The Queen is hiring a housekeeping assistant to live in a lavish royal residence, but the hiring process is far from straightforward
Queen Elizabeth II is hiring a housekeeping assistant to live and work at Buckingham Palace or Windsor Castle.
The starting salary is £19,140.09 ($25,000) and the successful applicant will work full-time for five days per week.
The role also involves travel to the royal family's other residences across the UK for up to three months each year.
Queen Elizabeth is hiring a housekeeping assistant to live and work at one of her royal residences.
The role, which will be based at either Buckingham Palace or Windsor Castle, offers a live-in option (albeit with a salary adjustment) and involves working at other royal residences for up to three months per year. Meals and travel expenses will also be provided, according to the job description on the royal household website.
The successful applicant is expected to "upkeep, clean, and care for interiors and items, ensuring they're presented to their very best."
Although not mentioned specifically in the job description, the other residences that candidates could potentially spend time at include Sandringham House, where the royals spend Christmas, and Balmoral Castle, where they spend summer vacation.
Kensington Palace is where royals such as Prince William, Kate Middleton, Princess Eugenie, and her husband Jack Brooksbank live full-time.
The position, which is listed as a Level 2 Apprenticeship, requires the candidate to gain qualifications in English or math. The successful applicant can work towards achieving these qualifications during the apprenticeship if they don't have it already.
While previous housekeeping or hospitality experience is favored, it's not actually required to get the job.
"We're more interested in your commitment to learning new skills, proactive approach, and willingness to tackle new challenges," the description reads.
The starting salary is £19,140.09 ($25,000) and the successful applicant will work full-time for five days per week.
With the luxurious living conditions at Buckingham Palace, the staff seem to be living just as comfortably as their royal employers.
According to Adrian Tinniswood's 2018 book, "Behind the Throne: A Domestic History of the British Royal Household," the palace offers a staff gym, a swimming pool, a squash court, and a tennis court.
However, it's worth noting that the hiring process is far from straightforward.
Philippa Smith, Managing Director at Silver Swan Recruitment Agency, is in charge of recruiting staff for the royal household. She previously told Insider that recruiting for the Queen is like "finding the needle in the haystack."
"Every role in every house is different and each household has very different dynamics within the family and within the team of staff," Smith told Insider.
"It is therefore important that we spend time with our clients to understand their home, their family and their requirements, and to spend time with our candidates to get to know their personalities as well as their previous experiences and skillsets," Smith added.
Smith added that on-the-job training is preferred over qualifications.
She said: "The ideal candidate will have previous five-star service or hospitality experience, ideally within the private sector. Any formal training or qualifications in addition to their experience would be advantageous."
Applications on the royal website close on October 28, 2020.
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