Build your hospitality dream team with our expert housekeeper staffing tips
“How can I hire housekeepers for my hospitality company?” If you’ve asked yourself this question, you’re in the right place. In this article, PeopleReady highlights some of the key skills and qualities that we look for in housekeepers that we’d recommend for a hospitality venue such as a hotel, resort or spa. Plus, we share why a housekeeper staffing agency or housekeeper temp agency is your best bet for finding reliable workers for your housekeeper hiring needs.
What a housekeeper staffing agency considers when hiring housekeepers
Dependability and trustworthiness
According to CleanLink’s Facility Cleaning Decisions Management Survey, 40% of employers say absenteeism is their biggest staffing challenge. They also note employee retention (29%) and tardiness (26%) as major difficulties in their housekeeper hiring efforts.
Based on these responses, dependability would be one of the most critical qualities for housekeepers to possess. Housekeepers are frequently given access to sensitive areas and may work alone during their shifts, so creating trust is crucial. When you can count on your housekeeping staff to represent your company and do their work effectively, the regular responsibilities of the job are simple and stress free.
Scheduling flexibility
High turnover rates aren’t the only housekeeper staffing challenge that the hospitality industry faces. For example, many hotels and resorts now need more housekeepers to keep up with demand as guest expectations continue to evolve.
Also, it’s important to consider the nontraditional hours common in the hospitality industry. With weekends, nights and holidays on your schedule, housekeepers and other cleaning staff who can step in quickly and show up on time is essential to your success. When you need to hire a housekeeper fast, scheduling flexibility serves as a great asset for your company.
Friendly personality and positive attitude
Housekeepers play a central role in creating a clean, inviting space for anyone who enters your hospitality venue. To deliver an exceptional level of service, they also need to be personable and maintain a positive attitude at all times.
Keep in mind that whether they’re spending extra time cleaning guest rooms and common areas or assisting guests when they have a special request, housekeepers are the friendly faces that represent your brand. If they can go the extra mile, they will make a great impression and help you create a memorable experience that encourages guests to return.
Looking for housekeeper recruiting tips? Check out our article on attracting applicants with the right housekeeper skills for your available jobs!
Time management skills
If you expect your housekeepers to arrive for a scheduled shift or they have a specific timeline to complete their tasks, time management skills are critical. After all, housekeepers often must complete a set number of projects or cleanings during the course of each shift.
The ability to stay focused can ensure that all tasks are given the attention and effort they require. Developing techniques like creating prioritized to-do lists, minimizing distractions and taking occasional breaks can help housekeepers maximize their productivity and complete their work on time.
Attention to detail
Job descriptions for housekeeping jobs and related cleaning and facilities maintenance roles often cite attention to detail as an important trait for top candidates. Why? Good attention to detail allows housekeepers to identify and address even the smallest areas that require cleaning or organization.
From spotless floors to streak-free windows and organized shelves, your housekeepers will need a sharp eye for detail to perform thorough, successful room cleanings. This care and consideration can help enhance the guest experience while creating a positive brand reputation for your business.
Communication skills
When you need to hire a housekeeper, keep in mind that communication is essential for the success of any cleaning project. Without strong communication skills, key parts of a cleaning project may be overlooked. This can lead to dissatisfied guests and cancelled reservations, two things your hospitality company would rather avoid.
In addition to communicating well with coworkers, your housekeepers must also communicate with clients and supervisors to prevent any issues and help your entire hospitality staff work well together to get the job done right.
Cleaning knowledge and experience
Cleaning knowledge and experience goes deeper than knowing what needs to be dusted, scrubbed or mopped. In order to be successful as a housekeeper, it’s important to understand what the proper cleaning tools and products are for each task.
Housekeepers should also be familiar with common safety practices, like how to prevent slips, trips and falls. They also must be willing to learn your company’s unique safety procedures and protocols. As a result, you can rest assured that your housekeeping staff can tackle any project without running into safety hazards.
Physical fitness and stamina
Housekeepers and other facilities services workers like janitors or cleaning crew members will be on their feet for most of their shift, and typical cleaning tasks often require lifting, bending and squatting.
That’s why endurance and physical fitness are near the top of the list of skills and qualities to look for in housekeepers to hire. After all, you need the kind of housekeeping staff that can keep up with the special demands of the job. With a strong and capable team, you can rest assured that your housekeepers are better equipped for the tasks at hand.
Looking for housekeeper staffing support? Partner with PeopleReady
A housekeeper staffing agency like PeopleReady gives you the flexibility you need to create your dream team. That’s true whether you need housekeeping for hotels and resorts or other hospitality venues. Meanwhile, we can also deliver supplemental workers for dedicated housekeeper agencies or other housekeeper service providers as well.
When you partner with PeopleReady, you’ll be able to connect with part-time or temporary workers who have all the skills and qualities we mentioned above. We can also help your hospitality company avoid the stress of filling weekend and night shifts at the last minute. With our app, JobStack, plus the support of our dedicated local teams, you’re able to access our hospitality staffing solutions 24/7 and have confidence that your housekeeper hiring needs will always be met.
Other types of facilities services workers we provide at PeopleReady include:
- Building cleaners
- Cleaning crew members
- Custodians and janitors
- Debris removal workers
- Laundry attendants
- Office cleaning workers
- And more!
