A house cleaner’s primary role is to clean and maintain the household and its surroundings. They mostly wash, dust, vacuum, mop, scrub, sweep and sanitize different surfaces within the household. You don’t need a higher level of education to perform these activities, and therefore, your upcoming interview will be all about your ability to perform the tasks mentioned above. To make your work easier, we will cover 25 of the most common questions in house cleaner interviews to increase your chances of getting a new job. Take a look at the following questions:
1. Why Are You Interested In This Role?
This is one of the best house cleaners recruitment agencies in this region. You have been lauded for caring about house cleaners’ welfare and giving them a chance to be better in their career. I, therefore, believe that I will fit in well here and achieve my potential. I am also passionate about the demography you serve, as your target customers are primarily children’s homes and orphanages, as I will get the chance to work with those who need us the most. I am looking forward to a productive time working here.
2. What Are The Roles Of A House Cleaner?
A house cleaner mainly cleans and maintains a given household and, where provided, its surroundings. Roles include sweeping, dusting, washing and mopping surfaces and windows, cleaning the kitchen and bathroom, folding laundry, scrubbing and sanitizing surfaces, making beds, fluffing pillows, vacuuming carpets, and upholstery. They must also handle all the furniture and appliances carefully and to their ability.
3. What Are The Qualities That A House Cleaner Needs To Be Successful?
A house cleaner requires several qualities to be successful in their duties. First, they should be knowledgeable about cleaning supplies and chemicals, given the latter’s consistent use in their jobs. They should be polite interact well with guests and understand their needs. Other qualities include fitness, given that this job requires standing, sitting, and stopping for longer durations, the ability to take and understand instructions, and a high level of neatness and hygiene.
4. What Major Challenges Did You Face During Your Last Role? How Did You Manage Them?
I loved my last role because it exposed me to new cleaning techniques and machinery. I also met a team of fantastic cleaners who taught me quite a lot about cleaning. However, my main challenge was clients who did not observe any level of hygiene or care and therefore left rooms in a mess, leaving broken pieces of glasses that could turn out dangerous. I observed high levels of care when dealing with such rooms and a positive attitude to clean till the end.
5. Describe Your Daily Routine As A House Cleaner?
My day is generally packed as a house cleaner. I arrive at the establishment enough, look at the duty roster and plan how to go about the tasks allocated. I usually start working on rooms needed urgently to prevent guests from waiting for too long. I ensure that everything is in place, the surfaces, toilet, and bathtub are clean, and the room has the correct number of toiletries. I also make the bed and fluff the pillows for the guest’s comfort. The gist of my day is also spent dusting surfaces, vacuuming carpets, and cleaning driveways and parking lots. We also occasionally have meetings at the end of the day to review our progress and pass on important information.
6. Describe Briefly About Your Experience
I have been in-house cleaning for the last five years, and it has been a success. I have worked in hotels, residential suites, apartments, and healthcare facilities. I also worked as a janitor for a local school, albeit for three months. I have used different equipment in my time as a house cleaner, including pressure washers and fogging machines. I believe that this experience will help me do a better job in this establishment.
7. What Kind Of Strategies And Mindset Is Required For This Role?
Every experienced house cleaner knows that the best strategy when going about house cleaning duties is to have a proper plan and adhere to all the necessary safety standards. One should first plan how to go about cleaning surfaces and walls, minimizing effects on people and other surfaces or floors. On the other hand, adhering to safety standards ensure that nobody gets injured as the cleaning goes on. It entails putting up warning signs, keeping machinery and equipment outside the way, and using proper cleaning attire.
8. What Is The Biggest Challenge That You Foresee In This Job?
This is one of the biggest and busiest hotels in this region, and therefore, the biggest challenge is likely to be the workload. I have worked in smaller and less established establishments without much traffic. However, the workload I will experience here is a blessing in disguise since I am looking for more challenges and a job that will keep me on my toes. I am confident that I will handle the pressure and stress that comes with this job well if given a chance.
9. How Do You Stay Motivated In Your Work?
I love maintaining high levels of hygiene and staying on clean and polished surfaces. Therefore, my motivation comes from my desire to make my surroundings clean and maintain such cleanliness levels. I feel proud and happy whenever I leave a surface looking sparkling. Lastly, I love what I do since I get a chance to work with amazing people and interact with lots of amazing guests. I couldn’t have known of this opportunity were it not for a client who was happy with my work.
10. Describe A Time When You Failed In This Role And The Lesson You Learned?
My company was almost sued for ignorance after a section of the cleaners I was supervising failed to put up warning signs, which almost cost a visiting customer her teeth. She sustained a nasty fall and threatened to sue the company. However, the PR team sat down with her and solved the issue in time. I was reprimanded as the supervisor, even though the company did not take stern action. I learned the importance of maintaining all the required safety standards while cleaning surfaces.
11. Why Do You Feel You Are The Most Suited For This Role?
I have been in house cleaning for ten years and have managed to work in different establishments, including residential units, companies, schools, and stores. I am also experienced in outdoor cleaning, which I believe makes me outstanding. I can mow the customer’s lawn on request and, where necessary, trim different surfaces. I am also honest, trustworthy, polite, and hardworking-qualities that make a house cleaner stand out. I will apply everything I have learned in this field to ensure that I deliver, and I hope you will consider me out of the other candidates.
12. Share With Us Your Greatest Achievement.
My most outstanding achievement in life is rising from a janitor to a professional house cleaner. I worked at a local hospital, cleaning toilets and the relevant surfaces before one of the doctors saw my potential and dedication and referred me to a house cleaning agency where I was trained in outstanding cleaning techniques and machinery operation. I know how to handle almost all the indoor and outdoor cleaning equipment at the moment, the knowledge that will come in handy when working here. All I ask for is the right amount of support and motivating culture to reveal my potential.
