rules, pets, privacy, and belongings.
Respect indicates your level of maturity and experience in the field.
They Ought to Be Clean and Tidy
Making the house conducive to living is one requirement of the house sitter.
Cleaning should be a part of your everyday life if you consider house sitting.
However, if you’re aspiring to follow this path, you can begin to build the habit consciously and intentionally.
Your ability to keep their house clean and tidy makes you a responsible house sitter. The house owner seeks the welfare of their home.
They Are Animal Lovers
You should love their home and their pets, too. If you have a problem with pet sitting, be honest, so you don’t ruin your chances of referrals in the future. You boost your interest by taking classes on pet care.
The homeowners want their pets in good hands; let them trust you.
Know Something About Everything
House sitting involves knowing everything concerning a home. You don’t have to be an authority in the field, but versatility will surely aid your competence and confidence. Curiosity is an important trait.
Ask questions before and on the job when used for the right reasons. Be familiar with the basic gardening skills and be a handyman as well.
How to Become a House Sitter?
Looking for jobs and recommendations can be pretty easy when you are intentional about paving a path in this job space.
There are specific requirements to becoming a house sitter; this will help you gain clarity.
Creating Your House-sitting Resume
When creating your house-sitting resume, keep it friendly yet professional.
This resume will make your house owner see you as warm and approachable.
Include the specific skills you can add to your experiences if you’ve worked with pets, gardening, farms, large families, etc.
Stating these experiences on your resume can quickly prepare you for what the owner wants from you.
You can describe yourself in addition to your personal experiences and specific skills; this will help the house owner get to know you better and make communication efficient.
Adding reviews to your profile is a good one, too. You can get your previous employers to write reviews and comment about your services.
Setting Your House-sitting Preference
You might want to work for an extended period or take jobs during the holiday season to earn some money. Deciding your duration is very professional.
You wouldn’t like to opt out of a job without a prior mutual agreement. You can also choose your preferred location, which would help you weigh your options.
Be honest about the services you can and cannot provide. If you’re not good with pets, you shouldn’t take on jobs requiring you to pet sit.
Creating Your Brand and Advertising for Opportunities
If you’re willing to build a business from house sitting, you must develop a personal brand for customers’ trust.
You can meet face-to-face with your potential customers to advertise yourself, although this can be limiting. Establishing an online presence is powerful.
It connects you with a wider range of ideal customers. Personal branding also automatically builds relationships.
You are connected to customers and other thriving housesitters. In this branding process, you build your image to stand out in your niche. It makes advertising more accessible.
If you’re starting out, your family and friends can greatly help; they’ll bridge the gap between you and someone who needs a housesitter.
Some companies also help connect customers with homesitters; you can find them online.
Newspapers, magazines, and other advertising platforms can propagate your chances.
Before You Accept an Opportunity
You can ruin future opportunities when you don’t make the right decisions at the right time.
It would be best not to accept offers because of the high pay and make sure that they align with your values and preferences.
When considering the offer, ask plenty of questions and research the neighborhood and family to ensure your safety.
You can ask for a picture of their home to know precisely what you’re going to offer. Be polite, and don’t appear creepy.
Accept the job if you’re okay with what’s involved and the offers alongside.
To keep yourself in check, you can also ask about the customers’ likes and dislikes.
House sitting might not be so entrepreneurial because you’re working for someone, but it has its benefits if you invest in it maximally.
Becoming a house sitter also builds you for your future home.
