Randolphs has a specialist team of recruitment consultants who source and place domestic service staff, including butlers, chefs, house managers, housekeepers, cooks, maids, nannies and PAs. Pauline Mercier, from Burgundy in France, works on the phenomenally busy desk which recruits housekeepers and ladies' maids. We asked her for some of the secrets of her success...

What are the main things you do in your working day?
I spend a lot of time meeting candidates and working on the database, which has about 8,000 names on it. We're processing between 10 and 100 applications every day, depending on where we have posted a job. We invite them in to meet them personally, as it's the most important thing to do, to meet in person. You find out so much more about their character than from reading a CV.
What's the significance of the candidate database?
Sometimes we meet candidates who are not right for a job, but you know they might be good for something in the future. Also it can turn out that the candidate is looking for something a bit different – so often they're happy to wait. The other week I was asked to find a horse groom – and I actually had an ex-jockey on the database who may take that job. Having the database means we always say 'Yes' when given a brief to fill a position – and then we work hard to come up with someone! And we're here to fulfil the needs of candidates as much as those of clients.

How much contact do you have with the clients?
Steven has an excellent book of contacts – many of whom are very well-known people. I gradually meet them, especially if the client is actually the PA or house manager in charge of the recruitment for the family, house or office. It's good to see the house. For example, I saw one recently which had nine floors, so I knew I had to find someone fit! Also you can then understand the working environment your candidate will be going into, such as whether they will be working on their own or as part of a team of six, or if the client is travelling a lot. If you have gone into the house you can explain the job much better to candidates and also describe the person who will be interviewing them. One house I saw was decorated in Coco Chanel style, so I sent along a French lady. If I hadn't visited the house I wouldn't have thought to send a French candidate – she got the job as head housekeeper.
Where do you advertise your vacancies?
We mainly advertise jobs on our own website and there are a few other job portals which are quite effective. We have to advertise more online and direct to our database if a job is further afield, for example in Edinburgh or Switzerland.

Describe your most challenging placement to date?
One of our clients hired a new house manager who wanted to change the whole team. I went to visit the property and meet the client, a very nice 'self-made' man from Spain. We had a long chat about what he wanted for the new team. In the space of six weeks we found five ladies who were not only a good fit for the boss in terms of personality, but are also enjoying working together.
How much do you keep in touch after a successful placement?
I email the candidates for the next two to three weeks, and after that I leave them alone – but I try to be in contact once every two months to make sure they are still OK and to be prepared if they're not. Equally they might be able to put you in touch with more opportunities through their new household. Having a nice relationship with the candidates is important for me – most candidates contact several agencies and we want to be sure we are friendly with the best ones – so yes, we go for drinks and keep in touch. Sometimes candidates end up becoming clients – if they're made house manager and given the position of recruiting staff themselves.

What do you especially like about working at Randolphs?
They give you an excellent platform to succeed, including a database, good network of contacts and a nice working environment and support. It's going well – I place on average two permanent housekeepers per week plus temps and holiday cover.

If you'd like to be considered as a candidate for one of our positions, or if you are potentially a client, please do get in touch with Pauline or any of the team at Randolphs, on +44 (0)20 3617 9120 or email pauline@randolphs.co.uk.