Custodian Interview Questions

Custodians are responsible for keeping things clean, tidy, and well-maintained. Every public place gets dirty, and the more individuals that utilize the space, the bigger and more frequent the messes. Custodians or janitors often act as the unsung heroes of a building, invisibly working to keep the space sanitary, safe, and usable.

Interviews for custodial positions are important moments for candidates to prove they can take on the challenges of this type of work. Nailing these interviews can be a breeze if you do a bit of prep work before preparing yourself.

One of the best ways to prepare yourself is to read potential questions you may be asked and come up with some sample answers and short stories to pull out.

This article will go through ten common questions asked in custodian interviews, explaining why interviewers ask these questions and give some helpful examples.

• Candidates should be sure to bring all necessary materials such as copies of your resume, paper, a pen, and questions to ask their interviewer.

• Interviewers should structure their interview and prepare interview questions ahead of time so they are not wasting their time and the candidates time.

How to Prepare for a Custodian Interview

As a Candidate:

• Research the company and the role. This is an important part of preparing for an interview. Researching the company will help you be able to give thoughtful questions and answers during your interview. You should research the products or services that they sell, the role, and the company culture.

• Do a mock interview. Mock interviewers will not only help you have a better understanding of how interviews work, it will make you more comfortable and confident when it's time to walk into the interview. It will also allow you to get feedback from your mock interviewer to help you improve for your real interview.

• Bring all necessary materials. Be sure that you bring all the necessary materials for your interview. This can include extra copies of your resume, a notebook, and a pen. You should also have a list of questions you want to ask your interviewer.

As an Interviewer:

• Understand what you want from a candidate. The best way to prepare for an interview as the interviewer is to have a clear understanding of what you want from the candidate. The candidate should improve any aspect of the company, so be sure to to base your candidate off the needs of the position.

• Prepare your interview questions. Once you have an understanding of what you want from a candidate, you can choose the questions that best fit what you are looking for. Your questions should fit a standard rating system to avoid any bias or discrimination between any candidates.

• Have an interview structure. Without a structured interview, you can lose track of time and run over into someone else's interview time. It also runs the risk of just wasting time and not asking anything important.

11 Common Custodian Interview Questions and Answers

1. Tell me about yourself

   The interviewer askes this common interview question to get a better understanding of who you are and any additional skills or qualifications that are not on your resume. Your answer to this question should be brief and concise.

   I have several years of experience working as a custodian. I am skilled in a variety of cleaning techniques and equipment. I have a strong attention to detail when it coms to maintaining a clean and safe facility.

   I am comfortable working alone or working as part of a team. I think communication is key to working effectively with coworkers and clients to ensure that all needs are met. Overall, I take pride in my work as a custodian and strive to provide a high level of service to every client I work with.

2. What training or certifications do you have that could help you in your custodial work?

   This is one of the more straightforward questions, but don’t let it fool you into simply giving a yes or a no and calling it a day. Interviewers ask this question to figure out what special skills you may be bringing to the table regarding cleaning, disposal, repairs, or other important work.

   If you have some special training or certification, then that’s great! That will, to some degree, give you a leg up on the competition. However, if you do not have any special training, you can still answer this question cleverly by discussing plans to obtain specific certifications or willingness to do so.

   This shows that you are not only dedicated to the work but willing to go the extra mile.

   Example Answer:

   I do not currently have any certifications, but I am interested in and seeking out a Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) certification. If you offer these certifications, I would be eager to learn.

3. What is your experience with custodial work?

   The “what is your prior experience” question is a tried and true classic. If there’s any question you should prepare for out of certainty that you will be asked about it, it’s this one.

   For obvious reasons, it’s important to figure out the kind of work experience you have to see how well-versed you are in what this job is and what it does. Custodial work is not easy, and a lot of the equipment requires specialized, on-the-job knowledge to use it correctly.

   You can answer this question by detailing your past janitorial work, of course, but it is not limited to just that. Mention any job or unpaid work in which you had to clean, maintain, or provide security.

   Example Answer:

   I have been doing custodial work for six months now, and I have been trained on and have extensive experience with safely using cleaners, operating equipment, and following cleaning procedures. I am self-motivated in my cleaning tasks and usually work independently. Before working as a custodian, I worked in foodservice and was responsible for daily cleaning tasks.

4. Do you have flexibility in your schedule? Could you work overtime, on weekends, or holidays?

   When this question comes up in an interview, do not take it lightly. It is likely that the interviewer asking this question is understaffed or otherwise desperately in need of someone who can work and work a lot.

   If an environment with ample opportunities, or even pressure, to take on more work hours does not sound ideal to you, proceed with caution.

   However, you choose to answer this question, answer it honestly. It does come down to what you want and what you are looking for in this job, and what you feel comfortable with. Do not feel like you need to lie or stretch the truth about your availability, as this will only lead to headaches later on.

   Of course, the candidate with the most availability across the board will have a bit of an edge, but don’t feel bad if your life circumstances do not allow it.

   Example Answer:

   I have some flexibility in my schedule, and I would be able to work overtime shifts, and I would occasionally be able to work on weekends. I have two children and have some responsibilities I need to take care of on most weekends and holidays, though.

5. Are you comfortable working around and in the general public?

   Custodians work in public areas (rather than, say, cleaners who work in private homes), and as such, there’s no getting around interacting with the general public in one way or another. Interviewers ask this question to ensure that you are prepared to deal with or even direct people, even in frustrating situations.

