For an interview, one must be prepared to show an employer that you are the perfect candidate for this position. If you have decided to be hired as a room attendant then we are here to assist you! This article is going to help you in preparing for the interview along with its challenges and job description too. Here we are sharing the Top 25 Room Attendant Interview Questions & Answers that will be will helpful.
1. Why Are You Interested In This Role?
I have been part of the housekeeping team at a local hotel in suburbs. I would like to gather experience at a much larger scale to gain more exposure. I have friendly nature that is required in a hospitality team to greet guests and make sure their stay is comfortable throughout. I did some research about your hotel and management and I came to know that it’s one of the finest ones in the area. My exposure has been limited so far but I would like to see myself grow in this field. At my current job, my learning has stopped due to limited guests and possibilities coming through. I would like to learn more as I am young today. I enjoy working in this role but learning is always good before it’s too late in this industry. I am sure I can be of great service if chosen to work under your hotel management.
2. What Are The Roles Of A Room Attendant?
A room attendant is a person who cleans and maintains a hotel room. The room attendant’s duties include:
- Tidying up any mess made by previous occupants
- Cleaning windows
- Removing bedding and making a bed
- Emptying trash cans and taking them to disposal bins
- Sweep and mop floors
- Vacuum carpets
- Restock beverages and food items in the mini-bar
- Clean public areas, like corridors
- Report any technical issues and maintenance needs
- Replace used towels
- Ensure all assigned rooms are clean and tidy by the end of the shift
- Follow hotel security guidelines
3. What Are The Qualities That A Room Attendant Needs To Be Successful?
The qualities that a room attendant needs to be successful are:
- A sense of empathy and understanding for the customer
- A sense of urgency
- A sense of organization
- A professional attitude
- The ability to multitask
4. What Major Challenges Did You Face During Your Last Role? How Did You Manage Them?
Ever since the pandemic, Hotel housekeeping is being scanned thoroughly. With so many safety regulations, the challenges in housekeeping aren’t going anywhere even after vaccines. Going hand-in-hand with an increased sanitized environment, guests are also coming with a lot of attention to detail that wasn’t there before. Due to the global pandemic, mostly we are understaffed due to COVID. This created a lot of operational challenges in the area where targets are high and manpower is very less. The housekeeping staff gets stressed every day when there is a shortage of staff. One of the ways to solve this is to multitask between the teams so that no other member is burdened.
5. Describe Your Daily Routine As A Room Attendant?
As a room attendant, my day usually starts at around 7 am when I arrive at work. I start by checking the room status board to see which rooms need to be cleaned and which ones are already clean. I then start by cleaning the bathrooms and dusting the surfaces in the room. After that, I vacuum the carpets and change the bedsheets. Once the room is clean, I make sure that all the amenities are in order and replace any items that have been used including bath care products i.e. soap and shampoo. I usually finish up my work by around 2 pm, but sometimes I have to stay later if there are a lot of rooms to set up. Before checking out, I update the room status board for the next shift so that there is clear communication between the shifts.
6. Describe Briefly About Your Experience?
During college, I took a part-time job in an office where I had to clean the office after office hours. I would always make sure that I am spending my time cleaning and organizing the rooms and bathrooms. Before leaving, I would make sure that all supplies are restocked and all bins are emptied so that when the next day, employees come, they do not have to worry about the environment and they can start their work easily. A spotless room makes me happy!
Later, I joined a local hotel where my duties were related to housekeeping. I worked there for quite some time and got professional training that I did not know before in hotel management. It has been quite a journey!
7. What Kind Of Strategies And Mindset Are Required For This Role?
This is one of the jobs that involve customer service in this industry. I believe that a happy customer mindset should be the only focus in one’s mind. My every task done as a room attendant will make guests’ stay more comfortable and enjoyable. If happy guests at checkout give you motivation then that’s the attitude required for this job.
8. What Is The Biggest Challenge You Foresee In This Job?
One of the biggest challenges in this job is the rude customer! There will be days when we all come across patient guests at the hotel while some days are just bad. The only way to deal with them is to never take anything to your heart. If their feedback is right, incorporate it in front of them and they will surely leave a good review at their checkout.
Initially, I used to get upset about a rude comment but with experience, I have learned to digest the criticism and not take it to heart. I now make sure that I focus on my duty and make the guests stay as comfortable as I can under my duties.
9. How Do You Stay Motivated At Work?
There are a lot of things that help me stay motivated for work. I always find a way to enjoy my work. I believe that one does not like their job; it’s going to be hard to stay motivated. At work, I set goals and reward myself for reaching them. When you have something to aim for, it’s a lot easier to stay motivated. Every day I set small goals at first and then gradually increase their difficulty as the day passes by.
10. Describe A Time You Failed In This Role And The Lesson You Learned?
I had to face mean guests at work one time. I was the floor in charge that day due to my training week. He started using abusive language on the floor. While he was talking rudely, I simply left the room without any notification. He reported my “inappropriate” behavior to my trainer. He was upset too about my unprofessional behavior. He spoke to me about it later in a friendly manner and what could have been done. I learned that I should not get emotional due to a bad guest and fulfill my duties with the same passion.
11. Why Do You Feel You Are Qualified For This Role?
With the skills and qualities I have developed in my junior role, I believe that I am a great fit to become a room attendant now. I have great attention to detail and enjoy completing tasks that directly affect a customer’s mood. I also know how to use industrial cleaning equipment along with its products. I also have great stamina to work longer shifts and I am physically fit to do these tasks too. I have developed great communication skills that are needed in this role in the housekeeping department. I can address guests’ queries and assist guests at my best.
