How to Write Winning House Sitter Applications
Advice to Applicants for Pet Minding and House Sitting Positions
House sitting is such a popular way to see the world on a budget,or to secure rent-free local accommodation, that competition is fierce. There are thousands more sitters than there are homes offered for the service.
When a sitter applies through a housesitting web site for a sit that seems absolutely perfect, the first message he or she will receive from the home owner is invariably along the lines: “We have been swamped. We will sort through all the emails and get back to everyone soon.”
Treat a House Sit Application As a Job Application
Many sitters talk in terms of “winning” a house sit, and this is a fair description of the process. The sitter’s profile must stand out from the eager pack. Anyone who wants to consistently “win” sits must treat the process like a job application and think "recruitment":
- Understand the company ethos (Establish How the Home Owner Thinks)
- Address the job criteria (Deliver What the Home Owner Wants)
- Market your strengths (Carefully Detail the Skills You Have)
- Communicate effectively (Good Communication is a Key Job Skill)
Read the House Sit Advertisement Thoroughly
Many job applicants fail to get an interview because they have rushed into their application without first establishing the style of the company and without thoroughly reading the requirements of the ad. The applicant for a house sit is no different.
Establish How the Home Owner Thinks
The applicant must look for clues as to the sort of home owner they are dealing with. The owner who lovingly describes her home as “renovated 18th century chateau with period furniture, etc” or who states openly, “We are extremely house proud and expect sitter to be the same” is not the sort who wants to come home to scuffed surfaces or dust on the mantelpiece.
The sitter who doesn’t share that pride in possessions or doesn’t much enjoy housework had better not apply. Owners who are very particular quite often want a large bond and will certainly withhold money if they are not satisfied. Litigation is not out of the question, either.
Most house sits are offered because the owners are fond of their pets and don’t want to put them in kennels or catteries. How fond are they? That is often evident in the advertisement and should be noted well.
The owner who indicates that “Brutus is very old and needs to be carried up the stairs and must have a humidifier on in the room each night,” is not going to appreciate a sitter who leaves Brutus a bowl of water and dry dog food, and then goes off for a weekend in the nearest city.
Address the Job Criteria
If the owner specifically states “Must be a non-smoker”, the applicant who fails to state that they are a non-smoker may as well not apply at all. It is not sufficient to presume that, if you applied, then the owner must realise you are a non-smoker. They want to hear it!
If the ad says: “Must have experience with horses,” the sitter needs to spell out exactly what experience he or she has. It’s a crucial part of the application. Having once ridden one on a trail ride is not sufficient. No one should be so stupid as to lie about specific experience.
A few well-aimed questions will find the liar out… and if not, the costly disasters that will undoubtedly ensue when the owner is away will see the truth out – and possibly the perpetrator in court.
Market Your Strengths
If the potential sitter does have certain skills that have been specifically asked for, it’s time to say so loud and clear. Don’t say: “Have worked with horses in the past.” Say: “Spent 3 years as strapper for Bill Bloggs, Kentucky horse trainer, with regular care of 5 mares (see attached reference)”
If the home owner has dogs to mind, the applicant should spell out the fact that he or she owns/owned a dog and some of the tasks that entailed… worming, grooming, etc. If possible, attach a photo of the dog, or better still, the sitter with the dog.
If the applicant has gardening, lawn mowing or home maintenance skills, they should be mentioned. Home ownership, itself, is a plus: it’s the training ground for housesitting someone else’s valued possessions.
Communicate Effectively
A home owner who is leaving his or her home, possessions and, most particularly, beloved pets in the hands of a stranger will want to know that the sitter can handle an emergency, give detailed, clear and accurate information to a vet or police officer. They may want regular progress reports by email, so written skills need to be good. The sitter application is the first (and possibly only) opportunity to demonstrate clear, concise writing skills.
The would-be sitter who has excellent communication skills, life experience (especially with pets, gardens and home maintenance) to offer and the common sense to spell it all out on first contact is sure to win sits, despite the strong competition for the plum jobs.
For a discussion of what house sitting sites offer, see this Suite101 article.
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