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Looking for cover letter ideas? See our sample Janitor Cover Letter.
Find out what is the best resume for you in our Ultimate Resume Format Guide.
Additional Janitorial Resume Samples
How to Format a Janitor Resume
There are three resume format types you may want to apply to your janitor resume: chronological, combination and functional. The truth is most job seekers would benefit from using a chronological format. This format is the classic layout that emphasizes work history by listing your previous roles beginning with the most recent one.
Candidates who lack professional experience may want to try the other two resume formats. Functional formats focus on skills and qualifications, devoting very little space, if any, to work history. Combination resumes take a little from each format, giving work history and skills equal footing.
The candidates below offer an insightful comparison. Candidate A is a long-time janitor who wants to highlight her professional experience with a chronological resume. Candidate B is two years into her career, and with less professional experience to tout, she’s using a combination resume to lay out her selling points.
Chronological Resume
- 9 years of experience
- 2 years at this job
- HS High School Diploma
Work History
Janitor, Webster’s Arena
11/2020–Current, Cleveland, OH
- Cleaned floors, hallways, offices and bleachers of a 17,000-square-foot arena, receiving commendations from the manager on three occasions.
- Oversaw a 10-person cleaning crew on special occasions, receiving a perfect satisfaction rating in a follow-up survey.
- Learned special COVID-19 sanitization protocol, teaching five peers how to disinfect a zone properly.
Combination Resume
- 2 years of experience
- 2 years at this job
- HS High School Diploma
Professional Skills
Cleaning
- Cleaned hallways, classrooms, bathrooms and offices across two floors of a 10,000-square-foot building.
- Maintained cleanliness of building and floors by sweeping, mopping and vacuuming.
Communication
- Helped draft weekly schedules for a five-person cleaning crew, accommodating the unique needs of members.
- Taught safety guidelines to new staff, administering a hands-on test with a 100% success rate.
Janitor Resume Samples
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10+ years of experience
Conducted bi-weekly site visits to make sure the sites were being cleaned properly.
- Was responsible for ensuring other workers completed work to standards.
- Communicated with managers and program directors about their satisfaction of the cleaning jobs and helped facilitated renewals of contracts.
- Was responsible for ensuring work sites were properly cleaned.
- Picked up and delivered departmental mail at various sites.
- Was responsible for the deliveries of cleaning supplies to various work sites, as well as maintaining inventory of all supplies.
- Minor plumbing work, stripping, waxing, and buffing floors.
0-5 years of experience
Full time janitor ensuring effective and timely completion of janitorial operations specific to the assigned areas.
- Provided carpet cleaning, vacuuming, floor care, trash removal and restroom cleaning for business offices.
- Removed all finger marks and smudges from vertical surfaces, including doors, door frames, around light switches, private entrances, glass and partitions.
- Followed directions from supervisors to adhere to a rotation schedule of assigned quadrants with co-workers as a team.
6-10 years of experience
Maintained a clean environment within the childcare center according to state regulations and requirements.
- Sanitized toys, floors and walls for safety.
- Professionally cleaned carpets and rugs on a monthly basis.
- Vacuumed all rugs and carpets throughout center.
- Wiped down all office fixtures, furniture and equipment on a daily basis
- Maintained outside landscaping according to city regulations.
0-5 years of experience
Keeping the St. Josephs Hospital of Saline clean up to their standards at all times.
- Empty, clean all waste containers, and remove waste paper and garbage.
- Vacuum all rugs and carpeted areas in offices, lobbies, and corridors.
- Mop and wax flooring.
- Clean entry doors/windows glass inside and outside.
- Wipe clean all office furniture and fixtures.
- Damp wipe and polish all glass furniture tops.
0-5 years of experience
Assigned workers their duties and inspected work for conformance to prescribed standards of cleanliness.
- Inventoried stock to ensure adequate supplies.
- Demonstrated use and maintenance of equipment.
