Top 10 Skills for Cleaning Job: Tips to Land the Best Jobs in 2024
Are you looking for a job opportunity? Or searching for a profitable business idea? Cleaning jobs could be the answer for you.
Working as a cleaner can often be seen as an entry level or unskilled job, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Cleaning jobs can be highly skilled and very rewarding, ranging across just about every industry such as hospitality, mining, defence, tourism, and more. They often require excellent attention to detail but also great communication, customer service skills and time management. Providing a high-quality cleaning service is therefore not easy, which is why a lot of the higher end companies offer excellent remuneration to their staff. Evidently, they would expect excellent skills for cleaner services from the candidates.
If you dare to venture further and start your own business, cleaning services could be an excellent choice for that as well. No matter where you are located, cleaning services are and will always be in demand. Currently, residential cleaning industry trends show 20% growth year over year, with 80% of households being expected to use house cleaning services by 2024 whereas the commercial cleaning industry is expected to hit more than $468B in revenue by 2027. That’s a 51.67% increase over the market’s $308.7B value in 2020.
Considering the residential and commercial cleaning trends, it is one of the most profitable business models in today’s time. Moreover, the growth is consistent with an indication of assured sustainability.
In today’s age and time, however, the job market is as competitive as ever, and the cleaning industry is no exception. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting out, having the right skills for a cleaning job can make all the difference in landing the best cleaning jobs. In this blog, we’ll discuss the top 10 skills you need to excel in the cleaning industry and secure a rewarding position.
But before we start that discussion, let’s have a quick look at the role and responsibilities a cleaning job entails for a better understanding.
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Table of Contents
What is A Cleaning Job
A person with a cleaning job is responsible for keeping offices, homes, hotels, or other public areas neat and organized. Their main duties include all basic cleaning in and around residential or commercial properties, such as sweeping, mopping, and vacuuming floors, dusting countertops, ceilings, and furniture, and sanitizing bathrooms, kitchens, or other public areas. Apart from these, a cleaning technician also does the following tasks:
- Cleans restrooms, including restocking dispensers, emptying trash, cleaning and sanitizing fixtures, cleaning mirrors, spot cleaning partition doors and walls, sweeping and mopping tile floors, and cleaning toilets and urinals.
- Vacuums, empties trash, and replaces liners.
- Sets up, stocks, and maintains cleaning equipment and supplies.
- Monitors and maintains sanitation and organization of assigned areas.
- Transports dirty linens to the correct area to be cleaned and restocks areas with clean linens.
- Assists other departments when needed to ensure optimum service to guests.
A Cleaner is responsible for keeping offices, homes, hotels or other public areas neat and organized. Their main duties include for all basic cleaning in and around residential or commercial properties, such as sweeping, mopping and vacuuming floors, dusting countertops, ceilings and furniture and sanitizing bathrooms, kitchens or other public areas. Apart from these, a cleaning technician also does the following tasks:
Clearly, a cleaner is responsible for a lot of things at work. Therefore, the skills required for the job are not as simple as one might think.
This brings us to the main question– what skills do you need for a cleaning job? The answer is in next section. So read on!
Must-Have Skills for Cleaning Job
Here is what you need to master to become a successful cleaning professional:
Having a keen eye for details is one of the most important skills for cleaners, and that is for multiple reasons. When completing cleaning duties, they need to be thorough to ensure they provide a high standard of service for clients. However, paying attention to details also helps cleaners ensure they’re using cleaning chemicals safely. For example, ensuring products are labeled correctly and noticing when a chemical may not be safe for use on a particular surface is important to prevent damage, accidents, and injuries.
Cleaners often work in teams, particularly when working at large buildings such as schools or office blocks. As such, it’s important to work well with others and support coworkers with their tasks too. For security reasons, typically, cleaning teams will arrive and leave their workplace together. So when a cleaner’s assigned tasks are complete, they should be willing to help the rest of the team finish their duties.
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Perhaps the most important skills needed for cleaning job are excellent verbal communication skills and comprehension, including active listening skills, to understand clients’ queries. As cleaners may work as a team, they should be able to communicate effectively within the group and resolve conflict should it arise. In addition, strong reading comprehension skills are key to success as a cleaner. Often, instructions will be provided in writing and cleaners will be expected to complete their tasks as instructed, so you should be confident asking questions and requesting clients for clarification when needed.
