Housekeeping Interview Questions & Answers

Question 1. Tell Me How Would You Handle An Altercation Between Two Team Members?

Answer :

I always make it a point to listen to both sides of the story before making a decision of what is right and what isn't. I try not to let an altercation affect their work or have a negative effect on guests to whom we have to show a united front.

Question 2. Tell Me What Do You Find Rewarding Working As A Housekeeping Supervisor?

Answer :

There are many aspects that are rewarding about this job. Knowing that your supervision is responsible for guest satisfaction is a great feeling. Also, training others to perform excellently in a team environment and seeing them obtain praise from guests is quite rewarding.

Question 3. Explain How Would You Calm Down A Particularly Irate Customer?

Answer :

I do not believe in arguing - so I will listen to what he or she has to say first without interrupting. When I know for sure what is bothering him or her, I will try to look for a solution that satisfies the customer and is also within the policies and procedures of my place of work.

Question 4. Tell Us What Is Your Prime Chemical Safety Concern In Your Job?

Answer :

Chemical safety is of the utmost importance for a person working in a housekeeping position. It is important for them to understand the portions in which chemicals need to be mixed and their safe use. This is for both their own safety and that of the guests. My prime concern is that housekeeping personnel should be trained in mixing and using hazardous materials properly and this is the areas where my training is focused on.

Question 5. Explain How Do You Handle A Client Who Is Angry Or Upset And Dissatisfied By Your Work?

Answer :

If a client is not happy with my work I apologize and then work on improving my services. I always try my best to understand the client's housekeeping requirements fully and to deliver high standard housekeeping and clients are generally happy with my work.

Question 6. Tell Me How Would You React If You See Misconduct Or Inappropriate Behavior In A Fellow Worker?

Answer :

I will report it immediately to supervisor since I would not want the facility or the management to suffer due to an employee's indiscretion.

Question 7. Tell Me How Do You React If You Are Asked To Perform Tasks That Are Not In Your Job Description?

Answer :

I am a helpful person, and generally gladly fill in for my colleagues. However if I am continuously asked to perform tasks that are not part of my duty I discuss the matter openly and politely with my supervisor.

Question 8. Explain What Measures Have You Taken To Update Your Knowledge Of Working As A Housekeeping Supervisor In The Last Year?

Answer :

I have been actively involved in trainings pertaining to leading teams of housekeeping personnel. The basic idea behind my involvement in these trainings is to understand conflict management between workers and to downplay the effects in front of guests.

Question 9. Tell Us How Do You Manage To Take On Simultaneous Tasks As Is The Nature Of Any Hospitality Job?

Answer :

To be able to multitask, one has to have a clear head. I make sure I get enough sleep before I report to work and I have a habit of not just multitasking physically but mentally as well. If one has to work in a capacity that is so demanding, one has to do a lot of mental computing in order to get the job done right.

Question 10. How Long Should It Take To Clean A Guest Room? How Would You React To A Guest Screaming At You?

Answer :

Guests and housekeepers interact often. Your housekeepers must be able to deal with all types of guests-nice or rude.

Question 11. Please Explain A Time When Your Work Was Criticized? How Did You Handle It?

Answer :

During my first year of work my supervisor called me once and criticized me for not cleaning the windows properly. I took the criticism positively and improved my window cleaning skills.

Question 12. Explain How Do You Manage To Take On Simultaneous Tasks As Is The Nature Of Any Hospitality Job?

Answer :

To be able to multitask, one has to have a clear head. I make sure I get enough sleep before I report to work and I have a habit of not just multitasking physically but mentally as well. If one has to work in a capacity that is so demanding, one has to do a lot of mental computing in order to get the job done right.

Question 13. Do You Know What Are Key Tasks Of A Housekeeper?

Answer :

Typical housekeeping duties includes; cleaning designated, changing linens, damp dusting horizontal surfaces, vents, trash removal, cleaning/scouring sinks, mopping, vacuuming carpets, and washing windows, door frames and other vertical surfaces. There might be other tasks which may be assigned by the employer. I will be pleased to perform all of given tasks beyond my job scope.

Question 14. What Makes You A More Qualified Housekeeper Than The Other Candidates?