- Swept, mopped, scrubbed and vacuumed hallways, stairs and office space.
0-5 years of experience
Empty and clean all waste containers, remove waste paper and garbage
- Vacuum all rugs and carpeted areas in offices, lobbies and corridors
- Clean entry door glass inside and out
- Using chemicals in a safe manner
- Substantial knowledge of dusting and cleaning office desks and furniture that is not cluttered
- Ability to prioritize and perform multiple tasks simultaneously
- Ability to follow oral and written instructions
0-5 years of experience
- Solely maintained an important research building at Ohio State University Medical Center.
- Point of contact and liaison between professors, students, security and maintenance to resolve problems and concerns.
- Mopped and waxed hallways, research/biohazard labs, stairwells and bathrooms. Cleaned toilets, sinks and mirrors.
- Vacuumed and dusted professors’ offices, conference rooms and break rooms.
- Collected garbage and recycling for proper disposal in receptacles outside.
0-5 years of experience
Shampooed carpets, floors and ceramic tiles of twenty floor high-rise building
- Cleared debris and recycled trash
- Swept, vacuumed and mopped apartment units
- Cleaned glass doors and mirrors
- Emptied trash containers
- Cleaned baseboards as well as low and high furnishings
- Ability to understand instructions on cleaning products and know the proper use
- Ensured that all areas were cleared and free of dust
0-5 years of experience
Emptied and cleaned all waste containers
- Swept, vacuumed, and mopped floors
- Followed all security and workers rules and regulations
- Cleaned and maintained bathrooms
- Organized space for daily use
0-5 years of experience
Responsible for cleaning twenty four floor building by sweeping, mopping and waxing
- Responsible for remodeling apartments for future tenants
- Moved heavy equipment, furniture and supplies manually
- Responsible for maintaining outside grounds
10+ years of experience
Keeps office building in clean and orderly condition and tended furnace, air-conditioner and boiler to provide heat, cool air and hot water for tenants.
- Sweeps, mops scrubs and vacuums hallways, stairs and office space.
- Empties tenants’ trash and garbage containers.
- Cleans snow and debris from sidewalk.
0-5 years of experience
Clean building floors by sweeping, mopping, scrubbing, or vacuuming them.
- Gather and empty trash.
- Service, clean, and supply restrooms.
- Clean and polish furniture and fixtures.
- Clean windows, glass partitions, and mirrors, using soapy water or other cleaners, sponges, and squeegees.
- Dust furniture, walls, machines, and equipment.
0-5 years of experience
Retain excellent time management for on time deliveries
- Maintain building in optimal condition
- Safely load and unload merchandise for transfer or delivery
- Maintain an organize warehouse for quick product retrieval
- Safely operate equipment and report problems
- Able to pick 175 pieces per hour working a 12-14 hour shift.
0-5 years of experience
Cleaned, vacuum, and disinfected floorings, and emptied trash receptacles
- Cleaned, dusted, and sanitized in-door areas and fixtures
- Pressure washed and cleaned exterior areas
- Assisted with carpet cleaning and preparations for painting interior areas
6-10 years of experience
Swept, mopped, scrubbed, dust and vacuumed hallways, stairs and office space.
- Office services included personnel, budget preparation, control, housekeeping and special management studies.
- Set and turn off alarms
- Drove vehicles required to perform and travel to cleaning work, including vans, industrial trucks, and industrial vacuum cleaners.
- Cleaned laboratory equipment, such as glassware and metal instruments, using solvents, brushes, rags, and power cleaning equipment.
- Serviced, cleaned, and supplied restrooms.
0-5 years of experience
Clean break room, reception area, personal offices, and bathrooms
- Follow safety guidelines to ensure proper cleanliness throughout the workplace
- Carried out different tasks such as vacuuming, window washing, and mopping
- Clear all area by picking garbage and other unwanted material from surroundings
- Performed weekly checks for needed supplies and cleanliness
0-5 years of experience
Clean building floors by sweeping, mopping, and vacuuming.
