Key Takeaways:
Demand for housekeepers is rising: Growing population, busy lifestyles, and outsourcing trends create a strong job market. Demand expected to grow by 11% by 2030.
Variety of roles: Choose from private homes, hotels, offices, and more, each with unique opportunities.
No formal qualifications needed: Gain experience through volunteering or part-time cleaning to get started.
Competitive salary and benefits: Enjoy flexible hours, job security, and good pay with room for advancement.
Develop valuable skills: Attention to detail, organisation, and teamwork skills are transferable across industries.
Housekeeping is a rewarding career with a variety of transferable skills, offering flexible hours and opportunities for career advancement. While demanding physical labor, housekeeping provides a sense of satisfaction in creating clean, organised spaces for others.If you are looking for a rewarding and fulfilling career in the hospitality industry, then working as a housekeeper in the UK is a great option. Housekeepers are responsible for cleaning and maintaining homes, hotels, and other commercial properties. They play an important role in ensuring that these properties are clean, comfortable, and welcoming for guests.
What are the different types of housekeepers?
There are many different types of housekeepers, who work in a variety of settings. Some of the most common types of housekeepers include:
Private housekeepers: Private housekeepers work for individual families, cleaning and maintaining their homes.
Hotel housekeepers: Hotel housekeepers clean and maintain hotel rooms and other public areas of the hotel.
Holiday housekeepers: Holiday housekeepers clean and maintain holiday homes and other rental properties.
Office housekeepers: Office housekeepers clean and maintain office buildings and other commercial properties.
Live-in housekeepers: Live-in housekeepers live with the family they work for, providing 24/7 housekeeping services.
Live-out housekeepers: Live-out housekeepers work for families or businesses on a part-time or full-time basis, but they do not live with their employers.
What are the qualifications and experience required to be a housekeeper?
While there are no mandatory formal qualifications to become a housekeeper, most employers appreciate candidates with experience in cleaning and maintenance. Some might also look for a basic understanding of first aid and food safety.
However, if you're looking to enhance your career prospects and stand out, you could consider these valuable housekeeping qualifications:
Level 2 Certificate in Hospitality and Catering Principles (Housekeeping):
Provides a foundation in housekeeping techniques and hospitality standards.
Level 2 Certificate in Hospitality Industry Skills (Housekeeping):
Offers further practical training in cleaning procedures and customer service.
Specific Training:
Courses in areas like food hygiene, health and safety, or the use of specialized cleaning products can be advantageous.
If you are interested in a career as a housekeeper, the best way to get started is to gain some experience. You can do this by volunteering or by working part-time as a cleaner.
What are the job prospects for housekeepers in the UK?
The job market for housekeepers in the UK is expected to grow in the coming years, with more and more people looking for professional help to clean and maintain their homes. This growth is being driven by a number of factors, including:
An aging population: As the population ages, more and more people are moving into assisted living facilities and nursing homes, which require housekeepers to clean and maintain their facilities.
Dual-income households: More and more households are dual-income, which means that people have less time to clean their own homes.
A growing trend towards outsourcing: More and more people are choosing to outsource cleaning and maintenance tasks to professionals, such as housekeepers.
As a result of these factors, the job market for housekeepers in the UK is expected to grow by 11% between 2020 and 2030. This growth will create an estimated 13,200 new jobs for housekeepers during this period.
In addition to the strong job outlook, housekeepers in the UK also benefit from a number of other advantages, including:
Competitive salaries: Housekeepers in the UK earn a competitive salary, with an average salary of £25,000 per year.
Flexible hours: Housekeepers often have the flexibility to work the hours that suit them, which can be a great benefit for people with families or other commitments.
Job satisfaction: Many housekeepers report high levels of job satisfaction, as they enjoy working in a clean and tidy environment and helping their clients to maintain their homes.
If you are considering a career as a housekeeper in the UK, now is a great time to get started. The job market is strong, the salaries are competitive, and the hours are flexible.
What are the benefits of working as a housekeeper?
Housekeeping is a rewarding and fulfilling career choice where you'll learn a variety of transferable skills, with flexible hours and fantastic opportunities for career advancement. While demanding physical labor, housekeeping provides a sense of satisfaction in creating clean and organised spaces for others.
Some of the many benefits to working as a housekeeper include:
Flexible hours: Housekeepers often have the opportunity to work flexible hours and choose their own shifts. This can be a great benefit for people with families or other commitments.
Job security: The demand for housekeepers is expected to grow in the coming years, so housekeepers can enjoy good job security.
Competitive salary and benefits: Housekeepers typically earn a competitive salary and benefits package.
How to find a job as a housekeeper in the UK
There are many ways to find a job as a housekeeper in the UK. You can search for jobs online, through recruitment agencies, or by networking with people in the hospitality industry.
