One specific CV challenge you may face as a cleaner is effectively highlighting your attention to detail and reliability in a concise way. Our guide offers tailored advice and examples to showcase these strengths, ensuring your CV stands out to potential employers.
- Answer job requirements with your cleaner CV and experience;
- Curate your academic background and certificates, following industry-leading CV examples;
- Select from +10 niche skills to match the ideal candidate profile
- Write a more succinct experience section that consists of all the right details.
Do you need more specific insights into writing your cleaner CV? Our guides focus on unique insights for each individual role:
Structuring and formatting your cleaner CV for an excellent first impression
The experts' best advice regarding your CV format is to keep it simple and concise. Recruiters assessing your CV are foremost looking out for candidates who match their ideal job profile. Your white space, borders, and margins. You may still be wondering which format you need to export your CV in. We recommend using the PDF one, as, upon being uploaded, it never alters your information or CV design. Before we move on to the actual content of your cleaner CV, we'd like to remind you about the Applicant Tracker System (or the ATS). The ATS is a software that is sometimes used to initially assess your profile. Here's what you need to keep in mind about the ATS:- All serif and sans-serif fonts (e.g. Rubik, Volkhov, Exo 2 etc.) are ATS-friendly;
- Many candidates invest in Arial and Times New Roman, so avoid these fonts if you want your application to stand out;
- Both single and double column CVs can be read by the ATS, so it's entirely up to you to select your CV design.
PRO TIP
Incorporate a touch of colour in headers or section breaks, but keep it professional and ensure it doesn’t detract from readability, especially in more conservative industries.
The top sections on a cleaner CV
- Personal Details: Offers essential contact information.
- Professional Summary: Highlights suitability for role.
- Work Experience: Details relevant role-specific history.
- Key Skills: Lists abilities pertinent to the job.
- Education and Qualifications: Shows foundational knowledge.
What recruiters value on your CV:
- Highlight your experience with various cleaning techniques and tools, specifically detailing expertise with industrial cleaning equipment or eco-friendly cleaning products if applicable.
- Emphasise your reliability and flexibility in scheduling, as these are key qualities for a cleaner who may need to work odd hours or respond to emergency cleaning situations.
- Mention any specialised training or certifications you have received, such as in handling hazardous materials, to show your commitment to safety and professional development.
- Outline your attention to detail and ability to work autonomously, showcasing times when you've efficiently managed your cleaning duties or improved the cleaning process without direct supervision.
- Prove your physical stamina and resilience, possibly with examples of previous work environments or tasks that were physically demanding, as cleaning often requires extended periods of standing, bending, and lifting.
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What information should you include in your cleaner CV header?
The CV header is potentially the section that recruiters would refer to the most, as it should include your:
- Contact details - your professional (non-work) email address and phone number;
- Professional photograph - if you're applying hinting at the value you bring as a professional.
Many professionals often struggle with writing their cleaner CV headline. That's why in the next section of this guide, we've curated examples of how you can optimise this space to pass any form of assessment.
Examples of good CV headlines for cleaner:
- "Head Housekeeper | Five-Star Hotel Expertise | Staff Management | Health & Safety Compliance | 10+ Years Experience"
- "Commercial Cleaning Supervisor | BICSc Certified | Eco-Cleaning Specialist | Client Relations | 8 Years in Industry"
- "Hospital Sanitation Specialist | Infection Control Trained | Efficient Team Coordination | 5 Years of Dedicated Service"
- "Senior Domestic Cleaner | Bespoke Residential Services | Client Satisfaction Champion | NVQ Level 2 | 15 Years Expert"
- "Office Cleaning Manager | ISO Standards Proficient | Cost Reduction Strategist | Staff Training Lead | 12 Years"
- "Industrial Cleaning Technician | Heavy-Duty Equipment Handler | COSHH Aware | Waste Management Expert | 7 Years On-Site"
Choosing your opening statement: a cleaner CV summary or objective
At the top one third of your CV, you have the chance to make a more personable impression on recruiters by selecting between:
- Summary - or those three to five sentences that you use to show your greatest achievements. Use the CV summary if you happen to have plenty of relevant experience and wish to highlight your greatest successes;
- Objective - provides you with up to five sentences to state your professional aims and mission in the company you're applying for
CV summaries for a cleaner job:
- With over 10 years of dedicated experience in high-end hotel housekeeping, adept at maintaining impeccable standards of cleanliness, I bring expert-level knowledge in chemical handling, sanitation protocols, and inventory management. My ability to train and lead a housekeeping team was demonstrated when I increased guest satisfaction ratings by 20% at The Grandiose Manor.
- As an experienced residential cleaner for over 5 years, I have honed my skills in eco-friendly cleaning methods, time management, and meticulous attention to detail, ensuring a spotless environment in every home I service. Successfully managed a portfolio of 30+ recurring clients through word-of-mouth endorsements and an unwavering commitment to client satisfaction.
