Before you hire, ask better questions.
Direct Maids Hire's practical domestic helper interview checklist for Singapore families. Use these questions to understand a candidate's genuine experience, safety awareness, communication style and fit for your household — not to demand rehearsed answers.
Describe the real role
List the ages of children, care needs, pets, meals and regular routines in your home.
Look for real examples
Follow up with “What happened next?” or “Why would you do that first?”
Make it a two-way conversation
Explain expectations clearly, allow questions and discuss realistic training and rest arrangements.
Be patient with language differences. Ask for a real explanation or demonstration; candidates should be honest about what they know and what they need to learn.
Tick questions as you discuss them. Nothing you type is submitted to our agency.
0 / 19 coveredReal experience & household routines
Ask for specific examples, and distinguish previous employment from helping at home.
Childcare & safety
Only ask questions relevant to the child's actual age and care needs.
Cleaning, cooking & daily initiative
Choose a dish and request clear preparation steps, not just a list of foods.
Older relatives & pets
A household helper is not automatically trained to provide nursing or medical care.
Communication, respect & expectations
Give the candidate time to ask questions about the role, rest days and household routines.
Try one real-life situation
“You are preparing dinner. A young child is reaching for a knife and the floor near the stove is wet. What would you do first, and why?”
Listen for: protecting the child immediately, making the cooking area safe, preventing slips, and communicating when necessary.
Do not test anyone using a genuinely dangerous situation. Discuss or demonstrate safely instead.
Interview notes & thoughtful decision
What can the candidate genuinely do? What training would she need? Could your household offer clear, patient instructions and a fair working environment?
Private notes remain on this page only. Do not record sensitive candidate personal data here, especially on a shared device.
Respectful hiring & official guidance
Agree on realistic duties, accommodation and rest arrangements before hiring. MOM requires at least one monthly rest day that cannot be compensated away, alongside the worker's other rest-day entitlements. First-time employers must complete the Employers' Orientation Programme before the Work Permit application.
Official references: MOM employer guide, rest days and well-being, Employers' Orientation Programme. This checklist is general education, not a substitute for current MOM rules.
Need help matching these answers to your home?
Direct Maids Hire specialises in Myanmar domestic helpers and personalised household matching. We consider suitability and current candidate availability before recommending private interviews.