The Ultimate Guide to Acing a Sanitor Interview

If you’re interviewing to be a sanitor, you can expect questions that test your technical knowledge, safety skills, and ability to solve problems. This is because the job is to keep places clean, sanitary, and healthy.

This complete guide goes over the most common janitor interview questions and gives you advice on how to write great answers. Learn tried-and-true ways to show off your skills and get the job by reading on!

Understanding the Role of a Sanitor

First, let’s talk about what a sanitor does on a daily basis: they clean, disinfect, and keep facilities clean and healthy.

Core duties include

• Performing routine cleaning of floors, surfaces, restrooms, kitchens, medical/lab equipment, etc.

• Disinfecting high-touch areas and ensuring sterile conditions

• Safely handling and disposing of hazardous waste

• Inspecting spaces for cleanliness and identifying any sanitation issues

• Using industrial cleaning equipment like pressure washers, steam cleaners, etc.

• Mixing and preparing cleaning solutions according to specifications

• Adhering to health, safety and environmental regulations

• Documenting and reporting on sanitation processes

• Training staff on proper sanitation protocols

The role requires diligence, attention to detail, time management skills, and knowledge of cleaning methods, chemicals and equipment. Now let’s get into the interview!

Common Sanitor Interview Questions and How to Answer Them

Here are some of the most frequently asked sanitor interview questions, with tips to help you prepare winning responses:

1. What experience do you have using industrial cleaning equipment?

This question evaluates your hands-on experience and comfort level with the tools needed for the job. Highlight your proficiency with key equipment:

• Floor scrubbers, pressure washers, steam cleaners
• Knowledge of maintenance and minor repairs
• Safe operation and adherence to protocols
• Efficient planning to minimize downtime

Example response: “I have over 5 years of experience operating industrial floor scrubbers for large facilities. I am adept at routine maintenance like changing filters and belts to ensure optimal performance. Safety is always my top priority – I conduct pre-operation checks and wear appropriate PPE when using this equipment. I strategically plan my cleaning routes to maximize efficiency and minimize disruption to operations.”

2. How do you ensure safety when handling cleaning chemicals?

Sanitors work with hazardous substances daily, so safety is paramount. Demonstrate your commitment to following precautions:

• Reading safety data sheets to understand risks
• Using personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Proper dilution as per manufacturer instructions
• Secure storage away from unauthorized access
• Proper ventilation and containment

Example response: “I always reference the safety data sheet before using any new chemical to understand the risks and precautions needed. I never skip wearing essential PPE like gloves, goggles and face masks to prevent exposure. I ensure chemicals are diluted correctly and stored securely after use. Having the right knowledge and consistently following safety protocols is key to preventing accidents when handling these hazardous substances.”

3. How would you clean a high traffic area to maintain sanitation standards?

This evaluates your ability to effectively clean spaces with heavy foot traffic and high contamination risk. Showcase your systematic process:

• Schedule cleaning at low traffic times to minimize disruption

• Use heavy-duty disinfectants and frequently clean high-touch surfaces

• Monitor waste bins and ensure proper waste disposal

• Check floors for spills or debris and mop frequently

• Communicate with staff to identify problem areas quickly

Example response: “For high traffic lobbies or hallways, I schedule deep cleaning tasks during low traffic periods to avoid disruption. I mop floors every 2-3 hours and disinfect doorknobs, handles and reception counters hourly. I check trash bins every 30 mins to avoid overflow. Staff know to alert me right away to spills or other cleaning needs. This consistent monitoring and cleaning ensures high standards despite heavy use.”

4. How do you prioritize cleaning tasks in a large facility?

This question tests your organizational skills. Discuss how you strategically prioritize:

• Identify high priority and high frequency cleaning areas first

• Consider factors like staffing needs, schedules, frequency standards

• Balance urgent requests while completing scheduled tasks

• Use checklists, schedules and logs to track everything

• Communicate regularly with facility management

Example response: “In a large facility, I first work with management to identify high priority areas based on use frequency and contamination risk. I develop comprehensive schedules factoring in staff needs – for example, disinfecting clinic rooms after each patient. I balance unplanned urgent requests in between scheduled tasks. Checklists help me track completion of daily, weekly and monthly cleaning. Close collaboration with facility managers ensures I can adjust priorities when needed.”

