The market for domestic professionals is highly competitive at the moment, so understanding the current landscape, and knowing how to attract and keep good workers, is more important than ever. Aleksandra Kardwell, founder and president of Hamptons Employment Agency, Inc., and author of How to Find, Hire, and Keep the Right Domestic Professionals: The Household staff Guide to Hiring Great Employees Who Will Stay for Years, shares her advice on how to navigate today’s domestic staffing environment.
What’s the market like for household staffing?
Today’s market is very competitive, and experienced domestic professionals typically don’t have to wait long to secure well-paying jobs. In areas like The Hamptons, New York City, and Palm Beach, because of such high worker demand, some employers are even finding that they have to wait longer than usual to fill open positions.
What else is different now from pre-pandemic times?
Salaries for domestic professionals—like prices for many other things—have increased significantly. Before the pandemic, depending on the position and candidate profile, pay levels were typically 10-25% lower than they are now.
What recommendations would you give to household employers?
It’s always important for households to take care of their staff, but this is especially important right now. If you have good staff in place, that’s great, and you want to stay in that position. To retain your team, treat your employees well, keep them happy, and compensate them appropriately. At a minimum, good employees should get 2-3% annual cost of living raises, with larger raises when inflation is higher.
If you’re looking to hire a new employee, be ready to extend an offer quickly when you find someone you think will be a good fit. Workers with strong resumes are getting hired fast these days, as many are receiving more than one job offer. And, again, with today’s higher salaries, be sure to offer a market-competitive salary.
