Janitor Resume: Free Guidelines & Downloadable Sample
As a Janitor, you know how to keep a facility sanitary and organized, but are you having trouble keeping your resume in an orderly fashion? Clean up your resume by using our custom-made resume templates and stand out from the rest of the applicants.

Janitor Resume Example MSWord®
Take advantage of our Janitor Resume template in Word to keep your job application neat and tidy.
You may be asking yourself if a resume for a janitorial position is necessary to find employment.
The job description for a janitor may not be too complex—usually with main responsibilities that include emptying garbage bins, mopping floors, cleaning restrooms, and restocking supplies.
Yet, it’s always a highly important position within any organization that upholds facilities to allow uninterrupted and pleasant daily functioning of the said organization.
Because of this, writing a well-thought-out janitor resume is highly important, as you will be an integral part of the company looking to hire you.
Currently, there are about 2,298,400 janitor jobs in the USA, and projections from the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicate about 335,500 openings every year.
If this type of employment is on your radar, then having a squeaky-clean janitor resume is a good start to your maintenance and cleaning career!
If you are unsure about the proper resume format and context of a professional bio, then you’re in luck. We will guide you through the process and teach you how to write a resume that screams—Hire me!
From sought-after skills to experience with machinery, knowledge of cleaning chemicals, and character traits such as integrity and attention to detail—here is what a janitor resume ought to entail!
Janitor Resume Sample
First, let’s examine a wholesome sample of a janitor resume, from top to bottom:
[Robert Cooke]
[Janitor]
[2121 Johnson Street, NJ 08000 | 201-555-9469 | r.v.cookefoodboss@hotmail.com]
Summary
- HVAC/R certified janitor with 10+ years of experience maintaining school and corporate facilities.
- Knowledge of safety procedures and cleaning equipment.
- Communicative, with organizational skills and a proven track record of achieving organizational efficiency goals.
- Ready to provide janitorial excellence at South Bay High School.
Experience
Janitor
McAlister High School
April 2011 – May 2016
- Swept, vacuumed, and mopped classrooms.
- Maintain inventory of cleaning supplies.
- Upkeep grounds by mowing lawns and clearing debris.
- Praised by the principal for perfect attendance.
- Performed maintenance on heating equipment.
- Commended 4x by principal for perfect attendance for 5 years.
- Given 97% favorable scores by all staff and teachers in quarterly reviews of cleanliness of rooms, hallways, bathrooms, and other facilities.
Janitor
Max’s Furniture Magic
October 2016–June 2021
- Perform custodial duties in 5,000 square-foot manufacturing facility
- When necessary, lifted and carried boxes with a dolly
- Commended from supervisor for quality of work
Education
Barkly High School Graduated 2010
Varsity basketball team
A summer job as a waiter in a local coffee shop
Skills
- Sanitizing different types of surfaces
- Hand and power tools
- Chemical safety/SDS knowledge
- Electrical skills
- Problem-solving
- Time Management
- Attention to detail
Activities & Hobbies
Restoring vintage cars
Red Cross volunteer
What’s the Most Effective Resume Format for a Janitor?
A janitor’s work hours are often not conventional, they typically start their day before sunrise or sundown when noone is in the building.
It’s an isolated work environment that emphasizes individuality and a strong work ethic.
The best route to indicate you have these qualities is an immaculate resume.
If you’re not tech-savvy, you can benefit from resume templates that offer a convenient way to package your professional credentials.
Alternatively you can roll up your sleeves and use our guidelines to prepare an eye-pleasing resume design that can be your ticket for a janitorial interview.
What Should My Resume Emphasize?
There are several formats to choose from that emphasize different things, but the smart bet is to go with one of the following:
- Reverse-chronological Format: This resume form will promote your on-the-job experience.
- Functional Format: This is a skill-based heavy resume, focusing on expertise putting experience in the back seat.
- Combination/Hybrid: When in doubt, use both—that’s the purpose of this format that offers a solid mix of work experiences and abilities;
Here are some extra tips to get you started:
- Put a header with all your contact information;
- Use a clean font to make it readable, solid choices are: Calibri and Georgia;
- Export the content in PDF unless another format is requested.
- Don’t worry about white space;
Defining the general look is the first stage. Now that you’ve done that, let’s move on to several janitor resume examples that’ll steer you in the right direction.
How to Write a Janitor Resume Summary or Resume Objective
The resume summary conveys who you are as a worker. Although employers focus on skills, janitors are not cleaning robots! The work also involves interaction with people who can be impatient, so a positive disposition is a prerequisite for a well-rounded candidate.
- When organizing the content pieces for the janitor resume summary, don’t forget it’s a paragraph, not a chapter. Concentrate on relaying crucial information in 3-5 sentences tops.
- Lean on your previous experience and skills that make you proficient at your job.
