House Sitter in Northfield, Illinois

1- love pets - demonstrating that you have a love of animals on your profile will resonate with owners considering your application. For many people their pets are family members, so reassuring them that you will show their animals the same level of love and affection can help you secure your ideal house sit. 2 - Create an Engaging House Sitter Profile Write about yourself ... What kind of information would you want to know about a sitter applying to care for your home and pets? Ensure that you include photos of yourself, detail relevant pet care experience, and demonstrate the qualities you feel make you the perfect sitter. - Give the owner an overview of who you are and why you want to house and pet sit; talk about your hobbies and interests, list your skills and qualifications, and communicate your passions in life, whatever they may be. - A character, landlord, or employer reference is a good starting point if you don't have any previous house sitting experience. Remember to ask homeowners to leave a reference on your TrustedHousesitters profile once you've completed a sit. You can send reference requests via your dashboard. 3 - Be flexible: Broadening your search area and having flexible travel dates can help in your search for a suitable sit. 4 - Sign up for daily email alerts: Once you've created your profile you can opt-in for tailored email alerts which will keep you up-to-date with the latest and greatest international house sitting opportunities.Plus, as a TrustedHousesitters member you will have access to house sitting listings 24 hours before non-members, giving you the opportunity to contact owners as soon as their advert is listed. (HouseSitter.....) 5 - Send a prompt and tailored application: understand exactly what the owner is looking for from their ideal sitter. Just because the location and dates are a match doesn't mean that the property and responsibilities are right for you. Make sure you feel you are suited for the opportunity and that you can fulfill the owner's expectations. Read through the listing thoroughly and make mention of the key points in your initial email. This communicates to the owner that you have taken the time to read and understand their requirements, and will give your application an advantage over those that have not done so. 6 - Communicate with the owner before and during the sit: - Communication is the key to being a successful house sitter and it is vital that you ask questions about the property, pets, and owner's expectations before you agree to house sit. Understand exactly what they require from their sitter. Ask as many questions as you feel you need to in order to get a clear idea of the responsibilities you will take on during the sit, the logistics of living at the property, and life in the local neighborhood. - Get to the know the owner, find out about their daily routine, and encourage them to send you a completed Home Owner Manual and Pet Profile (available to them on their TrustedHousesitters dashboard), which will set out their expectations, include vet and emergency contact information, details their pet's daily routine, and practical information about the property. - Keep the owners informed of anything you feel they should be aware of whilst you're staying in their home. Many owners appreciate photos and updates from their pets whilst they are away, so (when possible) it's great to stay in touch during your sit. You can even let the pets catch up with their parents via Skype! 7 - Connect with the local Community: Many sitters find that neighbors and friends of the owner take them under their wing, inviting them to join groups and societies, and attend local events. 8 - Connect and bond with the pets: It's a fact, living with pets has proven health benefits. Spending time with an animal can lower your blood pressure, lessen anxiety, and boost immunity, so why not consider pet sitting next time you need a little rest and relaxation? 9 - Share Your Skills and Show That you Care: - There's nothing better than returning home to a freshly made bed and a delicious meal, so make the most of the opportunity to showcase your skills and talents and create a warm and welcoming environment in which to welcome the owner home. - Make an extra special effort to clean up, spruce up, or cook up a storm in the hours before the owner arrives home; the smallest of gestures can show your appreciation and could earn you an invite to house sit next time they are away.