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Janitorial professionals are responsible for cleaning, maintenance and security duties for buildings, institutions, and other public and private spaces. Duties can range from changing lights and cleaning carpets to maintaining safety standards, or maintaining neat and orderly work stations. In this field of work you’ll be expected to have basic knowledge of janitorial supplies, chemicals and equipment, and adhere to high standards of cleanliness.

Make sure your own resume is “cleaned up” for the right janitorial job by using our expert advice and resume examples on this page.

Top janitorial resume examples

Custodian Pinstripe

Office Cleaner

Housekeeper Knowledgeable

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How to craft your resume for a janitorial career

Career Track: Janitorial Management

With jobs ranging from cleaning assistance to building maintenance to cleaning-team management, careers in janitorial management were projected to increase 4% by 2029 — but that was before the COVID-19 virus. With cleanliness a major concern for commercial and residential spaces moving forward, many new janitorial jobs will likely open up in the coming years, in industries such as healthcare, education services, and administration and support.

Janitorial Assistant $19,534 Median Salary

Resume Format

Functional Resume

For this position, aim for a functional format, which focuses on your best skills. Highlight qualities such as multitasking and time management abilities, along with any relevant qualifications you have in social work.

For this entry-level position, consider a functional format that focuses on your specific strengths, including practical and soft skills that are important to employers. (e.g., vacuuming and dusting, sanitation practices or attention to detail). This format is a good choice for first-time job seekers or someone with limited work experience.

Summary statement tip

Give a brief overview of your best skills and work history with an emphasis on keywords such as “well-organized,” “quick and efficient” and ““general repairs.” Give details about your work experiences that show off unique special abilities. For example: “Honest and reliable janitorial assistant proficient in handling chemicals, restocking supplies and operating equipment.”

Skills to feature

Browse through the job description to identify skills employers are looking for, such as “building maintenance,” “equipment operation” and “light repair,” match them with skills of your own, and list them here.

Get to the next level

To move up the career ladder, gain skills and experience in the following areas, and add them to your resume:

  • A consistent record of reliable and efficient service under minimal supervision
  • Examples where you took the initiative to successfully handle more responsibilities
  • Showcase mentorship and training abilities with examples where you’ve educated workers about how to perform specific processes and repairs, and use equipment and machinery

Janitor $30,546 Median Salary

Resume Format

Combination Resume

For this position, consider a combination resume format that shows off both a strong employment record and relevant skills from past work experiences.

Summary statement tip

Stick to a brief, crisp paragraph that includes a recap of your work history, with a focus on accomplishments and relevant skills. Highlight duties in which you’ve excelled. For example: “Reliable janitor experienced with regularly cleaning bathrooms and keeping restrooms stocked with supplies at 12 facilities. Skills include maintaining client satisfaction, handling emergency cleaning and upkeep requests, and washing custom windows and mirrors.”

Skills to feature

Include a mix of soft skills (e.g., time management, attention to detail, work ethic and problem-solving) with practical skills (e.g., cleaning bathrooms, deep cleaning, trash removal, mopping and restocking supplies) that match what the job description calls for.

Get to the next level

When preparing for career advancement, focus on the following for your resume:

  • Examples where you’ve supervised others, such as managing a team of janitors, and ensuring compliance with safety policies
  • Situations where you’ve managed processes, such as updating and ordering inventory supplies
  • Examples where you’ve closely collaborated with management to successfully identify and address problems

Janitor Manager$40,413 per week Median Salary

Resume Format

Chronological Resume

For jobs that require years of experience under your belt, choose a chronological resume format, which focuses on your work history and emphasizes a steady employment record. Highlight specific responsibilities and achievements from previous jobs, using numbers to give potential employers more context (e.g., “Managed janitorial services for 10,000-student school district, covering 8 buildings”).

Summary statement tip

Make your summary statement crisp and concise, giving an overview of your work experience and key skills. For example: “Efficient janitor manager experienced with overseeing janitorial crews of 25 employees, dedicated to maximum customer satisfaction.”

Skills to feature

Feature management skills you have that align with the job description, such as customer relationship management, supply management and business-to-business sales. Provide a mix of technical skills, such as human resources experience, supply management and proficiency in Microsoft Office, and soft skills like team management and attention to detail.

Get to the next level

Gain experiences and achievements in areas such as the following:

  • Opportunities where you displayed strong leadership during planning, work delegation and work execution
  • Experience in training and managing new employees to ensure compliance with requirements
  • Examples of experiences where you’ve gone above and beyond your usual responsibilities, as well as extra training you’ve had in areas such as project management and business administration

Career Track: Janitorial Supervision

Employment opportunities in the janitorial industry are expected to grow, with a projected 4% increase over the next decade. Virtually every business depends on these unsung heroes who maintain the cleanliness and safety of workspaces and buildings. To get your resume noticed for jobs in this field, use these tips.

On call Janitor $27,430 Median Salary

Resume Format

Functional Resume

Showcase your diverse set of maintenance expertise using this skills-based resume, where the focus is on your training, skills such as knowledge of cleaning equipment and processes, and previous activities where you’ve put those skills to good use.