- Don’t be modest, go heavy on the adjectives when describing the traits that make you a respected and praised colleague.
- Something to note—a janitor description for a resume shouldn’t ignore past recognitions or certificates, they deserve a prominent spot in the summary section.
- If you are lacking in the experience department, don’t stress—the Objective section is a good alternative to showcase your goals and the qualities you possess.
To recap, senior janitors should use a summary section.
At the same time, entry-level janitors should gravitate to the objectives section, where they can spell out the reasons that make them a great candidate for this role.
A Janitor’s Resume Summary: Example
The janitor resume summary is a snippet that highlights your career profile. It should attempt to say plenty about your professional development and character in a concise way.
Hiring managers don’t like generic resume content, so make yours unique.
To help you do this, let’s examine two janitor resume summary examples, starting with the not-as-impressive one.
Wrong ❌
I’ve been a janitor for 5 years, working for several motels and hotels. Have experience in handling cleaning machines and some electrical knowledge. I would be happy to join your organization and prove my worth.
This example reveals a person that doesn’t take pride in their profession.
The problem is, the applicant might be an exceptional worker. They are honest about their limited knowledge in some professional areas.
Still, when compared alongside an inbox full of resumes, this type of resume information will be quickly sent to the trash folder.
The summary must be to the point, with a serious tone of a person that can’t wait to implement their expertise.
Check out this strong example of a janitor resume summary:
Right ✅
Professional janitor with 5+ years of experience working in luxury hotel chains. Experience in inventory management and safety procedures. Served as team lead for cleaning staff of 10. Available for all shifts. Never late.
The paragraph sums up the best qualities of the candidate.
It’s not hard to do, there is no exclusive info or over-the-top writing.
Just put yourself in the employer’s shoes, think about what these bosses would love in a janitor, and include all details of relevance to your resume.
How to Write an Entry-Level Objective
Being a newbie in the professional field already puts you a few steps behind the pack—especially if your potential employer has ideas of hiring someone with experience.
With that being said, there’s no need to panic—especially with current labor shortages and the US Bureau of Labor Statistics predicting janitor’s positions will grow by 4% this decade.
Use this information as motivation, and get focused on your next top priority.
A comprehensive resume with a strong objective statement.
- Research the work duties that are most likely to occupy your time at the prospective organization.
- Use the information to deduce what skills and expectations are wanted in the perfect candidate.
- Keep this section under 4 sentences long and in it, describe what makes you unique.
- Things that may seem irrelevant can actually showcase your potential. So, mention any relevant experience, and accentuate the factors that drive you as a professional.
An Entry-Level Janitor’s Resume Objective: Example
The resume objective is an introductory statement summarizing your goals, work ethic, and sanitation skills. Don’t rush the writing process, but instead, create several resume versions, and opt for the best crafted one.
To give you an idea of how to compile your resume objective, let’s see an example.
Right ✅
Physically dexterous and detail-oriented cleaning professional, seeking a janitor position with Fast Computers. Desire to apply sanitation skills and uphold the company’s safety record. Quick learner with good communication skills.
This makes a great example of an entry-level objectives statement. The short paragraph shines a light on the candidate’s enthusiasm for the work ahead, and the relevant information is summarized neatly.
How You Should Describe Your Janitorial Experience
The turnover rate in the janitor industry is high, it fluctuates at an average of 200%.
Having a stable employment history indicates you don’t see it as a part-time gig but a professional choice that you will not abandon soon.
Therefore, the experience section could be your winning card!
Use bullet points to list skills and contributions that you have made throughout your career.
In doing so, include positions of authority you may have held and previous association with sports teams which shows you can handle physically demanding tasks.
Adapt the resume experience section to reflect your competency!
Experience Section Examples
Your work history is at the core of your suitability for the applied position.
It provides an overview of your career, and whilst it may sound counterintuitive, starting with a reverse chronology order of your employment experience is a handy tip to consider.
To emphasize the strongest aspects of your working life, use a bulleted list of 3-5 points to cover tasks you performed for each job position.
Let’s check an example of a janitor responsibilities resume format.
Right ✅
Janitor
Phoenix Properties, Dallas, TX
Jun 2018-Present
- Vacuumed office spaces daily
- Sanitized all surfaces
- Disinfecting water coolers
- Cleaned and sanitized restrooms
- Steamed carpets once monthly
- Implemented OSHA guidelines and standards
- Managed cleaning supplies inventory
This example is a cohesive section of bulletin points that use action words for each entry. Maintain an impersonal tone by removing the “I” from the listing points.
Now let’s inspect an alternative example that lacks crucial details.
Wrong ❌
The ABC Group Inc, Janitor
- Vacuumed carpets
- Cleaned the restrooms
- I washed windows
The difference is obvious!
In both cases, janitor resume duties are identical, yet the way they are worded creates very different perspectives about the candidate.