Answer :

A candidate who is willing to take any job is totally different than a candidate who is hoping that becoming a housekeeper will help them learn more about the hotel business in hopes of one day becoming a hotel manager. Their motivation and quality of work will differ accordingly.

Question 15. Explain How Do You Manage To Complete Multiple Housekeeping Tasks In A Single Day?

Answer :

I am good at multitasking and task prioritization. When given multiple tasks for a day I immediately prioritize them and set to work. This strategy almost always helps me in completing the day's tasks no matter how many there are.

Question 16. Tell Me How Would You Handle Being Asked To Re-clean A Room?

Answer :

If the candidate takes offense to being asked to fix their work, think twice about hiring them. An ideal candidate should take the situation as a learning experience and express their desire to improve-rather than being defensive or objectionable.

Question 17. Explain What Are Your Personal Strengths That Help You As A Housekeeper?

Answer :

My strengths are persistence, patience and organization. These traits support me not only in the role of housekeeping but also in dealing with customers effectively.

Question 18. Why Do You Want This Job Now?

Answer :

The ideal candidate will be one who expresses interest in growing with the company and learning the business from the ground up. These kinds of housekeepers are going to be the most conscientious because they'll be looking for opportunities to move into positions of greater responsibility. Workers who just need a job may fill a vacancy, but may not be as motivated to do excellent work as those who plan to make a career in the industry.

Question 19. Tell Me Why Did You Choose To Work On This Housekeeping Position?

Answer :

I have exceptional cleaning skills which make me comfortable while performing different kinds of cleaning and sanitization tasks. In addition, i have a demonstrated ability to perform minor repair and maintenance tasks. Because of these skills, I have the capability to provide exceptional housekeeping services.

Question 20. Tell Me What Are Key Tasks For Housekeeping?

Answer :

Housekeeping includes; cleaning designated, changing linens, damp dusting horizontal surfaces, vents, trash removal, cleaning/scouring sinks, mopping, vacuuming carpets, and washing windows, door frames and other vertical surfaces.

Question 21. Tell Me Are You Familiar With Chemical Cleaning Precautions?

Answer :

Yes, I am an expert in chemical cleaning and fully understand the precautions to be followed while using any chemical cleaners including ice cleaners. I am capable of reading and following instructions to book that come with various chemical cleaners.

Question 22. Explain Why Did You Choose To Work On This Housekeeping Position?

Answer :

I believe that I have exceptional cleaning skills which make me comfortable while performing different kinds of cleaning and sanitization tasks. Because of these skills, I have the capability to provide exceptional housekeeping services.

Question 23. Please Tell Us Something About Yourself?

Answer :

I am a dedicated housekeeper with extensive experience in hotel housekeeping. I am proficient in cleaning rooms, changing the linens, taking out trash and cleaning the bathrooms. In addition, I am competent in clearing off snow from parking areas using manual and chemical procedures.

Question 24. Explain How Would You React To A Guest Who Yelled At You?

Answer :

Even the most conscientious housekeeper is going to come into contact with a dissatisfied guest. It's part and parcel of the work. An effective interview should include examples of how the housekeeper reacted to disgruntled customers in previous jobs, or, for newcomers to the industry, what they would do when faced with an angry customer. You want to hire an employee who knows the value of listening to a customer's grievances and working to resolve his issues.

Question 25. Tell Us How Well Do You Work In A Team?

Answer :

I am good at interpersonal relationships and exercise my effective communication skills when needed to work in a team. I also try to help my colleagues whenever possible which makes me a very effective team player.

Question 26. In Your Opinion, What Is The Most Important Quality Of A Housekeeping Aide?

Answer :

A housekeeping aide needs to be able to work in a thorough and detail-oriented manner. A speck of dust here or there, or a spot on the floor can leave a very bad impression on guests, Thoroughness is important in all cleaning and maintenance work.

Question 27. What Particular Skills Do You Possess That Make You An Excellent Choice To Work As A Housekeeping Aide?

Answer :

Apart from being thorough in whatever I do, I am well-organized and can handle many tasks at the same time, without compromising on quality of work. Additionally, I am well-versed in safely and accurately mixing cleaning agents, and handling housekeeping supplies and equipment inventory as well.

