Janitors are maintenance personnel who help to keep buildings clean and in good condition. They usually conduct duties such as sweeping, mopping, dusting, buffing floors, and installing new fixtures such as blinds. They also help to move furniture around when needed.
Janitors usually complete a high school diploma and have previous experience in cleaning roles and maintenance. Look for candidates who demonstrate the ability to follow instructions, work within agreed deadlines and service levels, and have strong communication skills.
Skill-based questions
It is good practice to ask various types of questions, including skill-based, role-specific, behavioral, and situational questions, to identify strong candidates.
- Why are service-level agreements important? What information do they give you?
- Have you ever ordered supplies for cleaning or maintenance?
- What industrial cleaning equipment have you used previously?
- Can you lift up to 50 lbs?
- What is COSHH?
- How do you ascertain that an area is cleaned to a good standard before moving on?
Situational & Behavioural questions
- You are asked to order supplies for the janitor's closet. What are the steps you take to do this?
- The maintenance department asks for assistance with moving furniture to designated areas. How do you help?
- You have a team of cleaners working with you on shift, and they do not know how to operate the tile buffer. What do you do?
- You have been asked to put together a list of substances for the COSHH file. How do you start?
- Tell me about a time you had to work under pressure. What was the situation, and how did you manage it?
General Questions
- What are some things you would like to achieve in your work career within the next five years?
- What have you done in your career so far to learn and develop yourself professionally?
- Why did you decide to enter the stock and inventory industry?
- What are the top three skills you have that you think you can transfer to this role?
- Why have you applied for this role? How do you think you will benefit from working in the role?
Conclusion
The questions above will help you to identify quality candidates who are going through your recruitment process. Remember to look for candidates who demonstrate strong communication skills, be physically strong enough to do the job, and have a strong knowledge of cleaning equipment and its uses.