Prepare for your Custodian interview. Understand the required skills and qualifications, anticipate the questions you may be asked, and study well-prepared answers using our sample responses.
Custodians may be required to work with hazardous materials from time to time. The interviewer may ask this question to make sure you are comfortable working with these materials and have the necessary training and experience to do so safely. In your answer, explain that you are familiar with the proper procedures for working with hazardous materials and have done so in the past.
Answer Example: "Yes, I am comfortable working with hazardous materials. I have been a custodian for five years now, and during that time I have had to work with many different types of chemicals and other hazardous materials. I understand how to handle these substances safely and efficiently. For example, I always wear the appropriate protective gear when working with chemicals."
This question can help the interviewer understand how you handle challenges and what strategies you use to overcome them. Use your answer to highlight your problem-solving skills, ability to collaborate with others and commitment to excellence in your work.
Answer Example: "In my last position, I faced a challenge of finding ways to clean more efficiently without sacrificing quality. I researched new cleaning products that were more effective but also environmentally friendly. My manager was impressed with my initiative and willingness to learn more about sustainable cleaning practices. He promoted me to supervisor because of my dedication to the company."
This question can help the interviewer determine how you would handle a challenging situation and whether you have experience dealing with illegal activity. In your answer, try to show that you are willing to report any wrongdoing and are confident in your ability to keep the building safe.
Answer Example: "I would first make sure that I had evidence of the activity being illegal, such as seeing someone smoking in a non-smoking area or finding drugs in the trash. Then, I would report it to my supervisor so they could take action. In my experience, most companies have protocols in place for handling situations like this one."
Custodians may be required to work with chemicals that are hazardous to their health. Employers ask this question to make sure you are aware of the risks involved in working with these chemicals and that you have the necessary training to handle them safely. In your answer, explain that you are familiar with the proper procedures for handling hazardous chemicals in the workplace.
Answer Example: "Yes, I am comfortable working with hazardous chemicals. I have received training on how to handle these substances safely. I understand that I must always wear protective gear when working with hazardous chemicals. I also know how to properly dispose of them when they are no longer needed."
This question can help the interviewer determine if you have the skills necessary to succeed in this role. Use your answer to highlight some of the most important skills for a custodian, such as communication, organization and cleaning.
Answer Example: "I believe the most important skills for a custodian are communication and organization. As a custodian, I would be working with many different people, including other custodians, maintenance workers and managers. It’s important that I can communicate effectively with everyone so they know what I’m doing and how I’m doing it. Organization is also vital because I would be responsible for cleaning many different areas throughout the day."
Custodians often work with students and staff members on a daily basis. Employers ask this question to make sure you have the skills necessary to handle any difficult situations that may arise. In your answer, explain how you would approach a difficult situation and what steps you would take to resolve it.
Answer Example: "I believe that communication is key when it comes to handling difficult situations. I would first try to speak with the person in private to see if there was anything I could do to help them. If not, I would speak with their supervisor or teacher about the issue. If the problem still wasn’t resolved, I would take it up with my own supervisor so they could help me find a solution."
The interviewer may ask this question to learn about your experience with cleaning equipment and how you use it. Use your answer to highlight any specific skills you have with using cleaning equipment, such as how to operate it or clean with it. You can also mention any training you received on how to use these types of tools or machines.
Answer Example: "In my previous role as a custodian, I was responsible for maintaining all of the school’s cleaning equipment. Every month, I would inspect each piece of equipment to make sure it was in good condition. If there were any issues, I would fix them or replace the part that needed repair. In addition to this, I also trained other employees on how to use the equipment so they could help me with cleaning tasks."
Multitasking is a skill that many employers look for in their custodians. They want someone who can work independently and efficiently while also managing several tasks at once. When answering this question, it can be helpful to explain how you manage multiple tasks in your daily life. You can also mention any specific skills you have that help you multitask effectively.
Answer Example: "Yes, I am good at multitasking. I have experience working in a busy office where I had to clean while also answering phones and helping customers. I find that if I focus on one task at a time, I am able to get it done more quickly. However, when I am working multiple jobs at once, I find that I am still able to get everything done within my shift."
This question can help the interviewer understand your cleaning methods and techniques. You can answer this question by describing some of the methods you prefer to use, along with why you find them effective.
Answer Example: "I personally prefer to use vacuum cleaners for cleaning because they’re easy to maneuver around corners and furniture. I also like to use dusting products that have antibacterial properties because it helps prevent the spread of germs. Finally, I always make sure to clean up any spills or messes as soon as they happen to prevent them from becoming harder to remove."
Disagreements between coworkers are common, and employers want to know that you can handle these situations professionally. In your answer, explain how you would try to resolve the issue in a calm manner. If you need help, ask for advice from your supervisor.
Answer Example: "I would first try to talk to the other custodian about our disagreement. If we still can’t come to an agreement, I would ask our supervisor for help. I understand that there may be more than one way to clean an area, so I would be open to hearing the other custodian’s suggestion."