Summary statement tip

Describe your best skills and personal attributes in a few sentences, focusing on particular abilities that fit what the job needs. For example, if the job focuses on cleaning bathroom fixtures and floors, you could write: “Hard-working janitorial professional with experience cleaning and maintaining bathrooms throughout 15-floor office building.”

Skills to feature

  • Customer service
  • Confidentiality
  • Carpet and floor care
  • Physical stamina
  • Excellent interpersonal skills
  • Time management and adaptability
  • Familiarity with chemicals and solvents
  • Inventory and supply management

Get to the next level

Prepare yourself for the next career step by updating your resume with these achievements and experiences:

Obtain training such as an Occupational Safety and Health Administration certification (OSHA), or certifications from organizations such as the Building Service Contractors Association International, the International Executive Housekeepers Association, and the International Sanitary Supply Association (ISSA) Completing janitorial training programs in cleaning, safety, and customer service Gaining more experience and knowledge of different cleaning methods and tools.

Janitorial Crew Lead $55,022 Median Salary

Resume Format

Combination Resume

The combination format is an excellent choice for your resume if you have a few years of janitorial experience under your belt, or have relevant skills you can import from a different job field, such as managerial skills or customer service.

Summary statement tip

Show off your top traits as a leader, as well as knowledge of cleaning and safety guidelines. For example, if the job calls for providing assistance to staff, clients and vendors, mention any experiences you have in this area: “Hard-working Janitorial Crew Lead with 3 years’ experience supervising 8-member team and providing excellent service to building residents and clients.”

Skills to feature

  • Crew leadership
  • Good communication skills
  • Administrative support
  • Operating and maintaining equipment
  • Preventive maintenance
  • Attention to detail
  • OHSA, ISAA, or any other needed janitorial certification

Get to the next level

If you’re looking to move up to a higher supervisory position, feature the following in your resume:

  • Applied associate degree in management
  • More examples of responsibilities and accomplishments where you managed teams successfully, and improved maintenance and cleaning processes
  • Professional certification in maintenance from organizations like the American Hotel and Lodging Association Educational (NBPTS) or National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)

Janitorial Supervisor $64,054 per week Median Salary

Resume Format

Chronological Resume

For jobs like this where experience is valued, show off your professional achievements and work experience using the chronological format, which focuses on work history. Apply numbers and metrics to your accomplishments when possible. For example: “Managed daily staff assignments for team of 15 janitors, and ensured proper cleaning and maintenance of 100-room building.”

Summary statement tip

In a few sentences, describe your top experiences and skills, highlighting your effectiveness as a manager, as a supervisor. For example: “Hands-on Janitorial Supervisor dedicated to providing high-quality, efficient housekeeping operations, supporting guest needs for hotels of 200+ rooms.”

Skills to feature

  • Good communication skills
  • Employee evaluation
  • Excellent communication and written skills
  • Managing orders
  • Inventory management
  • Team building and leadership abilities
  • Flexibility
  • Knowledge of job-specific software, such as Microsoft Office
  • Mentoring and supervising employees
  • Knowledge of safety procedures
  • Building and common area maintenance

Get to the next level

If you’re aiming to take on a more senior role, look into:

  • Pursue a degree in management or training in related areas, such as medical facility management or property management and maintenance .
  • Joining and taking part in professional organizations such as the International Janitorial Cleaning Services Association, or the American Cleaning Institute.
  • Gain more responsibilities and accomplishments in overall maintenance management, including implementing improvements to existing cleaning and repair processes, and increasing janitorial team efficiency.

Janitorial resume FAQ

How should you format your resume?

To choose the best format, consider your own work experience and skills. If you’re a fresh graduate with limited work experience, focus on your skills, internships and/or extracurricular activities using a functional format. If you are applying for an upper-level managerial position, you should use a chronological format, which focuses on your work history. If you have a few years of experience, you can also opt for a combination (or hybrid) format, which provides a blend of relevant skills and work history highlights.

What industry-relevant skills and qualities should be emphasized in a janitorial job resume?

Soft skills:Technical skills:
Excellent communicationEquipment maintenance & handling
Interpersonal skillsKnowledge of chemicals
MultitaskingVacuuming
Customer ServiceSweeping
Time managementMopping
Attention to detailPlumbing
Physically fit and strongWashing windows
Flexible and dependableCleaning and sanitizing
Restocking supplies
Electrical repairs
Grounds maintenance
Soft skills:
Excellent communication
Interpersonal skills
Multitasking
Customer Service
Time management
Attention to detail
Physically fit and strong
Flexible and dependable
Technical skills:
Equipment maintenance & handling
Knowledge of chemicals
Vacuuming
Sweeping
Mopping
Plumbing
Washing windows
Cleaning and sanitizing
Restocking supplies
Electrical repairs
Grounds maintenance

How do you find and integrate keywords in a resume?

Read through the job description and note all the words that describe prime requirements and duties for the job (e.g., “cleaning floors,” “safety and compliance management,”” “supplies management” or “customer service skills”). Match these keywords with your own abilities and experiences, and present them in your skills section, making sure to also describe work experiences in your work history and summary sections that also address these keywords. For example, if the job emphasizes “preventive maintenance work,” come up with skills and job experiences that show your ability to handle those duties.