Every interviewer wants evidence you can be reliable, safe, and adaptable — and custodian duties are a perfect way to show that. This guide walks through what custodian duties mean, why they matter in interviews, the most common questions you’ll face, how to use the STAR method to answer, and practical scripts you can adapt. It includes sample phrasing, safety talking points, and a checklist you can use to prepare 2–3 strong examples before your next interview.
What are custodian duties and how should you define them in an interview
Cleaning high-touch surfaces (doorknobs, handrails, desks) and restrooms
Trash removal and recycling collection
Restocking consumables (soap, paper towels, toilet paper)
Equipment operation and maintenance (vacuums, floor buffers)
Spill response and hazard containment (wet-floor signs, PPE)
Minor repairs or coordination with maintenance teams
Custodian duties cover the routine and the unexpected tasks janitorial professionals handle to keep buildings clean, functional, and safe. When defining these duties in an interview, be concise and concrete. Common responsibilities include:
Use clear language that shows both task knowledge and safety awareness: for example, “I clean high-touch areas frequently, use wet-floor signage, and follow lockout/tagout for any equipment servicing.” These practical items are highlighted in several custodian interview resources and job templates, which emphasize both operational tasks and safety protocols Startup Jobs, Workable.
Why do custodian duties matter in a job interview
Reliability and punctuality: routine cleaning schedules require consistency.
Time management and prioritization: knowing what’s urgent (a restroom spill) versus routine (scheduled vacuum).
Safety judgment: handling chemicals, using PPE, and marking hazards demonstrates risk awareness.
Problem solving and initiative: fixing unexpected issues or stepping in when supervisors are unavailable.
Interviewers ask about custodian duties because these tasks reveal underlying workplace skills:
Explaining custodian duties well signals you understand process, consequences, and teamwork. Employers often use custodian scenarios to infer behavior in other roles — for example, prioritizing a client emergency in sales is similar to prioritizing a spill in a lobby. See role-focused interview question banks for patterns of what hiring managers expect TalentLyft, YourAspire.
What common interview questions about custodian duties should you expect
Questions typically fall into three categories:
“Tell me about a time you handled a difficult spill or mess.”
“Describe a situation when you had to de-escalate a safety concern.”
Behavioral
“What would you do if you found a hazardous chemical spill and your supervisor was not available?”
“How do you prioritize tasks during a busy shift?”
Situational
“What cleaning equipment are you familiar with?”
“How do you maintain and store cleaning chemicals safely?”
Operational
Prepare a mix of examples and short procedural explanations. Use resources that list custodian-specific prompts to practice concise answers and follow-ups Zenzap, Workable.
How should you prepare and answer custodian duties questions using STAR
The STAR method (Situation-Task-Action-Result) is ideal for custodian duties because it organizes messy, real-world events into clear narratives. Use this framework for each example:
Situation — Briefly set the scene: location, time, who was there.
Task — Explain your responsibility: what needed to be done and why.
Action — Detail steps you took (safety steps, tools used, who you informed).
Result — Share the outcome and what you learned (reduced incidents, faster cleanup).
Situation: “A large coffee spill spread across a hallway during morning drop-off.”
Task: “My job was to clean the area quickly to prevent slips and maintain traffic flow.”
Action: “I cordoned the area, posted wet-floor signs, used absorbent pads then a mop with a neutral cleaner, and informed the front desk.”
Result: “Traffic resumed with no injuries and I updated our checklist to include an extra mop during peak hours.”
Sample answer (bolded language for interviews):
Aim to prepare 2–3 STAR stories for each major duty (cleaning, safety, equipment, prioritization), so you can adapt to behavioral, situational, or technical follow-up questions. Practice trimming them to 45–75 seconds.
What actionable tips will help you stand out when discussing custodian duties
Here are practical, interview-ready tips — each with sample phrasing you can use or adapt.
Tip: Review the job ad for specifics (hazardous waste, floor care certifications).
Sample: “I noticed this position includes hazardous waste handling; I have experience following your facility’s protocol.”
Research the role
Source: TalentLyft
Tip: Articulate a clear prioritization rule: safety first, then high-traffic spaces, then routine tasks.
Sample: “I start with safety issues (spills/restrooms), then high-traffic zones, then scheduled duties, adjusting for unexpected needs.”
Master prioritization answers
Source: Zenzap
Tip: Always mention PPE, signage, ventilation, and incident reporting.
Sample: “I wear gloves and goggles for chemical cleanups, post signs, ventilate the area, and log the incident.”
Emphasize safety
Source: Workable
Tip: Use concise STAR stories that end with measurable results or lessons learned.
