"Interviewing" potential farm sitter?

[QHEventer]

I’m meeting with a girl tomorrowI came across on the Next Door app to see if she’d be a good fit to take care of the farm a couple of days a week and/or when we are on vacation. Not really sure what all to ask her…everyone I’ve used in the past is someone I’ve known well and therefore I know they are experienced and knowledgeable horse people that I can trust!

Any advice? If tomorrow goes well I thought about asking her to come one morning and do chores while I am around to make sure things go smoothly before trusting her on her own? Thoughts?

[Xanthoria]

Ask her for references?

[trubandloki]

If you are willing to pay her to come do chores while you are around, I think that is a great idea.
It might give you a better idea of how she does if you describe it as you hiring her for the day because you are too busy that day, even though you are not going out of town. Same end result, but not worded as a test.

Ask her for references. Ask around to see if anyone else in your area knows her and her work. Does she ride somewhere that you know?
Nothing wrong with some ‘what would you do in this situation?’ type questions.

[wsmoak]

Ask to see proof of liability insurance.

With a new person I usually schedule (and pay) them for a day when I am present, and we run through the normal scenario and what is abnormal and what to do. (How to turn off the water in the well house, etc.)

[QHEventer]

Thanks all! It went very well, she has loads of experience and managed a stud farm before moving to the area. My pasture puffs will be a breeze in comparison! She’ll start working one weekend day a week while I’m home to keep an eye on things and make sure she doesn’t have any questions until she’s comfortable being on her own.

[clanter]

Since she will be an employee you may want to review your insurance coverage