S5 E2 - Mastering the Interview

We’re back!  After a short break whilst we made some fairly significant changes internally here at Silver Swan, we are delighted to be back. Today, Philippa opens up about Silver Swan and the challenges we faced earlier in the year and the changes that were made and why.  We also welcome Lloyd to the show today, an experienced House Manager in Melbourne, Australia. It’s always interesting to see if the private industry any looks different on the other side of the world. He talks about his entry into the industry, how his career progressed over time and his recent stint in the Middle East. 

Today, Philippa Smith is talking to Lily who has had a fantastic career to date climbing the notoriously difficult ladder up to Director of Residence. This is a position sought after by many working in the private sector and so today we delve into Lily’s journey to the top. Her passion for the industry and her love for what she does is so obvious and clearly plays a part in her success. Tune in to learn how to break through ceilings, how to manage large teams of staff and what to look for when hiring.

Today we are delving into the wonderful life of a Butler.   The highly reputable Julius Smith joins the show with his decades of experience in the field and shares not only many great stories from his long career but also his thoughts on the emergence of the modern butler, the importance of training and what it is that makes a truly great butler.    Tune in to learn more about this world.

In this episode, Philippa delves into the realm of private staffing in the Middle East alongside special guest Corina Goetz. They tackle prevailing misconceptions surrounding the GCC countries, shedding light on the advantages of working and living in this region for expats and private staff professionals alike. Tune in for some serious myth-busting and our top reasons why Middle Eastern job opportunities aren't one to miss, giving misconceptions the boot once and for all!

Today The Recruitment Diaries focuses on International Women’s Day, discussing raising a family and the impact this can have on your career Philippa gives an insight into her journey and how she has balanced having children whilst running Silver Swan We also invite Barbara Hepp to the show, a member of our UK House Manager community who has successfully navigated the journey of motherhood whilst working within the private sector  Wrapping up with a quick fire round with Laura Franzo, a working mum from the Silver Swan team.

Interviews. Yuck. Possibly the most daunting part of the hiring process, and one that we don't really get much education on 🤢. This episode, Philippa is joined by Latricia Friend and Russell Orford as they discuss how to navigate perfecting the résumé and finessing a private staff interview. From how to dress all the way up to post-interview etiquette, this episode has got you covered.

We've given our podcast a fresh lick of paint, have invested in a second microphone, and are now officially back for our fifth season (Whew😮‍💨)! As 2024 kicks off, we wanted to run over the 'dos' and 'don'ts' of using a recruitment agency when looking for your next role or employee. Philippa is joined in the studio by Silver Swan's very own Laura and Chris as they discuss how to get the most out of a recruitment agency... and perhaps how not to.

Another season of Life in Private Staffing has come to an end, wrapping up our podcast until the new year! In this episode, Philippa discusses some exciting changes happening at Silver Swan, and we go back through the fourth season and listen to some of our highlights from a year full of brilliant guests and interesting insights. We'll be back in 2024 with a new season… and perhaps a new name too 😉

This week, Philippa is chatting with one of our UK House Manager Community members, and past Silver Swan candidate, Georgina Gallagher! Philippa and Georgina talk about the importance of a good work-life balance, and how this coincides with high demands from UHNW principals. Philippa also asks Georgina about her own route into the private staffing industry, from working in hospitality in her teenage years all the way up to her current role.

Today, Philippa is joined by Helen Mann, all the way from San Fransisco, California. Helen talks about her career journey so far- from studying her master's degree in film journalism to working in all sorts of UHNW roles which have managed to remain relevant to her prior studies, and how she's found trying different roles within the private staffing industry to be beneficial in both personal and career growth. Philippa and Helen discuss a healthy work-life balance, the often inevitable trial and error that comes with finding the perfect position within the UHNW sector, and the importance of being open to opportunities in order to find a role that you are truly happy with.