Question 28. List Some Of The Duties That You Have Performed In A Housekeeping Aide Role Previously.

Answer :

As a housekeeping aide, I have been involved in providing assistance with cleaning tasks such as sweeping, mopping and dusting, along with handling furniture and fixtures polishing work. I have washed and sanitized bathrooms and kitchens, vacuumed and shampooed carpets and also provided support to laundry personnel in collecting and delivering laundry.

Question 29. Recount A Time When A Guest Was Not Satisfied With Your Work.?

Answer :

There was an incident when a guest was unhappy because the laundry returned his clothes unwashed. While I was not directly responsible for the fiasco, it was me who delivered the package to the guest and he wasn’t too happy with me. I quickly apologized before he had a chance to begin yelling at me, took back the package and had his clothes washed, ironed and delivered within an hour.

Question 30. What Has Been Your Biggest Achievement So Far?

Answer :

I was once asked to clean and prepare 15 bedrooms for a delegation of foreign guests within a short time period of 5 hours! Without enlisting help from anyone, I managed to do the needful within the timeline provided, without any complaint from any guest who checked into those rooms!

Question 31. Have You Worked As A Housekeeping Aide In Any Other Capacity? How Is It Different Than Working In A Hotel?

Answer :

While I haven’t worked as a housekeeping aide in any other industry, I do know that the work varies a little when you work at this position in a hospital for instance. Sanitation protocols are different. Working with patients may not be the same as working with guests.

Question 32. How Can You Justify Working As A Hospital Housekeeper? What Makes This Work The Best That You Can Do?

Answer :

I believe that I am extremely skilled at hospital housekeeping work. This is because I am knowledgeable about the specific maintenance needs of hospitals and have both the physical strength and procedural knowhow to carry it out.

Question 33. Tell Us About An Instance When Your Work As A Housekeeper Was Challenged?

Answer :

I was once working for a hospital where there was a patient whose family notorious for being dissatisfied at everything. The patient happened to be admitted in one of the rooms that I was servicing. And nothing was good enough for the family. The sheets were never clean enough, there was never enough soap and the bed was never made “to our liking”. It was extremely tiring. But thankfully, when the patient was discharged, the family didn’t leave a single complaint!

Question 34. How Important Is Organization In This Role?

Answer :

Extremely. If one is not organized, there is no way one can coordinate even the simplest of housekeeping tasks.

Question 35. Tell Us Something About Your Housekeeping Duties In Your Previous Role.

Answer :

Apart from regular dusting and mopping, I was required to make beds, change linen, deliver and retrieve items to patients, replenish supplies and prepare rooms. Additionally, I was responsible for handling some minor repair and maintenance tasks such as changing bulbs and replacing curtain rods.

Question 36. What Measures Have You Taken To Update Your Knowledge Of Working As A Housekeeping Supervisor In The Last Year?

Answer :

I have been actively involved in trainings pertaining to leading teams of housekeeping personnel. The basic idea behind my involvement in these trainings is to understand conflict management between workers and to downplay the effects in front of guests.

Question 37. What Do You Find Rewarding Working As A Housekeeping Supervisor?

Answer :

There are many aspects that are rewarding about this job. Knowing that your supervision is responsible for guest satisfaction is a great feeling. Also, training others to perform excellently in a team environment and seeing them obtain praise from guests is quite rewarding.

Question 38. What Is Your Prime Chemical Safety Concern In Your Job?

Answer :

Chemical safety is of the utmost importance for a person working in a housekeeping position. It is important for them to understand the portions in which chemicals need to be mixed and their safe use. This is for both their own safety and that of the guests. My prime concern is that housekeeping personnel should be trained in mixing and using hazardous materials properly and this is the areas where my training is focused on.

Question 39. How Would You Handle An Altercation Between Two Team Members?

Answer :

I always make it a point to listen to both sides of the story before making a decision of what is right and what isn’t. I try not to let an altercation affect their work or have a negative effect on guests to whom we have to show a united front.

Question 40. Are You Comfortable With Simple Chores Around The House?

Answer :

In my first job, I had doubled as a nanny and housekeeper. I found this too tasking as I would not attend to either of the tasks efficiently. I would be pleased to stick with nanny work at first.