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Original poster

If you posted a note in your local post office for a cleaner what would you want to here when someone called?

24 replies

CharleeheartsherChains · 09/02/2009 09:41

I am about to call to inquire about a job posted in the local PO asking for a clener for light houseowrk, if it were you what would make you want to give me an interview?

I am nervous this will be the first time i have applied for a job since i was a teenager!

OP posts:
Original poster
CharleeheartsherChains · 09/02/2009 09:42

Hear! sorry i have monday morning brain!

OP posts:
nailpolish · 09/02/2009 09:44

are you about to call now?

say " i sawyour note in the post office window, is the position still vacant? if so id like to apply"

they will oprobably ask if you have experience and if you can provide a reference (even a character refereence)

dont be afraid to ask about hours and pay, but maybe wait til you see her face to face

good luck

Original poster
CharleeheartsherChains · 09/02/2009 09:45

I was going to call now but not sure if it is to early? I forget not everyone has toddlers to drop off at nursery!

OP posts:
nailpolish · 09/02/2009 09:48

its almost ten o clock

not too early at all

Original poster
CharleeheartsherChains · 09/02/2009 09:54

Woohoo! I got an interview tommorrow afternoon, she said i sounded ideal!

Now i will worry about what to do or say when i get there!

She is a very eldery lady and she said she is looking for some light house work to be done an hour a day, she isn't sure on money as she has never emplyoded anyone before and hasn't worked herself for along time, she asked me how much i would want! eek!

I was honest and said i hadn'r worked for a long time as i have been at home with the children.

She said she would discuss it tommorrw but she has got another lady to see today.

OP posts:
theyoungvisiter · 09/02/2009 09:54

Good luck! Have an idea in your head about what you would ask for pay as they may ask you what you want.

If you have cleaned for anyone else then it might be nice if you could get permission to give out their number as a possible referee.

theyoungvisiter · 09/02/2009 09:55

oh sorry x post - hooray!

Original poster
CharleeheartsherChains · 09/02/2009 09:57

I haven't cleaned before as a job, i obviously clean my house and my mum and my nans as they are disabled.
What to wear!? what do elderly people like to see yong women in? eep!

OP posts:
southeastastra · 09/02/2009 10:02

remember she wants to give someone a job!

nailpolish · 09/02/2009 10:05

dont wear jeans ora short skirt or loads of make uyp

GrinnyPig · 09/02/2009 10:08

I wouldn't worry too much about clothes. Practical and quite sober looking. Minimal make up and jewelery.

You say she wants one hour a day, so you need to make sure you ask for enough for that to be worth it. A lower hourly rate is probably OK if you are doing a few hours a day but you need to think about how you would feel about going there for 1 hour at minimum wage. Where are you? Someone will employ a cleaner in your area and be able to give you an idea of the going rate in your area.

Original poster
CharleeheartsherChains · 09/02/2009 10:09

So plain black trousers and a nice jumper? None or minimal makeup?

Im am fairly bright and smiley around the elderly anyway so hopefully we will get on well!

OP posts:
sassy · 09/02/2009 10:10

I'd wear black trousers and a smart T-shirt style top. Hair up/tidy; flattish shoes. You don't want to look office-y (afraid to get your hands dirty) but you need to look smart and interested in things being tidy.

Personal testimonials from someone other than family would be good - about your honesty/decency as a person if you haven't cleaned for other people.

Good luck!

Original poster
CharleeheartsherChains · 09/02/2009 10:11

Im Chichester, West Sussex not sure what the going rate is!

OP posts:
ByThePowerOfGreyskull · 09/02/2009 10:12

Good luck - sounds like it is going to be a good fit.

Original poster
CharleeheartsherChains · 09/02/2009 10:12

I have done alot of community projects and she lives in the road next to me so she amy like that? I can ask for a reference from one of the groups i attend, amatur dramatics i do alot with im sure thay will give me a reference.

OP posts:
sassy · 09/02/2009 10:13

I would expect to pay about £8 per hour in Midlands.

Thought you were oop north for some reason Charlee!

ByThePowerOfGreyskull · 09/02/2009 10:23

going rate for a cleaner round here is £8 or £9 per hour we are in Cambridge

Original poster
CharleeheartsherChains · 09/02/2009 10:27

Nope i have never been oop north in my life, born and bread southerner am i...... i thoink its about £6 the going rate for someone like me, im not to bothered all i want is some extra money to put in my savings account for holidays and stuff, we have had a few big money emergencys latley and i have decided i must do something in preperation for them in future, plus i am dipping my toes into the world of work as dp's job is looking mighty unstable at the moment.

OP posts:
blossomsmine · 26/02/2009 23:58

Just found this thread, wondered how it all went?

CharleeInChains · 27/02/2009 13:30

Well it went really well, the lady hired me on the spot and asked me to wait while she rang the others to tell them the position had been filled.

But after 2 weeks i got there and she was crying becuase her daughter had asked her if she could have the job instead as she was struggling to afford to live and she couldn't say no as it was her daughter asking, so she had to let me go, she paid me a months wages, gave me a box of choccies and a reference. It was a very short job!

blossomsmine · 27/02/2009 16:21

Oh!!!!! Thats a shame!
Still, i suppose it has given you abit of confidence and you know you are ready for the world of work again lol!
How did you find going in for just an hour each morning and did you come to an agreement over payment? I only ask because i never know what to charge when it is just an hours work??

CharleeInChains · 27/02/2009 16:56

It was £10 p.h only 2 mornings a week but it was something at least and i could see it was important to her, she was the nicest old lady.

blossomsmine · 27/02/2009 18:40

Thats ok though, £20 extra a week, worth doing isn't it. I have worked for a few elderly people, and if they are nice, like your old lady, it is so easy to get attached Hope you find something else

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