17 Lead Housekeeper Interview Questions and Answers

Lead housekeepers are responsible for managing a team of housekeepers and ensuring that all areas of a hotel or resort are clean and well-maintained. They also develop cleaning schedules, order supplies, and inspect guest rooms and public areas.

If you’re interested in becoming a lead housekeeper, you’ll need to have at least 2-3 years of experience working as a housekeeper in a hotel or resort. You should also be able to demonstrate strong leadership and organizational skills.

In this guide, you’ll find a list of lead housekeeper interview questions and answers to help you prepare for your next interview.

Are you comfortable giving employees constructive criticism when necessary?

As a lead housekeeper, you may need to give your employees constructive criticism from time to time. Employers ask this question to make sure that you can do so in a way that is respectful and helpful. In your answer, explain how you would approach giving someone feedback on their performance. Explain that you would be direct but kind when offering suggestions for improvement.

Example: “I am comfortable giving my team members constructive criticism when necessary. I believe it’s important to offer feedback as soon as possible after noticing an issue. This allows the employee to work on improving their performance before the end of their shift or before they leave for the day. When giving constructive criticism, I try to be as kind and understanding as possible. I also provide specific examples of what I expect from them.”

What are some of the most important qualities for a successful housekeeper?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your housekeeping skills and how you apply them. They want someone who is organized, detail-oriented and able to work well with others. When answering this question, think of the qualities that helped you succeed in previous roles.

Example: “I believe a successful housekeeper needs to be highly organized and detail-oriented. It’s important to me that I complete all tasks thoroughly and efficiently so my employer can trust me to do so. Another quality I have is communication. I always make sure to communicate any questions or concerns I may have to my supervisor so we can find solutions together.”

How would you handle an employee who consistently showed up late or didn’t meet expected performance standards?

Employers ask this question to make sure you have the ability to hold your team accountable and ensure they meet their performance goals. In your answer, explain how you would approach the employee in a professional manner and outline what steps you would take to help them improve or remove them from the position if necessary.

Example: “I understand that sometimes employees can be late due to unforeseen circumstances. However, I would expect my staff members to communicate with me as soon as possible when they know they will be late so I can plan accordingly. If an employee consistently showed up late without communicating with me, I would first speak with them about it privately to find out why. If they continued to show up late after our conversation, I would address the issue with them again and inform them that they may need to find another job if they cannot commit to showing up on time.”

What is your process for evaluating the cleanliness of a room or hotel area?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your housekeeping skills and how you apply them. Use examples from previous experiences to describe the steps you take when evaluating a room or hotel area for cleanliness.

Example: “When I evaluate a room, I first look at the flooring and walls to make sure they are free of stains and debris. Next, I check the bedding and furniture to ensure that there is no dust or dirt on these surfaces. Finally, I inspect the bathroom to see if it’s free of soap scum and other messes.”

Provide an example of a time when you had to manage a budget for your department and explain how you decided which expenses to prioritize.

The interviewer may ask you this question to learn more about your organizational skills and how you prioritize tasks. Use examples from previous experiences where you had to manage a budget for your department or household, and explain the steps you took to decide which expenses were most important.

Example: “In my last position as lead housekeeper at an upscale hotel, I was responsible for managing the entire housekeeping staff’s budget. Each week, we would receive our allotted supplies and equipment, and I would have to determine what items needed to be used first before ordering more. To do so, I created a spreadsheet that tracked each item in our inventory and categorized them by priority. For example, if one of our cleaning supplies ran out, I could quickly find the closest alternative based on the list.”

If hired, what would be your priorities during your first few weeks on the job?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your work ethic and how you plan to get started in the role. Before your interview, make a list of three things you would do as soon as you start working for the hotel or resort. These can be anything from learning the housekeeping schedule to getting to know your coworkers.

Example: “My first priority would be to meet with my manager to understand the housekeeping schedule and expectations. I also want to introduce myself to all of my coworkers so we can begin building relationships right away. Finally, I would like to familiarize myself with the cleaning supplies and equipment that are available to me.”

What would you do if you noticed an employee was not following proper cleaning procedures?

Employers ask this question to make sure you have the ability to correct employees who are not following procedures. In your answer, explain how you would approach the employee and what steps you would take to ensure they understand proper cleaning methods.

Example: “If I noticed an employee was not following proper procedures, I would first speak with them privately about it. If they still did not follow procedure after that conversation, I would document the incident in their file and schedule a meeting with my manager so we could discuss appropriate disciplinary action. I believe it is important for all employees to know the importance of following procedures, so I would want to make sure they understood why it’s necessary.”

How well do you perform under pressure? Can you think clearly and make quick decisions when emergencies occur?

Housekeepers often work in high-pressure environments, especially when they’re responsible for the cleanliness of a large hotel or resort. Employers ask this question to make sure you can handle stressful situations and perform well under pressure. In your answer, explain how you stay calm and focused during emergencies. Share an example of a time when you faced a challenge at work and overcame it successfully.

Example: “I am very good at working under pressure. I have experience managing a team of housekeepers who are all trying to get their tasks done before the end of the day. There were many times when we had unexpected guests checking into our hotel, which meant we needed to find extra beds and clean rooms quickly. I always made sure my team knew what was expected of them, and then I delegated responsibilities so everyone could focus on their own jobs. We always managed to get everything done by the end of the day.”