   While you are not necessarily a customer service worker, you still need to represent the organization you work for well. Answer this question by demonstrating that you have the patience to deal with people and the flexibility to work in various work conditions.

   Example Answer:

   I am very comfortable working around others, and I have a high tolerance for navigating the general public. So long as no one is disrupting or interfering with my work, I’m happy to work with others and be a friendly face.

6. Describe a time when you faced an unexpected challenge at work. How did you handle this?

   Custodial work can be difficult, and you can run into many situations where quick problem-solving skills are needed. Interviewers want to know that you can face these challenges and respond appropriately. After all, the specific challenge you mention does not matter as much as your account of how you handled this challenge.

   There is no such thing as work without challenges, so make sure you have an example ready to use. You can use an example that you think demonstrates your ability to take on problems appropriately. Keep in mind that the interviewer will compare the situation you described to the requirements of the position you are applying for.

   Example Answer:

   While at my previous position, I came across a broken sink that would not turn off. I tried all of the simple solutions to stop the water flow and turn the sink off, but when I realized it was an advanced plumbing issue, I called maintenance straight away. I closed down this particular bathroom area while I waited for maintenance and continued cleaning the rest of the bathroom. Maintenance was able to come quickly, and I was able to get the bathroom back up and running in no time.

7. What’s the worst or most frustrating experience you have had in custodial work?

   It’s a dirty job, but someone has to do it. Working as a custodian, just like working in any other job, comes with its fair share of bad days. Like the question about an unexpected challenge, this question is intended to test your tolerance for tough situations and get a glimpse into how you deal with these situations.

   Try not to make this story about any of the duties that are basic requirements of the job. For instance, maybe don’t say that having to take out the trash every day was the worst experience you’ve had. Answer this question by demonstrating how you rise above bad circumstances.

   Example Answer:

   At a prior custodial position, I was assigned a night shift partner who did a half-baked job with most tasks and outright refused to do others. It was frustrating sharing a workload with someone who didn’t want to pull their weight, but what was most important to me was that the building was cleaned thoroughly and up to standards. I ended up just completing both of our tasks in a night’s work by prioritizing and managing my time.

8. Many of your tasks will need to be done daily or on a repetitive cycle. How do you deal with frequent, repetitive tasks?

   This is one of those honest questions meant to prepare you for the nature of your work and to see if you are prepared for this kind of work. Interviewers want to see that you are familiar with this aspect of the job and that you are willing and able to take this on.

   When an interviewer asks this question, they are also trying to make sure that the quality of your work will remain consistent, even after doing the same thing fifty times. Let them know that you have a strategy for dealing with this while keeping up the quality.

   Example Answer:

   In my experience as a custodian, I have not had too much trouble with the repetitive tasks of the job and even find them to be peaceful sometimes. Doing the same task often can be beneficial as well, because the familiarity allows me to complete these tasks faster.

9. How would you handle a situation in which someone you don’t recognize needs access to the building after hours?

   Custodians have to deal with both cleanliness and security issues, and both of these duties require serious consideration. This question gets at the heart of the security issue. The interviewer asking this question wants to know that you can handle security situations appropriately.

   Answer this question by demonstrating both your professionalism and your assertiveness in enforcing rules and boundaries. Remember, letting just anyone into the building you clean is a huge liability, so keep in mind the safety precautions that come with this question.

   Example Answer:

   I would start by asking this person what they need and if there’s any way I could help them from the outside. If they are insistent on coming in, I’ll ask to see the proper ID and credentials. If they don’t have the necessary identification, I would ask them to wait until they come in or to call the building tomorrow when it opens again.

10. How often do you clean and do routine maintenance on cleaning instruments?

    Proper sanitizing and other maintenance work on your equipment needs to be done regularly, but the exact schedule and nature of this cleaning are up to you. Refer to past positions and how you’ve dealt with maintaining workable tools.

    Interviewers want to know that you have a plan for keeping your cleaning instruments in good working order.

    Example Answer:

    I sanitize my cleaning instruments daily at the end of my shift and repair or replace them as needed. I believe you need clean tools to keep things clean, so it is important for me to keep my work instruments as clean as possible.

11. Do you prefer working alone or with others?

    There isn’t a single right answer to this question, as it has to do with your personal preference. For most jobs, it’s a good rule of thumb to give examples of ways you work well alone and examples of ways to work well in teams to show that you are both self-motivated and a team player.

    Example Answer:

    I enjoy working alone and working with others. I like having the opportunity to have quiet space for myself as a custodian, but I also greatly appreciate sharing work with others.

Additional Custodian Interview Questions for Employers

• Can you describe the best practices for cleaning windows, mirrors, and other glass surfaces?

• What is your experience using industrial cleaning equipment such as floor scrubbers and vacuums?

• How do you handle the disposal of trash and recyclables, and what are the requirements for each?

• Have you ever dealt with an emergency situation while on the job, and how did you handle it?

• What is your approach to cleaning restrooms, and how do you ensure they are fully sanitized?

• How do you properly clean and maintain carpets, and what equipment do you typically use?

• Can you explain the differences between waxing, buffing, and stripping floors, and when you would use each technique?

• How do you determine the appropriate cleaning solution for different types of flooring?

• Describe your process for disinfecting high-touch surfaces such as door handles and light switches.

• How do you identify and handle hazardous materials when cleaning a facility?