The ability to think outside the box and to have a problem-solving attitude are highly valued traits in any kind of industry. In the commercial and residential cleaning sectors, an employee has to face a wide range of challenges on a daily basis. If the workflow gets interrupted when faced with challenges, the team’s productivity will be severely affected. To mitigate the risk, a cleaning technician has to make quick decisions and think on their feet to improve the team’s efficiency. Hence, it is better to get an employee who has a strong problem-solving attitude.
In a cleaner’s workday, they may complete a large volume of duties, sometimes at multiple different venues throughout the day. As such, punctuality and the ability to manage your time are important skills for a cleaner. Unexpected problems can arise throughout the day, such as spillages, so cleaners should be able to problem-solve and overcome challenges so they remain on schedule. Planning your day and prioritizing tasks will also help you manage your time efficiently.
Safety is paramount in the cleaning industry. You should be well-versed in safety procedures, especially when handling chemicals or operating equipment. Understanding how to protect yourself and others from potential hazards is a non-negotiable skill.
Cleaning jobs can be physically demanding, involving activities such as lifting heavy objects, bending, and being on your feet for extended periods. Maintaining good physical health and endurance is important to meet the demands of the job.
Cleaning tasks can vary from one job to another. Being adaptable and willing to learn new techniques and methods is essential. The ability to handle different cleaning challenges effectively will set you apart from the competition.
If you’re working in a residential or commercial cleaning job, you’ll interact with clients. Excellent customer service skills are essential to ensure a positive experience for your clients. Being friendly, professional, and accommodating will help you build a good reputation.
In today’s world, environmental consciousness is becoming increasingly important. Many clients are looking for cleaning services that use eco-friendly products and methods. Understanding and implementing sustainable cleaning practices will give you a competitive edge.
How to Land the Best Cleaning Jobs in Today’s Market
Now that you know the top skills required for a cleaning job, let’s discuss some tips on how to land the best cleaning jobs in 2024:
- Build a Strong Resume
- Networking
- Online Job Portals
- Professional Training
- Customize Your Cover Letter
- Be Punctual
- Show Enthusiasm
- References
- Research the Company
- Prepare for Interview Questions
Create a well-structured resume that highlights your relevant skills and experience. Emphasize your attention to detail, time management, and other important attributes.
Networking is a powerful tool for job seekers. Attend industry events, join online forums or groups, and connect with professionals in the cleaning industry. Networking can lead to job opportunities that may not be publicly advertised.
Utilize online job portals, such as Indeed, LinkedIn, and Monster, to search for cleaning job openings. Make sure your profile is up to date and includes the skills and qualifications you possess.
Consider enrolling in professional cleaning courses or certifications. These can enhance your skills and make you more attractive to employers. Some employers may require specific certifications, so being certified can give you a competitive advantage.
When applying for jobs, customize your cover letter to the specific job and company. Highlight how your skills and experience align with the requirements of the position.
Arrive on time for interviews and job trials. Punctuality is a sign of reliability and professionalism.
Express your passion for the cleaning industry during interviews. Employers appreciate candidates who are genuinely interested in the job.
Gather references from previous employers, colleagues, or mentors who can vouch for your skills and work ethic. Positive references can be a significant factor in securing a job.
Before an interview, research the company you’re applying to. Understand their values, culture, and specific cleaning needs. Being informed about the company will help you tailor your responses during the interview.
Be ready to answer common interview questions related to your cleaning skills and experiences. Practice your responses to showcase your skills effectively.
Developing these skills for a cleaning job will not only help you secure a great job in this competitive industry but also enable you to perform well if you are already working as a cleaner. You should have a balance between practical skills that allow them to complete manual cleaning tasks and soft skills that will enable them to perform better. If you own a cleaning company, you should also take note of these skills because this is what you should look for when hiring employees.
Once you hire the perfect candidates, make sure that you have the perfect tools to optimize your resources as well. In this regard, Field Promax could be your best choice. The tailor-made cleaning business management software automates administrative tasks, helps standardize and streamline workflow, and cuts overhead costs in your day-to-day operations.
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- patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations.
- the ability to work on your own.
- customer service skills.
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail.
- knowledge of public safety and security.
- physical fitness and endurance.
- the ability to organize your time and workload.
- a desire to help people
Cleaning and organizing are learned skills. A cleaner performs all the duties required to keep homes, businesses, and public facilities neat and hygienic.
There are five key factors involved in cleaning: time, temperature, mechanical action, chemical reaction, and procedures.
- A reasonable level of fitness.
- Punctual, reliable and trustworthy.
- Able to manage time effectively.
- Ability to work both alone and in a team.
- Awareness of health and safety procedures.
- Reading skills for following instructions.
- Maths skills for measuring cleaning fluids.
