17 Hotel Cleaner Interview Questions and Answers

Hotel cleaners are responsible for cleaning and maintaining the appearance of guest rooms, public areas, and other areas of the hotel. They are usually scheduled to work when the hotel is less busy, such as during the day or overnight.

While the job of a hotel cleaner may seem straightforward, there are actually many skills involved in the role. Hotel cleaners need to be able to work quickly and efficiently, while also paying attention to detail. They also need to be able to follow instructions and to work well on a team.

If you’re applying for a job as a hotel cleaner, you may be asked to interview for the role. This guide includes a list of common hotel cleaner interview questions and answers that you can use to prepare for your interview.

Are you comfortable working with cleaning chemicals?

The interviewer may ask this question to determine your comfort level with the chemicals you use in your daily cleaning tasks. They want to make sure that you are not only comfortable using them but also know how to properly store and dispose of them when necessary. In your answer, try to show that you have experience working with these types of chemicals and can do so safely.

Example: “Yes, I am very comfortable working with cleaning chemicals. In my previous role as a hotel cleaner, I used several different chemicals on a regular basis. Some of the most common ones were bleach, disinfectants and sanitizers. I always made sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for each chemical I used. If I ever had any questions about how to use or store a certain chemical, I would consult my supervisor.”

What are some of the most important skills for a hotel cleaner?

Employers ask this question to make sure you have the skills necessary for the job. They want someone who is detail-oriented, organized and able to work quickly. When answering this question, think about what skills you possess that would be beneficial in a hotel cleaner position.

Example: “I believe some of the most important skills for a hotel cleaner are organization and attention to detail. As a cleaner, I need to make sure all rooms are spotless and free from any dirt or dust. To do this, I must pay close attention to each room so I can clean it thoroughly. Another skill that’s useful for this job is being able to multitask. Cleaning a hotel requires me to move quickly between rooms, which means I need to be able to complete tasks efficiently.”

How would you deal with an uncooperative guest?

As a hotel cleaner, you may encounter uncooperative guests. Employers ask this question to make sure you have the skills and confidence to handle challenging situations. In your answer, show that you can remain calm and respectful when dealing with difficult people. Explain how you would try to resolve the situation as quickly as possible.

Example: “I’ve encountered many uncooperative guests in my previous job. I always try to be polite and friendly when talking to them. If they are unhappy about something, I listen carefully to what they say and apologize for any inconvenience. Then, I offer solutions to help solve their problem. For example, if they want more towels, I will go get some right away. This usually helps diffuse the situation.”

What is your process for cleaning a room?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you approach your work and what steps you take to complete it. Your answer should include a step-by-step process for cleaning a room, including any specific techniques or tools you use.

Example: “I start by dusting all surfaces in the room, including furniture and light fixtures. I then vacuum the carpet and wash the floor with a mop and disinfectant solution. Next, I clean the bathroom thoroughly, making sure to sanitize the sink, toilet and shower. Finally, I make the bed and leave the room tidy.”

Provide an example of a time when you had to go above and beyond to complete your job duties.

Hotel cleaners often have to work long hours and sometimes even on weekends. Employers ask this question to make sure you are willing to do the extra work that may be required of you in your role. Use your answer to show them that you are a hard worker who is dedicated to getting the job done.

Example: “In my last position, I was responsible for cleaning all of the rooms on one floor of the hotel. One day, I had an unexpected family emergency and needed to leave early. Rather than call someone else to finish up my duties, I stayed late into the evening to get everything done. My manager appreciated my dedication and offered me more shifts as a result.”

If you saw another employee doing something against company policies, what would you do?

An interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your ethics and how you would handle a situation that could affect the company’s reputation. In your answer, try to show that you value honesty and integrity and would report any wrongdoing by another employee.

Example: “If I saw an employee stealing from guests or breaking other policies, I would immediately tell my manager so they could address the issue. If I was unsure of what policy violation was occurring, I would still report it to my manager so they could investigate further. As an employee, it is our responsibility to uphold the company’s standards and ensure we are protecting its reputation.”

What would you do if you found money or valuables in a room you were cleaning?

Hotel cleaners often find money, credit cards and other valuables in rooms they clean. Employers ask this question to make sure you know how to handle these situations safely. In your answer, explain that you would immediately report the lost items to your supervisor. You can also mention that you would try to locate the owner of the items if possible.

Example: “If I found money or valuables in a room I was cleaning, I would immediately report it to my supervisor. If I knew who the owner was, I would try to return the items to them. However, if I didn’t know who the owner was, I would turn the items into my supervisor so they could be returned to the hotel.”

How well can you communicate with hotel guests?

Hotel cleaners often interact with hotel guests, and the interviewer may want to know how you would handle these interactions. Describe a time when you had to communicate with a guest or customer in your previous role and what steps you took to ensure that you were clear and concise.

Example: “I always make sure to greet my customers and introduce myself before I start cleaning their room. This helps them feel more comfortable while I’m working and ensures they understand who I am and why I’m there. If I need to ask questions about where they prefer me to clean, I do so politely and wait for them to respond before moving on to another task.”

