No matter what your hotel calls them—housekeepers, room attendants, maids, etc.—they are an important part of your daily business.
Hotels have learned the hard way how bad it is for guests when there aren’t enough people to help turn over rooms during the pandemic. Many hired cleaners to help with the growing number of times they had to change the sheets, clean the rooms, and take out the trash. This was a clever way to deal with the lack of workers, but it wasn’t sustainable for hotels in terms of costs and employee loyalty.
That’s why so many hotels are prioritizing hotel staffing solutions right now. You need great housekeepers to keep your hotel running smoothly and full so you can keep up with rising customer demand, which is especially important since travel demand keeps going up, and make the most money possible.
It’s important to make sure you ask the right housekeeping interview questions during the hiring process so you get the right people. We’ve put together some housekeeper interview questions to help you hire in this post-pandemic market.
Do you want to find housekeepers faster? Just fill out the form below to get your housekeeping job description, add your hotel’s information, and post it. It’s that easy!
Landing a job as a housekeeping assistant can help you kickstart your career in the hospitality industry. But first, you need to ace the interview
This whole guide has everything you need to know to shine in an interview for a housekeeping assistant job and answer the most common questions with ease.
A housekeeping assistant provides cleaning and maintenance services in hotels hospitals offices, private households, and other establishments.
As a housekeeping assistant, your duties typically involve:
- Cleaning rooms, bathrooms, lobbies, hallways and other areas
- Making beds and changing linens
- Restocking cleaning supplies
- Taking out trash and recycling
- Reporting maintenance issues
- Providing basic upkeep of facilities
The work is busy and needs careful attention to detail, the ability to manage time well, good customer service skills, and the ability to do the job with little help.
In your interview, hiring managers want to see that you have the right mix of hard and soft skills needed to thrive in this role. They’ll assess your:
- Knowledge of cleaning methods, tools, equipment, and chemicals
- Ability to prioritize tasks and manage time efficiently
- Customer service skills and professionalism
- Problem-solving and adaptability
- Physical stamina and ability to handle repetitive tasks
- Integrity and trustworthiness
We’ll guide you through the most frequently asked interview questions for housekeeping assistants and provide sample answers to help you craft your best responses.
Let’s get started!
Common Housekeeping Assistant Interview Questions and Answers
Here are some of the most common questions you can expect in your housekeeping assistant interview, along with effective sample answers.
1. Why are you interested in being a housekeeping assistant?
This opening question allows you to explain your motivation for pursuing this role. Focus on your relevant skills, interests, and goals.
Sample Answer: I enjoy physical work and take pride in maintaining clean, orderly, and welcoming environments. A housekeeping role allows me to utilize my attention to detail and time management abilities every day. My priority is providing the highest level of service while being flexible and positive in a fast-paced work setting. This role aligns well with my work ethic, interests, and career goals.
2. What do you think are the most important skills for a housekeeping assistant?
This question tests your understanding of the key requirements for success in this job. Focus on both technical and soft skills relevant to housekeeping work.
Sample Answer: The most important skills for a housekeeping assistant are time management, customer service, problem-solving, and physical stamina. You need to be well-organized and efficient to finish all assigned tasks within strict timelines. Strong customer service skills ensure you can interact positively with guests and team members. Problem-solving abilities allow you to adapt to unexpected situations. Physical stamina enables you to be on your feet and lifting/carrying items all day. Of course, an eye for detail and familiarity with cleaning methods are also critical in maintaining high standards.
3. How do you prioritize cleaning tasks in a facility?
This question checks your organizational skills and ability to work independently. Share your systematic approach.
Sample Answer: When faced with multiple cleaning tasks, I always start by identifying high-traffic areas that require more frequent attention, like lobbies and restrooms. Areas with lighter usage can be scheduled later. Next, I consider any special requests and focus on tasks that address immediate issues or complaints. Then I map out the most efficient route to avoid backtracking as I clean. I’m careful to not overlook any areas and utilize checklists to stay organized. This ensures I complete all assigned tasks within the required time frame.
4. How would you handle a guest complaint regarding your cleaning services?
This tests your customer service skills and problem-solving abilities. Show how you would professionally resolve the issue.
Sample Answer: If a guest complained about my cleaning services, I would first apologize sincerely and thank them for their feedback. I’d ask questions to understand their specific concerns, then address the issue promptly. It’s important to maintain a positive attitude and focus on finding a resolution, not on laying blame. Once the issue was fixed to the guest’s satisfaction, I would follow up to ensure they are happy with the result. I would also take notes to prevent similar issues in the future. My goal is turning complaints into learning opportunities.
5. How do you stay energized and focused when doing repetitive tasks?
Since housekeeping involves routine, repetitive work, interviewers want to know you can maintain diligence and quality standards at all times.
Sample Answer: To stay focused on repetitive tasks, I utilize various techniques. I create a playlist of upbeat music to make the time pass quickly. Taking short breaks helps me recharge when needed. Setting daily goals provides mini accomplishments to feel motivated as I check items off my list. Most importantly, I remind myself that every task, no matter how mundane, contributes toward my larger goal of providing top-notch service. This mindset keeps me energized.
6. How do you ensure safety when using cleaning chemicals and equipment?
This questions your understanding of safety protocols and ability to take precautions. Share the steps you take to maintain a safe environment.