13. Can You Clean With Visitors Around?
Yes. I don’t have any problem cleaning with visitors around. I know how to interact well and keep it brief with guests while doing my cleaning duties. I can maintain boundaries and will refrain from interrupting conversations. Lastly, I put more focus on my work whenever visitors are around to avoid distractions and be out of the way in time.
14. How Often Do You Clean Your Cleaning Tools?
I am a great believer in hygiene. I usually ensure that I maintain high levels of cleanliness and hygiene before, during, and after my cleaning duties. Since it is practically impossible to clean a place with dirty tools, I usually sanitize and clean mine well before and after work. My experience in house cleaning has taught me that good house cleaners clean up after themselves, which I will abide by while working here.
15. Can You Manage Large Cleaning Projects On A Tight Timeline?
Having been in house cleaning for the last ten years, I am well-versed with such projects since we are always called upon to clean an entire bungalow within hours or in a day. I always take some time to plan the cleaning expedition instead of beginning in no particular order. I also take some time to reflect on how I would clean without negatively affecting others and the areas, to begin with. As for tight deadlines, I don’t have a problem working overtime or calling for reinforcement where needed. All in all, I am positive that I will do a good job given this chance.
16. Can You Work At Night?
I believe that I am flexible enough to take up night shifts since I understand that some cleaning projects are better undertaken at night. I stay up late most of the time, which puts me in a better position to handle any shift that requires me to work at night. I have worked in the retail and customer service industries, where we occasionally had night shifts. I can promise that I will push myself to deliver and be at my best every day.
17. Do You Love Teamwork?
I have gone through the job description, which clearly appreciates team settings. I understand that you may need me to work in team settings, which I am prepared for. I have worked with a team of other cleaners in my career on different projects and in different settings, and therefore, I understand what is needed to fit in team settings and deliver. I am confident that I will make a good team worker.
18. Can You Mention Some Of The Cleaning Products Or Tools You Are Familiar With
I have used lots of tools and products in my career to clean surfaces, walls, and dusting purposes. However, no product matches Windex when it comes to cleaning windows. I also use Clorox occasionally for surfaces since I find it thorough. I find floor buffers and dust extractors useful for floors and dusting purposes. However, I am ready to try any of your products or tools since I believe that I am highly flexible.
19. Are There Specific Tasks That You Have A Hard Time Performing?
I am allergic to dust; therefore, I find working on dusty surfaces quite challenging. However, I am aware that protective gears prevent dust exposure and would like to be furnished with them whenever I am dusting surfaces or working on dusty floors. Otherwise, I am fit to handle any task that comes my way in this job, including cleaning toilets and bathrooms. I am confident that I will do my best and succeed in my work with the proper support and equipment.
20. What Are Some Of The Cleaning Machinery That You Have Previously Used?
I have used several cleaning devices, given that this is my tenth year in house cleaning. I usually vacuum floors and carpets, which makes me well-versed in using carpet cleaners. I have also used floor scrubber dryers and sweepers to make surfaces more polished; carpet and upholstery cleaners for deep cleaning carpets; rotary floor buffers and polishers for cleaning hard floors; and fogging machines, which come in handy in odor and pest control. I also know how to use the lawnmower, which is handy for outdoor cleaning and trimming compounds.
21. Do You Know The Health And Safety Precautions Needed In Your Job?
Yes. I understand all the health and safety precautions needed in this job. I know that everything edible should be stored away safely while deep cleaning the house to avoid contamination. I also know that I have to put up signs informing visitors or customers to be careful since cleaning occurs. After cleaning, I also dry the floors to avoid slips and falls that may cause injuries and, even worse, seizures. Lastly, I ensure that the cleaning equipment stays out of the way to prevent accidents.
22. What Would You Do If You Pick Up A Personal Item Whose Owner You Don’t Know?
I have been in such situations when cleaning up after guests, visitors, or general occupants. However, I believe in honesty and trustworthiness. Whenever I come across a personal item whose owner I can’t identify, I usually leave it with the house owner or the management. While cleaning up after a client in a hotel, I picked up a purse loaded with money. It was lying around open, so I could see its components. I left it with the management, which contacted the last occupant.
23. Have You Ever Gone An Extra Mile When Performing Your Cleaning Duties?
Yes. I usually ensure that I satisfy my clients and do not shy away from going the extra mile. While cleaning a customer’s house, I decided to extend to the chairs and utensils, leaving everything in the house sparkling clean even though what he offered covered only the surfaces, floors, and walls. However, he was polite and kind, and therefore, I decided to go the extra mile. The family was happy and put me on retainer, even referring me to some of their friends.
24. What Would You Do If You Noticed A Coworker Stealing?
I believe in honesty and trustworthiness. I love working with people of high moral standards and levels of trust. I wouldn’t side with such a coworker because it is the right thing to do, and I have a lot to lose whether they are caught or not. I will report to the supervisor or the house management for further action. Also, I may prevent the theft from happening depending on the circumstances. Even though I haven’t had such an experience, I know the right course to pursue.
25. Are You Experienced In Outdoor Cleaning?
I usually pride myself on my versatility. I have taken the time to learn about and gain experience in different types of cleaning. Therefore, I don’t have a problem with outdoor cleaning since I am an all-around cleaner. I know how to mow grass, clean pavements, work on easy-to-access surfaces such as in-between bricks, and clean outdoor structures. I would also like to point out that I have done such tasks before and know how to do them.
Conclusion
These are some of the most common house cleaner questions you should expect in your interview. Make sure that you are well-versed in your profession to increase your chances of landing the job. We wish you all the best!