- Follow procedures for the use of chemical cleaners.
- Mix water and detergents to prepare cleaning solutions, according to specifications.
- Notify managers concerning the need for major repairs of additions to building operating systems.
- Clean windows, glass partitions, or mirrors using cleaners.
0-5 years of experience
Serviced, cleaned and supplied restrooms.
- Cleaned building floors by sweeping, mopping, scrubbing, or vacuuming.
- Gathered and empty trash.
- Followed procedures for the use of chemical cleaners and power equipment to prevent damage to floors and fixtures.
- Mixed water and detergents or acids in containers to prepare cleaning solutions, according to specifications.
0-5 years of experience
Mix cleaning solutions, abrasive compositions, or other compounds, according to formulas
- Clean Building floors by sweeping, mopping, scrubbing, or vacuuming
- Strip, seal, finish, and polish floors
- Steam clean or shampoo carpets
- Clean and polish furniture and fixtures
0-5 years of experience
Maintain appearance and preserve all improved grounds by keeping sidewalks free from debris, weeding, pruning, raking leaves, removing snow and ice, etc.
- Perform custodial duties such as cleaning buildings, washing windows and mopping floors, sweeping, etc.
- Lift, carry, open and unpack boxes using hand truck or dolly, if necessary.
- Move and arrange furniture and set Multipurpose Room for meeting or training.
0-5 years of experience
Clean animal cages and made sure food and water bowls are always full.
- Dust furniture, walls, and equipment.
- Clean building and floors by sweeping, mopping, and vacuuming.
- Gather and empty trash.
- Keep storage areas and carts well-stocked, clean, and tidy.
0-5 years of experience
- Utilized janitorial equipment such as floor scrubbers, vacuum and rotary machine
- Followed procedures for the use of chemical cleaners
- Cleaned and polished light fixtures and all surfaces
- Washed walls, ceilings, windows and doors
0-5 years of experience
- Clean building floors by sweeping, mopping, or vacuuming them.
- Gather and empty trash.
- Service, clean, and supply restrooms.
- Clean and polish furniture and fixtures.
- Clean windows, glass partitions, and mirrors, using soapy water or other cleaners, sponges, and squeegees.
- Dust furniture, walls, machines, and equipment.
- Notify managers concerning the need for major repairs or additions to building operating systems.
Janitor Duties and Responsibilities
The true scope of a Janitor’s job will depend upon the needs of the organization they work for, but there are a few primary responsibilities that can be applied to nearly all Janitor positions. A review of current job listings identified the following core responsibilities.
Provide Daily Cleaning and Maintenance Services The main duty of a Janitor is providing regular upkeep of a property. This may include sweeping, mopping, vacuuming, cleaning and resupplying bathrooms, emptying trash bins and light lawn maintenance. They must also clean any spills or other hazards that occur to prevent injuries to people or property. Some janitors are also tasked with securing buildings in the evenings or opening them in the mornings.
Perform Periodic Cleaning and Repairs In addition to their daily cleaning duties, Janitors are called upon to periodically perform heavy cleaning tasks. Shampooing carpets, waxing floors, trimming shrubbery or trees and other specified tasks are common duties of the Janitor. Some Janitors do seasonal inspections of a facility’s systems, such as heating and cooling units, smoke detectors, and fireplaces just to name a few. Many Janitors also perform small repairs, such as fixing leaky pipes, troubleshooting issues with thermostats or replacing light fixtures.
Maintain Supply Inventory Janitors keep an eye on their cleaning supplies and equipment and reorder necessary inventory when needed. Some Janitors may directly order from suppliers, while others may put in order requests with someone in their company. Janitors also are expected to keep their tools and equipment in good working order and maintain a clean and orderly supply area.
