Cleaning Jobs: Overview
Cleaners typically work in commercial buildings, schools, healthcare facilities, office buildings, and residential buildings. They ensure that all rooms, hallways, bathrooms, and other accessible areas are spotless and free of germs, odors, and hazardous substances. If you work well with your hands and know the ins and outs of sanitation, you can find tons of cleaning jobs on Monster.
As a cleaner, you’ll be responsible for sweeping and mopping floors, cleaning bathrooms, taking out the trash, vacuuming carpets, disinfecting surfaces, washing windows, cleaning spills, and making minor repairs.
Want to keep your options open? Here are some other building maintenance jobs you may be interested in:
Cleaning Jobs: Training and Skills
There are no formal educational requirements to become a cleaner. However, many employers prefer cleaners who have a high school diploma or equivalent. Most cleaners receive on-the-job training on how to use equipment such as floor buffers and vacuums, as well as safety and sanitation guidelines.
Certification isn’t required for a cleaner job but having it can help you move up into an advanced position such as a custodian or janitor role. Some certification programs available for cleaners include the Registered Building Service Manager program offered by the Building Service Contractors Association International and the Certified Custodial Supervisor designation offered by the Cleaning Management Institute.
Cleaners typically need the following skills and qualities:
- Good interpersonal skills.
- Some mechanical skills.
- Physical strength and stamina.
- Time-management skills.
Monster’s cleaner job description sample can give you more insight into what employers expect from applicants.
Upload Your Cleaner Resume
When writing your cleaner resume, always ensure that it’s free of clutter and easy to read. Start with a brief career summary that discusses your experience as a cleaner and the tasks you typically performed at previous jobs. That can include operating floor buffers, shampooing rugs, and taking out the trash. The rest of your resume should list your key skills, work history, and any coursework or professional training you’ve completed.
While not typically required for cleaner jobs, sending a cover letter is a great way to make yourself stand out from other qualified applicants. When creating your cover letter, make sure it’s unique to the job ad, discusses your work history, and ends with some enthusiasm. For a general idea of what your cover letter should look like, check out Monster’s free cover letter template for janitors.
Interviewing for a Cleaning Job
So, you received a call back about your resume. That’s awesome! An employer wants to bring you on board but needs a little more information first. During your interview, a hiring manager will ask a variety of questions to get to know more about you before making their final decision.
You may encounter job-specific questions such as, “What cleaning chemicals are you familiar with?” Monster’s sample housekeeping interview questions can give you an idea of how to answer these questions. Plus, we have tons of other general interview questions worth reading and answering in a mock interview.
How Much Do Cleaning Jobs Pay?
The wage or salary you’ll receive as a cleaner depends on the type of job you apply for. Janitors typically make between $10.58 and $15.64 per hour, while housekeepers and maids earn between $10.07 and $14.73 per hour.
Search Monster’s Salary Tool for a look at the median salary and pay range for cleaners in your location. Plus, you can learn about which steps to take to move up in your career.
H2- Want to Learn More About a Company You’re Interested In?
There are tons of companies looking for cleaners, but finding the one that’s a good fit for you requires research on your part. Monster’s company profiles tool can help you determine if an employer’s workplace culture aligns with your goals and values. Plus, you can find basic details about a company’s:
- locations.
- number of employees.
- employee benefits.
Sign Up Today to Get a Clean Start to a New Job
Are you ready to put your cleaning skills to work? Create your profile for free at Monster and start applying for cleaning jobs in your area. We’ll even supply you with all the tools you need to land a new job. That includes free email notifications and career advice articles that cover every aspect of your job search. Don’t hesitate. Make your job search a spotless one by signing up today!