Sample Answer: When using cleaning chemicals and equipment, safety is my first priority. I always thoroughly read product labels and equipment manuals to understand proper usage, potential hazards, and necessary precautions. I consistently wear personal protective gear such as gloves, goggles, and masks based on the chemicals involved. Ventilation is key when working with strong chemicals. For equipment, I perform pre-use checks and scheduled maintenance to avoid malfunctions. I also practice safe storage and disposal of chemicals. Taking these precautions ensures my own safety as well as that of other staff and guests.
7. How do you inspect your work to ensure you never miss any area?
This tests your quality control process and attention to detail. Share your systematic inspection methods.
Sample Answer: I implement several methods to inspect my own work. First, I have a detailed checklist for each area and task that I review to catch any missed items. Periodically throughout my shift, I walk through areas I’ve cleaned and make notes of anything needing touch-ups. At the end of my day, I do a final comprehensive sweep of all areas, checking corners, under furniture, and other overlooked spots. I also ask for feedback from my supervisor and other staff. Being meticulous in inspections has helped me improve consistency and thoroughness.
8. How do you stay current on the latest cleaning methods, tools, and industry best practices?
This question gauges your commitment to continuous learning and professional development.
Sample Answer: I make it a priority to keep my industry knowledge sharp by regularly attending training seminars and reading trade publications. I also follow trusted industry websites and professionals on social media for updates. When new equipment or cleaning solutions are introduced, I take the initiative to learn proper techniques through hands-on practice and by asking colleagues for guidance. I’m continually looking for ways to improve processes and exceed customer expectations through the latest innovations. Pursuing professional development helps me excel in this role.
9. Tell me about a time when you successfully completed a large cleaning project as part of a team.
This tests your teamwork skills. Share a relevant example focusing on your contributions.
Sample Answer: As part of a team completing a full renovation clean in a 50-room hotel, I was assigned to oversee the guest bathrooms. Understanding the volume of work, I worked with the team to streamline the process without sacrificing quality. For optimal efficiency, I suggested we focus on tasks suitable to each person’s strengths. My attention to detail ensured every inch of the bathrooms was cleaned and sanitized to the highest standards. We completed the massive project under tight deadlines thanks to our coordinated team effort, and I received praise from management for my leadership and contributions.
10. Where do you see yourself in your housekeeping career in 3-5 years?
This closing question gauges your career ambitions in this field. Share your goals and continued interest in professional growth.
Sample Answer: In the next 3-5 years, I hope to continue building expertise as a housekeeping assistant while learning leadership skills to advance into a supervisory role. I plan to continue pursuing ongoing training to add new skills and value for the organization. My goal is to demonstrate consistency and reliability in my cleaning performance. I will also focus on providing exemplary customer service and flexibility to meet guests’ needs. With hard work and dedication, I aim to be an indispensable member of the housekeeping team making meaningful contributions.
With preparation and practice, you can feel confident answering the most common housekeeping assistant interview questions. Use the sample answers in this guide to help form your own strong responses.
Highlight your cleaning expertise, customer service skills, work ethic, and achievements. Convey your genuine enthusiasm for the opportunity to launch and grow your career in the hospitality industry. With the right attitude and interview skills, you can impress hiring managers and land the perfect housekeeping role. Best of luck!
Top 8 housekeeping interview questions to ask
This straightforward housekeeping interview question hasn’t changed much since before the pandemic. It’s another way to find out about previous jobs and cleaning experience. Since the pandemic, it’s not necessary for housekeeping staff to have a lot of experience in the field. What’s important is that they are willing to learn the best ways to clean and turn over a room according to brand standards.
Hoteliers can tell how tough and flexible job candidates are by the second part of this question, which is called a behavioral interview question. Your recruiters can find out if the applicant is a leader or a follower, as well as how much they’re willing to do in each role.
How long should a guest room take to clean given new sanitizing protocols?
This question tells the hiring manager of your hotel a few things: if the candidate knows about the latest cleaning and sanitation rules; if they can give a rough idea of how long it would take them to clean a single room; and if they are thorough in their cleaning duties.
If the applicant mutes their answer because they don’t know everything about the job, this is the perfect time for your recruiter to give a quick rundown of housekeeping duties and what’s new. Again, a candidate’s lack of experience doesn’t mean they won’t be a good fit for your hotel. You’ll need to look at other information they give you to see if they’re willing to work hard and learn their new job.
HOUSEKEEPING Interview Questions And Answers! (How To PASS a Housekeeper Interview)
FAQ
Why should we hire you for housekeeping?
How do you answer a housekeeper interview question?
In this video, Holl, a career coach at Indeed, explains how to best answer the tricky interview question, “Tell me about yourself.” When an individual or company is hiring for a housekeeper position, interview questions tend to focus on determining a candidate’s work ethic, ability to follow instructions and necessary skill levels.
What questions do housekeepers ask?
Most interviews will include questions about your personality, qualifications, experience and how well you would fit the job. In this article, we review examples of various housekeeper interview questions and sample answers to some of the most common questions. What inspired you to pursue a career as a housekeeper?
How do you answer a question about housekeeping?
Effectively answer this question by thinking of a certain time in your career when you had an especially challenging housekeeping task. Explain what strategies you used to keep a good attitude and what an employer can do to help their housekeepers stay motivated.
What should you include in a housekeeping interview?
Throughout your interview, look for ways to highlight your housekeeping skills and knowledge. For example, when you provide your answers to their questions, highlight that you’ve used these skills in previous positions—especially any that relate to the job you’re applying for.
