Hiring the right housekeeper can help you maintain a comfortable and well-managed home. Crafting thoughtful housekeeping interview questions will allow you to evaluate each candidate’s skills and experience in carrying out household tasks. As an employer, asking targeted housekeeping job interview questions can help you gain a good understanding of each candidate’s professionalism and work ethic. In this article, we provide you with background information on the qualifications needed for a housekeeper and essential interview questions that will help you find your ideal candidate. Read on to learn more.
The Qualifications of a Housekeeper
When hiring a housekeeper for a private residence, understanding which responsibilities the position encompasses is necessary to find a good match. The daily duties of a housekeeper can vary depending on your requirements. However, the majority of housekeepers are hired to maintain a welcoming, safe, clean, and organised space. We recommend looking for candidates with the following skills, experience, and personality traits:
Technical Skills and Experience:
- Experience using cleaning products and tools in a household setting
- Ability to adhere to strict hygiene standards to maintain a clean environment
- Proficiency in managing tasks and schedules based on priority
- Experience carrying out a variety of household tasks, including laundry, ironing, vacuuming, organising, decluttering, and silver polishing
Personal Qualities:
- Ability to listen attentively and follow instructions
- Ability to communicate effectively with a pleasant and professional attitude
- Ability to be discreet and maintain confidentiality
- Strong work ethic with a commitment to carrying out tasks with excellence
How to Interview Effectively
Preparing a well-thought-out interview can increase your chances of finding a suitable candidate. Here are some steps you can take to prepare an effective, non-threatening interview:
Step 1: Select an Ideal Location
Make sure to choose a quiet, private space where you can interview candidates without interruptions. Ideal locations could include your home or a rented meeting room.
Step 2: Make a Warm Introduction
Jumping straight into job-specific questions may make your candidates nervous. Instead, you can begin with a friendly greeting and an icebreaker question to put your candidates at ease.
Step 3: Outline Job Details and Requirements
Once introductions are out of the way, you can briefly provide information about your home and property to give candidates a better understanding of their potential work environment. You should also outline work hours and responsibilities so candidates become familiar with your expectations.
Step 4: Ask Situational Questions About Housekeeping
Asking practical questions based on situations a housekeeper may encounter in their role can help you learn more about each candidate’s experience and problem-solving skills. For example, you can ask a question like, “What would you do if you accidentally dropped and damaged a valuable item while cleaning?” Their response will help you gauge how prepared they are to take on the position.
Step 5: Encourage Open Dialogue
It’s better to have a two-way conversation, so if your candidates want to ask questions about the role, we recommend giving them the freedom to do so. Your answers should be clear and concise to ensure effective communication and understanding between all parties.
Step 6: Respect Time and Schedule
As the employer, you should set an example for your potential employee by arriving on time for the interview. Providing flexible timeslots for candidates to choose from can greatly facilitate the interview scheduling process and ensure all candidates get a chance to interview at a time that is convenient for them and you.
Essential Interview Questions for a Housekeeper Position
When you interview your candidates, start with basic questions that establish whether or not they have the minimum experience and competencies required for the role. Then, you can ask more specific questions to learn what sets them apart from other candidates, followed by an open Q&A period in which they can ask you any questions they may have regarding the position.
Basic Housekeeping Interview Questions
Basic questions can help you gain insight into whether a candidate meets your minimum role requirements. The following are examples of basic questions related to a housekeeping position:
- Can you tell us about your previous housekeeping experience?
- How do you prioritise tasks when you have multiple duties to complete?
- Are you available to work flexible hours, including weekends and holidays?
- How would you ensure you meet cleaning standards consistently?
- How would you ensure your employer’s satisfaction within your role?
- Why did you choose a career in housekeeping?
- What motivates you to do your best work every day?
Situational Housekeeping Interview Questions
Once you’ve established a basic understanding of each candidate’s experience and skill level, you can proceed to ask more in-depth questions to gauge each interviewee’s problem-solving skills and temperament. Situational questions are an effective way of discovering how each candidate handles stress and conflict. The following are examples of situational questions for a housekeeping position:
- Can you tell us about a time when you had a disagreement with a coworker and how you resolved it?
- If one of your coworkers got sick and you were asked to take on their responsibilities while they were away, what would you do?
- If you accidentally damaged a valuable item in your employer’s household and nobody noticed, what would you do?
- Tell us about a time when you failed. How did you handle the situation?
Technical Housekeeping Interview Questions
Technical questions can reveal how much knowledge a candidate really has of housekeeping. These questions can cover cleaning products, cleaning methods, and hygiene standards. By the time a candidate has finished responding, you will have a clear idea of whether or not they have the know-how to carry out their duties efficiently and safely. The following are examples of technical interview questions for a housekeeping role:
- Which products would you use to clean surfaces like wood and marble?
- What can you tell us about cleaning product labels and their safety benefits?
- What process would you follow to clean a kitchen and bathroom?
- What precautions do you take when using strong chemicals like bleach?
- Have you ever used eco-friendly cleaning products?
- Which tools and equipment do you prefer for deep cleaning and why?
Housekeeping Interview Questions Specific to Your Needs
Housekeeping roles vary according to the unique needs of each employer. For this reason, you should ask questions specific to your expectations. The following are examples of questions you could ask if they apply to your situation:
- Do you have experience polishing antique silverware?
- Would you be willing to work overtime when we have guests?
- Are you allergic to dogs or other animals?
- Would you be comfortable running errands?
- Are you comfortable working while children are playing in the same room?
- Do you have experience handling valuable items?
The ideal candidate will be able to answer all of the above questions with confidence. You want someone who exceeds your minimum requirements and strives for excellence in what they do.
References and Background Checks
After you complete the interview phase, you should consider verifying your candidates’ suitability by carrying out background checks, which may include:
- Criminal Record Check: You should consider conducting a criminal record check to ensure your safety.
- Skill and Certification Check: If a candidate mentioned training records during the interview, request copies of the certifications.
- Employment History / Reference Check: To confirm your candidate’s professionalism and reliability, you should contact their past employers and confirm their job history.
- Identity and Work Authorisation Check: You should review your candidates’ identification documents to confirm that they are legally allowed to work.
Conclusion
If you need a private housekeeper, conducting a thorough interview can help you find the right candidate. Asking targeted questions and carrying out background checks can help you evaluate candidates’ professionalism, skills, experience, and work ethic. At the same time, it can protect you from inviting the wrong person into your home. At Charles MacPherson Associates, we know that starting things off on the right foot lays the foundation for a successful, long-term working relationship where both parties benefit.
You might also want to check out essential etiquette training & skills for housekeeping staff.
