- Best opener: "Walk me through a normal day in your last job". Real experience comes with real details
- Agencies must show you her MOM employment printout, unaltered, so check her answers against it
- New helpers must be 23 to below 50 years old, with at least 8 years of formal education
- She is entitled to 1 rest day a week, and at least 1 a month cannot be compensated away. Agree this at the interview
- First-time helpers attend a 1-day Settling-in Programme before starting work
Friends, I used to think a helper interview was me asking questions and her saying "yes, ma'am, can".
Every answer was "can".
Cooking? Can. Baby? Can. Grandma? Can.
The fix is simple... ask questions that "can" doesn't answer. Here's the list, what each answer tells you, and the red flags to listen for.
What Are the Best Questions to Ask a Maid in an Interview?
Open questions. Ones that make her describe, explain or show.
| Ask | What It Tells You | Red Flag |
|---|---|---|
| Walk me through a normal day in your last job | Real duties, household size, her routine | Vague, no times or names |
| Why did you leave your last job? | What went wrong, and whether it could repeat in your home | Story doesn't match her MOM record |
| Tell me the recipe of your favourite dish | Cooking skill, attention to detail, how clearly she explains | Can't name a single step |
| You run out of an ingredient mid-cooking. What do you do? | Everyday problem-solving | Freezes, or "wait for ma'am" |
| The child has a huge tantrum and I can't be reached. What now? | Calm under pressure, her approach to discipline | Mentions hitting or locking the child away |
| Two kids are fighting. How do you handle it? | Conflict skills, whether her values fit your family | Takes sides by age, every time |
| Grandma falls in the bathroom. What do you do first? | Emergency sense, any first aid knowledge | Tries to lift her straight up, calls no one |
| How do you feel about dogs or cats? | Comfort with your pets | Polite "okay" with a nervous face |
| Any health conditions or allergies I should know? | Fit for the job, plus anything you'd need to plan for | Answer differs from the bio-data |
| Tell me about your family | What she's working for, her values | None. Just listen, and never judge on marital status |
| Where do you see yourself in 5 years? | Her goals and how long she plans to stay | Plans that clash with a 2-year contract |
| What do you expect from us? | Rest days, phone use, food, room. Sets the tone early | Nothing at all. She may be too shy to tell you later |
Swipe left or right to see the full table on mobile.
How Do I Check If Her Answers Are True?
Match what she says against the paperwork.
- Ask the agency for her MOM employment history printout. They must give you the latest version, with no additions or changes
- Or look it up yourself on MOM's FDW eService with your Singpass
- Ask for references from past employers, and call them
- The MOM record covers Singapore jobs only. For overseas jobs, the "normal day" question does the checking
"3 years in Singapore" from one family and "3 years" from four short jobs are very different helpers.
What Should I Tell Her About the Job Before She Says Yes?
An interview goes both ways. Be clear on these, so nobody is surprised in month two:
How Do I Interview an Overseas Maid by Video Call?
Many candidates are still in their home country, so the interview happens on a screen.
- Ask the agency for a quiet slot. A crowded training centre makes anyone nervous
- Speak slowly and simply. Short questions, one at a time
- Ask her to show, not tell. Fold a shirt, or explain a dish step by step
- Let her answer on her own. If someone off-screen keeps prompting her, ask them to step out
- Check the basics. New helpers must be 23 to below 50, with at least 8 years of formal education
If it's her first job in Singapore, she'll attend a 1-day Settling-in Programme before she can start work. Factor that into your start date.
What Are the Biggest Red Flags in a Maid Interview?
- "Can" to everything, with no examples
- Job history that keeps changing as you ask
- An agency that won't show the MOM printout
- Answers about kids or elderly that involve force or punishment
One shy answer is normal. She's nervous too. A pattern is what to watch.
P.S. My wife once asked me the "recipe of your favourite dish" question. I said "can". She is still waiting for the steps.
