Housekeeping on Resume

Should You List Housekeeping on Resume

Including housekeeping skills on your resume can demonstrate a strong work ethic, attention to detail, and adaptability across various settings. This is particularly valuable for job seekers applying for roles in the hospitality industry, cleaning services, or facilities management. However, it's essential to understand that regional differences may influence how much emphasis you should place on this skill:

• United States: In the US, housekeeping skills are more commonly associated with specific roles like hotel workers, janitorial staff, and housekeepers. Including these skills in your resume can help you stand out as a strong candidate for such positions.
• International: In many international job markets, housekeeping may be listed under transferable skills rather than industry-specific ones. This can showcase your ability to maintain clean and organized environments, which is valuable across various industries.

Why to List Housekeeping on Resume

Organization and Detail-Oriented Skills

Housekeeping requires a keen eye for detail and the ability to organize work efficiently, skills that are highly valued in many professional settings.

Adaptability and Flexibility

Housekeepers often need to adapt quickly to new environments and tasks. Demonstrating this adaptability on your resume can help you stand out as a versatile candidate.

Customer Satisfaction

For roles that involve maintaining clean workspaces for customers, housekeeping skills can contribute to increased customer satisfaction by creating a welcoming and sanitary environment.

Where to List Housekeeping on Resume

Skills Section:

List your housekeeping skills under the "Skills" section of your resume. Here, you can include general skills like cleaning, organization, time management, and sanitation, as well as specific equipment or techniques used in housekeeping.

Work Experience Section:

If you have professional experience in housekeeping, list it in the "Work Experience" section. Be sure to highlight any achievements, such as exceeding cleaning standards, receiving positive customer feedback, or mastering new cleaning technologies.

Examples of How to List Housekeeping on Resume

Skills Section Example:

• Exceptional cleaning skills, including dusting, mopping, and vacuuming
• Knowledge of environmentally friendly cleaning products and techniques
• Strong organizational abilities, with the ability to prioritize tasks efficiently
• Proficient in using cleaning equipment such as vacuum cleaners, mops, and brooms

Work Experience Section Example:

This example demonstrates how to format this information effectively on your resume.

Housekeeper | XYZ Hotel | City, State | January 2018 - Present

• Consistently receive high guest satisfaction ratings for cleanliness
• Implemented new sanitization protocols in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in a decrease in reported illnesses among guests and staff
• Trained new housekeeping team members, improving overall efficiency by 20%

What to Avoid While Listing Housekeeping on Resume

How to List Disinfecting Surfaces on Resume

Best Practices:

• Highlight Relevant Skills: Emphasize your expertise in disinfecting surfaces by listing the cleaning solutions you're familiar with, such as sanitizers, disinfectants, and germicides. Mention your proficiency in using these products effectively to kill bacteria and viruses on various surfaces.

Example: "Extensive experience in the application of chemical disinfectants for thorough surface cleaning and sanitization, ensuring a 99.9% reduction in bacteria and viruses."

• Detail Cleaning Techniques: Describe your methods for disinfecting surfaces, including proper preparation (e.g., diluting solutions according to manufacturer instructions), application, and allowing the solution to sit for the required time before wiping.

Example: "Skillfully follow the recommended guidelines for preparing, applying, and allowing disinfectants to dwell on surfaces, ensuring a comprehensive kill of microorganisms."

• Quantify Your Achievements: When possible, provide numbers or percentages to demonstrate the effectiveness of your disinfecting practices, such as reducing surface contamination by 50% or maintaining a cleanliness score above a specific threshold.

Example: "Consistently achieved a 98% cleaning score in routine inspections by effectively disinfecting surfaces and adhering to proper cleaning procedures."

• Specify Surfaces: Mention the types of surfaces you're experienced in disinfecting, such as countertops, door handles, faucets, keyboards, or electronic devices. This helps employers understand your versatility and adaptability in different environments.

Example: "Proven ability to disinfect a wide range of surfaces, including high-touch areas like keyboards, remotes, and mobile phones."

• Show Commitment to Safety: Emphasize your commitment to safety by demonstrating knowledge of personal protective equipment (PPE) usage, proper disposal of contaminated materials, and adhering to OSHA regulations or industry-specific guidelines.