Do you have experience working with housekeeping software or other digital tools that help streamline the housekeeping process?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your experience with housekeeping software and other digital tools that can help you complete tasks quickly. Use examples from your previous job to explain how you used the software or tool, what it helped you accomplish and why you found it helpful.

Example: “At my last job, I worked with a housekeeping software program called Cleanly. The program allowed me to create checklists for each room in the hotel and assign them to specific team members. This made it easy to see who was working on which rooms and ensured we were all completing our assigned tasks. It also helped us stay organized by allowing us to add notes to each task.”

When is the best time to perform deep cleans of guest rooms?

Housekeeping staff members often perform deep cleans of guest rooms at the end of each day. This is when they have access to all cleaning supplies and equipment, and it’s also when housekeepers can complete their tasks most efficiently. Interviewers want to know that you understand this process and how to manage your time effectively.

Example: “I find that performing deep cleans of guest rooms at the end of each workday allows me to get through my tasks more quickly and efficiently. I’m able to use all of our cleaning supplies and equipment during these times, which helps me save time on other days when I need to gather supplies or equipment. It also ensures that we’re always ready for guests as soon as they check in.”

We want to increase our customer satisfaction scores. What would you do to improve our housekeeping service and meet our guests’ expectations?

The interviewer may ask this question to assess your customer service skills and how you would improve the hotel’s overall performance. In your answer, explain what steps you would take to ensure that housekeeping services meet guests’ expectations and increase customer satisfaction scores.

Example: “I would first make sure all of my team members are familiar with our company’s standards for cleanliness. I would also encourage them to communicate any concerns they have about their workload or other issues so we can address them before they become a problem. To help maintain high standards of cleanliness, I would implement regular training sessions on best practices for cleaning different areas of the hotel.”

Describe your process for checking rooms to ensure they’re properly cleaned and ready for the next guest.

The interviewer may ask you to describe your process for checking rooms to ensure they’re ready for the next guest. This question can help them understand how you use your time and attention to detail to complete tasks efficiently. Use examples from previous experiences where you used this method to check rooms and ensure they were ready for guests.

Example: “I start by making sure all trash is removed, including any items that need to be laundered or thrown away. I then make sure all surfaces are cleaned, including windows, mirrors, tables and chairs. Next, I inspect the bathroom to make sure it’s clean and sanitary. Finally, I walk through the room one more time to look for anything I might have missed. If there are no issues, I leave a note on the door with my initials so the next housekeeper knows the room is ready for the next guest.”

What makes you an ideal candidate for the lead housekeeper position?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications for the job. They want to know what makes you a good fit for their hotel and how you can help them achieve their goals. Before your interview, make a list of reasons why you’re qualified for the position. Think about your previous experience as well as any skills or traits that might be beneficial in this role.

Example: “I am an ideal candidate for this position because I have extensive housekeeping experience. In my last role, I managed a team of five housekeepers who worked on different floors. I also had some managerial responsibilities, which helped me develop my leadership skills. I’m confident that I can use these skills to help your hotel succeed.”

Which cleaning products and tools do you prefer to use?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your cleaning preferences. They want to know which products you use most often and why. Before your interview, make a list of the tools and supplies that you prefer to use when performing housekeeping duties. Explain why you like these items and how they help you perform your job effectively.

Example: “I really enjoy using eco-friendly cleaning products because I feel good knowing that my work is helping to protect the environment. I also love working with natural cleaning solutions because they are safe for people and pets. For example, I once worked at a hotel where we used harsh chemicals to clean the rooms. One day, a guest left their dog in their room while they went out to eat. When they returned, the dog was very sick. It turns out that the cleaning solution had made the dog ill.”

What do you think is the most challenging part of being a housekeeper?

Employers ask this question to see if you are aware of the challenges that come with being a housekeeper. They want someone who is willing to take on these challenges and do what it takes to get the job done. In your answer, try to identify one or two challenging aspects of housekeeping and explain how you would overcome them.

Example: “The most challenging part of being a housekeeper for me is when I have to clean up after large parties. It can be difficult to find all the messes guests leave behind, but I always make sure to stay organized so I know where everything is. I also enlist help from other staff members when needed.”

How often should rooms be cleaned in a hotel?

This question can help interviewers understand your cleaning standards and how you apply them to a hotel. When answering, it can be helpful to mention the specific time frames for each type of room in a hotel so that employers know you have experience with all types of rooms.

Example: “In my previous position as lead housekeeper at a five-star resort, I cleaned standard guest rooms twice daily, suites once per day and common areas like hallways and lobbies three times per day. This ensured that guests always had clean spaces to stay in while also allowing housekeepers enough time between cleanings to complete other tasks.”

There is a bug infestation in one of the rooms. What is your reaction?

Bugs are a common problem in hotels. An interviewer may ask this question to see how you would react to such an issue and if you have the skills to solve it. In your answer, show that you can use your problem-solving skills to find a solution quickly.

Example: “I would first make sure that all of my staff members were safe from the bugs. Then I would call for pest control services immediately. While waiting for them to arrive, I would gather all the cleaning supplies we need to clean the room thoroughly. Once the pests are gone, I would ensure that the room is spotless again.”