Why should we hire you over the next guy? What janitor experiences do you have that set you apart?

We recommend talking to a couple of past co-workers, family members, or friends to get their thoughts about what sets you apart. Their feedback will give you great insight about what makes you unique! We all have that one thing, and now is the time to share yours! They may tell you it is how encouraging you are, how hardworking you are, how well you interact with others, or how dependable you are. Your uniqueness will set you apart from all of the other people helping you land the job!What is a janitorial duty you have only had to do 1 or 2 times because it was outside of the norm? This is the answer to the second part of the question. It is a unique duty you have performed that is not normal for most janitors. Having these unique experiences makes you more hireable!

How did you hear about this job?

This one is easy! Openly share how you heard about the job. It may have been online, in the local newspaper, or from a friend. If a current employee told you about the job, be sure to mention their name; it will gain you extra recognition with the interviewer!

What motivates you to work hard?

Employers want to know that you are passionate about your role, and being the janitor is extremely important for maintaining a positive environment. After all, everyone prefers working in a clean and sanitary environment when possible! Tell the interviewer that you recognize how much people value being in a place that is clean and tidy, and you understand you are making a difference by creating a positive environment for them.

What role do you feel you play as a custodian in the daily operation of a school? How important?

Your role is very important! You prevent the spread of germs, create a positive environment through cleanliness, help maintain the school's professional appearance, and have a positive influence on the children by interacting with them in the hallways and classrooms. Be sure to tell the interviewer that you are an important part of the team!

If I were to ask your previous employer about how many days you missed over the last year, what would he say?

Tell the interviewer how many days of work you missed in the past year. Keep in mind that taking a vacation day does not count for this question, so there is no need to share these days when answering the question.Missed only a couple of days? No problem! We are all human, and sometimes we need to miss work due to our own illness or the illness of our children or family members. Simply tell the interviewer that you missed only a couple of days, and your previous employer would say you are very dependable.Missed a week or more? You should be honest during the interview, and tell the interviewer how many days you missed. Hopefully, you missed them for good reason such as having surgery, a spouse having a baby, or being with a loved one during their final days. If this is the case, share the information! It provides reputable data for why you missed a significant number of days and will not hinder you from being considered for the role.

You must be working here for 6 months before you get benefits, are you okay with that?

Only you know your current situation, and sometimes having a job without benefits for 6 months is okay. Candidly tell the interviewer if you are okay with this understanding that if you say no you will no longer be considered for the job. Keep in mind that you may be able to purchase a short-term benefit plan online to cover any gaps you may have until benefits with a new company kick in.

Give me a rundown of your daily routine at your last job?

Start off by telling the interviewer how you determine what needs to be done each day. Does the workplace have a checklist for you to follow? Or, did you create a checklist for yourself? From here, give the interviewer a high-level overview of an average day. Be sure to include any paperwork that you typically complete, supplies that you order, and meetings that you may attend on a regular basis.

What do you find most rewarding about being a janitor?

You realize that you are doing meaningful work, so tell the interviewer this! Share that you like going home each day knowing that you made a difference in that workplace today.

What has your worst janitorial experience been?

Laugh, and tell the interviewer that there are challenging experiences as a janitor. The interviewer wants to hear that you are a positive person, and this question is a great way to demonstrate just that. As a janitor, you know what your worst experience has been; the key is to tell the story while smiling and laughing about it. Give the interviewer a brief overview of what happened, and tell the interviewer how you handled the situation. Finally, re-iterate that being a janitor is an important job that you enjoy, and you understand that some yucky experiences come with the territory!

Do you speak fluent English?

The interviewer simply wants to know more about you and your background, and they will likely be able to pick up on this during your interview. Be honest with the interviewer. If you speak fluent English, say, "yes, I do!" If you do not speak fluent English, that is okay. Tell the interviewer that you are not fluent, and expand on the level of proficiency that you have. Now is also a great time to mention any other languages that you speak fluently.

