15 Questions To Help Select The Right Employer
Edited by Mark Harbeke
When it comes to job interviews, I believe estate managers need more preparation and focus on using these conversations as the optimal opportunity to determine if the current role and employer are right for them.
While this sounds obvious, in practice, many factors — ranging from nervousness, intimidation and your current financial situation — can pressure you to overlook one or more warning signs, even if there are glowing “red flags,” to ensure you stay on a steady career and earning track.
But…
Selecting the right employer has impact beyond your financial and career security. You are going into a partnership with someone who can impact your mental health.
Are you partnering with someone who will honor that position and provide a healthy team…or someone who hasn’t and won’t?
The reality is:
You will never have more negotiating power in this employee/employer relationship than you do during the interview process. So, take full advantage of this opportunity by asking the right questions and learning what you are truly stepping into.
Recently, I gave a Coffee Talk Zoom session that addressed in depth the best interview questions for estate managers to ask in order to select the right employer.
There’s a lot packed into this 19-minute video, including many ideas for branding yourself as an expert to create a resume that will both stand out from the competition and reflect the type of professional you are and what you uniquely offer to your ideal employer. It also includes EM-tailored ideas for topics to share with them about what’s important to you (including your Red Flag issues).
Because remember, it’s not all about the principal, their team and their needs.
Grab a coffee (or your walking shoes) and listen up. I promise you’ll get a lot of value from the recorded session.
But if you’re looking for my list of must-ask questions to grab as you’re walking out the door to your next big interview, hit “print” on these….
This video is from our YouTube channel. I invite you to subscribe, and give us a 👍 if you like the content.
Here are 15 questions I recommend for UHNW employer interviews:
If 24/7 service is part of the job description, what does this really mean? Will you need to sleep with the phone next to your head, or can you really shut down and delegate emergencies overnight on certain occasions?
What service are they expecting? (Are you suited for that type of service?)
Proper compensation? Do the math! If you have a job description that looks like 2 or 2-1/2 people, you’re going to be working 60+ hrs per week. Will you be making less per hour than the housekeeper? Think again!
Personal time off (it’s so important to disconnect in order to re-energize!). Don’t be shy about asking about their expectations.
Understand your level of autonomy: Are they going to micromanage you? Have they had someone in your position before? If so, do they know how to let go of the reigns?
Understand what personal assistance services will be expected of you. Will you be grabbing lunch, planning travel, pet sitting, cooking, and/or doing any housekeeping? If so, can you truly be successful running a complex household while you’re running errands? I don’t think so.
If this is a hybrid role, is it humanly possible to be successful in this role? Be honest with yourself (and them) about this. And don’t put this on the recruiters! You do YOUR work.
What is their preferred communication and regularity? Will you have direct communication with your principal?
Who will you report to? If not the principal, who (chief of staff, business manager, etc)? Who is the ultimate decision maker and do you feel you can work with that individual?
Why did the last estate manager leave? Who was it? If at all possible, a Pro Tip here is to find and interview them, using resources like LinkedIn and other professional organization portals.
What’s the longevity of the other household staff members, and can you interview them? This will tell you if they’re happy and if they like working there. Are they treated fairly?
Does it appear that the principal wants to obtain great talent and expects low turnover? Where’s the proof? And is this reflected in the other household staff members?
Don’t forget to ask about general work hours. Will you have weekends and/or holidays off?
Rights to hire and fire: will they give this to you immediately? If not now, when?
How are contractors paid? You can’t ask for the moon if they’re being slow-paid.
In summary…
Ultimately, what you need to know is:
Are you going to be working in a place where you can do your best work, have a stable personal life and provide world class service where you will be successful, in a sustainable position and feel in control?
Were you respected and heard, and did they treat you as worthy of negotiations for your Red Flag issues?
Now, take a moment to assess how this process felt. If your answers don’t give you a green light, then move along!
Do you have our FREE Cheat Sheets?
Master List of Lists for Managing a Mansion
and
Contractor’s Memorandum of Understanding?
If not, submit your email address here to immediately receive both important documents..
Please invite a friend and share this post on: Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn
If you need help crafting your resume to reflect the expert that you are,
please check out our FREE resources.
I hope this is helpful information. If there’s a way I can help you get the job of your dreams, please reach out. I’d love to hear from you.
You’ve got this!
xo
Kelly
