November’s in full swing, as the coming holidays are brewing everyone up into a cheerful batch. The season’s arrived for family & those extended to come together in joyful company. Part of this ritual includes various amounts of housekeeping & preparation for major dates. Coming up soon, Thanksgiving.   Thanksgiving is that one day of the year where everyone pulls together as much help as possible. In domestic staffing, the week of prep leading up to this day can be as busy as it gets through the year. House managers must team up with housekeepers, chefs, and various staff to [ Read the rest…]

Serving the Table! Most upscale dinners will include 5 courses, encompassing an appetizer, soup, salad, entree, and dessert. Many formal settings practice the open hand service method, which means that a server’s arms are never to be crossed in front of a guest, and food is always served from the guest’s left side. Important Tips to Remember: Ladies are always served first. Never eat, drink, or chew gum in front of guests. Always exhibit proper posture – Do not slouch, cross your arms, or leave your hands in your pockets while on service. Press uniforms to eliminate wrinkles, creases, and [ Read the rest…]

For many Employer’s of Household/Domestic Staff, this is the time of year when additional workers are needed.   Though not needing a permanent employee, the same quality & skill-set is essential. References, background and personality component must still be of the level of a “long term” candidate being considered.  The best way to be assured of having expectations met…… is to be up front, in the beginning, about the “temporary nature” of the job. We have seen many family’s indicate they are hiring for a permanent position.  A new member of the “team” comes on board.  In all work environments, [ Read the rest…]

For many Employer’s of Household/Domestic Staff, this is the time of year when additional workers are needed.   Though not needing a permanent employee, the same quality & skill-set is essential. References, background and personality component must still be of the level of a “long term” candidate being considered.  The best way to be assured of having expectations met…… is to be up front, in the beginning, about the “temporary nature” of the job. We have seen many family’s indicate they are hiring for a permanent position.  A new member of the “team” comes on board.  In all work environments, [ Read the rest…]

Since we do not have; “beam me up Scotty” yet…….Chauffeured Transportation would be the following, at a minimum: 1. Availability at Bosses request, when and where needed. 2. Transport safely & comfortably by a FOCUSED, SECURITY-CONSCIOUS INDIVIDUAL. 3. Transport from point A to point B in as fast a time possible, utilizing knowledge of routes & destination, various construction/movie-shoots/closed streets, along w traffic conditions. 4. Driver must be “Secret Service” type; see’s nothing, hears nothing, repeats nothing, remembers nothing…..with the common sense to do something should he/she realize someone in vehicle is having a heart attack or other medical issue. [ Read the rest…]

In Nanny Staffing business for 36 years.  Seen it all when it comes to references, credentials, academic history & background.  Cannot believe how some people stick to their “made up or phony presentation,” when trying to get a job.  Even when the truth is exposed and put in front of their faces.  Always better to be safe than sorry.  Listen to your instincts.  Pay attention to the smallest of “red flags.”  Don’t only check the “reference” of a nanny….. check references/verify the “reference” itself. Be smart.  Have a potential Candidate interviewed by a Doctor or similar professional.  Please be very [ Read the rest…]

Are you an experienced career Nanny or Housekeeper who is fed up with searching through thousands of online websites and filling out thousands of online applications while hoping that you find a job that you deserve? The Internet is impersonal and sometimes hard to navigate through making finding a job in middle of a recession even more difficult, but there is a better way. Here at Greenhouse Agency we will work with you one on one until we could find you a job that you deserve. You won’t have to fill out anymore online applications or pay any ridiculous fees [ Read the rest…]

It’s early evening already and it’s been a hectic couple of days.  You want to send one last e-mail before finishing up. You start typing in the name of the recipient and the auto feature kicks in. You quickly write your short message and hit send. A few minutes later as your ready to leave for the day, you notice a new e-mail. It’s a response to the e-mail you just sent and it’s “curt” and almost rude.  You may think to your self; what kind of games are these people playing now, as the e-mail you had sent may [ Read the rest…]

You could have had xxxxxx back, at least for the next couple of weeks. With kind words and comments expressing her value and your appreciation. Instead, you attacked and threatened. Weather by innuendo or actual verbiage. You acted in a similar way with me. I’m trying to advise, not criticize. I hope you realize this. Domestic/Household Staff is an employee group, unique and unlike any other. Their “pride & self-esteem,” is all they have. In most cases, they’ve came to the US with little else….except for a suitcase, the clothes on their backs and maybe a relative or friend’s room, [ Read the rest…]

Your Initial Interview at Greenhouse As the person who sits here at the front desk, greeting new applicants, I see many different people walk through this door. Some are dressed to the nines, with a professional resume, a leather briefcase and a whole package of reference letters and certificates. Others arrive with less preparation, but great attitudes, confidence and the ability to tell our Placement Specialists about their qualifications. Many of these folks leave with an interview, or two, set up, or in the works. Unfortunately, there are many people, who arrive here unprepared in one way, or another; these [ Read the rest…]

In a house, the boss, when  going over “responsibilities” with a new/prospective  employee, may say: “you’re going to do cleaning, laundry & cooking.  Also, help with the kids when necessary and oh! our linens and bedding are changed twice a week…..I almost forgot, my husband’s shirts  are done at home. He can’t stand the way the ‘cleaner’s’ do his shirts & they come back with buttons missing all the time.”  This is not a good practice. Try to be as specific as possible.  You can begin with tasks starting in the morning. IE: “first thing you’ll do is empty the [ Read the rest…]