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Working in the cleaning industry is no doubt a very demanding career path, not always for the faint of heart. From sweeping, mopping, dusting and polishing to sanitising and waste management, a cleaning job may not exactly seem like the dream career.
Even so, there are currently approximately 1.6 million people officially employed as cleaners in the UK. Meanwhile, the labour market for cleaning professionals in the country has been going from strength to strength for a while; recently made even stronger by the COVID-19 pandemic and the increased need for cleanliness and hygiene that followed.
Counter to public perception, cleaning careers come with a wide range of unique benefits, not least a very favourable job market. Think: job stability, flexible working hours, swift recruitment, autonomy, and of course a sense of purpose generated by contributing to a cleaner, safer world.
Not all cleaning jobs are that great, however. And getting the sort of cleaning job that offers all of the above does take some work, savviness, and a good cleaning CV. If you’re already rolling your eyes or sighing, we’ll happily stop you there and present you with a step-by-step CV writing guide for cleaning jobs we’ve put together for you.
Breaking it down into sections, we go over every part of your cleaner CV, providing you with examples along the way. We’ve left no stone unturned when it comes to showing you how to create a cleaning CV that genuinely impresses potential employers. Be sure to also check out our cleaning CV examples, which feature countless CV templates for different cleaning industry career paths.
Take a look at our extensive library of CV templates to find inspiration for your own job application.
Cleaning CV Examples by Experience
The cleaning industry offers many opportunities for career advancement. It’s not uncommon for many cleaners to work their way up to roles as supervisors, team leaders, managers, and lots more. Whatever stage of your cleaning career you’re at today, it’s important to know that your amount of work experience in the sector will affect anything from the content to the tone of your cleaning CV.
To show you how these differences play out in practice, we’ve compiled a short list of cleaning CV templates for three different experience ranks: no cleaning work experience, mid-career level and senior level. Take a good look at these CV examples and take note of how they differ, so you have a better idea of the sort of boxes your own cleaning CV needs to tick.
Cleaning CV with no experience
When writing a CV for cleaning jobs with no experience, it’s best to start by studying the job description. This will give you an idea of what potential employers are looking for, allowing you to tailor your cleaning CV accordingly. Though you may have no formal cleaning experience to speak of, there’s a good chance you have at least some of the necessary skills such as attention to detail, physical stamina, basic cleaning skills, or punctuality. But don’t just list the skills mentioned in the job description, but be sure to provide examples of past experiences – career or otherwise – that have allowed you to develop them.
Your personal statement is also another golden opportunity for you to convince potential employers of your suitability, so make good use of it. Highlight your transferable skills that are relevant to the cleaning role, emphasise personal qualities that speak to your potential, and express your sincere enthusiasm for the job. It’s as simple as that. Don’t forget to work alongside the job description and include some of the keywords you find in it. This is so Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) don’t filter you out before your application even reaches the right person.
Cleaning CV for a mid-career level
A mid-career cleaning CV should showcase the work experience and skills you’ve gained over the years you’ve been employed in the cleaning industry. Though you might be keen to share the details of your entire career journey, it’s best to keep your cleaning CV concise and to the point. Focus only on those achievements and responsibilities that relate to the position you are applying for.
When listing your skills, it’s best to emphasise only those that speak to the experience and expertise you’ve acquired as a mid-career cleaning professional. Offer examples of how you’ve exercised these skills in your past or present cleaning positions, using impactful language and strong action verbs as you do so. The kind of language you use in your cleaner CV tells potential employers how good a mid-career employee you are, so be sure to select your words carefully.
Another important element of a mid-career cleaning CV is highlighting the most notable achievements you’ve had as you rose up the ranks. Examples include efficiency improvements, cost savings, customer satisfaction scores, and so on. However, don’t just list these and call it a day. It’s important to be specific when citing your achievements. For best results, quantify your claims, by using numbers and percentages, e.g. “Introduced a new cleaning protocol that reduced time spent on routine tasks by 20%, leading to more efficient operations.”
Cleaning CV for a senior level
Having made it to the higher ranks of the cleaning industry, hiring managers expect certain things out of your CV. Its focus should be not just on your role on its own, but primarily on what kind of leader you are, your ability to envision and drive change, make decisions and convey them to stakeholders.
