Latest Carpet Cleaner Interview Preparation Guide

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I am friends with a fellow employee who worked in a different Housing section. We have been friends for a long time and when she heard about the opening she thought I would be a great fit and recommended me.

I really dont mind cleaning. I think its therapeutic, a great form of exercise. But if I had to pick something it would be minor like a bad accident in the bathroom .

College dorm and church building cleaning, operation manager and president/owner of masonry business with up to 30 employees'.

Although this would seem like a simple question, it can easily become tricky. You shouldn’t mention salary being a factor at this point. If you’re currently employed, your response can focus on developing and expanding your career and even yourself. If you’re current employer is downsizing, remain positive and brief. If your employer fired you, prepare a solid reason. Under no circumstance should you discuss any drama or negativity, always remain positive.

I am well versed in using vacuum cleaners, dust extractors, floor buffers, utility carts and automatic floor scrubbers.

Well I hope I will become more experienced with this.

You should do your research prior to the interview. Look into background history of the company, this will help you stick out. Learn about main people, have they been in the news lately? The interviewer doesn’t expect you to know dates and certain people, but showing that you have enough interest to research the company is a positive impression.

This question is like a loaded gun, tricky and dangerous if you’re not sure what you are doing. It’s not uncommon for people to end up talking salary before really selling their skills, but knowledge is power as this is a negotiation after all. Again, this is an area where doing your research will be helpful as you will have an understanding of average salary.

One approach is asking the interviewer about the salary range, but to avoid the question entirely, you can respond that money isn’t a key factor and you’re goal is to advance in your career. However, if you have a minimum figure in mind and you believe you’re able to get it, you may find it worth trying.

I have never had any experience as a janitor previously but I would say that what I find most rewarding is the sense of accomplishment at providing a service to people. Keeping an environment customer friendly and tidy.

I always work with dedication and am willing to improve my work quality, so I usually take instructions and criticism very positively and make adaptations in my service quality accordingly.

Maintain grounds by using a variety of lawn equipment and tools and inside of the building trained and supervised employees change ballast in light fixtures, changed locks in cabinets and doors, installed carpet and tile, striped and wax floors and installed a variety of fixtures to the building.

I really do not know what sets me apart from someone else, but I do know that I will never be late, and I will get the job done no matter what it may be.

Very good. I enjoyed my work, I liked to clean the store so they gave me all of the cleaning duties.

Pressure is actually a catalyst to my work. When there is an imperative deadline, I refocus my energy into my work which in fact, has helped me to produce some of my best works. (Give examples) I guess you can say I thrive under pressure.

I once worked as a cashier for ABC during the holiday season. I learned to handle a heavy plate and keep a leveled head under pressure.

I am a well experienced cleaner and have a deep understanding of modern cleaning procedures. I have good communication skills and I get along well with others. I’m fully capable of taking and following instructions. I am very punctual and possess a track record of maintaining high standards of sanitation and cleanliness at my previous work places.

I have an excellent work record as you can see from my resume. I have never had any problems or created any in any of my work places and I have received commendation on my focus on delivering service keeping in mind prudent safety measures.

This question allows you to brag on yourself, but keep in mind that the interviewer wants strengths relative to the position. For example, being a problem solver, a motivator, and being able to perform under pressure, positive attitude and loyal. You will also need examples that back your answers up for illustration of the skill.

