Interviews end — the handoff is where hires stall
From interview to offer: hiring an MDW in Singapore is the process between “we like her” and a real next step with a licensed employment agency (EA). How many people to meet sits in #57. What to ask the EA before you sign sits in #3. This page owns the handoff.
General guidance only. Soft MOM: mom.gov.sg. SmartMaid.com.sg is a marketplace for search and shortlist. Licensed EAs place helpers and process Work Pass steps. Platform ≠ agency.
Neighbouring hubs:
- How many maids to interview (unique #57)
- Reference checks employers can request (unique #55)
- When to walk away from a mismatch (unique #54)
- What to ask a maid agency before you sign (unique #3)
- How to choose a maid agency (unique #105)
- How Smart Maid differs from a maid agency (unique #82)
- First-time employer hire guide (unique #84)
- Work Permit application checklist (unique #19)
- Search maids
- This article: interview → offer handoff
Step 1 — Decide with a written scorecard (same criteria for every candidate)
Before you “feel ready to offer,” score the last interviews on the same brief: duties, language, rest-day fit, childcare/elderly/pets if relevant, and gut-check on communication. Do not rank by nationality stereotypes. Cap favourites; pick one primary and one backup.
Step 2 — Reconfirm availability through the licensed EA
Marketplace favourites can go cold. Ask the EA (not only the chat thread) to confirm she is still available for your start window. Soft reference checks if appropriate: #55. Walk-away signals: #54.
Step 3 — Align offer themes before anyone hears “yes”
Align with your co-employer and EA on process themes only (no $ figures on this page):
- Rest-day pattern discussion process
- Duty scope for the first month
- Probable start path (transfer vs overseas) and who owns Work Pass next steps
- Replacement / guarantee questions you will still ask before signing (#3)
Salary and total-cost framing lives in #97 — keep numbers off this handoff page.
Step 4 — Make the handoff explicit
Tell the EA in one message: primary candidate, backup, preferred start window, and that you want their placement next-step checklist. Favouriting on SmartMaid is not an offer. Placement starts when the licensed EA and you commit to process (#82).
Step 5 — After “yes,” switch tracks
- Run pre-sign EA questions (#3)
- Open the Work Pass stage map / checklist (#108, #19)
- Stop interviewing other candidates unless the primary falls through
Soft MOM
Offers and employment of MDWs run through licensed EA + soft MOM rules. Marketplace ≠ agency. No invented $.
Checklist
- Scorecard decision (primary + backup)
- EA confirmed availability
- Offer themes aligned (rest day, duties, path) — no $ on this page
- Explicit handoff message to EA
- Pre-sign + WP tracks queued (#3 / #19)
- No nationality ranking; platform ≠ agency
Scripts
To EA: We are ready to proceed with [name/ref] as primary (backup [name/ref]). Please confirm availability and send the placement next-step list. SmartMaid shortlist is complete on our side.
To co-employer: Interviewing stops once we hand primary to the EA — unless she becomes unavailable.
Bottom line
Close the interview loop with a clear EA handoff, then move to sign questions and Work Pass steps. Browse on SmartMaid; place through a licensed EA under soft MOM rules.
