FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Care Seekers
Why would I want to use this site?
Help! My search did not yield any results!
The tasks I need done may change daily. How can I post for this type of job?
Why should I indicate whether or not I’ve hired the applicant?
What do I do once I’ve filled the position?
My caregiver resigned/was terminated. How can I post the same job posting again?
If I hire a caregiver, am I considered an employer?
How do I interview an applicant?
Can I contact the applicant offline?
How does rating work?
How much I should pay for this position?
How do I know if the applicant actually has the background clearance/certifications they claim?
Why would I want to use this site?
Finding a caregiver in your area can be difficult. Many people use community bulletin boards which can be too slow of a process when a caregiver is needed immediately. Others post ads in the newspapers but this can be costly. Also, caregivers have a wide range of skills, experience, pay rate expectations and it can be hard to find just the match. There is nobody better to decide what the requirements are for your care than YOU. Find the care you need. Hire who YOU want. That’s HireMyCare.org. Use this quick-start guide to find out more about how to create an account on HireMyCare.org.
HireMyCare.org was created to make the process of locating a compatible caregiver easier and more efficient. We know there are certain factors that are critical to know up front when you are searching for care, and that’s why HireMyCare.org’s 20 search dimensions were created.
We know searching for care can be urgent. That’s why you can search HireMyCare.org from the comfort of your home, from any web-connected device, at any time of the day or night. We’ve also created a short guide that has more information about getting started with HireMyCare.org that you can read right here.
Help! My search did not yield any results!
This is common if you have applied too many search filters. It means there is not an exact match in the database. Consider which factors are the most critical to your search. Is it pay rate? Availability? Select only the check boxes for fields that are the important and leave the rest blank. Remember, if the caregiver is a compatible match for your care needs, but lacks a certification, consider helping them obtain the certification. Find out more about searching for nearby caregivers by reading this quick guide to creating a search on HireMyCare.org.
The tasks I need done may change daily. How can I post for this type of job?
Remember that writing the job description is meant to give the applicant an idea of what will be expected of them. It is not a list of daily tasks, but rather what tasks could possibly be asked of them. For example, if your require someone to be able to lift a heavy object occasionally, include it in the job description. This may prevent someone who is unable to lift from applying for the job.
Don’t leave out important information or surprise them once you’ve hire them! The goal is to make sure both the Care Seeker and the Caregiver find the match compatible. This will help retain the caregiver over time which results in better familiarity and experience with your needs.
Why should I indicate whether or not I’ve hired the applicant?
By indicating that you have hired an applicant, this will help you organize your favorite caregivers. This also helps HireMyCare.org know how useful the site has been in helping you find compatible caregivers.
What do I do once I’ve filled the position?
If you are not actively hiring for the position, archive the post by going to “Open Postings” in your left-hand dashboard menu. Click the red “X” next to the posting to close it out. (You can re-open it at a later date.) This will ensure that applications do not keep applying for a position that is not available.
My caregiver resigned/was terminated. How can I post the same job posting again?
Click on “Closed Postings” on the left-hand menu of your dashboard and click on the green arrow to re-post the position.
If I hire a caregiver, am I considered an employer?
Yes. The IRS considers household workers to be employees. This means that you are the Employer of Record and are legally obligated to follow all guidelines established by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (http://www.eeoc.gov/), Department of Labor (see your state’s web site), and withhold and pay all relevant taxes and burdens.
How do I interview an applicant?
How and when you decide to interview an applicant is up to you as the Employer. However, we do recommend that you take precautions to protect yourself when meeting strangers for the first time. Here are some tips:
- Prepare your interview questions in advance and ask all applicants the same questions.
- Meet in a public place for the first interview and don’t give out your home address until you know you are comfortable about inviting the applicant into your home or other care location.
- Have a friend or family member accompany you in the interview
- Don’t be afraid to explain to the applicant what the job really requires and what you are willing to pay. The interview is a chance for both you and the applicant to decide whether it is a good fit.
These are just a few tips, but remember that you are legally required to treat all applicants fairly according to Equal Employment Opportunity Coalition guidelines (www.eeoc.gov). We’ve also have some more information about contacting Caregivers and using our in-site messaging system on this PDF guide.
Can I contact the applicant offline?
If the employee provides you with their contact information, you are free to contact or interact with the caregivers and vendors you may meet on the site.
How does rating work?
Once you indicate that you have hired a Caregiver, you will be given the option to rate them by selecting the number of stars they receive. This is a general rating based on your satisfaction with them as an employee. 5 stars means that you highly recommend the Caregiver. 1 star indicates that you do not recommend them. Ratings from multiple Care Seekers is averaged out. Please remember that the rating you give Caregivers may affect their ability to obtain additional employment opportunities through the site.
How much I should pay for this position?