This question can help the interviewer determine your experience level with operating cleaning equipment. Use examples from previous jobs to show how comfortable you are using different types of equipment and what you like most about using it.
Answer Example: "In my last position, I was responsible for operating all types of cleaning equipment, including vacuums, floor buffers and scrubbers. I found that I enjoyed using the floor buffers the most because they allowed me to cover more ground while still providing an efficient cleaning process. The ability to control the speed of the buffer while scrubbing made it easier for me to get into harder-to-reach areas."
This question can help the interviewer understand how you approach cleaning and organizing the workplace. Use examples from previous jobs where you organized the workspace, cleaned up messes and helped improve the overall cleanliness of the environment.
Answer Example: "In my last position as a custodian, I noticed that the break room was very messy. There were papers and trash everywhere, which made it difficult for employees to find what they were looking for. I organized the break room by sorting through the trash and separating it into different bins. Then, I organized all of the papers into different folders so that employees could find what they needed easily."
The interviewer may ask this question to assess your safety awareness and how you would respond in a potentially hazardous situation. Your answer should show that you would take action to address the problem and ensure the safety of others.
Answer Example: "If I noticed a broken window, my first step would be to report it to my supervisor so they could make sure no one entered the building through the window. Next, I would find some cardboard or duct tape to cover the window until it could be replaced. For a loose floorboard, I would report it to my supervisor as well so they could have it repaired. In the meantime, I would put a cone around the floorboard to warn people about it."
Cleaning chemicals are a common tool used by custodians. Employers ask this question to make sure you’re comfortable working with these chemicals and know how to use them safely. In your answer, explain that you are familiar with the proper procedures for using cleaning chemicals. Explain that you always wear the appropriate protective gear when working with these chemicals.
Answer Example: "Yes, I am comfortable working with cleaning chemicals. I have been working as a custodian for five years now, and I am well-versed in the proper procedures for handling these chemicals. For example, I always make sure to wear gloves and goggles when working with harsh chemicals. I also make sure to keep all chemicals out of reach of children and pets."
This question can help the interviewer understand how you react to challenges and whether you’re able to overcome them. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific challenge you faced and how you overcame it.
Answer Example: "In my last job as a custodian, I had to clean an office building that was very large. It took me longer than expected to finish all of my duties, which made me late to my next job. To solve this problem, I started working earlier in the morning so I could get everything done before my next shift started."
This question can help the interviewer determine how you would handle a challenging situation and whether you have experience dealing with these types of issues. In your answer, try to show that you are willing to take action when necessary and that you value honesty and integrity in your work.
Answer Example: "In my experience, I have found evidence of vandalism or theft in the areas I’m cleaning. In these cases, I always report it to my supervisor immediately so they can take the appropriate steps to address the issue. Vandalism and theft are not acceptable behaviors, and I believe it’s important to be honest and transparent about these types of incidents."
The interviewer may ask this question to assess your ability to follow company policy and procedures. Your answer should show that you are familiar with the company’s reporting process and can follow it accurately.
Answer Example: "I understand that it is important to report any unusual or suspicious activity I witness while on the job. In the past, I have used my cell phone to take pictures or video of the area where I saw the activity in order to provide evidence for further investigation. I also documented the date, time and location of the incident as well as any other relevant details. Finally, I reported the incident to my supervisor so they could take appropriate action."
Employers ask this question to see if you are willing to work hard and put in extra time to ensure the area you are responsible for is clean. They want to know that you are willing to take on extra responsibilities if needed, so it’s important to give an example of a time when you did just that.
Answer Example: "At my last job, I was responsible for cleaning the bathrooms on the second floor of our office building. One day, I noticed that one of the toilets was leaking water onto the floor. Instead of waiting until my next scheduled cleaning to fix it, I took some tools out to the bathroom and fixed the leak myself. This showed my boss that I am willing to go above and beyond to ensure the cleanliness of the office."
This question can help the interviewer understand how you would respond to a situation that could potentially be harmful to the company’s cleanliness standards. Your answer should show that you are willing to speak up when necessary and are willing to help others improve their cleaning practices.
Answer Example: "I would first approach the custodian and ask them if they knew what they were doing was wrong. If they did, I would explain why it was important to follow the company’s cleaning procedures and offer to help them learn how to do it correctly. If they did not know, I would explain the issue and offer to show them how to do it correctly."
This question can help interviewers understand how you would interact with your coworkers and help maintain a safe work environment. In your answer, try to show that you value your colleagues’ opinions and would be willing to work with them to improve their waste disposal practices.
Answer Example: "I would first approach them privately and ask them if they knew about the proper disposal procedures. If they did not, I would explain them to them and offer to help them learn more. If they still did not follow the procedures, I would talk to my supervisor about the issue so they could address it with the colleague."
