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Custodian interview questions and how to answer them

A custodian interview is mostly about trust. The person across the table wants to know you'll show up, work without being watched, and handle the mess nobody else will touch. Here's what they ask, why, and how to answer like someone who's already done the job.

12 questions8 minute read

Part 1

1.Walk me through how you clean a restroom from start to finish.

Why they ask

Restrooms are where complaints come from. A clear order tells them you've done it many times and won't skip steps when you're tired.

How to answer

  • Put out the wet floor sign and knock or prop the door so nobody walks in mid-clean
  • Empty trash and restock paper, soap and seat covers first so you don't forget
  • Apply disinfectant to toilets, urinals and sinks and let it sit for the dwell time on the label
  • Clean top to bottom and cleanest to dirtiest, with separate cloths for toilets and sinks
  • Mop last, working from the back of the room toward the door

2.How do you know which chemical to use, and what do you do if you're not sure?

Why they ask

Mixing the wrong products or using a floor stripper on the wrong surface causes injuries and expensive damage. They want someone who reads before pouring.

How to answer

  • Check the label and the Safety Data Sheet binder, which should be in the custodial closet
  • Use the dilution station or the ratio on the label, never eyeball it
  • Never mix bleach with ammonia or acid cleaners
  • If you're still unsure, ask the lead or supervisor before you start

3.Tell me about your experience with floor care. Have you stripped and waxed a floor?

Why they ask

Hard floor work is a real skill and a lot of summer and break work in schools is exactly this. They need to know whether to train you from scratch.

How to answer

  • Name the equipment you've used: a swing buffer, a burnisher, an auto scrubber, a wet vac
  • Describe the steps: sweep, strip, rinse, neutralize, let it dry, then lay thin coats of finish
  • Mention letting each coat dry fully and blocking the area off
  • If you haven't done it, say so plainly and say you're ready to learn
4.A student vomits in the hallway during class change. What do you do?

Why they ask

Bodily fluid cleanups happen all the time in schools and offices. They're checking for bloodborne pathogen awareness and whether you control the area first.

How to answer

  • Block the area right away with a sign or a cone and ask a teacher to redirect students
  • Put on gloves and any other protective gear the site provides
  • Use absorbent powder, scoop it up, bag it, then clean and disinfect the surface
  • Dispose of the waste the way your site requires and wash your hands
5.You'll be working mostly alone on the night shift. How do you keep yourself on track?

Why they ask

Nobody's watching at eleven at night. They want to know the rooms will still get cleaned properly.

How to answer

  • Work from the area checklist or route in the same order every night
  • Give yourself rough time targets per room so you know if you're falling behind
  • Note anything you couldn't finish and tell the day lead
  • Mention a past job where you worked unsupervised and it went fine

Part 2

6.What would you do if you found a leak, a broken light or a damaged door while cleaning?

Why they ask

Custodians are the eyes of the building. A good one reports problems before they turn into a flooded classroom.

How to answer

  • Make it safe first: put out a sign, a bucket, or tape off the area
  • Report it the way the building does it, often a work order system or a note to maintenance
  • Tell your supervisor directly if it's urgent, like water near electrical
  • Don't try a repair you're not trained or allowed to do
7.How do you set up for an event, like a gym assembly or a board meeting?

Why they ask

Plenty of custodial work is moving tables, chairs and risers on short notice. They're checking you can follow a layout and lift safely.

How to answer

  • Get the layout or setup sheet ahead of time and confirm the start time
  • Use a dolly or chair cart and lift with your legs, and ask for help with heavy tables
  • Leave clear exits and aisles
  • Check the room again right before it starts and handle teardown after
8.Tell me about a time a teacher, tenant or coworker complained about your work.

Why they ask

Complaints come with the job. They want to see you don't get defensive and you fix the actual problem.

How to answer

  • Pick a real, small example, like a trash can that got missed
  • Say you listened without arguing and thanked them for telling you
  • Explain what you changed so it didn't happen again
  • Keep the tone calm and a little humble
9.You're running behind and can't finish your area tonight. What do you do?

Why they ask

It happens, especially when someone calls out and you pick up their rooms. They care more about how you handle it than about you never falling behind.

How to answer

  • Do the health and safety items first: restrooms, trash, spills, cafeteria
  • Leave lower priority work like dusting blinds for the next night
  • Tell your supervisor or leave a note so the day crew knows
  • Don't rush through with shortcuts that look done but aren't
10.What does keeping a building secure mean to you as a custodian?

Why they ask

You'll often have keys or a badge to the whole building and you may be the last one out. Trust is the job.

How to answer

  • Lock doors behind you and check them on your way out
  • Never let someone in just because they say they work there
  • Set the alarm and follow the closing checklist
  • Keep your keys on you and report a lost key right away

Part 3

11.How do you handle confidential papers or personal items you find while cleaning an office?

Why they ask

Custodians go into principal offices, HR rooms and patient areas. They need someone who doesn't read, move or take things.

How to answer

  • Clean around papers on desks and don't move or read them
  • Only empty the containers you're told to, especially shred bins
  • Turn in anything valuable you find to your supervisor or the front office
  • Mention you understand you'll likely pass a background check
12.Why do you want to work here as a custodian?

Why they ask

They want someone who'll stay. Turnover is a constant headache for custodial supervisors.

How to answer

  • Say what draws you to this building, like working in a school or a hospital
  • Mention that the shift fits your life so you can commit to it
  • Show you take pride in a clean building
  • Keep it honest and short

Questions to ask them

Ask at least two. It shows you're picking them too.

  • What does a normal route look like on this shift, and how many areas does one person cover?
  • What equipment do you use here, and will I get trained on the auto scrubber or burnisher?
  • How do you handle it when someone calls out and their area needs covering?
  • What happens during summer or break weeks, and is that when floor projects get done?
  • How do problems get reported to maintenance, and who do I go to on nights?
Career guideWhat a Custodian does, and what it pays
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Skills to learnCustodian skills: what to learn first
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