We recommend researching similar positions in your area using the internet and paying a comparable pay rate. Also remember that a a reasonable rate is also based on the qualifications, experience, education and job tasks required of the applicant. If you require that the employee has a Nursing degree, this will warrant a higher pay rate than Caregivers with no experience or certifications. It is up to YOU to determine what is required for the position you are hiring for.
If you find a compatible Caregiver that desires a slightly higher pay rate than you are comfortable with, we encourage you to contact them anyway and ask if they would consider negotiating their desired pay rate.
How do I know if the applicant actually has the background clearance/certifications they claim?
As the Employer of Record, it is your responsibility to review and verify all relevant certifications, identifications, and claims made by the Caregiver in their application before making an offer for a position. HireMyCare.org does not monitor or screen participants of the site or their claims.
CAREGIVER FAQs
How do I list certifications that are not listed on my profile options?
When you apply for a job posting, you will be given an opportunity to write a brief cover letter. In the cover letter message, feel free to include other qualifications that you feel would be relevant to the job posted.
You may also share your qualifications in your resume which you may choose to attach to your profile or at the time of the interview.
I’m not getting any hits, how can I improve my profile/application?
Remember that the more complete your profile is, the more Care Seekers can learn about your qualifications on HireMyCare.org. This includes attaching your resume to your profile. To edit or complete your profile, click on “Edit My Profile” on the left-hand menu of your Dashboard. We also have more information about optimizing your profile on this handy PDF guide.
Have you considered obtaining additional certifications to be a more competitive applicant? Most Care Seekers find CPR and First Aid certifications to be an important qualification.
Do you have to be at/How do you get 100% complete in the progression bar?
In order to get to 100% you would have to fill out everything possible in the profile; including but not limited to availability chart, profile, resume and the personal websites. You do not have to be at 100% in order to have people look at your profile, if you are between 80-100% you should have all the necessary important fields filled out.
What is this saved search bar?
This will allow you to save your search based on the criteria you selected. For basic searches, this saved search may not be necessary. For advanced searches on the otherhand you may want to save your search so you do not have to keep filling out the criteria each and every time. In order to save the search, type a nickname and hit save. Go to saved searches in the left navigation bar and click on Saved Searches.
GENERAL FAQs
I can’t Log In
Why do you ask for personal information like pets, smoke, sex, and age?
How much will you charge me to use the site?
How do I know which type of user I am and sign up for HireMyCare?
How do I use the site?
How can I cancel my subscription?
Do I have to use all the search filters?
I can’t Log In
- Do you already have an account? If not, click “Sign Up” at the top navigation bar.
- Did you forget your password? If so, click “Forgot Password” on the log-in screen.
- Email Customer Support at [email protected]
Why do you ask for personal information like pets, smoke, sex, and age?
In some care locations such as homes and residential facilities, pets and/or cigarette smoke may be present. This may present a hardship to a caregiver with allergies or asthma.
Some Care Recipients require assistance with their personal grooming and bathing, and may prefer a caregiver of the same sex. Additionally, some Care Recipients are working on life and social skills and may prefer a caregiver who can provide mentorship for these activities.
HireMyCare.org is not the Employer of Record and does not hire the employee, but rather a service to help you find the best match for your care needs. Through years of service coordination experience, it is our belief the the 20 dimensions used on HireMyCare.org to narrow down a search may be factors useful in finding a compatible Caregiver/Care Recipient match. However, it is illegal for hiring employer’s responsibility to discriminate based on race, ethnicity, gender, marital status, etc. (For more information, please see the EEOC guidelines). Please read this PDF guide for more information about hiring a Caregiver on HireMyCare.org..
How much will you charge me to use the site?
HireMyCare.org is free to Caregivers and Care Seekers. There are standard subscription rates for those using the site as a Vendor (See subscription prices link).
How do I know which type of user I am and sign up for HireMyCare?
If you’re want someone to help you in your home, or are looking for business with services or products that appeal to the in-home care community, you’re probably a Care Seeker, and can sign up here.
If you’re a person who already provides in-home care or want to provide care, you can sign up as a Caregiver here (note: Individuals only. Agencies and other businesses signing up as individuals will have their accounts closed and be banned from HireMyCare.org, as per our Terms And Conditions).
If you represent a business with products or services that are of benefit to people looking for in-home care, you can join HireMyCare as a Business/Vendor.
How do I use the site?
Check out our handy “How To Use This Site” page.
How can I cancel my Business subscription?
You may cancel your subscription at any time. Simply send a request to [email protected] to terminate your participation. As we continue to develop and improve the site, we greatly appreciate any feedback you can share with us about why the site did not meet your needs and how we can improve this service. Please understand we may not be able to guarantee a refund.
Do I have to use all the search filters?
Not at all. In fact, the fewer search filters you apply to your search, the more results you will see. Only check the boxes that are the most important factors needed. Explore the profiles returned in your search results, and don’t be afraid to message them to find out more.
Have a question you don’t see here? Have a comment or suggestion for us? Contact us online or call us at (855) 285-HIRE (4473)