Example: "Adhere strictly to safety guidelines when disinfecting surfaces, using appropriate PPE, handling chemicals responsibly, and ensuring the safe disposal of waste materials."

Example 1: Disinfecting Surfaces on Housekeeping Resume

As a seasoned housekeeper with experience in various settings, I have honed my skills in disinfecting surfaces effectively. In my previous role at [Hotel Name], I was responsible for ensuring the cleanliness and sanitization of guest rooms, adhering to strict protocols for disinfection. To achieve this, I prepared cleaning solutions according to manufacturer guidelines, applied them evenly across all surfaces, and allowed them to dwell for the appropriate amount of time before wiping. This diligence resulted in consistently high cleanliness scores and positive feedback from guests.

Example 2: Disinfecting Surfaces in Housekeeping Context

In my position as a housekeeper at [Medical Facility Name], I was tasked with maintaining the cleanliness and disinfection of patient rooms, equipment, and high-touch areas. By using hospital-grade cleaning solutions and following strict infection control guidelines, I successfully reduced the risk of cross-contamination and helped maintain a safe environment for patients and staff alike. My dedication to safety and meticulous attention to detail earned me praise from both colleagues and supervisors.

How to List Vacuuming and Sweeping on Resume

Best Practices:

• Quantify your achievements: Instead of just stating that you can vacuum and sweep, provide numbers or specific examples to demonstrate the effectiveness of your work. For instance, "Vacuumed and swept floors daily in a 200-room hotel, resulting in a 35% increase in guest satisfaction scores."

• Quantify achievements: Vacuumed and swept floors daily in a 200-room hotel, resulting in a 35% increase in guest satisfaction scores.

• Highlight relevant skills: Make sure to emphasize any specialized techniques or equipment you are familiar with. This could include using HEPA filters, operating robotic vacuums, or handling different types of floors (carpet, hardwood, tile).

• Operated and maintained robotic vacuum cleaners for efficient cleaning in large spaces.

• Use action verbs: Use strong action verbs to describe your tasks, such as "vacuumed," "swept," "maintained," or "cleaned." This will make your resume more dynamic and easy to read.

• Maintained hotel lobby floor by vacuuming and sweeping daily to ensure a clean and welcoming environment for guests.

• Focus on results: Describe the impact of your vacuuming and sweeping tasks. Emphasize how your work contributes to maintaining a clean, safe, and healthy environment.

• Vacuumed and swept all common areas daily, reducing dust levels and improving air quality for guests and staff.

Example 1: Vacuuming and Sweeping on Housekeeping Resume

In this example, let's imagine you're applying for a housekeeping position at a luxury hotel. You want to highlight your expertise in vacuuming and sweeping as part of your comprehensive housekeeping skills.

Luxury Hotel Housekeeping Resume

• Maintained guest rooms by vacuuming carpets, dusting furniture, and cleaning windows to ensure a pristine environment for guests.
• Vacuumed and swept hotel lobby floors daily, reducing dust levels and improving air quality.
• Operated and maintained robotic vacuums for efficient cleaning of large spaces such as meeting rooms and ballrooms.
• Trained new housekeeping staff in proper vacuuming and sweeping techniques to ensure consistency in cleanliness standards.

Example 2: Vacuuming and Sweeping in Housekeeping Context

For this example, let's say you're applying for a housekeeping position at a nursing home, where maintaining a clean environment is crucial for the health and wellbeing of residents.

Nursing Home Housekeeping Resume

• Vacuumed and swept common areas daily to maintain a clean and healthy environment for elderly residents.
• Cleaned and sanitized high-touch surfaces like doorknobs, handrails, and light switches using hospital-grade disinfectants.
• Trained nursing home staff on proper vacuuming and sweeping techniques to ensure consistent cleaning standards throughout the facility.
• Collaborated with maintenance team to address any issues impacting the cleanliness of floors, such as water leaks or damaged carpet.

How to List Cleaning Kitchen and Bathrooms on Resume

Best Practices for Housekeeping Resumes

• Specify the Task: Highlight your expertise in cleaning kitchens and bathrooms by explicitly stating this subcategory under the housekeeping section of your resume. This lets potential employers know that you have the necessary skills to keep these areas spotless.

  • Example: Cleaning Kitchen and Bathrooms: Utilize eco-friendly cleaning products to maintain a sparkling clean environment.

