Cleaner Interview Questions

The goal for a successful interview for a cleaner is to demonstrate their ability to maintain a clean and organized environment, show attention to detail, and exhibit strong time management skills.

Situational interview questions

• You notice that one of the cleaning supplies you use regularly is running low, but the supply closet is locked and the key is missing. What steps would you take to find a solution?
• You have been assigned to clean a large area that needs to be completed within a tight deadline. Due to unforeseen circumstances, half of your cleaning team is unable to come in for their shift. What actions would you take to ensure that the task is completed on time?
• While cleaning a bathroom, you discover a leak in one of the pipes that is causing water to spill onto the floor. What steps would you take to address the problem and prevent further damage?
• A client has requested that their workspace undergo a deep clean, but they are sensitive to certain cleaning products. How would you ensure that their request is fulfilled while also taking their sensitivities into account?
• A colleague has been using one of your cleaning tools without permission and has damaged it in the process. How would you approach the situation and find a resolution?

Soft skills interview questions

• How do you manage your time to complete cleaning tasks within the given timeframe?
• Can you tell us about a time when you had to resolve a conflict with a coworker or customer while cleaning?
• How do you prioritize your cleaning tasks when faced with multiple requests or deadlines?
• How do you ensure that you maintain a positive and professional attitude while completing your cleaning duties?
• Can you provide an example of a time when you went above and beyond to exceed a customer’s expectations while cleaning?

Role-specific interview questions

• Can you describe the cleaning chemicals that you have experience using?
• How do you ensure that you clean hard-to-reach places, such as ceilings or behind appliances?
• Can you explain the difference between dry and wet cleaning techniques?
• Have you ever encountered a cleaning challenge that you weren’t able to solve? How did you handle it?
• How do you prioritize your cleaning tasks when given a list of multiple cleaning responsibilities?

STAR interview questions

1. Can you describe a time when you had to clean a heavily soiled area in a public space?

Situation: Heavily soiled area in a public space

Task: Clean the area

Action: Explain what steps you took to clean the area

Result: The result of your actions after completing the task

2. Tell me about a time when you had to clean up an unexpected mess in the workplace.

Situation: unexpected mess in the workplace

Task: Clean up the mess

Action: Explain what steps you took to clean up the mess

Result: The result of your actions after completing the task

3. Can you describe a time when you had to clean in a high-traffic area during peak hours?

Situation: Cleaning in a high-traffic area during peak hours

Task: Clean the area

Action: Explain what steps you took to clean the area while managing the situation

Result: The result of your actions after completing the task

4. Tell me about a time when you had to address specific cleaning needs in a specialized or sensitive area, like a medical facility.

Situation: Cleaning in a specialized area such as a medical facility

Task: Address specialized cleaning needs

Action: Explain what steps you took to address the specialized cleaning needs

Result: The result of your actions after completing the task

5. Can you describe a time when you had to work with a team to complete a large-scale cleaning project?

Situation: Large-scale cleaning project

Task: Work with a team to complete the project

Action: Explain what steps you took to work with the team to complete the project

Result: The result of your actions after completing the project with the team