When qualifying a future handywoman helper, I make sure to ask everyone the same questions. To do that, I devised a questionnaire that I request my interested candidates to complete.
While their answers may or may not disqualify them as handywoman helpers, they most certainly tell me a lot. I would like to think the questions below deserve answers, whether you’re applying for my handywoman helper job or not.
With the exception of climbing ladders, I’ll never ask one of my helpers to do anything I won’t. As such, I pass along my own answers to these questions so that they can evaluate me, as well.
How Would You Answer These Questions?
- How many hours a week do you spend on your manicure? (And yes, I would ask this same question of a male.)
- Tell me about a creative use of a product or item that you either invented or found. (For example, thanks to my favorite scientist (my daughter), I recently learned that boiling hydrogen peroxide in a pan containing burned food magically releases every piece of gunk in about two minutes. The process is nontoxic and nonflammable, too! Yeah, chemistry!)
- Is there anything in particular you are hoping to learn from this experience?
- If you have had any experience in any similar roles, are there any home-maintenance types of projects that you especially like? Especially dislike?
- I am a huge Barbara Walters fan and the following (imho GREAT) interview questions come directly from her:
- Complete this sentence: (Your Name) is _________________________.
- What is the biggest misconception about you?
- What is your life’s philosophy?
- Do you have any regrets?
- What is your biggest pet peeve?
- Who are your idols and why?
- Are there any questions you would like to answer that I have not asked?
I am always impressed by the deeply philosophical responses I have received from my applicants. I was certainly more flippant when I was in my 20’s! (Some might say I still am.)
To learn the backstory of hiring handywoman helpers, click here.
To see a sample handywoman helper ad, click here.
To learn about the reunion planned for my helpers, click here.
Have you ever used a questionnaire to qualify candidates? How did it work? What are some of your most revealing questions to asks?