Sample: “Result: No residue, quicker turnaround, and I added a step to our checklist.”
Handle behavioral questions
Tip: Say you’ll help beyond routine duties when reasonable and safe.
Sample: “If it’s safe and within my capability, I’ll assist with minor repairs or support the maintenance team.”
Show flexibility and team orientation
Tip: Stand/sit tall, maintain eye contact, and send a thank-you email referencing a duty example.
Sample: “Thank you — my experience preventing hazards, like quick spill response, means I’ll keep your facility safe.”
Body language and follow-up
Source: general interview practice guidance Startup Jobs
Tip: Quantify when possible: “reduced slip incidents by X%” or “cleaned X rooms per shift.”
Use numbers and specifics
Review the job description for key duties (2 min).
Choose 3 STAR stories and highlight the Action and Result (8 min).
Practice one concise safety script and one prioritization script (5 min).
Create a 15-minute prep checklist
How can you relate custodian duties to other professional scenarios in interviews
Custodian duties translate well to non-janitorial interviews because they demonstrate transferable skills:
Sales calls: “Like handling a spill, I address core objections first, then follow up to prevent escalation.”
College interviews: “Maintaining a clean study area developed my discipline and time management for deadlines.”
Customer service: “Prioritizing urgent issues ensures customer satisfaction, similar to prioritizing restroom cleanliness.”
Leadership roles: “Coaching junior custodial staff taught me how to teach procedures and enforce safety.”
When making analogies, be explicit about the transferable skill (prioritization, safety awareness, reliability) and give a short example to make the comparison vivid.
What common challenges do candidates face when answering custodian duties questions and how do you overcome them
Lack of specific examples
Fix: Prepare 2–3 STAR narratives per duty and keep a one-line summary for each to prompt memory in the interview.
Demonstrating safety knowledge
Fix: Memorize standard safety phrases: PPE type, signage, ventilation, and incident report protocol. Cite facility policies when you can.
Prioritization under time constraints
Fix: Use a simple rule in answers: Safety first, high-traffic second, scheduled tasks third — and give a short example.
Ethical dilemmas
Fix: Use neutral, policy-focused language: “I reported the behavior to my supervisor and followed our HR/incident procedures.”
Adapting to unexpected situations
Fix: Frame an example where you used initiative safely and involved the right people.
Resources like role-specific interview guides list typical pitfalls and sample answers you can rehearse: YourAspire, Zenzap.
How can Verve AI Interview Copilot help you with custodian duties
Verve AI Interview Copilot can speed your preparation for custodian duties by offering tailored practice prompts, real-time feedback, and STAR-script refinements. Verve AI Interview Copilot simulates common custodian interview questions and coaches on safety language, prioritization rules, and concise outcomes. Use Verve AI Interview Copilot to practice 2–3 STAR stories until they’re fluent, then export a printable checklist. Visit https://vervecopilot.com to try scenario drills and focused feedback from Verve AI Interview Copilot.
What are the most common questions about custodian duties
Q: What should I highlight first when asked about custodian duties
A: Start with safety: PPE, signage, and incident reporting; then mention routine tasks
Q: How many STAR examples should I prepare for custodian duties
A: Prepare 2–3 examples per duty (cleaning, safety, equipment) and a short backup line
Q: How do I explain prioritization of tasks in a custodian role
A: Say: “Safety first, high-traffic areas next, then scheduled tasks; adjust as needed”
Q: Should I mention chemical names and brands in interviews
A: Only if relevant; focus on safe handling, PPE, and following MSDS procedures
Q: Can custodian duties be used to show leadership potential
A: Yes — cite training, organizing supplies, and improving procedures as leadership examples
Closing checklist and next steps for custodian duties interview prep
Read job description and highlight 3 duty keywords (2 min)
Pick 3 STAR stories (safety, difficult mess, equipment issue) and polish Action/Result (5 min)
Practice the two-key phrases: “safety first” and “prioritize high-traffic areas” (2 min)
Save a 30–60 second safety script and a thank-you line referencing a duty example for follow-up (1 min)
Quick 10-minute prep checklist
Print your 3 STAR stories and practice them aloud until you can state the action and result smoothly. Use the sample bolded phrases above as templates. If you want simulated practice, try the interview prompts and scripts listed in the linked resources for realistic questions and follow-ups: Startup Jobs, Workable, Zenzap.
Call to action
Good luck — framing your custodian duties with clear safety steps, prioritization rules, and concise STAR results will make you stand out as a candidate who is reliable, practical, and ready to protect the workplace.
