When you run your own cleaning business, you may be your own boss, but you still want to impress potential clients with your professionalism. That’s why when establishing cleaning jobs — with either one-time or repeat customers — you will likely go on several interviews.
Your first meeting with a new client is considered a job interview — even if it feels informal, says Toby Schulz, co-founder of Maid2Match. “Whether you are a brand new house cleaner or an experienced one, meeting new clients and being welcomed into their homes can feel quite uneasy,” he acknowledges. New situations that accompany a desire to impress and land a job can cause different levels of anxiety.
But, as with any job interview, a bit of preparation will go a long way. Here, experts offer interview tips for getting ready and boosting your confidence ahead of your next cleaning job interview.
How to prepare for the cleaning job interview
If you have a date and time to meet a potential client, you are one step ahead of your competitors, because you have one foot already in the door, says Mause Ramirez of MCS Cleaning Services. This fact alone is something to bear in mind ahead of your interview in order to boost your confidence.
At the same time, never underestimate the power of planning ahead in order to be punctual. You want to be on time, if not early, for your meeting, says Ryan Knoll, owner of Tidy Casa. “If for some instance you are going to be late, let the homeowner know immediately,” says Knoll. This shows that you are reliable and professional and sets the tone for the future.
Other key steps to take ahead of your interview:
- Ask the potential client where you should park when you arrive.
- Dress in clean and tidy clothes.
- Research who your competitors are by doing a quick internet search of cleaners in your area. (Just note that while it’s helpful to know who your competition is, you definitely want to avoid speaking negatively about them to a potential client.)
- Ensure you have a notepad or electronic tablet to take notes as well as a business card or way to leave your contact information.
Be honest and set boundaries right away. For example, if you don’t clean windows or use harsh chemicals, tell your potential client. Open communication will set the tone for ongoing honesty and mutual expectations.
— Maria Dorian at The Villages Maid Service
Potential interview questions for cleaners
When you meet potential clients, they may be nervous to meet you as well. For some people, it’s hard to ask for help and let others into their home. Or perhaps they had a negative experience with another cleaner and are on guard. All new clients are looking to find the best fit for their cleaning needs.
Here are some common questions you should be ready to answer to be sure you and your potential client both feel good about scheduling the first cleaning.
Supplies and equipment
Ramirez says that the most common questions involve cleaning products and equipment. For example:
- Do you use eco-friendly products?
- Do you bring your own supplies?
- Can you use what we prefer and supply?
Insurance and background checks
Maria Dorian at The Villages Maid Service says that clients will often want to know if you have liability insurance and can offer references. And if you have employees who work for you, they may want even more information about the following:
- Are you insured and bonded?
- Do you carry worker’s compensation?
- Do you provide background checks on your cleaning techs?
Services provided
For transparency and honest communication from the start, you should know what services you feel comfortable offering or adding on for an extra fee. Clients may ask you if you’ll do the following in addition to the typical cleaning:
- Wash and fold laundry
- Change linens
- Wash windows
- Clean inside the oven, microwave, or refrigerator
- Scrub walls, baseboards or cupboards
- Take out the trash
Schedule and payment
The goal is to land the job, so make sure you know your schedule and when you are available to clean. You’ll also want to be clear about your cleaning fees and how you accept payment. Anticipate questions like:
- Do you charge by the hour or by the job?
- What if the cleaning takes longer than you expected?
- Do you accept Paypal? CashApp? Checks? Credit cards?
- When do you want to be paid?
- Can tips be added to the payment?
Miscellaneous
Depending on what your client’s work and family structure looks like you may need to work around people and pets. To that end, you might receive questions like:
- Are you comfortable with pets?
- Would you like the pets to be isolated in a room or outside while you clean?
- How have you handled cleaning while people are working from home?
- Do you prefer that the homeowners and children are out of the house while you are there?
Be honest and set boundaries right away, encourages Dorian. For example, if you don’t clean windows or use harsh chemicals, tell your potential client. Open communication will set the tone for ongoing honesty and mutual expectations.
Questions you should ask as a house cleaner during the interview
To be sure you want the cleaning job and are able to do it well, there are questions you should consider asking a potential cleaning job client. For starters, you’ll want to ask potential clients the square footage of the space and how many bedrooms and bathrooms so you can start estimating a price.
Here are additional questions to ask to be sure that you’re the right fit for your potential client — and vice-versa.
Cleaning schedule
In order to make sure that your schedules align, you’ll want to ask the following:
- How frequently does the client need their house cleaned?
- How soon do they need the first cleaning?
- Does the client have a specific day of the week that does not work?
- Are there times of the day that would not work for you to clean?
Cleaning requirements
Dorian says you should find out what your potential client’s cleaning needs and priorities are so you know and can meet their expectations.
- What areas of the house are cleaning priorities?
- Does the client expect you to change linens?
- Does the client want you to do dishes, unload the dishwasher, etc.?
- Are any areas of the home off limits?
- Did a previous cleaner do something they didn’t like that you should know?
Special instructions
From pets to ways to get in and out of the house, each client will have a unique set of instructions. Be sure to ask the following:
- What is the best way to get in and out of the house?
- Does the client have all of the equipment and supplies they want you to use?
- Does the client prefer green cleaning products over others?
- Does the client have any allergies to certain chemicals or materials?
- Are there pets in the house? Are they friendly? Can they go outside?
- Are there valuable heirlooms or replaceable items that should be avoided?
Depending on your potential client’s answers to the aforementioned questions, you may decide that the job is not the right fit for you, points out Dorian. If this is the case, let the client know right away.
“If saying so while face-to-face is a challenge given your personality type or comfort level, a politely worded email is acceptable,” she notes. “Remember that you don’t actually owe them an explanation. This is your business, and you [can take on or refuse clients] as you see fit.”
How to show you can meet a client’s needs during your interview
When people invite service providers into their home, they are looking for someone they can trust, points out Dorian. Experience, honesty and the ability to communicate well are also important to house cleaning clients, explains Dorian.
To that end, you’ll want to find opportunities to highlight your knowledge, stresses Dorian. For instance, if you’re asked about cleaning granite countertops or tile floors, you might share that certain chemicals are appropriate for particular surfaces. If they want to know how you’ll be tending to their hardwood floors, you could note that using too much water on hardwood floors will cause wood to buckle and warp, leading to unsightly damage. In turn, your potential client will feel reassured that their home is in good hands.
Clients also want a cleaner who is both efficient and thorough, so Knoll encourages pointing out your attention to details. “The little things matter,” he says, advising that you discuss how you make a point to clean behind the faucets, under the couch or behind the refrigerator. Your client will appreciate that you’re already thinking of taking care of the small jobs they may not even be thinking about, he notes.
And don’t forget that everyone’s human. If, in the past, you accidentally broke something in a client’s home or let the dog out by accident, you might share how you handled those situations, which can bolster your trust with a new client, says Knoll. “Let the homeowner know that [anything damaged] will be replaced at no cost to them,” he recommends. “Don’t try to hide anything.”
The bottom line on interviewing for a house cleaning job
Whether you are a new or seasoned cleaning professional, each meeting with a potential client is an opportunity to make a great first impression. You can nail the interview by showing up on time and ready to listen. Responding with clear and honest communication will seal the deal, too.
Following the interview, finalize by following up with an email stating the service agreement to include any limitations that were discussed. “If it’s not in writing, it didn’t happen,” warns Dorian.
This final step of the interview closes the loop and shows you are the perfect person to not only clean but to be trusted in a client’s home.