Key Things Employers Should Know
  • Asking only "Can you cook Cantonese food?" is not enough — use scenario-based questions tailored to your specific household needs.
  • Always call references after the interview — a previous employer's feedback is the most reliable indicator of real-world performance.
  • Allocate at least 15–20 minutes per candidate and score each one to enable an objective comparison across multiple applicants.
  • Vague or overly brief answers are a warning sign — always probe for specific details before making a two-year hiring commitment.

Interviewing a domestic helper is not an exam — but you need to ask the right questions. Many first-time employers end up asking only "Can you cook Cantonese food?" before committing to a two-year contract. DuckDuckDay has compiled the most comprehensive 2026 domestic helper interview checklist, covering four key areas: infant & childcare, elderly care, cooking skills, and personal character. Every question comes with "what to listen for" guidance to help you read between the lines.

Employer conducting a video interview with a domestic helper — DuckDuckDay 2026 FDH interview questions checklist
Video interviews are now the standard in Hong Kong helper hiring. Ask the right questions and the process becomes far more efficient.

💡 Pre-interview tip: Allow 15–20 minutes per candidate. Prepare a scoring sheet and rate each category 1–5 for easy comparison afterwards. DuckDuckDay can pre-screen candidates and schedule interviews on your behalf — WhatsApp us for same-day response.

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Infant & Childcare

If you have a baby, toddler, or school-age child at home, this is the most critical category. Childcare demands patience, alertness, and appropriate discipline — go deep.

Question 1
Do you have experience caring for infants or young children? How old were they?
What to listen for: Can she give specific ages and how long she cared for them? "Yes" alone is not enough — you need details. Caring for a 0–2-month-old newborn is completely different from looking after a 5-year-old.
Question 2
Can you bathe a baby, change nappies, and handle bottle feeding?
What to listen for: A candidate with real infant experience should describe specifics — checking water temperature, supporting the baby's head and neck. If she says "yes" but can't explain how, probe further.
Question 3
If a baby cries continuously at night, what would you do?
What to listen for: A good answer includes: check if the baby is hungry, has a wet nappy, has a fever, or is unwell — then comfort them, and wake the employer if necessary. Note whether she can judge when a situation is urgent.
Question 4
Have you helped children with homework or taken them to school?
What to listen for: Essential if your child needs school runs or tutoring support. Understand her language ability (English, Mandarin, or Cantonese) and familiarity with local routes.
Question 5
Can you prepare age-appropriate food for young children? Give me an example.
What to listen for: A candidate who gives specific examples (steamed egg, soft porridge, cut fruit) is far more reliable than one who just says "yes." Also note whether she is alert to food allergies.
Question 6
How do you handle discipline with young children?
What to listen for: Any mention of physical punishment is a red flag. The ideal answer emphasises patience, distraction techniques, and positive reinforcement. Her discipline philosophy should align with your family's values.
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Elderly Care

Many Hong Kong families need their domestic helper to care for elderly relatives alongside household duties. Elderly care requires patience, attention to detail, and basic first-aid awareness — do not underestimate it.

Question 7
Do you have experience caring for elderly people? What health conditions did they have?
What to listen for: Find out specifically what conditions she has dealt with — diabetes, hypertension, dementia, or mobility issues. Relevant experience means she is better equipped to handle emergencies.
Question 8
Can you assist a mobility-impaired elderly person — for example, helping them in and out of bed or a wheelchair?
What to listen for: Correct technique prevents injury to both the elder and the helper. An ideal candidate should mention standing stable, using leg strength rather than the back, and moving slowly.
Question 9
Have you managed medication schedules or reminded an elderly person to take their medicine on time?
What to listen for: Medication management requires a high level of care. Check whether she knows how to log dosage times, distinguish between different medications, and handle refusal to take medicine.
Question 10
If an elderly person suddenly falls or becomes unwell, what would you do immediately?
What to listen for: The correct response is: stay calm, do not move the person, notify the family immediately, and call an ambulance (999). Her composure and speed of response matter as much as her answer.
Question 11
Can you prepare meals suited to an elderly person's health needs — for example, low-salt, low-sugar, or soft food?
What to listen for: Elderly dietary needs are specific. A candidate who can adapt meals to health conditions genuinely has hands-on elderly care experience.
Question 12
How do you communicate with someone who has dementia?
What to listen for: This is an advanced question that reveals empathy and patience. The ideal answer includes: use simple language, avoid arguing, maintain daily routines, and stay calm and gentle.
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Cooking Skills

Cooking is one of a helper's core skills — but "I can cook" is just the starting point. What matters more is her range of dishes, food hygiene habits, and ability to handle different dietary requirements.

