Now that you’ve been hired as a housekeeper, you’ll want to pay extra-close attention the first few times you clean to make sure you’re meeting your employer’s expectations — especially if you are just starting out and are looking for referrals to help grow your client base! Set aside a time with your client so that they can provide you with constructive feedback about your job performance. This can be done over the phone or in person, but should be done at the client’s discretion. Keeping the lines of communication open can go a long way toward having a positive work experience.
Ways to ensure a healthy relationship with your client
1. Understand what’s expected
Start by creating a house cleaning checklist of everything you are required to do. Go over the list together so you both understand and agree on the requirements. Also, ask your employer about areas to “watch out for” in the home — for example, if the mini blinds are fragile and must be opened with care while cleaning. Also, ask if there are areas of the home that should not be cleaned or that the employer might like to be off-limits. Be clear about what these limits are and how they impact your cleaning.
2. Set a trial period
Agree that after two weeks, or one cleaning, the employer will review your work and provide you with constructive feedback. If the employer is not satisfied or has concerns about how you are doing the job, a trial period with an expected review date offers an opportunity to discuss and resolve issues. It also leaves the door open to ending the relationship if it just doesn’t seem to be a good match.
3. Have a plan for special requests
Your employer might occasionally want to change the normal routine and ask you to take care of a special project (windows, rugs, laundry, etc). Are you OK doing this on the fly, or would it be better to receive the request with a week’s notice? Setting a policy beforehand for add-on services, including pricing, will remove last-minute panic and disappointment, especially if you have another job scheduled or a child to pick up and can’t stay longer to fulfill the special request.
4. Ask how to handle valuables
Ask if there are any special items of sentimental or monetary value with which you should take extra care. Be extra careful if you move an item from its normal place during cleaning. You may forget to replace it, and this may cause your employer to assume that the item is broken or missing. Be upfront if you do break something by accident. Honesty is the best policy.
5. Communicate
Set up a biweekly time to communicate with your employer to make sure you are both OK with how the job is going. Frequent communication will enable either of you to air any dissatisfaction and devise a plan to handle issues in a manner with which you both are comfortable. You may also consider leaving a quality care card after each cleaning so that the client can rate the level of cleanliness and provide written feedback.
6. Follow the golden rule
Be kind and respectful, and expect the same from your employer.
Following these pointers you’ll be well on your way to achieving job satisfaction and success.