Janitor Skills
Janitors must be reliable problem solvers. They should have good time management skills as well as the ability to work with minimal supervision. Janitors, who often interact with staff and the public in the course of their duties, also should possess good communication skills. In addition to these traits, employers look for applicants with the following skills. Core skills: Based on job listings we looked at, employers want Janitors with these core skills. If you want to work as a Janitor, focus on the following.
- Knowledge of cleaning procedures and practices
- Prior experience working with cleaning chemicals
- Knowledge of safety practices
- Ability to meet physical requirements, such as lifting, bending and standing for duration of shift
Advanced skills: While most employers did not require the following skills, multiple job listings included them as preferred. Add these to your skillset and broaden your career options.
- Experience with hand and power tools
- Ability to use equipment such as sanders and carpet shampooers
Janitor Resources
There are more resources available on the Web for those interested in becoming Janitors. We scoured the Internet and found these links full of learning opportunities. On the Web
Janitors’ Closet – This site is run by Bob Croft, who runs a cleaning business in Phoenix, Ariz. It is full of Croft’s thoughts and commentary on the cleaning business. The Cleaning Blog – This blog is maintained by Millennium Commercial Cleaning Services and focuses on environmental, or green, cleaning practices.
Living in a Custodial World – A blog dedicated to educating school staff on the topics and duties related to the custodial staff. Janitor Books
The Professional Cleaner’s Personal Handbook – A comprehensive training manual for those who clean for a living.
Janitorial Service Training Guide: The Universal Way to Clean – A training guide covering the theories and practices of professional cleaning. Industry Groups
International Janitorial Cleaning Services Association – Founded in 2004, IJCSA has members from the janitorial services, housekeepers, house cleaning services, and janitorial suppliers. They provide certification courses, resources and networking opportunities.
International Sanitary Supply Association – The ISSA began in 1923 and offers its worldwide members benefits such as resources, research, networking and conferences.
Janitorial Cover Letter Examples
Janitor Resume FAQ.
How do you make “janitor” sound good on a resume?
Whether you call yourself a janitor or custodian, you want to put your best face forward on your resume. One way to set yourself apart is to be specific about your accomplishments. Explaining that you’ve “swept and mopped” is good, but saying you “swept and mopped a 2,000-square-foot factory floor” is even better.
Here are two more examples of janitorial job candidates who used specific details and quantifiable accomplishments to improve their resumes:
- Performed light cleaning, including mopping, dusting and vacuuming, in school hallways and rooms, receiving perfect cleanliness scores from the staff.
- Oversaw the janitorial program of a 17,000-square-foot arena, managing the schedules and evaluations of a 10-person cleaning crew.
What skills should I put on my resume if I want to be a janitor?
Janitors use a vast variety of skills in the course of their day-to-day jobs, many of which you’ll find in other professions. Here’s a list of the top janitorial skills based on the best resumes in our database:
- Cleaning, including washing, sweeping and vacuuming
- Attention to detail
- Customer service
- Verbal communication
- Friendliness
- Dependability
- Sanitization
- Time management
- Maintenance
What should a janitor put on a resume?
Janitorial resumes should include the five primary resume sections, which are:
- Contact info, including name, email address and phone number.
- Work experience, beginning with your most recent role. Make sure to include bullet points emphasizing your accomplishments.
- Professional summary, encapsulating your career arc, including achievements and skills, in just three or four sentences.
- Skills section, including any relevant skills not already covered in the summary or experience.
- Education, Listing any education you’ve completed, whether you have a college degree, high school diploma or GED. An alternative option is to add a certifications section if you’ve been professionally certified for your cleaning abilities.
Finally, you should consider adding more sections — volunteer work, foreign languages or awards — if you have more relevant information.
How do I list janitor job duties on a resume?
List janitorial job duties in the work history section. Each previous role should have a few bullet points that highlight your most relevant experience.
That being said, instead of seeing these as your “job duties,” show how you made an impact. Use quantifiable metrics, like the size of a building, reviews from colleagues or customer evaluations, to underline the magnitude of your contributions.