The appeal of a well-run Lake Forest, Illinois estate simply cannot be understated, and the key to achieving this goal lies in building a cohesive team of domestic staff members. Today, we will reveal how to build a reliable team of talented candidates.

Start by Assessing Your Household’s Needs

Before you hire, assessing your household’s needs is paramount. Staffing at Tiffanie’s Director of Placement, Andrea Bruttig, says that Lake Forest families have numerous requirements. 

“Many families split time between multiple residences, host frequent events, entertain guests, and travel extensively throughout the year. Their staffing needs often fluctuate around schedules, holidays, and summer travel.” For example, a clear list of desired Household Manager duties can be very valuable.

Just as important is to consider the size of your estate, your family’s lifestyle, entertaining habits, and pain points. 

Finally, proper planning is always the goal, Ms. Bruttig states. “Many families hire reactively instead of strategically. They’ll hire for today’s biggest pain point without considering how each role should interact with the rest of the household.” 

Key Roles That Make Up a Domestic Staff Team

Estate and Household Managers: Oversee and coordinate household staff, liaise with vendors, and take care of details for flawless entertaining, events, and living.

Nannies and Childcare Professionals: Ensure the safety, engagement, and education of the children of Lake Forest families.

Private Chefs and Housekeepers: Provide culinary and domestic support, leaving households free to enjoy their estates.

Personal and Executive Assistants: Offer a wide range of support for busy professionals, including calendar organization, transportation, and much more.

How the Roles Work Together as a Team

The above roles coordinate schedules and duties with one another via clear communication and a reporting structure which helps to avoid overlap.This can be greatly assisted by a detailed household manual.

Hiring and Vetting Best Practices

Thorough interviews, comprehensive background screening, and reference checks are an absolute must. After hiring, a trial period will  ensure the perfect fit.

Why Work with a Specialist Staffing Agency

When a specific blend of staff members is needed for your estate, a personalized expert for Lake Forest households is far preferable to general recruiters. Staffing at Tiffanie’s uses a discreet, refined, and meticulous process for finding Lake Forest households the qualified top-tier staff they need.

“Flexibility and discretion are often just as important as technical experience,” says Ms. Bruttig. 

“We spend considerable time understanding workflow before recommending staffing structures, which helps prevent overlapping responsibilities and confusion later.”

A specialist agency like Staffing at Tiffanie’s can also ensure that the team you need is built thoughtfully. Ms. Bruttig related a previous experience with a client in Lake Forest. 

“One Lake Forest family initially retained us to find a Housekeeper. As we learned more, it became clear they also needed a Household Manager to oversee vendors, travel preparation, and daily operations. Later we assisted with a Private Chef and seasonal support staff. Rather than hiring every position at once, we built the team strategically so each new hire complemented the previous one.”

Are you ready to hire? Then please begin with Client Onboarding. Are you a professional seeking placement? We invite you to apply to join our roster or view available positions. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What household staff positions do most Lake Forest estates need?

Assistants, Private Chefs, Housekeepers, Nannies, Chauffeurs and Estate Managers are among the most-needed household staff for Lake Forest households.

How do I start building a household staffing team from scratch?

The best way to begin building your team is to assess your requirements, and then contact a domestic staffing agency that is familiar with the unique needs of families in your location.

How long does it take to fully staff a private household?

This depends on the number and type of staff members you require. For example, you may currently require only one or two staff members, but you might discover later on that more staff are needed.

How much does it cost to hire a full household staff team?

The cost to hire a full household staff team depends on the individual role and the number of staff members that will be working for you. An agency like Staffing at Tiffanie’s can help you clarify cost and timing.