A senior-level CV needs to demonstrate higher-level executive skills as opposed to generic soft skills characteristic of entry-level CVs. When describing your career history, it’s vital to show skill progression and convey how you’ve developed and used more specialised skills at an advanced level. When citing examples of your contributions and successes as a leader, always strive to include numbers and percentages to make them more convincing.
With years of experience in the cleaning industry under your belt, it’s likely that you embarked on certifications, additional training, or joined professional associations, to grow your expertise. In this case, it’s definitely a good idea to mention them in your CV as a way of demonstrating said expertise.
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How to Write Cleaning CV Sections
Making good use of your sections can really go a long way with your cleaning CV. Each section speaks to an aspect of what you bring to the table, so don’t underestimate their importance.
Below, we’ll go through the different sections and elements to include in order to write a good CV.
Personal Statement Samples for a Cleaning CV
Also known as a summary statement, your personal statement is a key part of your CV. Though it’s only around two to four sentences long, it has the potential to make or break your chances of landing the cleaning job you want. It’s essentially a summary of your whole cleaning CV, you as a candidate and your most notable achievements. It’s wise to choose your words and their content very carefully when writing it, and make sure they’re aligned with the job description requirements.
EXAMPLE 1.
Thorough cleaning professional experienced in working under tight deadlines. Exceeds client expectations with attention to detail, expertise in stain removal and work speed. Accomplishes assignments independently or with a cleaning team.
EXAMPLE 2.
Dependable Cleaning Supervisor working well under pressure to achieve quality cleans within strict timeframes. Builds good staff and customer relationships for positive, productive working environments. Provides clear staff instruction and training for right-first-time results.
EXAMPLE 3.
Energetic and enthusiastic member of domestic staff skilled in housekeeping and multitasking. Tireless in face of continuous household needs and always ready for new assignments. Completes quality work with attention to detail and time management abilities.
Cleaning CV Work Experience Samples
Unless you’re writing a cleaning CV with no experience, you can bet the work experience section will be a deciding factor in whether you get hired or not. That said, it’s worth spending a good chunk of time getting it right. Showcase your skills and expertise, by highlighting your more noteworthy achievements and the contributions you’ve made over the course of your cleaning career.
EXAMPLE 1.
Housekeeper | Sudbury Hill B&B, London | February 2022 – Present
- Replaced sheets, duvets and pillowcases daily, maintaining spotless presentation standards.
- Vacuumed, mopped and polished floors to achieve high-quality finishes.
- Cleaned kitchens, bathrooms and bedrooms thoroughly to service level agreements.
- Serviced bathrooms with fresh supplies and regular cleaning.
Window Cleaner | Sudbury Hill B&B, London | April 2020 – January 2022
- Maintained equipment and material used for cleaning purposes.
- Washed windows and glass surfaces with water and chemical solutions.
- Used poles fitted with brushes and water dispersing mechanisms to reach windows and facades at heights.
- Rinsed and cleaned gutters to remove dirt and debris.
EXAMPLE 2.
Cleaning Supervisor | Anabas, Liverpool | May 2020 – February 2022
- Trained staff to deliver high-quality cleaning services and boost customer satisfaction.
- Inspected cleaning quality to achieve pristine standards.
- Briefed staff on daily cleaning requirements and delegated tasks to suitable candidates.
- Cleaned bathrooms and kitchens thoroughly for exceptional hygiene standards.
EXAMPLE 3.
Cleaner | LIDL, Manchester | May 2017 – April 2020
- Kept floors clean with regular sweeping, vacuuming and mopping.
- Worked quickly to complete cleaning within allotted timeframes.
- Vacuumed carpeted areas and mopped hard floors.
- Cleaned and dried windows, mirrors and glass surfaces.
Sample Cleaning Skills
You might be wondering what skills to put on your CV to boost your chances of getting the kind of cleaning job you’re after. When it comes to getting ahead in the cleaning industry, you’re obviously going to need a good mix of soft skills and hard skills in order to succeed. That being said, given the hands-on nature of cleaning jobs, a good assortment of technical skills helps open up career advancement opportunities, e.g. supervisory and management roles.
Below, you’ll find a list of technical skills for cleaning jobs, which potential employers are looking out for when assessing job applicants and their suitability. Aim to include 4-10 of these in your Skills section, but incorporate them in other parts of your cleaning CV, too.
