What Questions Should I Ask When Interviewing a Housekeeper?
Hiring a housekeeper is about much more than finding someone who can clean — you’re bringing someone into your private home, trusting them with your space, your routines, and in many cases, your family life. Asking the right interview questions will help you find a housekeeper who is not only skilled, but also a good fit for your household.
This guide outlines the key questions to ask when interviewing a housekeeper for a private home.
1. Start with Availability and Logistics
Begin with practical housekeeper interview questions to understand the basics:
- What days and hours are you available to work?
- Are you looking for a long-term role?
- Are you available for occasional overtime?
- Do you have any upcoming commitments we should know about?
- Are you comfortable working around children or pets?
- Do you have a driving licence or easy access to transport?
2. Ask About Their Housekeeping Experience
These housekeeper interview questions help you understand their background and skills:
- How many years have you worked as a private housekeeper?
- What kinds of properties have you worked in?
- What duties did you perform in your most recent role?
- Are you familiar with specialist cleaning (e.g. antiques, marble, silverware)?
- Do you have experience working as part of a wider household team?
3. Understand Their Approach to Work
Ask open-ended housekeeper interview questions to get a feel for their attitude and work style:
- How do you prioritise your tasks during the day?
- What’s your approach to maintaining high standards of cleanliness?
- How do you manage your time when there are unexpected tasks?
- What do you enjoy most about housekeeping?
- How do you handle feedback or changes in routine?
4. Clarify Household Preferences and Duties
You may have specific preferences about how things are done. Use these housekeeper interview questions to get aligned:
- Are you comfortable using eco-friendly products?
- Do you have experience with laundry, ironing, or wardrobe management?
- Are you confident preparing light meals if needed?
- Would you be happy to care for pets as part of your duties?
- Are you comfortable with CCTV being used on the property?
5. Ask About Professionalism and Boundaries
These housekeeper interview questions help set expectations early:
- Are you comfortable signing an NDA or confidentiality agreement?
- How do you manage boundaries when working in someone’s private space?
- What would you do if you broke or damaged something?
- Have you ever had to deal with an emergency in a previous role?
6. Reference Checks and Trial Shifts
Always finish by covering logistics and next steps:
- Can you provide references from recent employers?
- Are you happy for us to contact them directly?
- Are you available for a paid trial shift?
- When would you be able to start?
- Do you have a current DBS certificate?
Final Thoughts on Housekeeper Interview Questions
When it comes to hiring a housekeeper, experience and reliability are essential — but trust, communication, and respect matter just as much. These housekeeper interview questions will help you get to know the person behind the CV and give you confidence in making the right choice for your home.
Read more: How To Write The Best Housekeeper Job Description