• Detailed Description: Describe the specific tasks involved in your kitchen and bathroom cleaning duties, such as sanitizing surfaces, scrubbing fixtures, and organizing storage areas. This provides a clear picture of your competencies.

  • Example: Clean and sanitize kitchen appliances including oven, microwave, refrigerator, and dishwasher; Scrub sinks, countertops, and floors to remove grime and bacteria.

• Quantifiable Results: If possible, quantify your achievements by mentioning the frequency of cleaning (e.g., daily, weekly) or any specific results, like reducing the number of health code violations in kitchen areas.

  • Example: Maintained kitchen cleanliness according to health department guidelines; Decreased health code violations by 40% through consistent and thorough cleaning practices.

• Soft Skills: Emphasize relevant soft skills, such as attention to detail, time management, and adaptability. These demonstrate your ability to handle the demands of a housekeeping role effectively.

  • Example: Thoroughly inspect kitchens and bathrooms before and after cleaning; Adapt cleaning methods based on the needs of each space to ensure optimal cleanliness.

• Use Action Verbs: Begin each bullet point with strong action verbs that convey the proactive nature of your duties, such as "maintain," "sanitize," "scrub," and "inspect." This helps create a dynamic and engaging resume.

  • Example: Sanitize kitchen appliances on a daily basis; Inspect sinks, countertops, and floors for grime and bacteria before commencing cleaning procedures.

Example 1: Cleaning Kitchen and Bathrooms on Housekeeping Resume

In your housekeeping resume, you might present the cleaning kitchen and bathrooms subcategory as follows:

Housekeeping (January 2018 - Present) The Grand Hotel, New York City

• Clean and sanitize kitchen appliances including oven, microwave, refrigerator, and dishwasher.
• Scrub sinks, countertops, and floors to remove grime and bacteria.
• Maintain kitchen cleanliness according to health department guidelines; Decreased health code violations by 40% through consistent and thorough cleaning practices.

Example 2: Cleaning Kitchen and Bathrooms in Housekeeping Context

Here's a second example of how you might list cleaning kitchen and bathrooms on a housekeeping resume:

Housekeeper (June 2019 - December 2020) The Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles

• Utilize eco-friendly cleaning products to maintain a sparkling clean environment in kitchens and bathrooms.

• Thoroughly inspect kitchens and bathrooms before and after cleaning; Adapt cleaning methods based on the needs of each space to ensure optimal cleanliness.

• Sanitize kitchen appliances on a daily basis; Inspect sinks, countertops, and floors for grime and bacteria before commencing cleaning procedures.

  By following these best practices, you'll create an effective and impressive housekeeping resume that showcases your expertise in cleaning kitchens and bathrooms.

How to List Laundry Management on Resume

Listing your laundry management skills effectively on a resume can help you stand out as a proficient housekeeping professional. Here are some best practices:

1. Highlight Quantifiable Achievements

Instead of just stating that you manage laundry, focus on the results. For example:

• Managed laundry operations for a 200-room hotel, ensuring a daily turnaround rate of 95% and reducing lost items by 30%.

2. Emphasize Efficiency and Organization

Show that you can handle large quantities of clothing with ease and keep everything in order:

• Implemented a color-coded system to sort laundry, streamlining the process and reducing mistakes by 50%.

3. Mention Specific Tasks

Detail specific tasks related to laundry management:

• Coordinated pickup and delivery of soiled linen from guest rooms, ensuring timely service while maintaining a clean and orderly environment.

4. Include Quality Control Measures

Demonstrate your commitment to providing high-quality laundry services by including quality control measures:

• Conducted regular inspections of cleaned linens for stains or tears, addressing any issues promptly to maintain a premium guest experience.

5. Show Flexibility and Adaptability

Prove that you can adjust to changing circumstances:

• Managed additional laundry loads during peak seasons, ensuring that all linens were cleaned, pressed, and delivered on time.

Example 1: Laundry Management on Housekeeping Resume

Housekeeper | Hotel XYZ

• January 2018 - Present

Laundry Management

• Managed laundry operations for a 200-room hotel, ensuring a daily turnaround rate of 95% and reducing lost items by 30%.
• Implemented a color-coded system to sort laundry, streamlining the process and reducing mistakes by 50%.
• Coordinated pickup and delivery of soiled linen from guest rooms, maintaining a clean and orderly environment.
• Conducted regular inspections of cleaned linens for stains or tears, addressing any issues promptly to maintain a premium guest experience.

