Getting hired as a window cleaner takes more than just having a squeaky clean resume You need to showcase your skills and experience during the interview to convince employers that you have what it takes to excel in this unique line of work
In this comprehensive guide we’ll explore the top 30 most commonly asked interview questions for window cleaners and provide tips on how to craft winning answers. From handling safety procedures to demonstrating customer service skills, we’ve got you covered for any question that comes your way.
Safety First: Key Questions on Working Safely
Safety is paramount when working at heights on a daily basis. Expect interviewers to ask you a lot of questions about what you know and how you feel about safety rules and precautions.
1. What precautions should you take when cleaning the windows of high-rise buildings?
When working at extreme heights, safety has to be your number one priority. You should talk about using harnesses, checking the weather, inspecting equipment, and following all safety rules. Show that you are committed to minimizing risks on the job.
2. How do you ensure safety while working at heights?
Reiterate using protective gear, adhering to company guidelines, and emphasizing proper training. You can give an example of a time when you acted quickly to fix a possible safety issue at work.
3. How familiar are you with safety regulations in the window cleaning industry?
Demonstrate a solid working knowledge of leading safety standards and best practices. Mention key agencies like OSHA and highlight continuing education initiatives you have undertaken.
4. What would you do if you noticed a safety hazard at a worksite?
Show that you are vigilant about safety and willing to speak up when risks are detected. Outline the protocol you would follow to alert supervisors and ensure the issue is immediately addressed.
Proving Your Skills and Experience
Employers want to know you have the right mix of window cleaning competencies and previous work history. Be prepared to give specifics about techniques, tools, and projects.
5. What specialized equipment or tools do window cleaners need to use?
Mention key tools like squeegees, water-fed poles, lift platforms, and safety harnesses. You can highlight experience you have using each tool safely and effectively.
6. Can you describe your experience cleaning windows in commercial settings?
Share examples of past commercial projects, especially large buildings or challenging sites. Emphasize safety precautions taken and techniques used to deliver quality results.
7. How would you clean windows that are difficult to access?
Highlight safety-focused problem-solving skills by describing techniques like water-fed poles or rope access. Emphasize precautions taken and a methodical approach to tricky situations.
8. What techniques do you use to ensure streak-free window cleaning?
Demonstrate your expertise by describing proven methods like cleaning top-to-bottom and using squeegees horizontally with overlapping strokes. Mention quality tools and products you use.
9. How do you prepare for a window cleaning job at a new site?
Show you are methodical by mentioning steps like inspecting windows, assessing risks, planning logistics, choosing proper tools and safety gear. These preparations lead to efficient, quality work.
Customer Service and Communication Skills
Great window cleaners provide an excellent service experience in addition to sparkling windows. Expect questions testing your customer service approach.
10. How would you handle a customer complaint regarding your window cleaning work?
Show you are responsive to feedback and committed to making things right. Mention steps like apologizing, redoing unsatisfactory work, adjusting techniques or products if needed, and following up with the customer.
11. What steps do you take to minimize disruptions when cleaning windows?
Highlight consideration for occupants by mentioning things like scheduling work during less busy times, putting up signs/cones, using quieter equipment, and communicating clearly about the process.
12. How do you maintain professionalism when cleaning residential windows?
Acknowledge the need for discretion and privacy. Describe measures like announcing your presence, focusing on the task at hand rather than looking inside, and suggesting owners close blinds/curtains.
13. How would you respond if a customer insisted on being present during window cleaning?
Emphasize safety first, noting hazards of having untrained people nearby. Politely explain risks, offer options like cleaning when they are out, and say you cannot accept liability if they observe.
14. How do you promote great customer service as a window cleaning professional?
Share specific examples that demonstrate you go above and beyond, like thorough job walkthroughs, before/after photos, prompt communication, and a commitment to 100% satisfaction.
Key Questions About You
Get ready for interviews to include personal questions designed to assess your judgment, integrity, and potential fit within a company.
15. Why are you interested in cleaning windows specifically?
Share what attracted you to this career, like enjoying hands-on work, taking pride in details, seeing results right away, being active and outdoors. Tie it back to strengths you offer as an employee.
16. What challenges you the most about window cleaning work?
Be honest while emphasizing a can-do attitude. You might mention the physical nature of the job or troubleshooting issues. Outline how you overcome these challenges.