Do you have experience using a wide variety of cleaning tools and equipment?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your experience level and determine if you’re qualified for the position. If you have previous cleaning experience, share what tools and equipment you used in your role. If you don’t have any professional cleaning experience, you can still answer honestly by describing a time when you had to use various tools or equipment to complete a task.

Example: “In my last job as a hotel cleaner, I was responsible for using many different types of cleaning tools and equipment. For example, I used a wide variety of chemicals and sanitizers to clean bathrooms, floors and other surfaces. I also used several different types of vacuums and mops to clean up messes throughout the day.”

When is it appropriate to ask for help from other staff members?

An interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your interpersonal skills and how you handle challenges. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a specific time when you asked for help from another staff member and the positive outcome of that interaction.

Example: “When I first started working as a hotel cleaner, I was responsible for cleaning an entire floor by myself. It was challenging at first because there were so many rooms to clean and I had to move quickly to meet my daily quota. Eventually, I learned that if I needed help with something, like moving furniture or heavy items, I could ask other staff members for assistance. They were always willing to lend a hand, which helped me complete my tasks more efficiently.”

We want to ensure that our hotel is accessible to all guests, regardless of their abilities. How would you make our hotel more accessible?

An interviewer may ask this question to assess your ability to work with a diverse group of people. They want to know that you can accommodate guests who have disabilities and ensure they feel welcome in the hotel. In your answer, explain how you would make sure all areas of the hotel are accessible for everyone.

Example: “I always try to clean wheelchair-accessible areas first so that I don’t forget about them during my shift. If there is an area that needs more attention, I will return to it later. I also use cleaning supplies that are scent-free because some scents can be overwhelming for those with sensitivities.”

Describe your strategy for dealing with a messy room.

Hotel cleaners often encounter messy rooms, and employers ask this question to see how you handle challenging situations. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a specific strategy you use for dealing with messes and include an example of when you used that strategy in the past.

Example: “When I first enter a room, I immediately assess what needs to be done. If there are multiple messes, I prioritize them so I can get the most urgent tasks completed first. For example, if there is trash on the floor or bed, I will clean those up before moving onto other areas of the room. This helps me stay organized and ensures I don’t spend too much time cleaning one area while leaving others unfinished.”

What makes you stand out from other candidates applying for this job?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you can contribute to their team. Before your interview, make a list of qualities that make you unique from other candidates. Think about what skills or experiences you have that are relevant to the job.

Example: “I am passionate about my work and always strive to do my best. I also understand that cleanliness is important for hotel guests, so I take pride in making sure every room I clean looks its best. Another thing that makes me stand out is my attention to detail. When cleaning, I notice small things like dust on furniture or smudges on mirrors. I feel these details show that I care about the quality of my work.”

Which cleaning methods do you prefer to use?

This question can help the interviewer learn more about your cleaning preferences and how you apply them to a variety of hotel rooms. You can answer this question by listing which methods you prefer, why you like them and any experience you have using them.

Example: “I enjoy using eco-friendly products because they are safer for guests and the environment. I also find that these products work well in most situations, so I rarely need to use anything else. In my previous role as a hotel cleaner, I used eco-friendly products exclusively and found that they worked well on all surfaces, including glass, wood and carpet.”

What do you think is the most important aspect of customer service?

Customer service is an important part of working in a hotel. Employers ask this question to make sure you understand the importance of providing good customer service to their guests. When answering, think about what makes customers feel valued and how you can apply those principles to your work as a cleaner.

Example: “I believe that listening to our guests is one of the most important aspects of providing great customer service. I always try to listen carefully when they speak so that I can fully understand their needs. This helps me provide better service because I am able to anticipate any questions or concerns they may have. It also allows me to address issues before they become problems.”

How often do you think a room should be cleaned?

This question can help the interviewer understand your cleaning standards and how you would approach a room that needs to be cleaned. It’s important to consider the type of hotel, the number of guests it typically has and what kind of amenities are available in each room when answering this question.

Example: “I think every room should be thoroughly cleaned at least once per day. I know some hotels have more than one cleaner on staff, but if there is only one person responsible for all rooms, they need to clean them as often as possible. In my last position, we had two cleaners working together, so we were able to clean each room twice per day.”

There is a problem with a guest’s room, but you don’t know how to fix it. What do you do?

This question is designed to test your problem-solving skills. It’s important for hotel cleaners to be able to solve problems on their own, as they may not always have access to a supervisor or manager. When answering this question, it can be helpful to give an example of how you would approach the situation and what steps you would take to fix the problem.

Example: “If there was a problem with a guest’s room that I didn’t know how to fix, I would first try to find someone who could help me. If no one else was available, I would look at the problem and think about possible solutions. For instance, if the toilet wasn’t flushing properly, I might check the tank to see if there was enough water in it. Then, I would try to resolve the issue myself before asking for further assistance.”