What would your last employer say about your dependency and trust?

Interviewers want to hire someone who they can count on each and every day. Explain that you are trustworthy, and they can depend on you. Tell the interviewer about your great attendance record in your past job, and explain that you come to work each day motivated to get through all of the work for that day.

What do you expect out of this position?

The interviewer wants to hear that you understand the job and that it will provide you with what you are looking for. Tell the interviewer that you understand the job will include cleaning duties and following safety regulations. Inform the interviewer that you are expecting a dependable workplace environment with a janitorial job that you enjoy coming to every day because you know you are making a difference.

What were your past duties as a janitor?

This one is easy! The interviewer simply wants to know what janitorial work you have done. This will give the interviewer a better idea of what type of training you will need if you are hired. Have you emptied trash cans, mopped hallways, vacuumed, set up chairs and tables for events, cleaned up after sickness, dusted, re-stocked paper supplies, or cleaned toilets? Now is the time to share everything you have experience with!

How was your experience with your past employment?

The interviewer wants to hear that you talk positively about your past employers. Pick your favorite aspects about your past 1 or 2 jobs, and share these with the interviewer. Maybe you enjoyed working in a school and being around the kids. Maybe you enjoyed the camaraderie with your co-workers. Perhaps you really liked the flexible dress code and hours. Whatever you enjoyed, tell the interviewer that you had positive experiences with your past employment, and share it!

We have a large hall that must be spotless for events, sometimes requiring 4 hours of straight cleaning, are you okay with this?

Yes, you are! Tell the interviewer that you understand this is part of the job, and you will be happy to help out. Interviewers want to hear that you will take on such tasks without complaining about them, and telling them this will only help you land the job!

How do you feel about working a double if a coworker calls off?

Tell the interviewer that you are happy to work a double as long as you can have a bit of time (maybe 45 minutes notice) to re-arrange your personal schedule. This will give you adequate time to find a backup babysitter if necessary and ensure you are able to get ready for work.

If a person throws up, and you really do not feel like cleaning up a mess, how would you handle the situation?

You clean it up anyways! Really, nobody wakes up each morning hoping they get to clean up puke that day. But, someone has to do it! Tell the interviewer this, and laugh about it. Share that your job is to ensure everyone has a cleanly environment, and you will clean throw up anytime it happens.

Do you have the patience to deal with the general public while cleaning?

Absolutely! Working with people is part of being a janitor, and you do not easily get worked up. Tell the interviewer that you are a patient person and do not get easily worked up. You realize that helping people is part of being a janitor!

Are you experienced in using a radio devices to communicate to other janitors?

Be honest with the interviewer. If you have experience, simply say, "Yes, I do!" Follow this up by telling the interviewer how often you use the radio.If you do not have experience, do not worry! Tell the interviewer that you do not have any experience, but you are willing to learn. If you regularly use a computer, tell the interviewer, and say that you feel a computer is probably more complex than a radio device which makes you feel like you can easily learn.

Will you be willing to work off-hours?

Interviewers want to hear that you can be flexible. Tell the interviewer that you are willing to work off hours if business needs require it, and you are happy to do so as long as you have a few days notice to adjust your personal schedule.

What do you like least about being a janitor?

Most of us have some piece of our job that we do not enjoy as much as the other pieces of our job. The key is to share this without complaining about it. When asked this question, laugh, and humbly tell the interviewer what you like least. Reassure the interviewer that you really like being a janitor, and you will happily do this part of the job because it comes with the role.

Janitor can be a very routine job, how are you okay working a job that stays routine?

Yes, you are! Tell the interviewer that you enjoy routine, and you enjoy knowing what your day will entail before you even get to work. Inform the interviewer that you know there will be days when the routine is changed for special events, and that is okay too! You enjoy helping wherever needed.

What previous jobs have you held?

