Open your Instagram now. Or Facebook.
Look at your pictures.
Can you find photos of yourself with dogs? Cats? Or other animals? No?
Then I may have just told you one of the reasons why you were at your last Housesitting Application I went out empty.
(Spoilers: Some hosts check exactly who they bring into the house.)
If you have animal pictures in your feed, congratulations.
But don't worry, there are still 9 other errorsThat could cost you the housesit next time.
And that's what we're looking at now.
Table of contents
1. Don't be a Neville Longbottom
Neville was lovely. Neville was nice. But when it came to taking responsibility, he made himself small for a long time: I’m not so far yet... I've never done this before...
Sounds sweet. But it's not if you want to be a housesitter.
If you stress in your application that you still No experience have or have you Even as a beginner This is like a sign that says: I am insecure. Take someone else.
Better:
Show that you can take responsibility – even if you haven’t had a housesit yet. Maybe you used to take care of your sister’s dog regularly? Did you go to the veterinarian with the neighboring skater? Or just have a knack for animals? Say that.
2. Speak the language of the hosts
English is okay. But if you're applying to a French couple -- and you've had a little bit of French at school -- Then use that too!
A few sentences in Spanish, a "Gracias" instead of "Thank you" – this not only seems polite, but shows: You really want to get involved with your hosts.
3. There is no bad weather – only bad applications
If you’d rather watch Netflix than wear rubber boots in the rain, then you might not be the first choice for a house with two active Labradors in Ireland.
Mention in your application that you have no problem with wind, weather and squishy dogs.
Because: Yes, even in the snow at 7 o'clock in the morning the skin noses have to get out.
If you don't think about it, you realize it. And someone else gets the job.
4. An application is like a custom suit – not like a poncho
Australia = loose. Germany = rather a little more formal. USA = friendly and enthusiastic.
If you always write your application the same, no matter which country you go to, you will look like the guy who comes to the wedding in shorts.
Adjust your style to the country. Show that you knowwhere you apply. And how they communicate.
5. Make your profile a business card – not a user manual
Your profile headline should not read: My name is Lisa and I love dogs.
You know that at the latest in line two.
For example, write instead: "Reliable animal lover with international housesitting experience – loving, calm, organized."
And in your text?
Clear, short, human. Who are you? Why are you doing this? What makes you special? And above all: What do the owners get from choosing you?
And please, please, please:
"I want to live rent-free in great houses" is NOT a reason.
The host then thinks: Great, and my animals? Do you not care?
Say rather: "I love animals, but live in a shared apartment without pets – Housesitting is the perfect way for me to live out this love."
Sounds very different, right?
You plan your world trip and don’t know what to pack? Then my help will help you. World Travel Packing List Still guaranteed.
6. Blade not needy – sound helpful.
"Please choose me, I would be so grateful to you..."
You mean nice. But what matters is, I need something from you.
Imagine you have a broken bike. You do not want anyone who says: "Please, please, let me fix this – I need the job so badly."
You want someone who says, I know exactly how to do it again. No subject.
So, show how you help. Not why you need help.
7. Be a Hufflepuff
Housesitting is not a showroom tour of luxury properties.
It is about trust. For people. And above all: about animals.
If you only rave about the great infinity pool in your application, but do not lose a word about the three old dogs, it becomes clear: You want a holiday, not a job.
Write for the people. And their animals.
Show that you understand what is important to them. And that you find that just as important.
8. The Art of Conversation Is to Ask the Right Questionsn
If you are in your application Do not ask a single questionIt seems like you're not curious. Not interested at all.
Ask questions like:
"What is the daily routine of the animals?"
"Are there certain routines or specifics?"
"What is especially important to you in a sitter?"
That makes an impression. And it shows: You really want to understand what matters.
Housesitting sounds good – but you want to experience (and earn) more? Then take a look at my tips around Work and Travel:
- Work and Travel: Germany offers more than you think!
- Work and Travel | Make the world your home
- Work and Travel: Experience Europe with your backpack!
9. Read between the lines – and read them at all
If it says: "Please mention the word blueberry cake in your message",
and you write instead, "I love apple strudel" – are you out.
Many owners build in small clues to see if you Read carefully.
And if you write about your cat - but you should take care of a shepherd -
This seems like a Tinder match telling about his ex. Quickly clicked away.
So: Read. Write with your brain.
10. Show me your friends, and I'll tell you if you get the job
If you share your Instagram link and your feed is just cocktails, club photos and wild backpacking – then that might not fit the couple with two senior cats in a well-kept home in Normandy.
On social media, show what makes you a housesitter.
Pictures with animals. Stories of walking. Maybe a video where you tell something about yourself.
And also see what your friends post about you – some hosts are more thorough than you think.
Conclusion
If you only take one thing from this article, please:
Housesitting is not a job. It is a matter of trust.
And trust comes from honesty, commitment, respect – and a little bit of tact.
In my next article, I'll show you, by the way, Which housesitting platform is right for you.
Another tip: IAt some point you just have to start. At the beginning, take homes where not everyone strikes immediately – so you have more chances to be selected. With a few good reviews, your profile becomes more and more attractive and the requests come almost by themselves.
