Old State Staffing

Housekeeper Meets With Family To Discuss Performance

The 10 Unwritten Rules of Hiring & Managing Household Staff

Finding the right people to run your home is nothing like hiring for a business. There’s no HR department to handle the vetting, no established onboarding process, and certainly no corporate handbook that covers what to do when your nanny and your housekeeper have a disagreement. Yet somehow, certain households manage to build incredible teams that stay for years, anticipate needs before they’re voiced, and operate with the kind of efficiency that makes running a complex household look effortless. The difference isn’t luck or unlimited budgets. It’s understanding the unspoken rules of private service. Here, we’ve compiled the 10 unwritten rules of hiring and managing household staff. These are the insights that get shared quietly

Staffing Your Family Office: In-House vs. Outsource

When to build your dream team in-house vs. when to outsource like a pro Picture this: You’ve just set up your family office, and suddenly you’re drowning in decisions. Do you hire that expensive CFO everyone’s recommending? Should you bring tax planning in-house or stick with your longtime CPA firm? What about investment management? These aren’t just staffing decisions, but strategic choices that will determine whether your family office becomes a well-oiled wealth preservation machine or an expensive bureaucratic nightmare. Here’s what most families get wrong: they think it’s an either/or decision. Go all-in on internal staff or outsource everything to keep costs down. Both approaches usually backfire spectacularly. Why This Decision Will Make or

Why Your References Matter

When applying for a role in the private staffing industry, there are several key components you need to submit to make a strong impression. The most important of these are your resume and professional references, although a cover letter or headshot can help too. While your resume and cover letter showcase your skills and experiences, your references provide a third-party validation of your capabilities and character. What are references for and why do they matter? References are provided by individuals who can vouch for your qualifications, work ethic, and character. They matter to employers because they offer an external perspective on your professional abilities and personal attributes. A great reference can strongly reinforce the positive

10 Ways To Tell If A Candidate Will Be A Good Fit

Hiring the right person for a role that works directly with you or your family can be a challenging task. You want someone who has the skills, experience and personality to fit your needs, but they also need to be capable of developing a strong rapport with you and your family, and contributing to your overall success. So how can you tell if a candidate is a good match for your role? Here are 10 effective ways to evaluate a candidate to ensure that you ultimately hire the right person: 1. Assess Their Skills If you work with a professional referral agency, each candidate you are introduced to will be qualified for the role. That

How To Set Up Payroll In 7 Easy Steps

Setting up payroll as a private employer may seem like a task that will take enormous time and effort, but Old State Staffing’s employment experts are here to break it down into 7 simple steps. Before you get started though, there’s a few things you’ll want, such as an Employer Identification Number (EIN) and an employee agreement and/or employee handbook, outlining the terms of your employment relationship with your employee. Once you have these basics covered, you can then move forward with setting up your payroll system. While there are many vendors who handle payroll for private employers and small businesses, many employers prefer to manage payroll themselves. If that sounds like you, here are

Go Beyond Generic Recruitment Methods To Identify Talent

Whether you’re a family looking for your next nanny, an executive looking for an assistant or anything in-between, finding someone who is qualified and also a great fit for your role is one of the hardest parts of employing others. According to Capgemini, over 64% of family offices globally report difficulty finding qualified talent. With salaries for private staff to high-net-worth individuals often being $100 – 200K+, it’s crucial to understand what to look for when hiring and how to know if you’ve made the right hire. Let’s take a closer look at top traits to look for when assessing applicants and how to know when you’ve found the right person for your home, family

5 Things Every Nanny Should Consider Before Signing An Employment Agreement

If you’re looking for a new job as a nanny, you might be wondering how to make a good impression on potential employers and secure the best offer. One of the most important steps in the hiring process is negotiating a nanny contract that outlines the terms and conditions of your employment. A nanny contract is a written agreement between you and the family that specifies your role, responsibilities, compensation, benefits, schedule, and other details. A nanny contract can help you avoid misunderstandings, protect your rights, and ensure a smooth and successful working relationship. But what should you look for in a nanny contract? How can you make sure it covers everything you need and

How To Protect Yourself With A Non-Disclosure Agreement

If you’re hiring a household manager, a nanny, a personal assistant, or any other domestic staff, you may want to consider having them sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA). An NDA is a legal document that prevents the person who signs it from disclosing any confidential or sensitive information that they may learn or access while working for you. This can include personal, financial, medical, or business information, as well as any trade secrets, photos, videos, or other media that belong to you. Why You Need An NDA You may think that an NDA is only necessary for celebrities, politicians, or wealthy individuals who have a lot of secrets to hide. However, in today’s digital age,

How To Attract And Retain Top Talent For Your Family Office

If you run a family office, you know how important it is to have a team of qualified and loyal professionals who can manage your wealth and affairs. But finding and keeping such talent is not easy in today’s competitive market. You need to offer more than just a salary and a bonus. You need to offer a compelling value proposition that aligns with your family’s vision, values, and goals. In this article, we’ll touch on insights and best practices from Katten’s Family Office Compensation and Talent panels, which featured experts from Mack International and Botoff Consulting. We’ll also cover four key topics that every family office should consider when designing and implementing their

Find Your Dream Job With Old State Staffing

Tired of spending hours browsing the web for jobs that don’t match your skills or interests? Feel frustrated by sending out countless applications and never hearing back from anyone? Wish you could find a job that suits your personality and lifestyle? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you should consider working with a recruiting agency that specializes in private staffing. At Old State Staffing, we’ll help you find your dream job in no time, and here’s how: You get access to exclusive and unadvertised jobs Many estates and companies prefer to hire through Old State Staffing rather than posting their openings online. This is because they trust the agency to provide them

Deciding Between A Live-In Or A Live-Out Housekeeper

If you’re looking for a housekeeper to help you keep your home clean, organized, and comfortable, you may be wondering whether to hire a live-in or a live-out housekeeper. Both options have their advantages and disadvantages that depend on your needs, personality, lifestyle and budget. We’ll help you compare between these different types of housekeepers and give you some tips on how to make the best decision for your home. Live-in housekeepers live on your property, either in a separate suite, floor, wing, or residence. They are available full-time to take care of all aspects of your home management, such as cleaning, cooking, laundry, maintenance, gardening, errands, administration, and more. They are also flexible to