Introduction to the Career

A housekeeper is responsible for maintaining the cleanliness and organization of a private home or commercial establishment. They perform various tasks such as cleaning, laundry, grocery shopping, and running errands. Housekeepers play a vital role in helping their clients maintain a peaceful and healthy living environment.

Career Values, Traits, and Skills

Housekeeping requires a combination of hard and soft skills. Some of the essential values, traits, and skills for a housekeeper include:

• Strong attention to detail: Housekeepers must pay close attention to detail, ensuring all areas of the home are clean and tidy
• Physical stamina: Housekeepers must stay physically fit as the job requires a lot of standing, walking, and bending
• Time management: Being able to establish priorities, manage time efficiently and organize tasks offer clients maximum value for their money.
• Trustworthiness: Housekeepers often have access to valuables and personal information; therefore, being trustworthy is an essential quality for success.
• Good communication skills: Housekeepers should be able to communicate politely and effectively with their clients to ensure their satisfaction.

Career Path

Housekeeping is a career that requires no formal education. Many housekeepers start by working as maids or in cleaning services, gaining experience in all aspects of cleaning and laundry. Most housekeepers get hired through word of mouth, referrals, or by contacting a domestic staffing agency. Successful housekeepers work hard to build a reputation for excellence to secure repeat business.

Salary Range

The salary range for housekeepers varies depending on their location, experience, and type of establishment they work in. In North America, housekeepers earn an average hourly wage between $12 to $30(USD) per hour or 36,000 to 70,000 USD annually.

Tips for Success

If you are interested in pursuing a career as a housekeeper, here are some tips for success:

• Professionalism: Always maintain a high level of professionalism and treat your clients with respect and courtesy.
• Attention to detail: Ensure that no detail is overlooked in fulfilling your responsibilities as a housekeeper.
• Keep up with Cleaning Trends: Good housekeepers continuously learn new cleaning techniques and methods to improve their skills.
• Build a Good Relationship with Clients: A positive relationship with clients makes it easier to schedule work and build new referrals prospectively.
• Time-management: Manage your time effectively, so you complete all your tasks within a set time to ensure customers are satisfied while keeping your schedule flexible to adapt to their demands.

References

• CareerExplorer. (2021). Housekeeper: Career, Salary, and Education Information. CareerExplorer. Retrieved from http://www.careerexplorer.com/careers/housekeeper/

• Simply Hired. (2021). Housekeeper Salary. Simply Hired. Retrieved from http://www.simplyhired.com/salaries-k-housekeeper-jobs.html

• National Domestic Workers Alliance. (2021). Housekeeper. National Domestic Workers Alliance. Retrieved from https://www.domesticworkers.org/housekeeper