This page is the click-path — #76 is the strategy
How to shortlist maids on Smart Maid (step by step) walks the save-and-compare loop. For who to interview and when to stop, use How to shortlist before you interview (unique #76) and how many to interview (unique #57).
General guidance only. Soft MOM: mom.gov.sg. SmartMaid.com.sg is a marketplace. Licensed EAs place helpers. Platform ≠ agency.
Step 1 — Open Search with a clear brief
Go to Search maids. Keep your must-have duties and language bar in a note beside you. Skills and availability first — not nationality-only browsing.
Step 2 — Apply filters that match the brief
Toggle experience, skills (infant / elderly / cooking / pets), language, and availability (transfer / finish-contract) as shown on the live UI. Re-run search after each change so results stay honest.
Step 3 — Open a biodata and scan in order
- Duties and skills
- Experience summary
- Languages
- Availability / reason lines
- Agency name on the profile
Deeper reading: How to read a maid biodata (unique #15).
Step 4 — Save / favourite the profile
Use the site’s save/favourite control (wording may vary on the live UI). Immediately add a private note:
- Matched because…
- Ask in interview…
- Concern…
Without notes, shortlists become anonymous heart icons.
Step 5 — Keep criteria attached to the shortlist
When you return later, you should still know which filters produced this set. Screenshot or copy your active filter summary into the note, or keep a dated line: “2026-08-22 — elderly + English + finish-contract.”
That is how shortlists stay useful after a busy week.
Step 6 — Compare side by side
Open two favourites and compare only on your scorecard columns (duties, language, availability, agency responsiveness). Drop profiles that fail a must-have — do not “maybe” forever.
Step 7 — Share with your co-employer
Send the shortlist links + your notes. Agree who books interviews. No secret favourites that explode later.
Step 8 — Enquire through the listing agency
From each chosen biodata, contact the licensed EA named on the profile. Ask for video slots and status confirmation. Marketplace ≠ agency — SmartMaid does not employ the helper.
Step 9 — Archive rejects cleanly
Unfavourite or tag “passed” so you do not re-open the same biodata next Sunday. Keep a one-line reason (“no infant nights”).
Soft MOM + money
Hiring compliance sits with EA + soft MOM rules. No invented $ salary talk on this page — discuss pay only via EA/offer process.
Checklist
- [ ] Search opened with brief
- [ ] Filters applied
- [ ] Favourites saved with notes
- [ ] Criteria dated
- [ ] Spouse reviewed
- [ ] EA enquire sent
- [ ] Rejects archived
- [ ] Platform ≠ agency
Scripts
Note template: Matched: elderly + cooking. Ask: Mandarin with grandpa. Agency: [name].
To spouse: Three saved links + notes. Please mark yes/no by tonight.
Bottom line
How to shortlist maids on Smart Maid (step by step): filter, save with notes, keep criteria attached, compare, then enquire via the listing EA. Use #76 for interview strategy; use this page for the save-and-compare loop.