Technical Skills for Cleaning Jobs
- Operation of Cleaning Equipment (e.g. vacuums, mops and carpet cleaners)
- Chemical Handling and Mixing
- Disinfection Techniques
- Surface Cleaning Techniques
- Floor Care Skills (e.g. mopping, stripping, waxing, and polishing different types of flooring)
- Carpet Cleaning (e.g. deep cleaning carpets using steam cleaners, shampooers, and spot removers)
- Window Cleaning
- Hazardous Material Handling (e.g. biohazardous materials, chemicals, or sharp objects)
- Pest Control Knowledge
- Pressure Washing
- Cleaning Tool Maintenance
- Waste Management (e.g. recycling procedures and hazardous waste protocols)
- Environmental Cleaning Standards (e.g. green cleaning practices and the use of eco-friendly products)
- Inventory Management
- Sanitation Protocols
- Laundry and Linen Care
- Detail Cleaning (e.g. corners, crevices, and high-touch surfaces)
- Emergency Spill Response
- Scheduling and Planning
- Air Duct Cleaning (e.g. cleaning and maintaining HVAC systems and air ducts)
- Mould and Mildew Remediation
- Quality Control
- Stain Removal Techniques
- Safety Protocols (e.g. occupational safety and health administration (OSHA) guidelines and other safety protocols)
- Use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Sample Education Section for a Cleaning CV
The importance of the education section on your cleaning CV typically varies depending on the type of role, the employer, as well as the amount of responsibility involved. If you’re applying for entry-level cleaning jobs, then it’s likely education won’t be a significant factor. For mid-career and senior-level roles, on the other hand, there’s a chance potential employers will look to see relevant certification and training.
In any case, your Education section should bear relevance to the requirements listed in the job description. This means focusing on including qualifications that relate to the job you are applying for, and omitting those that aren’t to keep your cleaning CV concise and focused.
In the UK, the importance of education and the education section on a CV for jobs in the cleaning industry can vary depending on the specific role, the employer, and the level of responsibility involved.
Example of the Education section for a Cleaning Supervisor
EDUCATION
NVQ Level 3 in Cleaning Supervision
City & Guilds, London
September 2020 – June 2021
CERTIFICATIONS
Certificate in Supervisory Management
Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM)
Completed: 2019COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) Training
British Safety Council, London
Completed: 2020
Example of the Education section for a Housekeeper
EDUCATION
GCSEs
The East Manchester Academy, Manchester
September 2008 – June 2010
5 GCSEs including English (C), Mathematics (C), Science ©
CERTIFICATIONS
Basic Food Hygiene Certificate
The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, Manchester
Completed: 2018
Additional Information for Your Cleaning CV
The additional information section on your cleaning CV is a great opportunity for you to highlight any relevant details that don’t quite fit into the other sections but could potentially be of value to both potential employers and to you as an applicant.
Whether you choose to include information relating to any completed training or certifications, professional affiliations you belong to, volunteering experience, or even your hobbies, the choice is yours. However, make sure to keep it relevant and concise, and always tailor to the job description and the requirements listed in it.
Additional information for a Cleaner role
CERTIFICATIONS
- COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) Training – British Safety Council | Completed: 2021
- First Aid at Work – St. John Ambulance | Certified: 2020
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
- Member of the British Institute of Cleaning Science (BICSc)
ACHIEVEMENTS
- Awarded “Employee of the Month” three times at Premier Inn Hotel for outstanding cleanliness and guest satisfaction.
- Successfully reduced cleaning supply costs by 10% through efficient use of materials.
Additional information for a Housekeeper role
CERTIFICATIONS
- Professional Certificate in Housekeeping Operation, Oregano’s Institute of Hotel Management, 2015
- Manual Handling Training – Safe Work Practices, 2018
VOLUNTEERING
- Participated in local community clean-up initiatives, contributing to the maintenance and beautification of public spaces.
- Assisted in setting up, cleaning, and breaking down venues for community events.
LANGUAGES
- Fluent in English and Spanish
All Cleaning CV Examples
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Fast-Track Your Career with Your Brand-New Cleaning CV
Having gone over all of the steps involved in creating a CV for cleaning jobs, you can now consider yourself a few steps ahead of your competition. Truly great CVs are hard to come by, in the cleaning industry and beyond. So, what are you waiting for? Get started on your cleaning CV right away and make getting passed up for job opportunities a thing of the past. Our cleaning CV examples and templates are only a few clicks away should you need a refresher.
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