5. How do you ensure your cleaning methods don’t damage equipment or surfaces?

Employers want to know you won’t damage property while cleaning. Demonstrate your care and attention:

• Assess surface material before cleaning to select appropriate methods and solutions

• Reference manufacturer guidelines for safe cleaning

• Use microfiber cloths and gentle cleaning solutions on sensitive surfaces

• Rinse thoroughly after using harsh chemicals

• Inspect surfaces after cleaning to identify any damage

Example response: “I take care not to damage equipment or surfaces by first identifying what material I am cleaning before selecting cleaning solutions. For sensitive surfaces like monitors, I use alcohol-free cleaner and microfiber cloths. I always refer to the manufacturer’s cleaning guidelines. After using harsh disinfectants, surfaces are thoroughly rinsed. I visually inspect equipment after cleaning for any signs of damage, which allows me to make adjustments to my methods if needed.”

6. A coworker isn’t following proper sanitation protocols. What would you do?

This question evaluates how you handle non-compliance that impacts health and safety. Show you are proactive, yet professional:

• Kindly remind them of proper procedures and their importance

• Offer additional training if they don’t fully understand protocols

• Bring it up to supervisor if not resolved promptly

• Maintain an open communication channel to address concerns

Example response: “If a coworker was not following our sanitation protocols, I would politely but firmly talk to them one-on-one to review the proper procedures and why they are critical for maintaining a sanitary facility. If it seems they need more training to fully understand the protocols, I would offer to run through them again and even oversee their work for a period to ensure compliance. Bringing in our supervisor would be a last resort if I could not resolve it directly with my coworker through coaching and communication.”

7. How do you stay current on sanitation regulations and standards?

Employers want to see you are committed to continuously expanding your knowledge and expertise:

• Take continuing education courses on new sanitation technologies and protocols

• Attend industry conferences and seminars to learn best practices

• Subscribe to newsletters and publications like Cleaning and Maintenance Management

• Follow social media and online forums focused on the cleaning industry

• Network with other sanitation professionals

Example response: “I make a point to continuously update my knowledge of sanitation regulations and best practices. I regularly attend sanitation conferences and seminars to learn about new technologies and regulations. I follow industry publications, forums and social media accounts to stay on top of the latest news and innovations. I’m also part of a local network of sanitation professionals where we share insights and expertise. Continuing education is key for excelling in this field.”

8. Tell me about a time you noticed a sanitation issue and resolved it.

This assesses your observational skills, critical thinking and problem-solving abilities. Structure your response using the STAR method:

Situation: Describe the sanitation issue you noticed.

Task: Explain steps you took to address it.

Action: Share the actions you personally took to resolve it.

Result: Share the positive outcome of your efforts.

Example response: “As part of monthly kitchen inspections, I noticed grease buildup in the kitchen exhaust system, which posed a fire hazard. I immediately brought this to the manager’s attention and proposed a deep cleaning using degreasing agents. I worked overtime over a long weekend to thoroughly clean the exhaust system. This removed all grease buildup. As a result, we not only mitigated a fire risk but also improved kitchen air quality for staff.”

9. How have you adjusted your sanitation methods during the COVID-19 pandemic?

This question evaluates if you are adapting protocols based on COVID-19 risks. Highlight your use of updated methods:

• Follow the latest CDC and WHO sanitation guidelines

• Use EPA approved disinfectants effective against SARS-CoV-2

• Prioritize disinfecting high-touch surfaces even more frequently

• Support contactless hand hygiene options like touchless soap dispensers

• Stay current on new innovations like UV-C disinfection

Example response: *”The pandemic has certainly prompted updates to many of my sanitation methods. I ensure we only use EPA approved disinf