☛ Tell me about your employment background.
☛ See if they have a tendency to stick around where they work, or jump from job to job.
☛ Tell me about your schooling. What was your major in college?
☛ Find out if they’re overqualified or under qualified for the job.
☛ How do you feel about cleaning in general?
☛ Do you enjoy it?
☛ How long do you plan on staying in this area?
☛ See if they want to stay in your service area for a long time.
☛ Are you looking for primary income or secondary income?
☛ Are their expectations in line with what they’ll get paid at your company?
☛ How much do you want to make a week?
☛ This will give you an idea of their salary expectations.
☛ Why did you leave your last job?
☛ Are they going to get along with others? Did they leave their last job disgruntled?
☛ What did you like best about your last job?
☛ Probe into their personality to see what interests them. Are these traits also present in a carpet cleaning career?
☛ If you could have made any improvements on your last job, what would they have been?
☛ This shows if they can think for themselves.
☛ What was your most interesting job or project?
☛ Does this person take initiative or like new projects?
☛ Describe the best person who ever worked for you or with you.
☛ This will tell you what type of people they get along with and help you match the personality of this new person with the personality of other employees with whom they’ll be working.
☛ What types of people annoy you the most?
☛ To the interviewee it seems that you just want to know what people they dislike, but the answer to this question actually will describe what personality traits they don’t have.
☛ Seeing into the future
☛ What do you see yourself doing five years from now?
☛ See if they’ll be the kind of employee with whom you can build your company.
☛ How much do you expect to be earning in five years?
☛ Do they have realistic long-term salary expectations?
☛ Which is more important to you: The money or the type of job?
☛ What motivates you to put forth your greatest effort?
☛ If an employee is only motivated by money, they may not last that long at your job, as the grass may be greener elsewhere.
☛ What do you think it takes to be successful in a company like ours?
☛ Do you know what type of job duties you will be responsible for?
☛ Is their answer in line with what the job duties are going to be?
Do you have any closing comments?

☛ Why did you choose to become a housekeeper?
☛ What qualities do you have that make you a good housekeeper?
☛ Do you charge by the hour, or by the square foot?
☛ Do you supply your own cleaning supplies?
☛ You have your own rags, glove, and mop?
☛ What do you enjoy about looking after a home?
☛ Can you tolerate heights?
☛ How many years of experience do you have with house cleaning?
☛ Do you have experience with outdoor cleaning?
☛ Will you wash windows inside and/or out?
☛ Can you and would you be willing to use power washing equipment for windows, etc.
☛ Do you believe in the value of using green products?
☛ Are you knowledgeable about the treatment of different countertops (marble, granite,etc.)
☛ Are there particular cleaning products that you feel are superior and/or cost efficient?
☛ What do you find the most challenging/interesting part of house cleaning?
☛ Do you have any pet allergies?
☛ Are you willing to work in a home with a dog and/or cat?
☛ Are you willing to work in a home with a smoker?
☛ Are you willing to work while the owners are home?
☛ What are your expectations regarding the condition of the house when you arrive?
☛ Can we leave dishes in the sink?
☛ Can we leave toys on the floor?
☛ Have you ever worked with children in the house?
☛ Do you keep records of necessary tasks done daily, weekly, and monthly in each client's house.
☛ How do you prioritize your work?
☛ Are you thorough in your cleaning?
☛ Do you move furniture and objects when vacuuming and dusting?
☛ Do you dust baseboards?
☛ Do you wipe pictures and/or light fixtures?

☛ How did you handle meeting a tight deadline?
☛ What do you think, would you be willing to travel for work?
☛ What do you think you can bring to this position?
☛ Describe a time you were faced with stresses which tested your skills.
☛ What three character traits would your friends use to describe you?

Find out everything you can about the company, its culture and its goals.
Make sure your eye contact with the interviewers during the interview.
Think of actual examples you can use to describe your skills.

☛ What’s the most frustrating task you have faced in your previous positions?
☛ Describe a situation where you went the extra mile and performed a task out of the ordinary.
☛ Do you prefer working in a team or independently?
☛ Have you ever seen a co-worker stealing? What did you do?

☛ What have you been doing since your last job?
☛ What quality of yours or personal trait matters the most in your career?
☛ What is a typical career path in this job function?
☛ What type of work environment do you prefer?
☛ Who has impacted you most in your career and how?

☛ What do you feel is the best educational preparation for this career?
☛ What are three positive character traits you don't have?
☛ How do you see your job relating to the overall goals?
☛ Tell us about the last time you had to negotiate with someone.
☛ What would be your ideal working environment?

Your answer will affect the rest of the interview. Note down your answers. These may be useful later if the interviewers wish to confirm any answer with you as they forget or wish to discuss more.
Don't be too specific by giving away a word for a particular period of time.

☛ What are your most significant accomplishments as a housekeeper?
☛ Tell me about yourself?
☛ What are your hobbies and interests?
☛ What do you consider to be your greatest strengths?
☛ What do you consider to be your weaknesses?
☛ What is your concept of a clean house?
☛ How do you handle stress?
☛ What motivates you, or makes you happy?
☛ What are you looking for in a housekeeping job?
☛ What makes you happy?
☛ What are the most important qualities for you in a job?
☛ What are you looking for in an employer?