Question 13
Can you cook Cantonese food? Can you name three to five dishes?
What to listen for: A candidate who names specific dishes (steamed fish, stir-fried vegetables, slow-cooked soup) is far more credible than one who just says "yes." If everything she names is fried or fast food, probe further.
Question 14
Have you cooked other cuisines — Western, Japanese, or children's meals?
What to listen for: Especially relevant if you have specific preferences or young children. Gauge her willingness and ability to learn new cooking styles if needed.
Question 15
Do you cook from recipes or from memory?
What to listen for: Both are valid. Cooking from memory suggests deep practical experience; following recipes shows flexibility to learn new dishes. The key is whether she is confident trying something new.
Question 16
How would you handle food allergies or dietary restrictions in the household?
What to listen for: Food allergies can be a serious health risk. She should express that she will carefully note all restrictions, check ingredient labels when shopping, and avoid cross-contamination during cooking.
Question 17
How do you usually plan a week's menu and grocery shopping?
What to listen for: An organised approach to meal planning and shopping shows initiative and cost-consciousness. Find out if she habitually makes shopping lists and manages a budget.
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Personal & Character Questions

Skills can be taught — character is much harder to change. This section helps you understand a domestic helper candidate's personality, motivation, communication style, and how she handles pressure.

Question 18
Why do you want to work in Hong Kong? What are your long-term goals?
What to listen for: Honest answers typically involve supporting family, saving for children's education, or building a career. If her goals seem fundamentally misaligned with life in Hong Kong, or the answer is vague, probe further.
Question 19
What is your English or Cantonese level? Can you demonstrate?
What to listen for: Test language skills directly during the interview. If your child needs English communication or your elderly relative speaks only Cantonese, language ability is a hard requirement.
Question 20
What did your previous employer do, and why did you leave?
What to listen for: Understand the reason for leaving and assess whether it conflicts with your situation. Contract completion or employer relocation is normal. Frequent employer changes or excessive complaints about previous employers are warning signs.
Question 21
Do you have any health conditions we should know about?
What to listen for: The government requires a medical check — but asking directly signals that you value mutual honesty. Some chronic conditions such as allergies or mild heart issues may need assessment against the role's physical demands.
Question 22
If you disagree with your employer about something, how would you handle it?
What to listen for: The ideal answer is a willingness to communicate calmly and respectfully — to listen first, then ask for clarification if needed. If she says "I'll just do whatever I'm told without saying anything," that may signal she won't speak up when there is a genuine problem.
Question 23
Are you willing to work overtime or adapt to special family arrangements when needed?
What to listen for: Hong Kong law provides helpers with fixed rest days that employers cannot cancel. However, understanding her flexibility helps you assess compatibility. Ensure you are prepared to give statutory rest days and substitute days as required.
Question 24
Do you have any special skills — such as first aid, swimming, driving, or pet care?
What to listen for: Additional skills are a bonus, but remember that the employment contract defines the scope of work by law. You cannot require a helper to do unreasonable or hazardous tasks. Driving requires a valid Hong Kong licence.

After the Interview: How to Make Your Decision

Once interviews are complete, score each domestic helper candidate (1–5) across four dimensions: communication fluency, specificity of answers, sincerity of attitude, and your overall gut feeling. If two candidates score similarly, arrange a brief follow-up interview or ask DuckDuckDay's consultants to help you compare objectively.

Finally, always call the references. This is the most overlooked but most effective step in the whole selection process. A former employer's feedback is often more direct and honest than anything revealed in a helper interview.

📋 Tip: Print these 24 questions as an interview scoring sheet, leaving space next to each to note key answers and scores. DuckDuckDay can also provide a ready-made interview scoring template — just WhatsApp us to request one.