The Role of a Housekeeper within a Private Household

Having conducted numerous interviews with Housekeepers, we have noticed that most of our candidates do not fully understand their role in a private household and underestimate their experience and skills.

Especially, while discussing duties and responsibilities, most of the Housekeepers take their position for granted.
​Therefore, at the time when it is necessary to reveal as much as possible about the role and to show that they are real professionals in their industry, they become laconic and diffident.

​It is necessary to have a clear picture of your importance in a private household and to be able to convince first of all a recruiter and then your future employer that your services are an integral part of a busy household.

In order not to be unfounded, we would like to provide some examples that the work of a Housekeeper can be described with more than just the phrase "general property cleaning". During an interview you can specify what kind of cleaning you can perform, for instance deep cleaning, steam cleaning, carpet cleaning, heavy cleaning, like cleaning windows and furniture, as well as sanitizing of bathroom, kitchen and toilet, cleaning up the bedrooms and the living room, taking out the rubbish, dusting, vacuuming and mopping, cleaning of various surfaces (wooden, marble, glass, etc.).

Talking about kitchen cleaning during an interview, it will also be beneficial to mention what exactly you do for example stove top, oven or grill cleaning, cupboard interior and exterior cleaning, weekly fridge cleaning, etc. Housekeepers really specialise in looking after their client so when they come home after work everything is done (like all the cleaning, washing, ironing, folding, making beds, etc).

In case your role as a Housekeeper includes cooking, during the interview you can provide examples what dishes you can cook or which cuisine you specialise in. If you know how to take care of a luxury wardrobe, be sure to provide examples what fabrics need hand washing or dry cleaning. Moreover, it will be a great plus if you can name products that you use to remove different stains or which of them help you keep bed linen white and towels soft. 

Whatever the scope of the role, every Housekeeper should be flexible, competent and self-motivated, and the most important thing is to use your chance and time to convince a recruiter and a client that you have all those qualities. 

If you are looking for a job as a Housekeeper, or if you are a property owner and looking for a high standard Housekeeper, please feel free to contact Morgan & Mallet International offices worldwide, we will be delighted to assist.

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Housekeeper Positions