Housekeeper job responsibilities

Housekeepers are an essential part of many businesses, including commercial establishments like hotels and residential facilities. Housekeepers even often work in private households.
They perform many duties that keep spaces clean, organized, and running smoothly. This includes cleaning, changing bed linens, doing laundry, and vacuuming.
It’s a challenging career requiring physical labor and long hours on your feet. However, it's a rewarding career without significant previous experience or education requirements.
In this article, we’ll look at a housekeeper job description, the qualifications you need to become one, and how to land a job.
What is a housekeeper?
A housekeeper is someone who performs light cleaning duties, either in commercial establishments or private households.
Many housekeepers are employed at hotels, motels, and resorts, while others work in hospitals and private homes.
They perform light cleaning duties, including things like changing bed linens and vacuuming.
Not to be mistaken for a janitor or cleaner, a housekeeper focuses on making an area look tidy and organized. Most housekeepers won’t be deep cleaning rooms or doing more strenuous cleaning tasks.
Housekeeper job responsibilities
The job responsibilities of a housekeeper will differ depending on the position, but can include:
Changing bed linens and making beds
Sorting, washing, and folding laundry
Vacuuming carpets and rugs
Dusting and polishing furniture and fixtures
Tidying up rooms
Cleaning bathroom areas, including toilets and bathtubs
Stocking rooms with linens, toiletries, and other cleaning supplies
Disposing of trash
Using cleaning equipment like steam cleaners
Cleaning mirrors, glass, and surfaces
A housekeeper working in a hotel will have pretty standard job responsibilities. Most housekeeping duties involve cleaning and preparing guest rooms.
Housekeepers employed by private residences could have a variety of job responsibilities that change often. Every household has different needs and requires different things from their housekeeper.
Working in a healthcare facility or hospital is also a standard role. However, it could require more deep cleaning duties, including mopping hallways and common areas rather than just cleaning rooms.
Regardless of where you work, housekeepers don’t usually do any heavy lifting or worry about the repair or maintenance of equipment.
Housekeeper skills and experience requirements
There are no extensive educational requirements or specific experience needed to get an entry-level housekeeper position.
The skills required are generally taught on the job by a more experienced housekeeper. They’ll train new employees on best practices.
Different work environments may have specific requirements or expectations regarding experience levels. Having done similar tasks at a previous job will prepare you and help you stand out from other applicants.
Most housekeeping jobs require candidates to have a high school diploma or GED. No college-level education is required.
In addition to understanding basic cleaning practices, housekeepers should have relevant soft skills. Excellent communication skills and time management are necessary as you interact with guests and work quickly.
It’s also crucial to be self-motivated and able to operate under pressure, as the job can get hectic at times.
Housekeeper salary and employment rates
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, housekeepers make an average hourly wage of $11.94, or $24,630 per year.
Your exact hourly wage will differ depending on the industry you’re working in. For example, full-time housekeepers working in hotels make an average of $11.74 an hour, while those employed by hospitals make $13.20 an hour.
Private residences could pay significantly more than standard wages, so it’s worth it to look for these opportunities.
The BLS projects -0.3% employment growth for housekeepers between 2019–2029. The job overlaps with other roles, like janitors and custodians, which affects growth.
Housekeeper resume tips
Let’s take a look at five resume tips that will help you land a housekeeping job:
1. Use a summary statement rather than a career objective
In the past, most people included a career objective on their resume. However, a summary statement can help show a company how you can help them instead of solely focusing on how they can help you.
Use this section to summarize your experience and skills. Highlight the key points of your experience to impress the recruiter right away.
2. Keep it recent and relevant
Rather than listing everything you’ve ever done, only include job experience that is relevant to the position you’re applying for.
If you have past housekeeping experience, make sure to include that on your resume. Otherwise, try to tailor your other past job experiences to the job description.
For example, if you had cleaning duties while working in a warehouse, you should make sure to mention that.
3. Include a cover letter
A cover letter is crucial to standing out in a competitive job market. In fact, 83% of recruiters say a cover letter makes a difference in their decision.
Writing a cover letter can be daunting. You can check out this article to help you get started.
Make sure to elaborate on your relevant job experience and qualifications. Explain what makes you the right candidate for the job.
4. Tailor your resume and cover letter to the job description
Read the job description carefully and use that information to build your resume and cover letter. Using similar language can help you bypass automated systems.
5. Proofread everything
Recruiters sometimes skim through hundreds of resumes for each position and are on the lookout for things that can help them narrow down the search. If they see a typo or spelling mistake on your resume, it may be overlooked.
Make sure to proofread your resume and cover letter. You can even ask a friend or family member to take a look.
Housekeeper jobs hiring right now
There are hundreds of housekeeper jobs hiring across the country. Chances are, there are many available positions near you.
Find housekeeper jobs on Jobcase today.
Land a housekeeper job today
Housekeeping is hard work, but if you’re someone who prefers to work on their feet, it could be an excellent career choice.
You should have no trouble finding a position as a housekeeper, as most jobs don’t have any education or experience requirements.
You can find more tips for job seekers searching for a housekeeper job by visiting our Getting Hired Resource Center.