When applying for jobs, be sure to highlight your skills and experience, and explain why you are interested in working as a housekeeper. You may also want to include a cover letter and CV with your application.
At Select Recruitment Specialists, we have the experience and knowledge to help you find the perfect housekeeping job for you.
Tips for success as a housekeeper
To be successful as a housekeeper, you need to be reliable, punctual, honest, trustworthy, and respectful of your clients' privacy. You should also be willing to go the extra mile and provide excellent customer service.
Here are some additional tips for success as a housekeeper:
Be organised and efficient: Housekeepers often have a lot of tasks to complete, so it is important to be organised and efficient. This means having a plan for each cleaning session and sticking to it.
Be detail-oriented: Housekeepers need to be able to pay attention to detail and ensure that their work is of the highest quality. This means taking the time to clean all surfaces thoroughly and to make sure that everything is put back in its place.
Be discreet and professional: Housekeepers often work in private homes and businesses, so it is important to be discreet and professional. This means avoiding gossip and respecting the privacy of your clients and employers.
Be willing to learn: The housekeeping sector is constantly evolving, so it is important to be willing to learn new things. This could involve taking training courses or attending industry events.
Be positive and enthusiastic: A positive attitude can make a big difference in the workplace. Housekeepers who are positive and enthusiastic are more likely to enjoy their job and to provide excellent customer service.
If you follow these tips, you will be well on your way to becoming a successful housekeeper.
How to progress your career as a housekeeper
The housekeeping profession offers a wealth of opportunities for individuals seeking advancement and professional growth. From specialised niches to managerial positions, housekeepers can embark on a fulfilling career journey. Specialised housekeepers can elevate their expertise in upscale property maintenance, while others can pursue careers in specific industries like healthcare or hospitality. For those aspiring to leadership roles, the path to becoming a supervisor or manager within the housekeeping department is readily accessible.
Here are some tips for progressing your career as a housekeeper:
Gain experience: The more experience you have, the more attractive you will be to potential employers. You can gain experience by working in a variety of housekeeping roles, such as private housekeeping, hotel housekeeping, or office housekeeping. You can also gain experience by volunteering or working part-time.
Develop your skills: There are a number of skills that are essential for housekeepers, such as cleaning and maintenance skills, attention to detail, organisational skills, and the ability to work independently and as part of a team. You can develop your skills by taking courses, reading books, or watching online tutorials.
Network with other housekeepers: Networking with other housekeepers is a great way to learn about new opportunities and to meet potential employers. You can network with other housekeepers by attending industry events, joining online forums, or connecting with other housekeepers on social media.
Become a supervisor or manager: If you have the necessary skills and experience, you may be able to become a supervisor or manager in the housekeeping industry. Supervisors and managers are responsible for overseeing the work of other housekeepers and ensuring that the highest standards of cleanliness are met.
Final Thoughts
If you are considering a career as a housekeeper in the UK, there are many things to keep in mind. Housekeeping can be a rewarding and fulfilling career, but it is important to be aware of the challenges involved, such as the potential for long hours and working on weekends.
If you are interested in finding a housekeeping job in the UK, Select Recruitment can help. We have a proven track record of success, and we offer a range of services to help our candidates succeed.
We are also committed to working with our clients to find the best housekeeping candidates for their needs. We have a deep understanding of the housekeeping sector, and we are able to identify the skills and qualities that are essential for each role.
Select Recruitment Specialists
Select Recruitment Specialists is a leading recruitment agency specialising in placing people in housekeeping jobs across the UK. We have years of experience in the industry, and we have a proven track record of success in placing candidates in a wide range of housekeeping roles, from private housekeepers to hotel housekeepers to office housekeepers.
We understand that the housekeeping sector is a competitive one, and we are committed to providing our candidates with the best possible support. We offer a range of services to help our candidates succeed, including:
CV and interview skills advice: We can help our candidates to write a CV that stands out from the crowd and to prepare for job interviews.
Job search support: We can help our candidates to find relevant housekeeping jobs and to apply for them effectively.
Negotiation advice: We can help our candidates to negotiate a salary and benefits package that is fair and competitive.
Onboarding support: Once our candidates have been placed in a housekeeping job, we can provide them with onboarding support to help them settle into their new role.
We are also committed to working with our clients to find the best housekeeping candidates for their needs. We have a deep understanding of the housekeeping sector, and we are able to identify the skills and qualities that are essential for each role. Send us an enquiry detailing what you are looking for help with and one of our expert recruiters will be in touch.
If you are looking for a housekeeping job in the UK, or if you are a client looking for a housekeeper, please contact Select Recruitment Specialists today. We would be delighted to help you.