Entry-Level Janitor Resume: Experience Section
We have already touched upon entry-level candidate’s objective sections, and we have come full circle with the experience section.
The last thing we need to cover is how to present information from previous jobs or positions that highlight how your experience will be applied to your future position.
Tap into your volunteer work from your youth. Participation in community programs can be a great place to source relevant experience and give you a solid base of credentials.
Let’s illustrate our point with an example:
Right ✅
Volunteer – Custodial Services
St.Mark Church, Albany, NY
May 2018 – April 2020
- Swept the floors
- Gathered trash following disposal procedures
- Sanitized bathrooms and replenished toiletries
- Dusted furniture
- Maintenance work such as replacing light bulbs
- Sprayed insecticides to prevent insect infestation
Volunteer work reveals to HR personnel, your willingness and dedication to work for a cause. Supplement this section with relevant skills and perhaps recognitions awarded for your work.
Is Your Education Section Sanitized? It Might Need to be….
Education is a tricky subject to feature in a janitor’s resume. After all, being a janitor is often not a professional field that requires a large amount of academic investment.
Because of this, we recommend you keep the info short and clear, and use more of your resume space on previous more important sections.
As part of your janitor resume education section, ensure to include the following points:
- The degree you obtained;
- The institution where you studied;
- The Grade Point Average;
Janitor Resume Education Section
When preparing the education section, pay attention to the job requirements. On one hand, recruiters don’t prioritize education for a janitor position. On the other hand, the evaluation process can’t get completed without info about the education level.
It would be a big plus if you have some college classes or certificates that can tip the scale in your favor. And it is never too late to enroll in a technical course.
Time-wise, it’s a couple of months’ investment that will build your credibility and skill set.
The following is a good example of an educational section:
Right ✅
High School Diploma
Lincoln High School, Detroit, MI
Class of 2016
GPA 3.6
The Best Janitor Skills for a Resume
The janitor resume skills section is what counts in a janitor’s resume. It all comes down to what you can bring to the organization and improve the work environment.
Don’t confuse the recruiter with irrelevant details, the resume is only getting reviewed for the job at hand. Ergo, clear content is the recipe for success.
Still, you can make it fun by grouping the janitor skills list resume into hard and soft categories.
Let’s check out the skills in this sample resume for janitor position:
Soft Skills
- Communication
- Collaboration
- Physical fitness
- Dependability
- Honesty
- Self-motivation
- Time management
- Perceptiveness
- Friendliness
- Creativity
- Adaptability
Hard Skills
- Chemical Mixing
- Waste Disposal
- Recycling
- Supplies Inventory Management
- Equipment Maintenance
- Power Equipment Handling
- Grounds upkeep cleaning
- Dusting
- Light maintenance
- Sweeping
- Mopping
What About Other Sections?
You might be a janitor during working hours, but you are also a person with passions that gets busy over the weekends!
Hiring teams want to discover who the individual behind the professional façade of academic and work achievements is. This is where the Other sections of a janitor’s resume can come in handy.
The “other” section is a space reserved for all activities that indirectly relate to your work. But mostly, these speak about your character and side engagements.
A few ideas for things to include in the other section are:
- Volunteering
- Hobby projects
- Home projects
- Sports activities
- Languages you speak
- Commendations from employers
This is particularly a helpful section for entry-level janitors with sparse experience and education.
Bullet points are your friend, so organize everything appropriately to give your resume a much-deserved boost.
Examples of “Other” Sections
We already revealed the secret for including Other sections for your janitor resume.
For an actual example of how this section should look, here is a janitor resume Other sections sample.
Right ✅
Volunteer activities
- Ski Coach, Winter Youth Camp, Denver, CO
- Volunteer at Animal Shelter
- Photographer, St. Justin School Student Newspaper
Hobbies
- Book club: Fan of science fiction literature
- Sports: Baseball, Basketball, and Snooker
- Cooking: Keen interest in international cuisines
Now we’ve cleaned that up, What’s the key takeaway?
Corporations and institutions never underestimate the value of having a dependable custodian on the premises.
Create your resume around the skills that will benefit the potential employer. When maintenance work is in question, experience speaks for itself, but you also have to give your janitorial resume a nudge so you are spotted amongst the crowd.
In conclusion, make sure your janitor resume description includes the following:
- Select a resume layout that transmits the appropriate message;
- Resume header with easy to find contact details;
- Present a wide range of relevant skills;
- Display a dash of personality;
- Include certificates of technical training;
- Accentuate future goals.
If you are still unsure about how to write a resume, you can use our free resume builder—we have templates for every profession!
Including a janitor resume cover letter is a plus as well, especially in presenting yourself as a professional to the employer.
Cover letter excluded, if you submit a comprehensive personalized janitor resume, you can still secure employment that will pay dividends in the future!
Go get them!