- Transitioning from a 7-year career in the robust retail industry, I am keen to apply my exceptional organisational skills and a proven track record in customer service to a new direction in the cleaning sector. My ability to oversee a demanding retail floor assures you of my capability to maintain the highest standards of cleanliness and productivity.
- After a fruitful decade in the culinary industry, my expertise in maintaining kitchen hygiene and implementing safety protocols makes me an ideal candidate for pursuing excellence in cleaning and sanitation. Accustomed to fast-paced environments, I have a keen eye for detail and the stamina required to ensure thorough and efficient cleaning results.
- Seeking to utilise innate attention to detail and a strong work ethic to deliver top-notch cleaning services, as a newcomer to the industry. Eager to learn and implement the best cleaning practices to achieve outstanding results and exceed client expectations, while contributing positively to the team and the client's experience.
- As a motivated individual with no prior cleaning experience, I am enthusiastic about starting a career in the cleaning industry where I can develop valuable skills and contribute to creating pristine environments for clients. I am committed to mastering cleaning techniques and eager to bring a fresh perspective and energetic approach to the team.
Narrating the details of your cleaner CV experience section
Perhaps you've heard it time and time again, but, how you present your experience is what matters the most. Your CV experience section - that details your work history alongside your accomplishments - is the space to spotlight your unqiue expertise and talents. So, avoid solely listing your responsibilities, but instead:
- adverts' keywords and integrate those in your experience section;
- Use your CV to detail how you've been promoted in the past by including experience in the reverse chronological order.
Before you start writing your cleaner CV experience section, dive into some industry-leading examples on how to structure your bullets.
Best practices for your CV's work experience section
- Demonstrated prowess in various cleaning techniques, such as dusting, polishing, vacuuming, and steam-cleaning, ensuring all areas are sanitised and presentable to the highest standards.
- Skilled in the proper use and maintenance of cleaning equipment, including buffers, scrubbers, and pressure washers, to increase efficiency and lifespan of tools.
- Expertise in safe handling and usage of chemical cleaning agents, adhering to COSHH standards to maintain a safe working environment for both staff and clients.
- Ability to work independently and manage time effectively, consistently completing assigned tasks within tight deadlines without compromising on quality.
- Experienced in deep-cleaning kitchens and bathrooms, targeting grime, limescale, and bacteria to ensure sanitary conditions in high-risk areas.
- Adaptability to various work environments, from residential homes to corporate offices, showing flexibility and dedication to meeting clients' specific cleaning requirements.
- Adept in organising work schedules and maintaining accurate records of cleaning tasks, supplies inventory, and periodic maintenance activities.
- Proven track record in assessing a space's cleanliness needs and proactively addressing areas requiring extra attention, thereby enhancing client satisfaction.
- Committed to eco-friendly cleaning practices, successfully incorporating sustainable products and methods to reduce environmental impact.
- Managed cleaning and maintenance of floors and surfaces in a 10,000 sq ft office facility, enhancing overall workplace hygiene and staff satisfaction.
- Efficiently scheduled and completed regular deep-cleaning tasks for high-traffic areas, contributing to a 30% reduction in reported cleanliness-related complaints.
- Supervised a team of 5 cleaning assistants, providing training and coordination that improved team productivity by 25%.
- Developed and implemented new waste reduction protocols within the cleaning processes at a city centre retail complex, decreasing harmful waste by 40%.
- Managed inventory and procurement of cleaning supplies with a strict annual budget of £20,000, maintaining effective cost controls.
- Pioneered a green cleaning initiative using eco-friendly products, which resulted in enhanced corporate social responsibility recognition.
- Performed daily cleaning of critical hospital areas, ensuring compliance with stringent health and safety protocols, reducing infection rates by 15%.
- Coordinated with hospital staff to schedule cleanings around patient needs, minimizing disruptions to care.
- Trained new staff on proper sanitization methods, leading to a 20% improvement in audit scores.
- Organized and maintained a secure cleaning regimen in a luxury hotel, ensuring privacy and comfort for high-profile guests.
- Led a project to refinish and restore historical wooden flooring, maintaining the property's heritage and aesthetic appeal.
- Streamlined room turnover processes, increasing overall efficiency by 10% and improving guest satisfaction ratings.
- Conducted routine and ad hoc cleaning tasks within a large secondary education establishment, providing a safe and orderly environment for over 1,200 students.
- Implemented a colour-coded cleaning system to avoid cross-contamination between different areas, leading to a 35% reduction in the spread of germs.
- Contributed to out-of-hours maintenance work during school holidays, completing refurbishment projects efficiently and within tight deadlines.
- Designed and conducted a comprehensive training program for new cleaning operatives, focusing on safety and efficiency for a fleet of office properties.
- Collaborated with property managers to determine bespoke cleaning solutions for upscale office buildings, elevating the clientele's workspace experience.