17. How do you handle stressful or dangerous situations on the job site?
Demonstrate you stay calm under pressure. Describe focusing on tasks at hand, being attentive to safety of yourself and others, communicating clearly with team, and having emergency response knowledge.
18. Have you ever made a mistake during a window cleaning job? What did you learn?
We all make mistakes. Admit to a past error showing accountability, like dropping a tool or missing a spot. Emphasize lessons learned and improvements made.
19. Where do you see yourself in your window cleaning career in 5 years?
Present an ambitious yet realistic vision, like leading projects or training new hires. Share what interests you about a leadership role and what you’re doing to gain requisite skills.
Questions About Schedule, Compensation, and Company Fit
Be ready to have a candid conversation about practical considerations like schedule, pay, benefits, and more.
20. What hours and schedule are you willing to work as a window cleaner?
Provide availability details showcasing flexibility. Highlight any preferences like starting early to beat heat or working four 10-hour shifts. Emphasize you can adapt to meet company needs.
21. Are you comfortable working evenings, weekends, or holidays if required?
Note any schedule limitations, but emphasize willingness to work non-traditional hours on occasion when client needs demand it. Share experience doing so previously.
22. How do you expect to be compensated for window cleaning work?
Have a specific hourly wage or salary range in mind based on market rates. Be open about pay needs while emphasizing excitement for the overall role and flexibility on details.
23. What benefits are most important to you as a window cleaner?
Mention prioritized things like health insurance, retirement savings plan, paid time off, safety gear stipends, continuing education, etc. But express eagerness for any benefits offered.
24. Why are you interested in working for our window cleaning company specifically?
Show you researched the company by mentioning specific details that appeal to you, like their safety record, training programs, positive reviews, community involvement, etc.
Expect the Unexpected! Off-the-Wall Window Cleaner Interview Questions
In addition standard interview questions, some employers like to ask unique ones designed to offer insights about you. Here are a few examples with tips on acing your answers:
25. If you could be any cleaning tool, which would you be and why?
Have fun with creative questions like this. Just make sure explanations ultimately highlight job-relevant traits, like choosing a squeegee and relating it to your efficiency or attention to detail.
26. What would your dream window cleaning job look like?
Craft an enthusiastic description that aligns with the employer’s offerings, like having variety of sites, latest gear provided, paid training, advancement opportunities, and a collaborative team.
27. Sell us this pen like it’s a window cleaning tool.
Weird questions are meant to see your poise under pressure. Go along with the silly premise while using it to highlight your communication skills. Mention the pen’s “adjustable handle” and “streak-free ink flow”!
28. If you could clean the windows of any building in the world, which would you choose?
Avoid ultra-ambitious answers like the White House or Empire State Building. Choose something impressive yet realistic like your local sports stadium. Share why it motivates you.
29. How many windows do you think are in this building?
For estimation questions, visibly think through elements like floors, suites, typical office layouts. Provide a reasonable, methodology-driven approximation rather than blind guesses.
30. What three items would you bring if stranded on a window washing trolley?
Have fun while showcasing survival skills and a sense of humor. Perhaps choose a squeegee to signal help,
Glass Cleaner interview questions
FAQ
What skills do you need to be a window cleaner?
How much would you charge to wash all the windows?
Why should we hire you as a cleaner answer?
How do I prepare for an interview for a cleaning job?
Preparing answers for common questions you might encounter during an interview can help you feel prepared and confident. When crafting responses, aim to give specific answers and include examples when you can. Here are some sample answers that you can use as a reference when preparing for an interview for a cleaning job: 1.
What questions should you ask in a cleaning job interview?
Hiring managers often want to learn about a candidate’s personality and work style to determine whether they’re a good fit for their team. Here are some general interview questions you might encounter in an interview for a cleaning job: Tell me about yourself. Tell me how you collaborate with others on a team.
What do Interviewers look for in a cleaner?
The interviewer is looking for qualities that would make the cleaner a good fit for the job, such as being detail oriented and having a strong work ethic. Additionally, the interviewer wants to know if the cleaner is familiar with best practices for improving indoor air quality while cleaning, as this is an important part of the job.
Why do interviewers ask a cleaner a question?
There are a few reasons why an interviewer might ask this question to a cleaner. First, it shows that the interviewer is interested in the cleaner’s opinion and expertise. Second, it allows the interviewer to gauge the cleaner’s knowledge of common cleaning mistakes.