12. Share With Us Your Greatest Achievement
In my last role, I was given in charge of 15 member delegations who were visiting from abroad. I was informed almost 45 minutes before their arrival. It was a stressful task to align 15 rooms in 45 minutes. I haven’t multitasked at this speed ever and I was able to pull it off on time. I met the delegation at the entrance as their point of contact with a warm smile and I knew my supervisor is smiling at me too!
Recently when the government announced hotel stay for all international travelers for COVID, I was part of the team at our hotel. We introduced and implemented infection control practices that significantly reduced the COVID risk for staff and guests staying at the hotel. Overall, it was a tough time for the hospitality industry due to low business but as soon as the international flights opened here, we saw people visiting their loved ones. The chances of COVID infection were high but as per directions of the government, hotels had to open their doors for travelers to avoid further risk of COVID spread. Due to a shortage of staff at that time, we all were working tight shifts. We made sure that guests staying at our hotel were satisfied with our service and we followed all the protocols as advised.
13. Which Chemical Safety Procedure Are You, Familiar, With?
Safety should be ensured when dealing with chemicals. All housekeeping staff is trained to place chemicals in their labeled containers and containers should not be mixed if they are not the same. Such containers should be kept in a well-ventilated area that is away from HVAC intake. If not ensured, the chemical fumes can enter the whole building via vents and cause distress to the guests, and raise a question mark on the safety standards of the hotel.
14. What Are The Health And Safety Procedures In This Field?
As a room attendant, I should inform the manager if I witness any damage or worn-out floors because it can cause slipping and falling. All appliances present and used by the guests should be checked for electricity so that there are no emergencies. Safety and emergency exits and aisles should be well maintained in all sorts of places at a hotel.
15. How Familiar Are You With The Osha Regulations?
Of course, I am! With Occupational Health and Safety Act ensures employees’ health and welfare with safety by the employer. It covers education, training, and assistance to ensure that the housekeeping staff is working in a safe and healthy environment.
16. How Do You Deal With Demanding Clients?
I smile as I work or deal with all sorts of guests. Also, the key to dealing with them is being a good listener and being patient. If I see that any of the guests are demanding, I listen and I do not argue. After listening to them, I offer them possible solutions to make them comfortable during their stay.
17. If A Guest Is Angry At Housekeeping, How Will You Calm Down The Guest?
Housekeeping staff should never argue! Calmly listen to the customer and their complaint first. If I know the solution, I would immediately have it done at the earliest so that it satisfies the customer. It is important to maintain your cool with someone who is arguing. If still, the situation is getting out of control, I would inform my line manager and maybe add a complimentary item that is within the policy of the workplace.
18. What Cleaning Chemicals Are You, Familiar, With?
From detergents to ammonia solutions, I am well aware of which cleaning chemicals to use on which surface. There is always risk in using such chemicals but I always ensure that I put them separately and use them in their nature so that no damage is done. As a protection of my own, I wear masks and glasses so that there is no damage while cleaning. Mostly when I am done cleaning, I take around the place to make sure that there are no residues left behind that will be harmful to bare human skin.
19. What Is Your Favorite Task As Room Attendant?
As a room attendant, I always enjoy doing the laundry. In my initial career, I was always on this duty and I would spend hours in the laundry room. I believe that doing laundry is therapeutic especially when you are folding. I always used to learn ways from YouTube how to make new things from clothes that would add a little personalized touch to any guest room. After so many rounds of laundry, I am quite a pro in making beds and folding towels and sheets.
20. Do You Perform Better Alone Or As A Team?
Communication is one of the skills in that I excel. I easily bond with people and this helps in getting work done with my team. In my career, I have also worked under minimal supervision where I was only responsible for my task. I work well in both situations.
21. What Does A Good Work Environment Look Like To You?
For everyone to be respected and appreciated sounds like a good work environment to me. I believe that if housekeeping teams are encouraged on regular basis, the tasks become easier to achieve. I still remember that I had a great manager in my early who was always reminding us that work and personal life balance is an improvement.
22. What Is Your Greatest Strength In This Role?
I can multitask at a speed! I always make sure my cleaning supplies are organized and I don’t have to spend a lot of time figuring out which bottle carries which chemical. I make sure that I am not distracted while using those chemicals so that safety is ensured.
23. What Is Guest Privacy Right?
This right includes the guest’s entitlement to enjoy the room without any obstruction, unwanted visitors, and hotel staff interruption. The staff should keep all such information secret that he has heard, seen or witnessed about the guest
24. How Does Hotel Management Ensure Guest Privacy Concerning Housekeeping Staff On Duty?
Hotels must pay minute attention to keeping their staff discreet for protecting the privacy of their guests. This can be done by limited access to the personal information of the guests, password-protected systems, inaccessibility of data by unauthorized persons, and not revealing information like name, room number, age, address, occupation, etc. about the guest.
25. What Is A Concierge?
A concierge is responsible for providing local information and helping guests organize any activities they wish to do during their stay. Sometimes the concierge builds a detailed itinerary for a guest, while other times he simply answers questions or points guests in the right direction.
Conclusion
If you are passionate about organization, prioritizing the workload, and multitasking, this position is for you! Don’t forget to wear a nice dress to your interview and carry it with a smile! These 25 questions are surely going to help in acing the first round of interviews as a Room Attendant. Good luck!