- Monitored supply usage and implemented a digital tracking system that reduced excess supply orders by 20%.
- Tasked with high-level industrial cleaning operations using heavy machinery, improving the life-span of crucial manufacturing equipment.
- Devised a rotational cleaning schedule that optimized the use of resources and manpower, leading to a 15% increase in operational uptime.
- Led a sanitation program that met ISO 14001 standards, solidifying the company's reputation for environmental management.
- Managed a portfolio of residential cleaning contracts, ensuring meticulous attention to detail and tailor-made services for luxury properties.
- Implemented a customer feedback mechanism that improved service delivery by directly addressing client concerns, increasing customer retention by 18%.
- Negotiated with suppliers to obtain high-quality cleaning materials at a reduced cost, successfully saving the company £5,000 annually.
Lacking professional expertise: how to write your CV to highlight your best talents
Don't count on your lucky stars when you're applying for a role, where you happen to have less (or almost none) professional experience. Recruiters sometimes do hire inexperienced candidates if they're able to present their unique value from the get-go. So, instead of opting for the traditional, CV experience section:
- List any applicable expertise you happen to have - no matter if it's a part-time job, internship, or volunteer work. This would hint to recruiters that your profile is relevant;
- Focus your CV on your transferrable skills or talents you've obtained thanks to your whole life and work experience. In effect, you'll be spotlighting your value as a candidate;
- Separate more space for your applicable academic background and certificates to show you have the technical know-how;
- Ensure that within your objective, you've defined why you'll like the job and how you'll be the perfect match for it. Always ensure you've tailored your CV to individual applications.
Looking for more good examples for your first job? We'll show you how other candidates, with less professional experience, have created their job-winning CVs.
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PRO TIP
Talk about any positive changes you helped bring about in your previous jobs, like improving a process or helping increase efficiency.
Key cleaner CV skills: what are hard skills and soft skills
Let's kick off with the basics. You know that you have to include key job requirements or skills across your CV. For starters, take individual skills from the job description and copy-paste them into your CV, when relevant. Doing so, you'll ensure you have the correct skill spelling and also pass the Applicant Tracker System (ATS) assessment. There are two types of skills you'll need to include on your CV:
- Hard skills - technical abilities that are best defined by your certificates, education, and experience. You could also use the dedicated skills section to list between ten and twelve technologies you're apt at using that match the job requirements.
- Soft skills - your personal traits and interpersonal communication skills that are a bit harder to quantify. Use various CV sections, e.g. summary, strengths, experience, to shine a spotlight on your workspace achievements, thanks to using particular soft skills.
Remember that your job-winning CV should balance both your hard and soft skills to prove your technical background, while spotlighting your personality.
Top skills for your cleaner CV:
Knowledge of cleaning chemicals and supplies
Familiarity with Material Safety Data Sheets
Proficiency in operating cleaning equipment
Basic maintenance and repair skills
Sanitation and safety standards
Waste removal and recycling
Floor care and carpet cleaning
Window washing and surface polishing
Stocking and maintaining cleaning supplies
Understanding of eco-friendly cleaning methods
Attention to detail
Time management
Adaptability
Initiative
Reliability
Customer service orientation
Teamwork
Communication
Problem-solving
Fitness and stamina
PRO TIP
Order your skills based on the relevance to the role you're applying for, ensuring the most pertinent skills catch the employer's attention first.
Education and more professional qualifications to include in your cleaner CV
If you want to showcase to recruiters that you're further qualified for the role, ensure you've included your relevant university diplomas. Within your education section:
- Describe your degree with your university name(-s) and start-graduation dates;
- List any awards you've received, if you deem they would be impressive or are relevant to the industry;
- Include your projects and publications, if you need to further showcase how you've used your technical know-how;
- Avoid listing your A-level marks, as your potential employers care to learn more about your university background.
Apart from your higher education, ensure that you've curated your relevant certificates or courses by listing the:
- name of the certificate or course;
- name of the institution within which you received your training;
- the date(-s) when you obtained your accreditation.
In the next section, discover some of the most relevant certificates for your cleaner CV:
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Focus on describing skills in the context of the outcomes they’ve helped you achieve, linking them directly to tangible results or successes in your career.
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Key takeaways
Your successful job application depends on how you well you have aligned your cleaner CV to the job description and portrayed your best skills and traits. Make sure to:
- Select your CV format, so that it ensures your experience is easy to read and understand;
- Include your professional contact details and a link to your portfolio, so that recruiters can easily get in touch with you and preview your work;
- Write a CV summary if you happen to have more relevant professional experience. Meanwhile, use the objective to showcase your career dreams and ambitions;
- In your CV experience section bullets, back up your individual skills and responsibilities with tangible achievements;
- Have a healthy balance between hard and soft skills to answer the job requirements and hint at your unique professional value.
