Vetting Los Angeles Household Staff: What to Ask Before Hiring

An employer and job candidate review the candidate's resume.

Your family’s safety and privacy are of paramount importance. Carefully vetting Los Angeles household staff helps protect all you hold dear. This process entails asking incisive interview questions and conducting thorough background checks. Thanks to our methodical approach to vetting and comprehensive support, you can confidently hire staff who will anticipate your needs and uphold the highest standards of service and discretion.

1) Why vetting Los Angeles household staff matters

Identifying the ideal household staff in Los Angeles requires more than finding someone with seemingly relevant experience and the right credentials. An exacting vetting process will yield only shortlisted candidates who meet the highest standards of professionalism, discretion, and service. A well-vetted hire will blend effortlessly into your home, anticipating your needs while providing reliable, long-term support.

From the fast-paced lifestyle of executive households to the need for absolute discretion in high-profile milieus, Los Angeles presents unique challenges when hiring staff. Stringent vetting minimizes the risk of hiring someone who isn’t a good fit, ensuring you bring only the most qualified candidates into your home.

At Wilshire Agency, we take full responsibility for the vetting process, from assessing work histories to verifying character and trustworthiness. We pride ourselves on offering our clients a selection of pre-screened, top-tier candidates who meet the high expectations of elite households like yours.

2) Key questions to ask when interviewing household staff

A polished résumé is a good start, but it’s not enough to make a sound hiring decision. You’ll need to ask the right questions to determine whether a candidate will meet your expectations and integrate seamlessly into your household. Think of interviews as invaluable opportunities to assess candidates’ problem-solving abilities, discretion, and adaptability. 

Here are some key questions to ask when interviewing household staff:

  • What previous roles have you held in private households, and what were your main responsibilities?

  • How do you handle confidential or sensitive household information?

  • Can you give an example of a time you anticipated a need or resolved an issue without being asked to do so?

  • How do you adjust to last-minute changes in scheduling or responsibilities?

  • How do you cultivate a cordial professional relationship with family members and other staff?

Posing these questions will help you move beyond the superficial to confidently determine whether a candidate is truly the right fit for your household.

3) Background checks & reference verification

Even the most impressive candidates require thorough background checks and reference verification. This step confirms whether they have a history of reliability, discretion, and professionalism—qualities that are non-negotiable in executive households.

A reference check provides firsthand insight on how a candidate performed in previous roles, revealing details about their work ethic, trustworthiness, and ability to handle responsibilities. A proper background check should also include criminal history, identity verification, and, if applicable, driving records.

Wilshire Agency takes care of this time-consuming task for you, meticulously vetting all candidates before they reach your shortlist. We verify credentials, conduct background screenings, and contact past employers, ensuring you only consider the most reliable professionals to join your team of household staff.

Given that less than 4% of applicants pass our rigorous 10-point screening and vetting process, our clients can rest assured that they are selecting from the absolute best in the industry.


Welcome to Wilshire Agency, a premier household staff agency specializing in cultivating seamless, high-caliber household teams. We provide Los Angeles' most discerning households with first-rate meal prep chefs, estate managers, housekeepers, family assistants, and more, each devoted to delivering unparalleled service tailored to the unique needs of our esteemed clientele.

Shannon Pruitt

Word & Design Lover. General Officer of All Things (G.O.A.T) at Shannon Pruitt & Co. where we help modern entrepreneurs design a website that feels like home and pinpoints exactly what they want to say. Also loves a good glass of wine at night.

https://sundaymusedesign.com