The interviewer wants to learn more about your background. Simply tell the interviewer where you worked, how long you worked there, and what your job title was. Feel free to bring a copy of your resume with you to look at when answering this question, or bring a list of your current places of employment. Being prepared with a list makes answering this question much easier!

How well do you keep your temper under control?

Interviewers want to know that you are self-controlled and do not have a temper. Share with the interviewer that there are not many things that get you worked up. If you have been complimented for how patient you are, be sure to tell the interviewer that you have been complimented on your patience as well as who told you this. As a nice booster, mention that you intentionally look at your job as being a helper for others, and when your mentality is being a helper, you look at everything from a different perspective that keeps you calm.

Did you have any problems with management or your supervisors during your last job?

The interviewer wants to hear that you are a team-player and get along with everyone. Simply tell the interviewer that you did not have any problems with leadership in your last role, and you enjoy being a part of a team.

Have you received any training?

The interviewer simply wants to know more about your background. Think about what training your past employers have provided you. Did they teach you the proper way to mix cleaning supplies? Did they talk to you about safety procedures? Now is the time to share these items!

Janitor and Custodian Interview Questions

Go Back

1. Why should we hire you over the next guy? What janitor experiences do you have that set you apart?
2. How did you hear about this job?
3. What motivates you to work hard?
4. What role do you feel you play as a custodian in the daily operation of a school? How important?
5. If I were to ask your previous employer about how many days you missed over the last year, what would he say?
6. You must be working here for 6 months before you get benefits, are you okay with that?
7. Give me a rundown of your daily routine at your last job?
8. What do you find most rewarding about being a janitor?
9. What has your worst janitorial experience been?
10. Do you speak fluent English?
11. What would your last employer say about your dependency and trust?
12. What do you expect out of this position?
13. What were your past duties as a janitor?
14. How was your experience with your past employment?
15. We have a large hall that must be spotless for events, sometimes requiring 4 hours of straight cleaning, are you okay with this?
16. How do you feel about working a double if a coworker calls off?
17. If a person throws up, and you really do not feel like cleaning up a mess, how would you handle the situation?
18. Do you have the patience to deal with the general public while cleaning?
19. Are you experienced in using a radio devices to communicate to other janitors?
20. Will you be willing to work off-hours?
21. What do you like least about being a janitor?
22. Janitor can be a very routine job, how are you okay working a job that stays routine?
23. What previous jobs have you held?
24. How well do you keep your temper under control?
25. Did you have any problems with management or your supervisors during your last job?
26. Have you received any training?

Janitor and Custodian Interview Questions

1. Why should we hire you over the next guy? What janitor experiences do you have that set you apart?

2. How did you hear about this job?

3. What motivates you to work hard?

4. What role do you feel you play as a custodian in the daily operation of a school? How important?

5. If I were to ask your previous employer about how many days you missed over the last year, what would he say?

6. You must be working here for 6 months before you get benefits, are you okay with that?

7. Give me a rundown of your daily routine at your last job?

8. What do you find most rewarding about being a janitor?

9. What has your worst janitorial experience been?

10. Do you speak fluent English?

11. What would your last employer say about your dependency and trust?

12. What do you expect out of this position?

13. What were your past duties as a janitor?

14. How was your experience with your past employment?

15. We have a large hall that must be spotless for events, sometimes requiring 4 hours of straight cleaning, are you okay with this?

16. How do you feel about working a double if a coworker calls off?

17. If a person throws up, and you really do not feel like cleaning up a mess, how would you handle the situation?

18. Do you have the patience to deal with the general public while cleaning?

19. Are you experienced in using a radio devices to communicate to other janitors?

20. Will you be willing to work off-hours?

21. What do you like least about being a janitor?

22. Janitor can be a very routine job, how are you okay working a job that stays routine?

23. What previous jobs have you held?

24. How well do you keep your temper under control?

25. Did you have any problems with management or your supervisors during your last job?

26. Have you received any training?