If this summer is shaping up to be your busiest one yet, then you’ll need to hire cleaners to meet the demands of your clients both regular and new.
This may sound simple enough, but securing the right cleaning staff is about much more than just filling a vacancy. The reputation of your entire company hinges on each and every clean, and you must hire cleaners that are able to deliver the excellent service that you and your clients expect.
Secure the right staff for your Domestique franchise this summer with our step-by-step guide to recruiting, interviewing, and onboarding new cleaners.
Where To Advertise For Cleaners
No matter where you post your job listings, make sure that the following information is included in each and every one:
- The area they will be operating in.
- The average salary if applicable, or the hourly rate that they will be paid per clean.
- Your requirements e.g. a full driving licence, access to a car, etc.
- Your contact details or a link to your online application form.
And don’t forget to share the announcements in our online forum!
Your Website
Create a ‘Cleaning Jobs’ page on your website and update it regularly with your open positions.
Link to it in both the header and the footer, and share all new listings on your social media, including local community groups, to expand their reach across your following.
Cleaning Job Board
Many industry authorities and trade associations have their own job boards to help their members recruit reliable, insured cleaners across their network.
If you are a member of one, have a look on their website and see if you can find a dedicated job board to post your listing.
Job Site
Finally, advertise your openings where your ideal candidates are already looking with listings on national job sites.
Applicants can filter by role, location, salary, and more, so make sure you include this key information to find the perfect fit for your growing team.
Interview Questions For Cleaners
Next comes the interview process, but don’t just ask the usual ‘tell me a little bit about yourself’ questions when meeting applicants.
Instead, make sure that you hire cleaners that are suitable for the role with these targeted questions.
“Do You Enjoy Cleaning?”
Cleaning, like any role, is a job, but you want your employees to take pride in their work and feel fulfilled by their day-to-day responsibilities. It benefits you as an employer to have staff who enjoy being cleaners and so open with this important question to set the tone for the whole interview.
For a little more insight into each candidate, ask them which particular part of cleaning they enjoy most. This may be a particular service, or the unbeatable satisfaction of giving clients back their free time.
“How Do You Handle Feedback?”
No one likes to have their work criticised, but being able to respond appropriately to client feedback, both positive and negative, is a core responsibility for any cleaner.
The odds are that your team will receive criticism at some point, but it is how they respond to this that makes all the difference. They should display a willingness to listen to the client’s feedback, take it onboard, and make the necessary improvements, whilst also doing what they can to resolve the situation and reassure the client that it won’t happen again.
“How Do You Respect Your Client’s Privacy?”
Your clients trust your cleaners to enter their homes, treat them with respect, and secure them again upon exit. Every cleaner that you employ must maintain this position of trust by respecting your client’s privacy from the moment they arrive, and must adhere to a strict code of conduct whilst on the job.
For example, they must adhere to agreed-upon schedules and only enter each home at a designated time. Once inside, care should be taken when handling personal belongings to prevent any damage, and all private household areas like drawers and wardrobes should remain strictly off-limits.
How To Onboard New Cleaning Staff
After you have conducted your interviews, checked references, and made offers, it’s time to begin onboarding your new cleaners.
Check Their Credentials
UK cleaners are not required by law to hold any cleaning certifications or accreditations, but we highly recommend prioritising applications from those who do to maintain your company’s high standards.
Hire cleaners that hold the following certifications:
- British Cleaning Certificate Award (BCCA)
- Level 5 Certificate in Cleaning
- BICSc Cleaning Operators Proficiency Certificate
- COSHH Training for Cleaners
- Cleaning Operators Proficiency Certificate
And if your chosen candidate mentioned them during the interview then follow up with them afterwards to request proof before formally offering them the position.
Provide Them With Starter Supplies
Whilst most cleaners are expected to hold a valid driving licence and have their own car, they are not expected to provide their own cleaning supplies and equipment.
Set your new hire up for success with a starter pack of all the house cleaning supplies they will need, including:
- Rubber gloves
- Bin bags
- Microfibre cloths
- Sponges
- Antibacterial spray
- Bleach
- Polish and varnish
- Glass cleaner
- Bathroom spray
- Floor cleaner
And shared equipment for your whole team, such as hoovers, mops, and dustpans and brushes.
Train Them In Customer Service
Excellent customer service means being on-time for every clean and cleaning to a consistently high level, but it also involves being able to communicate well with clients.
In order to build positive relationships, your team must be able to:
- Interact with clients in a professional manner.
- Follow through on all guarantees.
- Address any issues promptly and take steps to rectify the situation.
- Inform clients as soon as possible if they can’t make a scheduled clean and reschedule for a convenient time.
So give them the training they need to respond to these situations effectively and to handle all of their professional interactions with care.
Hire Cleaners For Your Domestique Branch
Get ready to meet your client’s demands and exceed their expectations with the best new cleaners to join your team.
As a Domestique franchisee, you are responsible for recruiting your cleaning staff, but we will be on hand every step of the way to help you navigate this process. Click here for more information on the support you’ll receive as a Domestique franchisee, or get in touch with us today to discuss joining our nationwide franchise.