Example 2: Laundry Management in Housekeeping Context

Housekeeper | Resort ABC

• June 2015 - December 2017

Laundry Management

• Managed additional laundry loads during peak seasons, ensuring that all linens were cleaned, pressed, and delivered on time.
• Maintained an inventory of linens, ordering new supplies as needed to meet the demands of a busy resort.
• Trained new housekeeping team members in proper laundry handling and sorting techniques, fostering efficiency and consistency.

By following these tips, you can effectively list your laundry management skills on your housekeeping resume, showcasing your proficiency in this important subcategory.

How to List Dusting and Polishing on Resume

Best Practices for Listing 'Dusting and Polishing' as a Subcategory in a Housekeeping Resume:

• Highlight Relevance: Emphasize the relevance of your dusting and polishing skills to housekeeping by explaining how they contribute to maintaining cleanliness, organization, and the overall appearance of the areas you work on.

  Example: "Demonstrated expertise in dusting and polishing various surfaces including furniture, fixtures, and appliances, ensuring a well-maintained and polished look that complements the cleanliness provided by my housekeeping duties."

• Quantify Achievements: Whenever possible, use numbers or percentages to quantify your achievements in dusting and polishing tasks. This will help demonstrate the impact of your work.

  Example: "Increased productivity by 15% in the dusting and polishing process by implementing a systematic approach that ensured all surfaces were thoroughly cleaned and polished."

• Detail Specific Tools and Techniques: Mention any specialized tools or techniques you use for dusting and polishing, as this will show your proficiency in these tasks.

  Example: "Skilled in using microfiber cloths, feather dusters, and polish to remove dirt and grime, leaving surfaces spotless."

• Describe Regularity: Specify the regularity of your dusting and polishing duties, as this will help employers understand your work rhythm.

  Example: "Regularly dusted and polished surfaces throughout the premises to maintain a high level of shine and cleanliness."

• Emphasize Flexibility: Emphasize your ability to adapt to different environments, such as changing from dusting delicate items to handling heavy furniture or high surfaces, demonstrating versatility in your duties.

  Example: "Capable of adapting my dusting and polishing techniques based on the type and condition of the surface being cleaned."

Example 1: Dusting and Polishing on Housekeeping Resume

Dusting and Polishing:

• Consistently dusted and polished surfaces to maintain a well-polished appearance, contributing to a clean and organized work environment.
• Demonstrated expertise in using microfiber cloths, feather dusters, and furniture polish to effectively remove dirt and grime from various surfaces.
• Increased productivity by 15% in the dusting and polishing process through the implementation of a systematic approach.
• Adapted dusting and polishing techniques based on the type and condition of the surface being cleaned, ensuring thorough cleaning without causing damage.

Example 2: Dusting and Polishing in Housekeeping Context

Housekeeping (with focus on Dusting and Polishing):

• Regularly dusted and polished surfaces throughout the premises to maintain a high level of shine and cleanliness, including furniture, fixtures, and appliances.
• Demonstrated proficiency in using various tools such as microfiber cloths, feather dusters, and polish to effectively remove dirt and grime from various surfaces.
• Implemented a systematic approach to increase productivity by 15% in the dusting and polishing process, resulting in more efficient workflow and improved overall appearance of the premises.
• Adapted dusting and polishing techniques based on the type and condition of the surface being cleaned, ensuring thorough cleaning without causing damage or disruption to the work environment.

Overemphasizing housekeeping skills:

While housekeeping skills are valuable, focusing too much on them may give the impression that you lack other important professional skills. Try to balance your resume with a mix of hard and soft skills.

Vague Descriptions:

Be specific about the tasks you've performed in your housekeeping roles to demonstrate your capabilities. Instead of simply listing "cleaning," describe the areas you cleaned, the methods you used, or any challenges you overcame.

Inaccuracies and Errors:

Always proofread your resume for accuracy and correct spelling and grammar errors before submitting it. Incorrect information can raise questions about your attention to detail and credibility as a candidate.